Router experience and opinions please

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I'm contemplating buying a new router. I expect only occasional use, and don't think I need a superior product. Then again the difference between adequate and superior only appears to be a hundred bucks.

So Two routers I'm looking at both have interchangeable bases (Fixed and plunge)

A) Skill 2-1/4 hp $119

Porter Cable 1-3/4 hp variable speed with 1/4" and 1/2" collets $219.

Opinions?

[Barry Pyeatt]

I've had great success with the Porter Cable products in general and the routers in particular. You will find the changeable collets worth the difference alone. You will also find the Porter Cable a lot easier to use and much more flexible for these types of projects and general woodworking needs.

Wish I could say the same for any of the Skil products other than the "Classic" worm drive saw and circular saw. Otherwise I haven't had particularly long life from any of their other products or impressed with their overall quality. Had a lot of them given to me as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day, etc. Fortunately I've been able to exchange all of them for something else. But then, I'm kinda fussy about my tools for the most part. I expect to get more than my money's worth from them and then be able to have them repaired reasonably.

I would also see if I could track down a factory reconditioned Porter Cable at about the same price as the Skil.

Also don't let the Hp ratings of Skil influence you, they are all "peak" ratings and don't have any resemblance to actual performance ratings.

[P Doug (WA)]

Of those two I would go Porter Cable without question. I have a Bosch and love it about the same price a s the P.C. I don't know Bosch is any better, I got the Boasch as a present or I may have owned the PC. My son got a Craftsman that really isn't bad espically if you are not using it real heavy. It would actually do everything I really need to do. Sorry but I think most people over buy. Get carried away with the latest and greatist, which is fine if you do it for a living. The hobbiest doesn't need to get carried away. Just my opinion...

[BobSmalser]

There'll be different and equally-valid opinions, but I'd like to have 4 routers, as I hate changing bits and setups. A laminate trimmer, a lightweight classic Porter Cable for light work, a fixed-base, table-mounted router, and a honking, 3+hp plunge router for mortising.

But I only have one.....a big, heavy, honking 3+hp Makita 3612 plunge router. And that remains my recommendation for folks who only have one.

The reason is speed and stability. With a heavy router, I can not only plunge-rout big mortises, I can freehand to a line cuts others have to spend a whole lot of time making jigs for. While it's inconvenient for lighter work, it's also big enuf to hold upside down in a vise for use as a "router table"....which I don't recommend for beginners but I certainly do a lot of.

[mrthethird]

I'd have to go with Barry and the rest on this one. The Porter Cable routers are far superior to the Skil product. While I am definately a budget-driven guy, I've had no good luck in the long term with anything from Skil, except their circular saw (which I've had for 7 years, banging around the back of my truck). The Bosch router is really worth looking into, but I believe the price is the same as the PC.

The PC is a bit more solid, and will make a smoother, more accurate cut.

Spend an extra hundred bucks now or later....that's what they'd tell me

[Wild_Dingo]

Mark... can I suggest you try to have a look at the Triton 1/2in router? Its about the best on the market as far as Ive been able to assertain... I believe its available in the States (Aussie made) its a smooth as silk operation and easy change designed to go both on the table and handheld changing bits while under the table it a breeze as its collet comes above the surface

I have one and mate its better than the ducks knuts! Better by far than many on the market and beat my other 2 hands down!

http://www.triton.com.au

[Dave R1]

If you are considering the Porter Cable router at $219, you might as well look at the DeWalt DW625 3HP router which Amazon shows at $229.

I have one of those and one of the DW621s. I like both of them very much and they've both been trouble free. I have an Eliminator Chuck on both them so bit changes are done with a ball-end t-handle wrench.

The DW625 will give you the capability to swing a large diameter bit (e.g. panel raiser) if you need to.

I also have a Plunge Bar on my 625. It makes it possible to plunge the router with one hand while setting cutter depth with the other. It also makes for a nice plunge action because you squeeze to plunge rather than pushing down on the work.

[capt jake]

I have three plus a laminate trimmer. I use them all! It is nice to be able to set up multiple units for different profiles and not worry about duplicating a profile.

As Bob points out, it is nice to have a larger unit, but my largest is 1 1/2 or 3/4 and it is plenty for the abuse it sees. And I do abuse tools.

[Frank Hagan]

Porter Cable used to be manufacturered by the Pentair Tool Group, but was sold to Black and Decker a year or two back. People looking closely at the pre- and post-sale units are noticing a disturbing trend in loss of replacement part availability. I think the quality will drop as well. I have also heard that PC has a hard time making the smooth start varible speed motors work smoothly.

I love my PC690 fixed base router, but when looking at plunge routers, I went with the DeWalt 625; very smooth plunging action and generally well made. I think DeWalt is also owned by a large conglomerate of tool brands ... it may even be Black and Decker ... but they haven't just recently changed hands, and they have maintained their reputation.

Pat Warner has a pretty good router site at http://www.PatWarner.com and he reviews several routers. He likes the DeWalt and the Bosch.

[capt jake]

but was sold to Black and Decker

And they were absorbed by DeWalt! Then DeWalt dropped the B&D routers all together. All of my routers are older B&D and they are very reliable and precise tools. I keep my eyes peeled at garage sales hoping for another.

[boatbuilder.org]

There is nothing wrong with the Porter Cable, check this out http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=1260

---Joel---

[CHUCK N]

DeWalt is a wholly owned subsidiary of BLACK & DECKER

[Greg Luckett]

I would not touch Skill any more, and it used to be my favorite brand.

Last year, HD had a really good price on a Ryobi which came with 2 fixed and 1 plunge base. I only use it on my router table mostly.

I also own an old Black & Decker which will only take 1/4 shanks but it is great for trim or making signs.

Another one owned and my workhorse it a Bosch plunge router.

I also use a Dremmel tool extensively for routing, carving, cutting, etc. This is a great tool for cutting out delaminated deck sections or old non-skid. The reinforced cutting wheels about 1-1/2 diameter work well. These are not made by Dremmel. I like using the Rotozip cutting bits with this motor too.

The Rotozip rarely gets used. This is a tool I could have saved money on by not buying.