Small router recommendations

[Jacob]

It’s more how comfortable you are with a bit spinnng at 24,000 rpm in close proximity, I’ve had cheap bits snap, I’ve never had a Wealden bit go so am happy these days to pay the extra.

Have you got a 30mm guide Bush for the Erbauer, running that in a slot is a simple way to cut housings

Hi Doug. Yes have router bush but will probably stick with saw board (router board really) as it's very quick to set up on the line. Bush plus template for more complicated things - stair housings (when I get around to it!)

 

[oakfield]

Just realised - though I need this small router for a number of good reasons it's the wrong tool for these housings

Why do you say that?
What size are the housings?
I’ve just found one in the van that I knocked up out of scraps - I’ll take some pictures in case it helps...

 

[Jacob]

I thought it simpler to do just one pass for straight stop-ended housing with the right sized cutter (20mm) rather than 2 passes with a smaller one. 20mm needs the bigger machine - against a straight edge rather than a more complicated "dado jig", though I see your point, especially if you haven't got the right sized cutter!
But the little machine is very handy on other bits n bobs.

 

[oakfield]

Sorry if the following is teaching you to suck eggs, but it may be helpful for someone else!
The dado jig is basically 2 saw boards facing each other which support the router on both sides.

Just did this on some spare 4x2 I had with me:

 

[Jacob]

Right. I hadn't thought of two sawboards. Looks like a very good idea!
I thought you meant a single double sided template as per stair treads etc.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

There's no reason why you shouldn't use a 20mm cutter in a small router, it just takes more passes to get the depth rather than a smaller cutter taking more passes to get the width. A zero clearance fence is a useful thing to make.