Thread: Router purchase

Hoffy,the only advice I can offer is go for the better name brands rather than the el-cheapo's which compromise end quality.
Brands such as Makita/Hitachi/Bosch etc, offer up a better choice generally and the range from the backyarder to the more demanding unit.
You know what you want to spend so you will only be constrained by your own limits for your applications for it.
My wife bought me my first router years and years ago a Black and Decker 1/4" and though at the time may have been regarded as cheap...well the bloody things still going like a trooper and is easy and comfortable to use.
Now years on I reckon with the additional routers I have all being recognised name brands they haven't let me down except on one occasion which was my stupid fault for letting it fall off of the bench requiring new bearings and shaft alignment.
Good luck in your search!
Cheers


------------------
Johnno

Keith

More information needed. Why do you want a low-powered 1/4" router?

Do you require a fixed-base or plunge router?

My guess is that you probably are looking for a compact router to do freehand work, such as cutting dovetails (in a jig). If so, I can recommend the small Makita 3620 I have, which I use just just this type of work. It is a few years old now, rated a little more powerfully than the latest version (mine is 1 1/5 HP), and about $350 retail. A lovely light and balanced machine. I also have a superb Elu 177e, which is a big 1/2" plunge router, great for my bench and heavy-duty hand work. Not least I have a 1 HP 1/4" Ozito (now stop that giggling) which is actually a versatile tool, since I can (and do) use it as a grinder.

All different machines. You can't have enough routers.

Regards from Perth

Derek

If you are feeling rich the little festo 1/4 inch machine is a delight.
Both I and a mate picked up these little beauties in very favorable circumstances recently.
After using mine I would be prepared to pay full price.
The smoothness and refinement.
And quiet
More grunt than you would expect
The only disapointment is the effectiveness of the dust extraction.
This machine is ine of the few that cane be used safely in one hand, excelent for edge rounding & trimming.

On the other hand my original bosch pof400 is still going after about 15 years with some surgery.

Thanks chaps for the responses. Freehand work is the requirement. I'll investigate the routers mentioned.