Nobody use these things anymore?
Don't be shy now!
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| Author: | Jordan Bunte [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:45 am ] |
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Hello everyone. I'm currently in the market for a router. This will get used mostly for making jigs and routing truss rod channels, etc. I have a Makita laminate trimmer that I'll use for routing end grafts, mortise/tenon, binding, etc. The two features I am looking for mostly are >2.25HP and variable speed. If anyone has any recommendations let me know. It seems that a lot of you like PC, how do they compare to these two.... Makita RF1101KIT2 AND Bosch 1617EVSPK Lastly, I'm trying to stay at or around $200. The Makita is $180 shipped and Bosch is $198 shipped. Does anyone have experience with Makita routers? I am really happy with the laminate trimmer 3707FC, and wouldn't mind going with the RF1101 Kit. THANKS! Jordan |
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| Author: | Jordan Bunte [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:55 pm ] |
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Nobody use these things anymore?
Don't be shy now! |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:01 pm ] |
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I have that very Makita router, and it is excellent. I have no complaints whatsoever and recommend it without hesitation. Bit changing is a breeze (once you figure out how the quick-release works -- I'll help you with that if you'd like). I bought an extra base for it (ordered direct from Makita) that I keep attached to the router table. My other base has an offset subbase I got from... drawing a blank, here... who's that guy who makes great router subbases and other stuff? So I just pop the router motor in and out of the two bases rather than having two routers, and this has worked out great for me so far. Anyway, the router works just brilliantly with everything I throw at it. The Bosch is probably equally good. When I need another, I'll probably buy one of those. I haven't tried any of the newer PCs. They're probably great, too. The little PC 310 rocks, as many people will tell you. |
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| Author: | Alain Desforges [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:04 pm ] |
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I have a larger Makita (forget the model at the moment). Powerful and scary. I've always loved every Makita I owned. (drills, routers, etc...). |
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| Author: | A Peebels [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:28 pm ] |
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I have several Makita tools, and have always been impressed with their quality. My routers are Porter Cable so I can't give you any advise other than my experience with Makita drills, saws, and sheetmetal nibblers. They are all first class. Al |
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| Author: | ATaylor [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:30 pm ] |
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I looked at the Makita and the Bosch but settled on the PC 890 (actually the kit w/ the plunge and fixed base) and haven't looked back. I don't remember exactly why I chose it over the M or B but man, what a beasty router for the weight. Simply doesn't bog down - mows through whatever. I've been making a number of jigs etc. lately and it's my favorite tool nowadays. PC review here |
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| Author: | A Peebels [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:32 pm ] |
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Jordan: Interesting. I just looked at your Makita router link, and the bases appear to be identical to the bases of my Porter Cable, but the motor is different. Al |
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| Author: | Michael Shaw [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:41 pm ] |
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I have a DEWALT DW618 2-1/4 HP Electronic Variable Speed Fixed Base Router . It's a great tool, lots of power. It takes half inch or quarter in bits. I think I paid about $179.00 plus shipping at amazon.com 
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| Author: | old man [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:25 pm ] |
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I have two identical Bosch 3 hp, plunge routers. I keep one mounted to the router table, the other for free hand. They are excellent machines. Never used Makita. Ron |
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| Author: | Jordan Bunte [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:26 pm ] |
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Thanks for responding guys! I've done a little more research, and am going to order the Makita RF1101 KIT2 from Amazon ($200 less 10% = $180 shipped). Thanks for your positive feedback---it reaffirmed that Makita makes great routers and trimmers! Jordan |
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| Author: | Shawn [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:50 pm ] |
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An alternative to the Makita is the Hitachi KM12VC which Amazon has for $180. It is a very similar package to the Makita. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ZZWX8/qid=1150432255/s r=1-3/ref=pd_bbs_3/002-8993390-6444044?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi &v=glance&n=228013 I used to have an architectural woodworking shop so I have a bunch of routers. I have a couple of the Bosch and they are very solid. I have had many Makitas over the years...the big one everyone had was the 3612BR which was one of the first 3 HP plunge. The Hitachi M12V is the newer version of the TR12 which for ~$200 is a great 3 1/4 hp plunge router that can hog out any kind of material. If you have not worked with a plunge router before you will find that in general they are so handy that you may never switch to the fixed base. I use the Bosch 1617 in my router table at all times and am very happy with it. I have several of the Porter Cable (both 690 and 890), each for their own setup as PC has the most universal template guide system...all other brands have adaptors so they can use PC template guides in addition to their own. For lighter work I use the PC 309 (round base) and PC310 (square base) which take the PC template guides (including the inlay template set) as well as being solid and easy to use one handed. |
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| Author: | Kim [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:06 pm ] |
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I used to work with a firm producing timber staircases in a workshop and then would go out on site to fit them. Given that each site would be different and often cramped with other tradies or the occupants personal effects, this was very very demanding work on power tools and fixer alike. The tools regularly got kicked across the floor on site as you lift and manipulate stringers and such into place. They were often dropped and knocked about as a matter of course and were required to do much heavier work than their designer could possibly have considered reasonable. All my tools were Makita, and most were secondhand when I got them. They not only continued to take that abuse on a daily basis, but were also operated extensively in fine sand during house re-stumping operations and have also been called upon to saw, drill, and rout some of the hardest recycled demolition timbers you could imagine. With blades asmok'in and spark'in, spade bit shafts twist'in and snap'in, tungsten carbide cutters fly'in off the bit, those tools just kept on going and going and the job always, without exception, got done. I still have some of those tools, their still going strong, others I have sold on as I cannot do the heavy work they are capable of anymore. The only one I managed to burnout was a 5" angle grinder. I was 160km (100 miles) from any town and we were moving a large shed. The uprights of the shed needed to be cut from a concrete slab but the only disk on hand were 9", off came the guard (don't shiver, the 100 miles was all corrugated road, this job had to be done) on went the disk and down came the shed. On the very last of around 40+ uprights she smoked up leaving only a 1/4" of steel to waggle off. Get the Mak you won't look back......OK Mr Makita, you can send me the cheque when ever your ready 
Cheers Kim |
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| Author: | Chas Freeborn [ Fri Jun 16, 2006 2:46 am ] |
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If it's a plunge router you're interested in I've hade good luck with the Dewalt DW621. Originally a Elu design which was bought out by Black & Decker some years ago and now under the Dewalt label. Mine is British bulit, quiet, powerful and the dust extraction actually works. I also got the precision depth stop. -C |
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| Author: | Don Williams [ Fri Jun 16, 2006 2:51 am ] |
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I have a Bosch, and it is great, but a friend recently purchased a newer Porter Cable that is quiet as a mouse, and a fantastic router. I'm starting to feel that quieter is also associated with "better". Just look at Festool stuff! Very quiet tools. They will put you in the poor house, but they're quiet.
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