$39 GMC Router

[Cagey]

Is it a myth or have I just missed the boat. I went looking at Bunnies et al, with no luck. Its only to be a backup to the backup (and one I can let jnr use) so perfect for that price. Anybody now if still available anywhere?

[Bob Willson]

No, It wasn't a myth, but you are about 6 months too late. Check out the dates on the rest of the posts.

[Cagey]

There are posts as recent as 1 day ago about it, so I thought they may still be available. If they are not no big deal.

[Coldamus]

There are posts as recent as 1 day ago about it, so I thought they may still be available. If they are not no big deal.
Maybe we should be using the other thread to petition the GMC guy to put them back into production. I missed out too. I have a Triton router but it is just too big for some things. I like the simplicity of a fixed base router and at that price or thereabouts it would be feasible to have several of them dedicated to different tasks. Alternatively something better quality but lean and light would be nice.

regards
Coldamus

[Sturdee]

Actually they were normally about three times that price but Bunnings, that much mal aligned hardware supermarket, bought up enormous quantities as a special promotion and sold them for $ 39 each.

Most of us got some despite the normal anti cheap tool / GMC bias.


Peter.

[MICKYG]

Cagey,

The routers you mention were available in most hardware stores that sold GMC and I managed to pick one up for the price. Its quite good for a small handheld and runs very smooth and quite, a pleasure to use. Check with all the hardware stores in your area, and you will probably pick one up.

Regards Mike :)

[Robert WA]

The $39 fixed base router never reached WA, dammit.

I suspect it was a run-out of stock prior to introduction of the current model. I don't know the price of the current one and have never seen one in the shops.

http://203.89.231.185/index.cfm?ppage=products&pparentcategory_uuid=2B24910F-510A-4B6E-BA182DBAAEE5B171&pproduct_uuid=0AD0EB83-FECB-46BA-AE16B3D084973527

Or is the GMC site more than 6 months out of date?

[Cagey]

So for those of you who have one (or equivelant model) is it worth approx 3 times the price?

[Landseka]

Hi Cagey,

Not sure about now but I got my $39 router at a Woolworths Big W store a couple months ago.
Its worth a look, they may still have some.

Regards

Neil.

[bitingmidge]

So for those of you who have one (or equivelant model) is it worth approx 3 times the price?
Yes.

Variable speed, soft start... great value.

Cheers,

P

:D

[Jack E]

Yes.
Variable speed, soft start... great value.:D

I agree with Peter.

Plus it is fixed base with a decent hieght adjuster and dust collection port making it really good for table mounting. There are no tricky plunge mechanisms to mess with.

Jack.

[Gumby]

They were a run out model and if you knew the right people, some did make it to WA :D

Anyway, I recently bought an Ozito plunge router for the same reason - the Trton is too big for some jobs. The Ozito was about $49 at Bunnings and I used it seriously today for the first time. came in a box with lots of bits and it did a very nice job. Well worth a look if you want a little hand held cheapy.

[vsquizz]

Anyway, I recently bought an Ozito plunge router .
Gumby, After the shameless "Help I'm stuck on something points can you give me some greenies" post this has got to be the pits...is the no end to the depth to which you will stoop?? Ozito...:eek: :rolleyes: :D . I admire the the dedication though.

(trying hard to be a tool snob here)

Well that only leaves XU1:D

Cheers

[Robert WA]

"Well that only leaves XU1"

Had a look at Warrier lately? :eek:

[craigb]

Yes.

Variable speed, soft start... great value.

Cheers,

P

:D

They were such a bargain that I bought two :D

I have one permantly set-up with a dovetail bit for use in a half blind jig.

The other one is still in it's box unopened. :)

[Coldamus]

Well that only leaves XU1
Speaking of which, this morning Bunnings at North Rocks had XU1 compound mitre saws for $49 each.

regards
Coldamus

[bitingmidge]

They were such a bargain that I bought two :D

I have one permantly set-up with a dovetail bit for use in a half blind jig.

The other one is still in it's box unopened. :)
Me too.

Except mine is in the table, and the second one, though unopened has now an turnlock base ready to go on, and a set of click-in guides so it'll become the light weight template router, and will click into the horizontal mount for the table that I'm going to build next year.

Don't forget, we aren't talking routers in use eight hours a day, seven days a week. They will last forever at an hour or two a month!

:D :D :D :D
P

[Bob Willson]

Yes, I bought two of them as well but only opened the second one about a week ago.
I also looked at the Ozito routers some time ago. When I did a little check on the plunge mechanisms of the various small cheap routers I found the Ozito to be (surprisingly) the best of the lot by a fairly large margin. So, if the rest of the router is as good as its guides then it should be quite a neat little performer.

[routermaniac]

Theres a guy in Campbellfield (Victoria) that sells factory seconds stuff and he had some of the routers for $39...

Havent been past for a while, so not sure if he has any more. The address is 41 Adrian Rd, Campbellfield. I have only bought rom him once and he seemed a reasonable guy, but I suggest you pick the tool carefully and try out before you walk away with it.

regards


Marios

[Gumby]

Well that only leaves XU1:D

Cheers

No it doesn't. I've got one of their jigsaws. The tools reflect the quality of the workman. :D :D :D :D

[Cagey]

not only are they not around at $39 anymore..but that model seems scarce at the moment at any price, as everyone only has plunge models. Big W say they will be getting stock in a few weeks however.

[Landseka]

not only are they not around at $39 anymore..but that model seems scarce at the moment at any price, as everyone only has plunge models. Big W say they will be getting stock in a few weeks however.
Cagey,

I have just this minute been into Big W in Bunbury WA and they have a few of the GMC routers still at $39.

These ARE the plunge type however, which is what I bought a couple months ago.

Pardon my ignorance, but how does a "non" plunge router (fixed base) work? Do you adjust depth of cut by way of how deeply the bit is secured into the chuck?

Regards

Neil.

[Bob Willson]

On a normal router, the straps that fit over the shoulders determine the depth that plunge will be allowed.
On a fixed base router the depth of plunge is controlled by a screw.
Said screw depth is usually controlled by the screwee by adjusting various positions etc. Once an equitable depth of screw is obtained, the screwer is free of make of it what he/she will. You wil know when it is correct because it will all come together.

[Landseka]

On a normal router, the straps that fit over the shoulders determine the depth that plunge will be allowed.
On a fixed base router the depth of plunge is controlled by a screw.
Said screw depth is usually controlled by the screwee by adjusting various positions etc. Once an equitable depth of screw is obtained, the screwer is free of make of it what he/she will. You wil know when it is correct because it will all come together.
Oh.....I am leaving that right alone.:D Too many possible replies that would ALL get me in trouble.

Regards

Neil.

[echnidna]

So you could say a fixed base router is a screwed up router :D :D

[derekcohen]

Pardon my ignorance, but how does a "non" plunge router (fixed base) work? Do you adjust depth of cut by way of how deeply the bit is secured into the chuck?

Here is a link to the article I wrote on using the fixed-base GMC in a router table:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=9559

Was it worth it? It would be excellent value-for-money at its original price. At the $39 I paid for it, well it was a gift.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Caliban]

I bought one after reading Derek's post.Kicked myself for not buying two.
Then one day(about 6 months later) after lots of clean living, one just appeared in the local Bunnings. I snavelled it and it is still in its box, like all my stuff waiting for the new shed which isflatpacked in my driveway. Pouring the concrete tomorrow.

[Rbro71]

on the same note does any one know of any one that sells fixed base routers at all. The american sites are full of them every one over there seems to make them makita, hitachi, bosch but i have yet to see one here.I also want to mount one horizontally which they would be perfect for.