Thread: $100 GMC Router 2050W 1/2inch

thanks for that. Yeah, i read on another thread somewhere that bunnies signed some sort of stockist deal with ryobi and all the products went up. Makes me wonder whether paying close to $200 for Ryobi is good value. In my mind, I think of ryobi as cheap stuff, so I am hesitant to pay that much for it. If the prices were much higher it would lead me to wonder about shelling out serious dollars for a router that I know will be good. At this stage I was hoping to pick up something cheap!

...I wonder what is in the ozito range. I have an ozito belt sander and it works a treat for $50!

Maybe look at the green Bosch router, in my town Bunning's have the green bosch router which rates at 1200 watt's with a half inch collet and is variable speed i picked it up and it felt ok not a tinny thing that for sure ,price was ok i thought at $129 don't know what warranty it carries ,been that price for 6 months at least.I haven't got any Ozito stuff so can't give an opinion about ozito.Lloyd

Yeah I actually liked the Bosch router - only thing is I thought it only took 1/4 inch bits?

Hi Duf,

I bought a Worx WX15RT router from home hardware a while ago.It takes 1/2 and 1/4 inch bits and the speed can be changed.

Can't remember how much it was but it wasn't too xpensive. It has a 24month DIY warranty. It might suit what you want to do. It is 1500W

Thanks Webby - do you remember how much it cost? (if you don't mind me asking). I think 1500w is probably a good power to start with. I'm thinking the 2000Wplus models might be just a little too heavy for handheld work. I plan to start out using it handheld, then fit into a table eventually.

Duf,

Off the top of my head it was in the $100-$200 price range. I've asked my wife to find the receipt. There is a WX16RT which is 1800W as well.

And, in additin to the 24 month warranty, there is a 30 day Satisfaction guarantee. So you can give it a good test and return it if you are not happy (for whatever reason).

I'm going to be a stick-in-the-mud here with my 2c worth (+ gst!)

IN the 80s I bought a new Ryobi 3/8" collet 1 1/2 HP router- a huge piece of junk.
I'll admit I was routing seasoned hardwood- ironbark, blue gum, spotted gum etc, but the collet was bad, the router was bad. Bad weak junk.

I eventually sold it to a pawnbroker, then went out & bought a new 2hp 1/2" Makita router, and after 21 years, it's still going strong. It could do with one new bearing & the collet could benefit maybe with a cleaning or renewal, but it cost a lot then- $268 in 1988, and it's earned its keep 100s of times over.

Maybe the chinese made stuff today is different from back then, but that Makita of the day was VERY good, and that Ryobi of the day was junk. However I have a Ryobi belt sander from then which is good, & still going strong, and a bench-mounted Ryobi belt & disc sander which was a waste of a hard-earned $200...so you can't win them all.

Personally, I'd recommend a Makita, even a 2nd hand one, over a nnew Ryobi or GMC regardless of the price- try a search on Ebay, or some of the Tender Centres.

Duf,

I found the receipt. The router cost me $129 back in July last year.

All the best with whatever router you buy.

Duffenator,


I got the GMC 1500 watt version of the router you were talking about in the 1st post, I have no problem with this router (nearly 18 months old now). I like it so much I bought its twin on sale for my soon to be built router table.

cheers


Eddie

its good to hear the cheapies can work well. I'm going to hit Bunnies in a week and see what they have. I figure the cheap ones generally have a good warranty and if they break, at least I can take them back. Also, I should get an idea of what I like and what I don't, so if i do spend big bucks down the track, at least I will know what to get.

So, went to bunnies - it had about 4 routers! very disappointing! Was back online trying to work out what to get, had pretty much decided I was going to have to fork out $3-500 - but then just happened across trade tools direct.They had some router reviews, including a review of their own router. Decided this was probably the go.

It is 1500W, soft start, fine depth adjustment, spindle lock for changing bits, 1/2 inch collet, and 15 router bits - all for the princely sum of $150!

Pretty good I thought! The service at this place was fantastic! The guy was very knowledgeable and helpful, even opened it up and showed me what everything was for and how to use it! I cannot recommend them highly enough. I will start a new thread on this router to let everyone know how it goes!

Originally Posted by Duffenator

So, went to bunnies - it had about 4 routers! very disappointing! Was back online trying to work out what to get, had pretty much decided I was going to have to fork out $3-500 - but then just happened across trade tools direct.They had some router reviews, including a review of their own router. Decided this was probably the go.

It is 1500W, soft start, fine depth adjustment, spindle lock for changing bits, 1/2 inch collet, and 15 router bits - all for the princely sum of $150!

Pretty good I thought! The service at this place was fantastic! The guy was very knowledgeable and helpful, even opened it up and showed me what everything was for and how to use it! I cannot recommend them highly enough. I will start a new thread on this router to let everyone know how it goes!

I had a look at their site Looks good and review is tops.$150 .warranty.what else do you want.Hope you have a wonderfull time learning how to use it,and be carefull.They say they are the biggest tool company on line

oh, I should also say it is variable speed and warranty is 12months. Had a play with it yesterday - was like a hot knife through butter! Very impressed!