Ryobi for a novice?

[MrsH]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone can answer a couple very basic questions about routing. I have googled around a bit, but am still not clear on a few things. I’m not a total DIY / power tools noob – I’ve made a few bits of furniture and the like - but have never so much as laid eyes on a router! However, I promised my husband I’d make him a flight case for his 3D printer recently, and have discovered that a router is recommended to cut the (somewhat irregularly-shaped) pieces out of plywood.

I’m not looking to spend a lot as I don’t think I’ll use it very regularly. I’m a hobbyist, not a tradesperson, so it will probably only get used three or four times a year. I’ve got my eye on a Ryobi ERT 2100 as it’s within my price range and I’ve read some good reviews online. However, I’m confused as to whether a router table is strictly necessary, or just beneficial. Or are there different types of routers, some for table use and some for hand-held use? I’m also a little wary that some of the reviews I’ve read mention that teh Ryobi is well-suited for big jobs and for cutting thick surfaces such as countertops, but I’m only going to be cutting ¼” plywood. Is it possible to have a router that’s “too powerful” for the job you’re doing?

Thanks in advance for any help and for being patient with my amateur’s questions!

MrsH

[Treecycle]

Welcome to the forum MrsH.
The router you are looking at is a massive beast and would do almost anything anyone would ask of it. For doing small stuff like you are suggesting you will doing, a much smaller unit could be purchased.
A router table is not a necessity, but for some jobs it makes life easier. Instead of moving the router, you are moving the wood around when using a table.
From my knowledge, all routers can be used handheld or in a table. For doing small or fine work, having the router in a table just makes manipulating the cut easier and probably safer in most cases. If using it handheld and with small router bits, the smaller the unit is the easier it will be to handle.
Have a look at some of the smaller units offered by these suppliers Bosch (http://www.sydneytools.com.au/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=9269&cat=Bosch+Routers) Makita (http://www.sydneytools.com.au/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=8939&cat=Makita+Routers) Ryobi (http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_ryobi-1250-watt-plunge-action-router-kit_P6210341.aspx)
If you can give a bit of detail on what sort of cuts you intend to do with the router, we may be able to give you more helpful advice.
Good luck with it all.:)

[specialist]

:whs: But I will add that although a very large machine, it is very easy to use. The only down side is the flimsy spindle lock arrangement. I have two of the them. I did break one of them on a particularly tight bit, it had been in the machine for some months at the time.

[Avery]

Hmmm.

I am not really up on all this, but why can't your husband produce all those tricky bits on his 3D printer?



emwtk

[Sam]

Agree with Specialist and Treecycle - That router is a whopper but quite good. If the 3d printer can't do it approach a CNC routing service. Recently I enquired for a project and found the costs to be quite reasonable.