Router... what to buy?!

[Rhossydd]

I noticed the Energer one doesn't seem to be a plunge router?

As it quotes a plunge depth of 50mm on the web page you cite, I suspect you're wrong on that ;-)

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Rather than rushing into a poorly considered purchase why not get yourself a book on routing?

For example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Router-Book-Com ... rds=router

Or see what your local library has to offer.

This will explain all aspects of router use and give you examples / ideas of what is possible with one - from this you will be able to decide what you want a router to do for you and which type / make fits the bill and your pocket.

Regards Mick

 

[zodiac]

I noticed the Energer one doesn't seem to be a plunge router?

As it quotes a plunge depth of 50mm on the web page you cite, I suspect you're wrong on that ;-)

Thanks! It's clearly starting to stress me out enough to get that wrong

Why can't everyone make good power tools so it would be nice and easy?!

 

[Mike Wingate]

I started with a small Bosch POF 50, a great tool and it re-energised my woodwork. I built a table for it, but found it a little underpowered. So bought an Elu 96 for the table. Move on a few years, bigger project and giving the router lots of use. Building up a few quality router bits as the work evolved. I bigger router bought, an Elu 177 and 1/2" shank bits. Far better. Bought a Dewalt 625 and I leave the Elu in the router plate which is swopped between 2 router tables. Quality router bits will give better service. At school I had the use of a Trend T10 and Trend pro table. Build your own table.



I spend quite some time building jigs to make operations safer and repeatable.

 

[mseries]

Hi

Rather than rushing into a poorly considered purchase why not get yourself a book on routing?

For example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Router-Book-Com ... rds=router

Or see what your local library has to offer.

This will explain all aspects of router use and give you examples / ideas of what is possible with one - from this you will be able to decide what you want a router to do for you and which type / make fits the bill and your pocket.

Regards Mick

+1 to this. This is what I did before buying my first one. I got a couple of books and a few current magazines (this was before the internet though)

 

[carlb40]

Thanks again for all replies so far

I went to screwfix today on the way to work and asked if anyone knew anything about routers but apparently none of them do... weird for a tool shop (or am I being old fashioned here? lol). I decided not to buy one as I noticed the Energer one doesn't seem to be a plunge router?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb46 ... 240v/31457

as in it doesn't have locking knobs on each side? Or am I just getting confused.com again??

I've asked for a decent photo of the ebay Elu router on it's own and if he has the other knob for it or not, still waiting.

I should have just asked "What router should I buy for under £80 in my OP shouldn't I? lol

That was your first mistake - thinking screwfix is a toolshop :shock: That's like going into halfrauds and asking if they know about cars :lol:

Each router is different. Some have knobs to twist to lock/ unlock the plunge mechanism, while others will have a lever at the rear.


Personally i would find a proper tool specialist to visit and play with the routers.

 

[zodiac]

Thanks again for all replies so far

I went to screwfix today on the way to work and asked if anyone knew anything about routers but apparently none of them do... weird for a tool shop (or am I being old fashioned here? lol). I decided not to buy one as I noticed the Energer one doesn't seem to be a plunge router?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb46 ... 240v/31457

as in it doesn't have locking knobs on each side? Or am I just getting confused.com again??

I've asked for a decent photo of the ebay Elu router on it's own and if he has the other knob for it or not, still waiting.

I should have just asked "What router should I buy for under £80 in my OP shouldn't I? lol

That was your first mistake - thinking screwfix is a toolshop :shock: That's like going into halfrauds and asking if they know about cars :lol:

Each router is different. Some have knobs to twist to lock/ unlock the plunge mechanism, while others will have a lever at the rear.


Personally i would find a proper tool specialist to visit and play with the routers.

+1 to that but do they exist anymore? ? Everyone is a box shifter these days. Demo models are something long gone surely

 

[carlb40]

Some might exist but it's finding one. What you could do if there is one near by? Is pop to a b&q warehouse version to have a play. They often have a bigger range than is on the web site. But doubt you will get decent advice there.

After searching for tool shops near you, all i got was plumbers merchants :roll:

 

[Rhossydd]

do they exist anymore? ? Everyone is a box shifter these days. Demo models are something long gone surely

They do exist, but probably not anywhere local for you. I could recommend a few local to me in the SE, but it wouldn't be much help.
It might be helpful to post a new thread asking for recommendations for a good dealer near you. Given you've said you're 'near' Carmarthen, that's probably going to mean a (half?)day trip.
The DIY sheds are only any use for a very limited range of kit. When few people want to pay the premium for an old style dealer, they disappear. It's happened not just in woodwork, but many other fields too.

 

[RogerP]

I noticed the Energer one doesn't seem to be a plunge router?

As it quotes a plunge depth of 50mm on the web page you cite, I suspect you're wrong on that ;-)

Thanks! It's clearly starting to stress me out enough to get that wrong

Why can't everyone make good power tools so it would be nice and easy?!

I think you're getting information overload and starting to go round in circles.

Just get yourself a Triton either the 1400w or 2000w, They are very well made and thought out and all the collets you could want are available. They're both especially good in a table.

 

[Grahamshed]

I think you're getting information overload and starting to go round in circles.

Just get yourself a Triton either the 1400w or 2000w, They are very well made and thought out and all the collets you could want are available. They're both especially good in a table.

There is much to what Roger says. When I was after my first router I read so much my mind just started going round in circles. Eventually I just decided to get what was 'basically' the defacto standard for what I wanted. The dewalt 625. I figured if others copied it it must be good. I am happy enough with the decision, although I have brought others since the 625 is still on the table.

 

[mseries]

The OP doesn't say he has the budget for a Triton or a 625 though. He would certainly find it easier if he did

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Time spent doing a little in depth research rather than relying on others to second guess requirements and circumstance will pay dividends in the future. :roll:

Regards Mick

 

[RogerP]

Hi
Time spent doing a little in depth research rather than relying on others to second guess requirements and circumstance will pay dividends in the future. :roll:
Regards Mick

.........given that what you choose, after all the research and conflicting data you'll happen on whilst doing so, will actually turn out be the best for your use.

 

[mseries]

It has a plastic baseplate though which I don't like the sound of.

The base plate is to permit the router to slide better. It's a thin addition on the underside the cast metal base and I believe all machines have them. It's nothing to be afraid of, in fact I'd avoid any machine that doesn't have a removable base plate. I wouldn't worry about the screws being soft as per the review either, you don't need to remove it very often and as the writer says they are easily replaced with tougher ones if you are worried about them getitng chewed up.

 

[mseries]

A quick ebay last night turned up this half price bargain...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131051456347? ... 1438.l2649

but that has mixed reviews...

I have just read the 3* reviews of this B&D on Amazon and I wouldn't pay too much attention to them. The one about the Trend Guide bush not fiting, I am very very surprised because a Trend 30mm will fit onto my B&D KW850E which is the model that came before this. The fixing of the guide bush is such that you'll need a centring cone or other such device to get it concentric with the cutter though. The other reasons why they reviewers marked this down are in my opinion silly. The dust extraction spout isn't so fragine that it;ll break easily, he must have forced the box to close. The sticky plunge mechanism is usually fixed with a bit of lubrication. All that said though I still wouldn't recommend my B&D but at this price range what would I recommend ? I don't know, they'll all have their flaws which you'll probably not learn about until you try to do work with them.

Occasionally Trend have their small machines on sale as B-Grade stock. You might get one for £80 or so. These are small, low power machines but are better than the budget ones in places like B&Q, Screwfix etc. They have their place, they work, I'd like one to complement my others

 

[mseries]

or perhaps something like this Bosch POF 1400
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-POF-1400- ... cr_pr_pb_t

I have not used one

 

[zodiac]

Hi thanks all for the replies I have checked out every single one... most new models seem to have something for people to moan about in reviews, the cleanest set of reviews is on the 29.99 screwfix one so far!

I did look for Triton 1400 watt models on ebay and the best price is about 150 which is more than I wanted to pay for one but I have come close to hitting the buy it now on one and deal with the marital fallout later. Close but not done it yet.

Anywho... the ebay seller who has just relisted the router and table in my OP has come back to me saying he has found the missing other knob for the router and its back on... I had also asked for decent photos of the router on its own but no mention of those so I have asked again.

Still don't know should I buy his or a new one! Aaaaargh lol

 

[carlb40]

Some reviews of the triton
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews ... ewpoints=1

I don't think you would have any regrets getting it.

I'm sure SWMBO would appreciate some chocolates etc

 

[RogerP]

............, the cleanest set of reviews is on the 29.99 screwfix one so far! .........

... folk buying at that price probably have low expectations of it and so long as it says working they're happy