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  1. #16
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    Nov 2015
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    Whangarei, New Zealand
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    70
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    282

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    I bought the Bosch 1600 with the plunge base here in New Zealand, then had the fixed base for it sent over from Amazon in the US.
    cost me something in the vicinity of $70 US, last year. I even posted about it in this forum, since it may have
    been a special at the time.
    That way: no warranty problems with the motor. The bases run on something like 12V so they are entirely
    interchangeable, the motor is 240V.
    Had to root around a little to compare model numbers etc which are different for us and for them. In any event, I got
    the correct base with the rubberized slightly D-shaped handles. It lives in my router table now.

    Oh, and I highly recommend getting a musclechuck for it. It makes using it a joy.

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  3. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
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    68
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    12,006

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnaduit View Post
    Seems to be called a "Bosch GMR1" in Australia, 1/4" collet, 550W. The problem I see with the trimmer routers is that the smaller Leigh router dovetail bits are 8mm shank, and the larger ones are 1/2". So that disqualifies the trimmer routers I've seen.
    I'm not on top of what trim routers are available in Australia, but most can be fitted with either an OEM 8 mm collet or one from a reputable after market maker like Elaire Corporation -Router Collets

    I'm pretty certain that 8 mm collets are a standard assessory for routers sold in the EU
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  4. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    414

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    With regard to the laminate trimmers, if I'm going to invest in a dedicated router for the Leigh jig, then I would want to invest in something that can take the full range of dovetail (and finger-joint) bits - and that means something that can take up to 1/2" shank diameters. That is because the larger Leigh bits, which I already have, are 1/2". Yes most of the bits are 8mm, but some are 1/2" too. To get something as a dedicated router for the jig, that only takes half of the bits in the set just seems to have drawbacks, in my mind anyway.

    The reason for getting a dedicated router for the jig is that you have to fit a guide adaptor to your router, screwed in. Of course it's ok to take this out whenever you want to do normal routing, but it would be convenient to not have to do this whenever you want to swap tasks, e.g. do some dovetailing and then some rebating and then more dovetailing. Hence one dreams of a dedicated router.

    With this idea, I googled something like "best router for Leigh dovetail jig" and found it was a common topic across multiple forums. Some people swear by their old 3HP juggernaut, but many other were mentioning the fixed base routers, as having a lower centre of gravity -- and being lighter to use if they are lower HP. At the same time, because lami trimmers don't have a 1/2" collet, they don't really qualify. So you are left with a select few models. Then add the desirability of soft start so you don't get a kick when you're on the jig, and variable speed for optimum setting vis-a-vis bit diameter and wood type. And a D-handle (different from a knob - looks like the handle on a spade) that some people say makes it even nicer to use. So you're down to about two or three models. Of which, when you count the times people mention this or that model, the DW618 comes out on top.

    Really, you could use anything, even a carpenter's thrashed-out relic from eBay as often suggested above, or a cheap Ozito from Bunnings, a monster 3HP Triton gym weight, a megabuck Festool because it's Festool, or anything. But if you're going down the route of a dedicated router, why not get the one that seems to be most commended for the job? That's my logic anyway.

    The Bosch GOF 1600 could be a contender - though when I looked for the base unit online (Bosch 1600 GKF) I could only see them sold in UK, for about GBP 94. So it's a fairly expensive road to take. Balanced by the undeniable desirability of having something actually built 240V. Truly that is desirable, because it must be said, though you can import it legally, I don't think you're allowed to sell a 110V power tool like the DW618 here, probably not even at your deceased estate auction. Have it cremated with you. And there's also the pervading sense of dread that the forum leccy nazis might find out you have a 110V tool, like the teacher finding firecrackers in your schoolbag.

  5. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Canberra
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    5,124

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    I was going to say why not consider the old warhorse of a Triton TRA001 (had two over the years and found it good)... but then I looked up Gunnaduits suggestion of the Bosch GOF 1600 and it looks like a REALLY nice router!

    Not that I NEED another router (for I've a few old ones and a Festool)... but if I was going to get one... that Bosch would certainly be it.

    BTW, I do have a Leigh D4R, for years (!!!!) and haven't used it ONCE! (hehe!)

  6. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    414

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    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    I was going to say why not consider the old warhorse of a Triton TRA001 (had two over the years and found it good)... but then I looked up Gunnaduits suggestion of the Bosch GOF 1600 and it looks like a REALLY nice router!

    Not that I NEED another router (for I've a few old ones and a Festool)... but if I was going to get one... that Bosch would certainly be it.

    BTW, I do have a Leigh D4R, for years (!!!!) and haven't used it ONCE! (hehe!)
    Actually it was P.W.H. from over the Tasman that put us onto the Bosch GOF 1600. Yes I agree it looks nice.

    With the D4R, I had the same problem of buying it and then not using it, because what doesn't come through in the sales pitch is the fiddly learning curve. You have to force yourself to learn it, it's not intuitive. Nothing more tedious than following the step by step from a book - "Step 1. Put part A on the lower bracket of part B and turn half-way then check the doodad hasn't misaligned. Step 2 ..." etc. So the D4R sits on the top shelf.

  7. #21
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
    Age
    68
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    12,006

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnaduit View Post
    With regard to the laminate trimmers, if I'm going to invest in a dedicated router for the Leigh jig, then I would want to invest in something that can take the full range of dovetail (and finger-joint) bits - and that means something that can take up to 1/2" shank diameters. That is because the larger Leigh bits, which I already have, are 1/2". Yes most of the bits are 8mm, but some are 1/2" too. To get something as a dedicated router for the jig, that only takes half of the bits in the set just seems to have drawbacks, in my mind anyway.
    I have a different take.

    the 1/2" shank bits are really only used when dovetailing case sides -- a process which you do fairly rarely. Drawers and boxes typically use material well within the cutting capacity of an 8 mm shank bit.
    With two (2) laminate trimmers, one can be setup with the DT bit, the other with the straight bit, meaning that, after initial adjustment, the settings don't need to change.
    Two laminate trimmers or palm routers are around the same cost as a single 1/2" shank router meaning that you are in front from the get go.

    Then again, if you are predominately making blanket chests, then you may want to consider two 1/2" shank routers.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  8. #22
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    414

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    Ian, I can see the logic of that. Given that the range of routers here in Australia is so restricted, and really getting a 110V router (or two) is such a PITA (mostly because of the expensive transformer), maybe what you are saying is a good compromise. The 11/16" dovetail bit (1/2" shank) would be the most loss, as that's still fairly handy for drawers. But all the smaller work would be covered. At least I can do all the box joints up to 5/16" (but not 3/8" unfortunately), and I've got a stupendous quantity of box joints planned short-term, hence the push now to get the new dedicated router.

    I'd have to find out which trimmers can take 8mm bits and have good power. Soft start is something I'm used to, I think I'd want that. Not sure if variable speed matters so much in this scenario, given that all the bits have to be on the small side anyway, so probably a non-adjustable 22000 rpm is ok?

    And also I'd have to get used to not having handles, just work by holding the cap and body.

    Completely new territory. Not saying I've had an epiphany or anything. But any candidate models to think about?

  9. #23
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Canberra
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    414

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    1) Trimmer routers: Following the Bosch trimmer router trail: In Australia you can buy a Bosch GMR 1 trimmer router, with 1/4" collet. In UK and Europe this is called a Bosch GKF 600 trimmer router, EU model has interchangeable 6mm and 8mm collets. UK apparently 1/4". In the US, it's sold as a Colt, 1/4" of course.
    So, collet adaptors: See these Amazon reviews https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-26085.../dp/B0014188DA, where people have tried buying metric collets for the 1/4", viz the experience of Mr. Nordin, a UK chap: "When I bought the router kit it only said that it came with a 1/4" collet chuck. No problem I thought. I just buy 6 and 8 mm collets to it also. NAAAAH. These are way too big and don't fit at all. Why in the world is the nose cone different.".

    Apart from the fact that I wasn't aware that UK gents said 'naaah', (just as I was crestfallen when I realised that 'mate' wasn't uniquely Australian either) this seems to mean the idea of finding adaptor collets is very difficult. Retailers just don't mention nose cone angles, let alone if it's going to or from 1/4" to 8mm. Confusing and totally underspecified. Looks messy and kind of hopeless. I'm not convinced that the router trimmer route is viable for 8mm bits in Australia.

    2) Bosch GOF 1600 CE router: Seems to be sold as the MRF23EVS in the US. That means that the fixed-base body for the MRF23EVS (part nr Bosch MRF01) can be swapped in for the plunge base on the GOF 1600, and at USD64 is much cheaper than the UK version of the base at GBP94 mentioned post #18 above. See happy reviewers from Australia and NZ who have realised this already and attest to their complete satisfaction: https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-MRF01-R.../dp/B00AEBXH7S

    The router trimmer route promised to be cheap (Bosch GMR1 A$259) but seems to get tangled up when you look into the nitty-gritty.

    The Bosch GOF 1600 at A$529 plus the MRF01 base at A$170 approx (eBay incl postage and GST), or A$700 total, is not much more than that fixed-speed hard-start Makita 3601B trade router ($669) mentioned up in post #2 or #3.

    Summary for back shed executive board meeting:
    Lami trimmer is out. So it's Bosch GOF 1600 plus the MRF01 base for $700 or the US Dewalt DW618 plus transformer for about A$650. If you go deluxe and get two routers (one for pins one for dovetails), the Bosch GOF 1600 option is $1400, the DW618 + transformer option is about A$1000.

  10. #24
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
    Age
    68
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    12,006

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    forcing Google to return results from Germany

    https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000PXHLR2/...G6dhZObkOIUR0w

    https://www.testsieger.de/testberich...1-60a-100.html

    and I wouldn't bother trying to source a 1/4" collet.

    German prices usually include 20% VAT, so for export you would need to divide by 6, multiply by 5 -- then add postage.
    So 120 Euro would be 100 Euro before VAT, or about $160 AUD PLUS postage
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  11. #25
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    Jul 2006
    Location
    Canberra
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    414

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    Vielleicht, ja, das könnte gut sein. Good thinking, to look at the German source product. Price is so low! Voltage is so 240! So schön!

    I really might have to go with that.

  12. #26
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    5,124

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    Good prices on Amazon Germany. VERY good.

    Ill definitely be using that and my mail redirector for that stuff.

  13. #27
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Sydney,Australia
    Posts
    3,157

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    I don't think anyone has mentioned the DeWalt D26204K-XE kit with a plunge and fixed base. $415 at Sydney Tools. It now only comes with a 1/4" collet, but a while ago I button holed a DeWalt rep at a wood show & he checked their inventory, seems the 8mm collet is available here, you just have to brow beat the dealer to order it.

  14. #28
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Canberra
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    414

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    I just looked further into the scenario of buying from Germany. The website testsieger.de linked by Ian above is an aggregator site that ranks prices on products. It turned up a cheaper price for the GKF trimmer, but Amazon.de turned up a cheaper price for the GOF 1600.

    Going with the lower priced sites, you'd have to use Shop and Ship or whatever for shipping, because none of those sellers ship outside Germany or at least EU. So you have to pay their 20% VAT. The higher priced sites' prices exceed the extra 20% anyway, so it wouldn't it matter if you found one that shipped directly ex-VAT.

    1) Bosch GKF trimmer router with 6 and 8mm collets, package weight 3.9kg: lowest price EUR119.90 = AUD193, S&S shipping quote AUD62, assume no Aust GST, total AUD $255.
    If bought retail in Australia (as the GMR 1, which has only 1/4" collet, can't convert to 8mm) it is $259. No cost saving, but you get the correct collet for Leigh dovetail bits.

    2) Bosch GOF 1600 CE, package weight 11kg: lowest price EUR329.15 = AUD530, S&S shipping quote AUD132, assume no Aust GST, total AUD 662.
    If bought retail in Australia, the same router (but with 1/4" and 1/2" collets instead of the German 8mm and 12mm collets) is $529. Much cheaper to buy in Australia.

    So the only point of buying from Germany is to get a machine with metric collets. There is no price advantage, and of course no warranty.

  15. #29
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,803

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    You may want to look at this trim router: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Variable...gAAOSwnyVZ3w74

    This comes with 1/4" and 3/8' collets. It is essentially 1 hp. It has variable speed and soft start. Looks very similar to the Makita RT0700CX, and is reported to come from the same factory (not a clone of the Makita, as it may be the other way around - that is, the Makita is based on this machine). On the UK woodworking forum they refer to this as the Katsu, and rave about it. It has been reviewed many times on YouTube.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  16. #30
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Melbourne
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    91

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    I picked up one of these that was 'well used' but they are so well built a couple of new bearings later and a good clean it is quiet, powerful and will cut all day if I need it to. I have it in a homebuilt aluminium framed pantorouter and is more than man enough for any size hardwood I throw at it.

    Mike

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnaduit View Post
    I just don't know what these Makita 3601B routers get used for -- they really are primitive -- generally speaking, who buys them? I don't think it would be a 'handyman' router - too expensive, and no bells or whistles.

    So, a trade router? When they wash up on eBay by the dozen, is that because they've been thrashed to an inch of death in service of some trade?

    I'd buy a used ladder. Or particular old hand tools, sure. But I'm not so sure I'd splash $180 or whatever on a dinged up old carpenter's utility router, as the heart of my dedicated, top-of-the-range precision dovetailing jig.

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