Router dilema

[Darryn]

Hi All

I'm in a bit of a bind here, my SO for my birthday decides to buy me a router which was really nice of her.

The catch is she bought a Makita 3620, which is only 1/4 and 3/8. I myself would really like a 1/2 router as I already have an old dewalt 1/4 fixed base router and I've never really seen 3/8 bits. She bought that one because the guys at hardware house said the 1/2" ones were too big to use freehand (what a load of BS)

Any suggestions on a suitable 1/2 unit, I'm not sure if she can get a refund as I would much rather buy from a specialist shop not a large chain with a limited choice. The only other 1/2 units they sell are the VS Bosch and the 3612 Makita.

hope you can help me out of this one!!

Darryn

[ubeaut]

G'day Darryn

I take it that they don't have Hitachi. If they will exchange but not refund then I think I would be going for a Makita over the Bosch. But only if the Mak is a plunge router. I will admit that I have had a bad run with Bosch products over the last few years, and hense my leaning towards the Mak.

However, Hardware House should have a full refund policy. If not I would try telling them that you were given incorrect advice by the sales person and you will go to small claims and see them in court. http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/mad.gif I'll bet the refund will follow pretty soon after the words are out of your mouth. http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/tongue.gif

Hope this helps.

Cheers - Neil http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

[Iain]

I am almost certain that Hardware House carry Hitachi, I don't venture in there too often but I am almost certain I have seen a green wall. If not a refund would be in order.
I have a Hitachi TR12 which I have had for 16 years and it has not missed a beat yet, I think it cost me $99 when I bought it. Iknow they cost a touch more these days.

[Rod]

I second the thoughts on the Hitachi. I have 2 1/2 Hitachi Routers. Have owned both for some time now and with the exception of replacing brushes in one neither has missed a beat. I regularly use one freehand.

Cheers

[Rod Smith]

Just agreeing with all of above. Ask for exchange, get a hitachi TR12(1st choice) or a makita, 1/2" plunge router. I don't know how to deal with SO? But it would be a great pity if she was put off buying tools for you, eh? Good luck. Rod

[Iain]

How to deal with SO (what is SO, I know it is the other half but I am trying to figure it out), BUY HER SOME ROUTER BITS!!!!!

[John Saxton]

G,day Darryn,might I suggest you have a decko at some of the routing posts since the inception of this forum.There you will find from all involved with this medium a good cross section of folk advocating the good and bad of current routers available.
There seems to be a general concensus for the Hitachi, which I would personally guarantee, that will do most of what you ask of it and still come up trumps.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/wink.gif

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Johnno

[Darryn]

Thanks all for your replies

I went past hardware house and they stock the TR12 hitachi, the Makita 2612 and a Bosch GOF1300.

From what every one says the hitachi is the way to go, I have used a mates makita and its definately gettiing a bit big for fine free hand work, no one really has alot to say for the Bosch although it does have Vspeed for the price of the others,does it make much difference?

I will be using it mainly furniture making and also for guitar making

As for the problems with the other half, I dont think she will be buying power tools for me again :-(
Maybe a nice piece of furniture for our new house would chnage her mind??

Darryn

[Iain]

Afetr all that I just bought a router the same as yours primarily for fine work with 1/4" bits, I still like the Hitachi but it can be awkward in some spots.
Guitar making/Router, I have trouble making the connection as I have made some classical guitars and I would not entertain the idea of a router for such delicate work. I cut and shape everything by hand including the frets (except of baroque guitar which has gut frets). What sort of guitars are you making? And what is SO? no one has told me yet.
Afterthought: If you get the TR12 make sure it has the fine adjustment which is a recent feature and some places will try to sell you the previous model, it is a $60+ accessory if it is not there.

[This message has been edited by Iain (edited 16 August 2000).]

[Darryn]

Ian another guitar maker,I would love to try acoustics but havent built up the courage yet!!!!

As far as the 3620 I wouldnt have minded if she had only bought a 1/4" only plunge router but the guy sort of tried to upsell her to the 3620 claiming it was heaps better. I reckon theres better 1/4 models around the plunge is not very smooth on the 3620.

What does the fine adjustment look like on the TR 12, the one I saw at h/house had what loked like a bit of threaded rod as an adjustment but no fine adjuster like on the Bosch or Makita models.

I have only made solid body electric guitars and basses, If I can get hold of a scanner I can put a photo up of what I have made, I used the router with a pattern bit and a round over bit for profiles also for pickup cavities

SO = significant other
theres a few web sites around with explanations of all the acronyms you see on the net

HTH

Darryn

[Iain]

The plunge adjustment is a large black knob that sits on and over the threaded rod, it looks like the big Makita and like I said it is a VERY recent innovation with Hitachi. A lot of stores have the 'old' model and the retailers with a high turnover have the later one. The machine is identical, but then so is mine and it is approaching it's 20th birthday!

[Darryn]

I think the stock they have must be the older model then

Thanks

Darryn

[Rod Smith]

I don't know what anyone else finds, but I reckon the big black knob just gets in the way and takes far too long to wind into place . My MV12 does not have one and I'm glad. If I want to make a fine adjustment I move the depth control to contact a stop then move the depth of cut with a little turn either way. By the way my 3612c has it and I am tempted to chuck it in the bin. My simple router table allows me to clamp it on edge in the vice which makes it much easier making these fine movements than if you are doing it under the table. Maybe if you are confined to under table adjustmenst it would be better to weld a hand crank to a nut to allow qicker winding? Whatever, these "fine adjustment knobs" are too tedious for me. Just my opinion. What do you other guys think? Rod

[Iain]

I went and bought one for my TR12 and I find it is useful for fine adjustments when using the dovetail jig, the jig calls for adjustments of 1/64" at a time and I find this can be achieved easier when the adjuster is fitted. What hurts is the adjuster cast nearly as much as the router when I bought it 16 years ago http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by Iain (edited 17 August 2000).]

[RETIRED]

Gooday.

I reckon the TR12 is the best ( I have 6).

Little tip. For fine control by hand, undo the handles and reverse them (swap side to side). It brings them closer to the deck.

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

[Rod Smith]

Hi
I have to agree, the TR12 is something special, a friend used 2 of them in his business where they were used by up to 6 cabinet makers and suffered what you would think would be intolerable workloads (no spindle moulder. Even saw them used to make raised panels though they are totally unsuitable for the large bits. Another mate used them where he did his apprenticeship where they used to route 16 mm slots through 3 sheets of mel in one pass(don't ask me what for?). He told me that none of them failed in the years he was there, however the equivelent makita's they tried lasted just a few weeks. I have other tools that are very good also, including makita (ie 9924 belt sander) which are excellent and am not saying that hitachi is the best of all tools. I also agree fully with the notion that with most of these tools it is personal taste. However the TR12 is and exception. I jokingly wonder if anyone has seen one die? Happy routing. Rod (Smith)

[RETIRED]

Gooday.

I have killed 2 in 10 years but new armatures and away we go again.

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

[Rod Smith]

And there was me thinking they were immortal (or something), wrong again. Cheers .