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I am looking into buying new router and laminate trimmer's. I now use the cheap Chicago brand lam trimmer for cutting binding channels. Have done many and now problem in the rig got from John Hall. I know cheap can't be good, but they do work and at time $20 and never a problem. I am getting better brand for other things (and yea will probably use for binding stuff) Do any of the major brands (pc,mikita, dewalt etc) come with the nesessary base or whatever to use the brass or metal template guides, or do I buy those seperate? The lam trimmer will be for using a spiral bit for the endgraft jig (from Mark Kett)and router initially for the mortis and tenon or dovetail (of course other things also) I just need to get the stuff for using the lam trimmer for inlay and things using template guides, and not sure if those come ready to attach guides or not. Any suggestions would be much appreciated TIA

I asked pretty much this question a while back, and the most named 'full size' router was probably the Porter Cable 690 in one of it's several incarnations (there's a kit that runs about 200 bucks that has the router, plunge, and fixed bases). Opinions were split on the laminate trimmer, with many favouring Porter Cable, and particularly the (touted as excellent-but-expensive) 310 production laminate trimmer, some using the 7310, which is less impressive, and a lot of people using DeWalts lam trim.

I'm still dithering between getting a 310, a 690, or just going for the whole hog and getting them both!

As for guides, I guess that depends on each individual model..

You will never regret getting a Porter Cable 310 laminate trimmer. You
will quickly forget that it costs more than others. It just works great! And
Stan, you can get a base for it that is designed to use brass template
guides. I believe the site is patwarner.com.

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Sylvan thanks the base for the guides is what mostly concerned about. I have some of the plastic for another brand but not like all that much

I have the 690 in the kit that Mattia mentioned as well as the 310 lam trimmer and am very happy with both of them.

I got the 310 recently and haven't done much work with it but it just seems to be an excellent router.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Hey Stan
   I would like to talk to you. Send me your phone Number . I will make you a new base if you need one.
John Hall

John I don't have a problem with the base or the rig. I made a typo and should have read, " I have no problem" rather than "I now have a problem" Once figured how to set it up no problem. I do like it better with the setup for using bearings, rather than making the adjustment on the router. If a better router and finer adjustments would like that better. Just last two tops the router slipped and went to far into top. I checked it and tight, it is me and I think the router base not a good one. I have never had a problem with anything you have done. Love the heat blanket and the retrostat that goes with it and will get another soon. If you guys out there do repair and want a heat source for removing bridges, John has a little silicone blanket for that too. It also works for taking off a fretboard.

I recently went to the Woodworking show out at the DC Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. It's my understanding that Porter Cable has been bought by Black and Decker and is in the process of being cannibalized -- their sales staff have been descimated and there is a concern from dealers that parts will become difficult to obtain.

I've got a 310 and like the stability it has from a power standpoint, but terribly dislike the height adjustment which can stick and then drop into place making your cut deeper than you thought you'd set it. It does have the advantage that the height mechanism is a larger screw ring much like some routers so there isn't any articulation in the system (barring the problem I just described).

I saw a new trimmer from Makita that is very nice, has similar power and has a base somewhat like the old Ryobis with a slip fit collar so it too moves vertically; it just doesn't have the micro adjustment the 310 has. Rigid just came out with a high power trimmer with a rack and pinion adjustment for height that I want to check out. --db

How about P/C 309?

What do you all use for under-table router?

I use my 690 as my under table router as well. I don't do anything that requires a lot of horsepower on my router table though.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars