well actually not a new topic

[mark king]

1/2" routers.

I'm looking at buying this router kit a Draper 80002 @ £76.00.
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/1500w-230v ... r-PT1500VK

I intend to use it for small box making, wooden puzzles and toys.
I've recently retired and I'm thinking of turning my shed into a little wood-shop.
What do you chippys think of this router.

Mark

 

[RogerS]

Hi Mark

Personally I'd go for something smaller and lighter to match the type of projects you're thinking about. Maybe even not bother with one that has a 1/2" collet.

Roger

 

[mark king]

Thanks Roger
That's what I was looking into a Trend 1/4 inch but almost every review I read seem to end on saying 1/2 inch is better and who knows where this new hobby might take me.
I am also going to make myself a small simple table to mount the router in. If I'm going to do that I wondered if this Draper would be any good as it has a lot of the goodies the dearer ones have but at the price of the Trend 1/4 inch one.

thanks

 

[Fergus]

I have that Draper router but have only used it handheld a couple of times, it now sits in my router table. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to routing and its the only one I have ever used, so have nothing to compare it too..but only the whole I thought it was excellent value and seems powerful and pretty well put together.

My only negative comment would be its a bit of a beast to plunge and takes quite a lot to push it down, but having not used any other routers I do not know if they are all like that ( I suspect not) ..

Its handy having the 1/2 inch 1/4 inch collets though ,which is mainly why I bought it .Plus my budget was very limited .

 

[Streepips]

Nope

Look out for a SH Elu 96e
More than enough and a joy to handle.

 

[mark king]

Thanks gents your comments are appreciated.
Fergus I mirror you on the experience and funds front so it seems I either go for the Draper 80002 kit with some of the latest fittings or for the aged but quality God router in the Elu 96.

Streepips doing a quick search does show the Elu out there for similar money to the Draper.

I think I'm leaning to new over old at least I'd have a period of cover with the guarantee.

Thanks again all.

 

[Streepips]

Mark.

a few months ago I bought a brand new boxed unopened MOF 96e for about £90 on ebay.... my peace of mind re warranty is the overall quality of the Elu as opposed to 13 months and kaput from a lesser brand..

 

[ndbrown]

Budget restrictions are a reality for many of us. I had a lower power old "green" Bosch router that was a bit underpowered for my needs and I sold it on e-bay to help finance a new DeWalt 621 (great dust extraction design on this 1/4" router). However, once I had enough money for the new Dewalt (£185), I noticed a secondhand DeWalt 621 on e-bay. I paid around £80 for it and it's like new. I then spent the other £100 on another e-bay router (Makita 3612C, 1/2" router), again, it was less than a year old in a systainer type case and like new. I know buying secondhand is not to everyones taste, but if you shop carefully and don't get too carried away with auction fever, there are bargains to be had. Buying secondhand can really stretch your budget. It's worth considering this route in my opinion but I am sure you will get good advice from some of the other members anyway.