Thread: What new Router would you buy?

Hi Gary

I made a similar recommendation on anther thread ...

My medium is an old Elu MOF97, which is fantastic for its balance and control in the hand. This is not made any more - Elu was purchased a few decades ago by B&D, and has been rebadged as the deWalt DW621. I would strongly recommend one. This is simply a superb router, is both 1/4" and 1/2", variable speed, soft start and has excellent dust control. I believe Sydney Tools sell them.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by Regdop

HI, Im looking to buy a new router, I have a small Makita trim router, and I have a Triton MOF001 fixed in my router bench, so I need a larger hand held. I rather like the Bosch GOF 1600, I am not entertaining the cost of a Festool, so I would appreciate your input on my new purchase.... cheers Gary

The router i would recommend is the larger Makita plunge router for a number of reasons. Template guides are readily available for purchase. Setting the depth of cut required is not held by a friction set-up as they have a tendency to slip. The router is capable of accepting a large template guide 40mm in diameter which means a greater number of cutters can be used such as a 32mm diameter dish cutter that I have used when routing a number of small boxes and serving dishes. Note: I am well aware that the use of Template Guides are not a popular attachment used by many router users which is a pity as a greater number of projects can be achieved.

Article I published some time ago

0001 Buying your first router Feb 2001.pdf

I have two of the Bosch GOF and unfortunately they both surfer from movement in the switch side pillar.
It's quite noticeable around about 1 mm
Which when mounted in a table is unacceptable due to coursing vibration.
So I personally would not recommend them.

Cheers Matt

If I were going to buy a new router I would go for the Hitachi M12VE, variable speed, 2000watts it's a beast and can be easily modified to have router table top height adjustment, and Hitachi's go on and on.

+1 for Hitachi M12 series, there's a few different models to choose from depending on what power you want and if you want variable speed

Hi Gary;
What do you intend to use it for? Every router has features that make it really good at certain things but less so (or rubbish) in others. Not wishing to brag; but I have 8 of the damn things; including a Veritas router plane. Each one is used in specific applications as per it's better qualities, and the list is in reverse order of purchase over the last 20 years:

JOF001 hand held 1/2" bits used for plunging cuts and jigwork using Trend/Elu/DeWalt style templates
Ryobi laminate trimmer trimming laminates and edge banding
Makita 3601B "D" handled edge work and dovetail jigs
TRA001 table use only
Ryobi ERT241200 overhead mode in a Triton workcenter
2X no-name Chinese generic 1/4" plunge routers One is used in a very small table, the other is used for small handheld plunge routing and some jig work.

I prefer the small Triton for handheld plunge work because it has a wide stable base and a low centre of gravity; I've previously used Bosch GOF1600, Makita 3612 & Dewalt 625's in this area and the Triton is just "better" for me. The Ryobi 1/2" it replaced was just awful to use handheld but now justifies its existence mounted in a Triton Workcentre permanently set up for overhead use only. I find a "D" handled router the easiest to control on edge work and on jigs where you enter the work from an edge; and nothing really beats the big Triton for table work. The little crappy Chinese units were the first machines I bought and just refuse to die; the only new machines I would contemplate replacing them with are the Trend T5 (latest version of the Elu 96) or Derek's recommended DW 621.

I have numerous routers ,more than I really need but the one I have always liked as a multiple purpose router is the Hitachi MR12 ,she is a beast for sure but a gentle beast.
You don't want to know about the Festool 2200 another beast but obviously not a consideration of yours.

Thank you to everyone for your input, still researching at the moment. I’ll let you know which way I swing!

The brands that regularly come up with input here are,Makita, Hitachi,Triton, Bosch, DeWalt, All these come up in good price ranges.The router being soft start as well as multi purpose ie, both hand held & bench mounted with collets for the various sized bit shafts are all things to consider as well as the comfort zone in operating.
Suggest you get along to a tool store if one available to you to try for size the various routers available.

Wait and save up for a Festool.

Originally Posted by Damienol

Wait and save up for a Festool.

It's horses for courses and there's no denying that Festool make top quality gear, but for most wanting to do DIY or weekend jobs it's hard to justify when you can have good quality Japanese power tools for a lot less.

Originally Posted by Damienol

Wait and save up for a Festool.

Festool is a luxury, not a necessity. Would you also suggest someone looking for a car wait until they can afford a Mercedes instead of buying a Mazda that will do the same thing?

You can get tremendous bargains on gumtree. Plenty of second hand makita and hitachi routers for a fraction of new price. If you change your mind/circumstances you can always move it on at little loss...or use it for a while then decide to buy the same one new once your sure it's th right one...

Originally Posted by damian

You can get tremendous bargains on gumtree. Plenty of second hand makita and hitachi routers for a fraction of new price. If you change your mind/circumstances you can always move it on at little loss...or use it for a while then decide to buy the same one new once your sure it's th right one...

And on Ebay, just saw a TR-12 1500 watt in really good condition go for $80.00, but you have to be patient as some on Ebay & Gumtree want hundreds for some beat up thing. I bought a really good Makita Planer for $75.00 off Gumtree but have seen the same ones with the seller asking $200.00 when you can buy them new at Bunnings for just over that. Also as in The Life of Brian, you have to haggle.