Thread: Advice on buying my first router.

Well I've gone very left of centre. Not how I Planned to go more a stumble upon but thought I'd take a punt.
Aldi Store 1200watt 1/4inch router. $49.95 12 months warranty.

No soft start but surprisingly quiet. Light weight as would be expected at that price point.
Variable speed, vernier adjust depth gauge and stepped adjustable stop on the base.
Pleasingly it had the least slop of all in the turrets ( see my previous post about some of the others I looked at) ergonomically it's ok.

Ok so I'm not expecting great things of it and yeah it's cheap but it was only $50 and had most and in some cases more features then then ones in the $170 price range, if I'd not stumbled upon it I'd planned to get the Ozito as my beginners tool.

I'll report back how it performs bearing in mind I'll be speaking as a complete novice.

Mychael

Aldi.. umm. That will be an interesting one. We will take you up on the feedback. Good luck.

Regards
Paul

Yeah, you just never can tell with Aldi stuff till you try it.
For instance I've got a set of digital calipers from Aldi $24 and they kill a more expensive pair I'd bought years ago.
My mate a very good engineer uses a pair he bought as well as their air drill and rattle gun.
An Aldi toaster is the best toaster I've ever bought and yrs on it still works and toasts evenly.
However I've also had drills that weren't true, chisels and screwdrivers that were chedder cheese so you never know till you give it a go.

Originally Posted by Mychael

Well I've gone very left of centre. Not how I Planned to go more a stumble upon but thought I'd take a punt.
Aldi Store 1200watt 1/4inch router. $49.95 12 months warranty.

I'd not stumbled upon it I'd planned to get the Ozito as my beginners tool.

I'll report back how it performs bearing in mind I'll be speaking as a complete novice.

For the price you paid it is worth the punt. It won't be until you have done a few jobs that you will understand your tool's and your abilities.

Take your time, have respect for the tool, use sharp bits and good luck.

Had a chance for a quick play with it tonight. Just tried very basic straight line routing.
Holds speed fine with full depth cut in softwood, did not try a single full depth cut in hardwood, but cut fine with stepped cuts.

Plunge lock holds well but I found the spring loading is just right (for me) that on shorter runs I can just hold it down against the depth stop and not bother with the lock, that way I could do sucessive runs and just turn the ratchet on the stop for more depth without locking/unlocking the plunge.

Not sure what would be evident if there was a problem but it feels smooth and there is no bad vibration. I think it will be okay for for a beginner/learner tool.

At the risk of hijacking this thread, I would like to build a router table later this year and am looking around for suitable router. I was wondering what type of router is best suited for this. I am inexperienced with routers and have recently purchased a bosch POF 1100AE, and while it works well as a plunge router, I don't think that it will work well in a table because of the return springs.

Steve

Originally Posted by Twisted Tenon

At the risk of hijacking this thread,

Steve

Ooops my bad. Please ignore this question. I just saw the thread below which covered it all

Get an idea what you want to do and get a tool to suit. If you're going to be doing any template work or any work that requires you to do any stop/start plunging, then behold! A plunge router is for you. But if you're making doors and windows with or anything with rebates and moulded edges, a fixed D handle will soon be your very best friend. Got it? Fit for purpose.

Originally Posted by dakotax3

Get an idea what you want to do and get a tool to suit. If you're going to be doing any template work or any work that requires you to do any stop/start plunging, then behold! A plunge router is for you. But if you're making doors and windows with or anything with rebates and moulded edges, a fixed D handle will soon be your very best friend. Got it? Fit for purpose.

I cannot agree more than what dakotax3 has stated .Whenever deciding on a tool purchase moreover one like routers it is always worthwhile taking a good hard look at your needs for the tool.
There 's a multiple choice out there.

I have numerous routers but each set up for specifics that I have set for each one.

Buying one's first router I can understand the initial confusion (there are numerous brands/models)for some as it was for me,but finding a mid-range weight-wise like the Bosch 1300ACE was a step in the right direction.

It is also not a bad idea to get involved with a local woodies group to sound out the members as well as trying out the tools on hand .

Cheers

Thanks for your review Ray, orderede the 1400w triton yesterday, can't wait for it to arrive, cheers Bono