Thread: Carbatec-Routers?

Do a search for routers and then try to sort through them.

I have a Makita 3612 1/2 2400W which is great for table mounting but I miss not having a speed controller. I would have bought the Triton but it was released a week after I bought mine.

Carba-tec has a limited range of routers, if you want a range go to Trade Tools, Glenfords, Bunnings or somewhere similar for a good deal. Both the large and the small Triton routers are in your price budget so consider them, the smaller one will be good for table use and hand held use as well, the larger is good for table use but for hand held use it can be a bit on the large side unless your name is "He-man" or "Clarke Kent".

Hi Redd11,

As per the above posts.

Also, Have you thought of what purposes you might need a router?

A big beast like the Triton is excellent for in-table use, but a bit heavy and unweildy for hand-held use. On the other hand a Bosch GOF series, or Makita (or Festool if the wallet is bulging...) can be very good for large free-hand tasks; similarly a little 1/4" Makita for small or more delicate jobs certainly has a place in one's router armoury.

As to the Axminster machines, they are pretty low-end jobs - but if your needs are few, they may suffice, but I'd still do a feature/price comparison with a few retailers. Note also, that it's important to get one's hands on a machine to see how it feels in terms of weight, balance, switch distance from "holding" stance, etc; as well, be sure to check for reasonable lateral rigidity in the plunge mechanism, smoothness of that plunge, and the ability to micro-adjust.

Cheers!

I have the bigger AM router, its quite heavy at nearly 10kilo's and personaly think its a cheesey POS... it vibrates at full speed, depth stop slide thingy moves on its fine adjuster because of the vibrations, the plunge lock stripped with the first use because its made form plastic(no good), the supplied fence and rails are just plainy to flimsey, and lastly I find the trigger and its lock on lever very hard and dangerous to use.
Honestly save up some more money and buy a more reputable brand like mak/hitachi or even the new triton.

Originally Posted by Harry72

I have the bigger AM router, its quite heavy at nearly 10kilo's and personaly think its a cheesey POS... it vibrates at full speed, depth stop slide thingy moves on its fine adjuster because of the vibrations, the plunge lock stripped with the first use because its made form plastic(no good), the supplied fence and rails are just plainy to flimsey, and lastly I find the trigger and its lock on lever very hard and dangerous to use.
Honestly save up some more money and buy a more reputable brand like mak/hitachi or even the new triton.

Wow, if ever I heard of an ad for Routers, this is it..!

Redd11,
I've got the AM router (large model), had it for 2 years and found it ok, but when it dies I will probably go back to a makita or try a triton. The plunge went on it in the 1st 2 months and had to send it back under warranty so it was gone for a couple of weeks.
As a hand held router it is not the choice, it is a heavy beast and unless you have some strength it can be difficult to use for trimming and moulding edges.
I would have to agree with Harry 72 that the fence and rails are flimsy and that on the "depth stop slide thingy" the fine adjuster knob does move when the machine is turned on, this is because it is just a threaded rod and can unwind between plunges. To overcome this I found you had to set to maximum depth, then once it is set using the "slide thingy" you have to wind the micro adjuster at the top (LHS) around until it sets itself at maximum depth - you will feel the resistance. If you do forget this step it can all go to sh*t, and you can router 3 different depths.
I disagree about the trigger and its lock lever and find them safe to use, I can shut it off quick at a flicker and I also find mine does not vibrate at full speed. For a handheld router I have an old skil router from my dad which is good for trimming.
I do like the AM as a table mounted router, not as good as a makita in speed of setting up the depth for a pass, but you get what you pay for.
I have used it to router out the rebates for some back stairs using ironbark from out west QLD, It has been used on a lot of Tas Oak for some tables, book case, panels and a butchers block and it has been used recently to machine up hardwood for some new front gates. It has always routed well once setup was carefully done and I find it effective to use a cutter with a bearing for following a jig rather than the supplied template guides,
I have mine mounted almost permanently under a table and find that once set up, and with variable speed it can get through anything thrown at it.
It is pretty good as a table router, if you are on a budget- but maybe I got a lucky one?
Of course use high quality router bits, only buy the $49.99 kit if you want some throw away bits so you can have a play. Definetly get some quality, carbatec have CMT which I think are great and only cost me $5-$10 through carbatec to have re-sharpened.
I agree with Auld bassoon, think about what you will use it for. Consider it as a table mounted tool, but not the best choice as a handheld tool/trimmer.

Over the time that I have been involved with this BB and the question of routers the following have always got a mention.

In the main popularist votes would go either of the following

Hitachi TR12 , MV12
Triton
Makita ...Most models
Bosch 1300 ace
GMC most 1/2" models
Festo

This is just a few of the plethora of routers available but be circumspect about what you're going to use the router for and avoid the cheaper brands that may let you down.

Cheers

Felixe, the problem I have with the trigger and lock is it doesnt seem to be design for people who have larger hands, the trigger is underneath the ball of my thumb making it very hard to push, I tend to hold it with my finger tips to use the trigger and lock then let go and regrip the handle to make the cut.
Its lucky I have strong hands/arms(Im a body builder) and can handle 10kg with one hand at arms lenght, I think an average bloke with large hands(maybe a office worker) may have trouble and be very unsafe...
I prefer my 3612c mak as I find it comfortable to handle only weighs 6kg... but its perimatelty mounted in a table.

Just as a sidebar observation, I have noted several times in the past few weeks people relating their experience with certain power tools. Often the message will start out "I am pretty happy with...", then relate the many failures, frustrations, lengthy repairs etc. I am amazed at this. I like our can-do attitude here, and the old culture of soldiering on, but can we get past this noble sufffering? If a thing is a POS, please, can we all just call it that?

Greg

The Axminster AW127R ($259) was compared and reviewed in 'Australian Wood Review' No.45. Summary was: good value for price, best for hand held use, need an adapter if you are going to extract dust.

Originally Posted by GG

If a thing is a POS, please, can we all just call it that?

OK its a POS!
If I didnt explian why I think its a POS "questions would be asked", no point knocking a product without any background into it... so I answer too start with!

Originally Posted by Harry72

OK its a POS!
If I didnt explian why I think its a POS "questions would be asked", no point knocking a product without any background into it... so I answer too start with!

Hey Harry...

I wasn't aiming that at anyone specifically. I was just observing that many of us seem to be pretty loyal, even to a losing proposition. I am guilty of this myself, fooling around improving a dud tool when many others would have pitched it through the importer's front window.

I do want to hear about a tool's weaknesses more than its strengths, but I am always left wondering when a tale of woe starts or ends with an expression of satisfaction.

Greg

Well, the guy got some answers and logged back on about 6 hours ago to check them. Not one word of acknowledgement or thanks. he did the same in another recent thread too, Damn rude if you ask me. makes you wonder why you take the trouble to reply sometimes. :mad:

Originally Posted by Gumby

Well, the guy got some answers and logged back on about 6 hours ago to check them. Not one word of acknowledgement or thanks. he did the same in another recent thread too, Damn rude if you ask me. makes you wonder why you take the trouble to reply sometimes. :mad:

thats a mighty quick assumption, maybe he had to take his mum to hospital, or the cat got a furball, or his missus ran off with the avon lady. give him time