Opinions on best Router

Unknown

Tried a couple of fixed base & plunge rouers out for making my own return tracks in Climate Panel™/QuickTrac™ system and had major problems with the Boch 2 1/4Hp combi unit. Now I've started a new job with the Porter Cable plunge router. It seems a bit cumbersome as compared to the Boch & my old Makita.

Any advise on the best model for making return chanels with a "key hole" or custome made "T-chanel" router bit for 5/16" and 1/2" PEX and PEX-AL-PEX

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Steve Ebels_3

Check out Hitachi

Gave one to my son in law (nicknamed the termite cause he's always chewing up wood). IIRC, it was a 2hp or something like that, he loves it. I'll see if I can get the model # for you. Here's a link to their whole catalog. The model I gave him has been replaced.

http://www.hitachi-koki.com/powertools/products/products.html

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I bought a large

Bosch 1617 with electronic speed control for doing WarmBoard adjustments. Powerful and light, very well made. It will spin a 5/8" core box bit 5/8" deep without a problem. Wish I had a plunge version, sometimes. Although it adds weight and complexity.

I would guess for cutting that thin of wood, with that small of bit, you would not need a lot of HP and related girth?? Would a small 1/2hp be enough.

The key to any router's happy-ness is razor sharp bits. Keep spares and invest in carbide tipped ones for extra life.

Plywood, wafer, and particle board materials are hardest on routers.

When it(the it) starts smoking, and smoke detectors go off, you've fried that bit beyond a resharpen

Ear and eye protection, always.

hot rod

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Also check back issues

of JLConline, Fine Homebuilding, and Tools to the Trade. they often do power tool comparisons.

What type of problems are you having? Seems like a simple tool to be finicky. You're sure it's not operator error

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

Love my Craftsman Professional Plunge Router, but not sure who actually made it. I don't do grooves for floor tubing, but will say a few things.

"Soft start" is wonderful and should be considered a must. Good, electronic variable speed is also a requirement. The larger the bit and the deeper the cut, the slower the speed you must use to prevent burning up even the finest bit. The router should maintain full power at lower speeds and I'll honestly say that the more power the better. Look at amps--not inflated horsepower ratings (Sears still ticks me off for starting that damned HP war with ridiculous "peak" claims.)

I only use ½" shank bits. The ¼" shank tend to chatter when making deep cuts.

If you're making a number of identical cuts, I highly recommend making a template and using a pattern following adapter in the base. Time spent making the template will be repaid MANY times over in super-fast setup and perfect repeatability.

Dan_8

Problems?

As others have asked, what kind of problems?

I've got the Bosch unit that I think you're talking about (1617EVSPK - one motor, two bases?) and I really like it a lot. Any chance your issues are bit related rather than the router?

I also picked up a big Hitachi plunger (M12V) to put in a router table that I'm building. It's really well reviewed and pretty powerful (15amp) but it's kind of big for pushing across the floor if you don't need to swing a monster bit.