Thread: Plunge vs stationary router

Mate, The will dictate every time a decision comes up. Yes go with a plunge router- very versitile, plunge function especially good when having to do a deep cutting job.
Yes the plunge router will go into the table mode and work well there too.
By opting for a 12mm collet you will be able to use a huge variety of bits that are available.
As you progress into one project after another your confidence will grow and so will your output and you may find that a second router will need to be got.
I have 2 X 12mm routers, a Hitachi (mainly free hand) and a Triton (95% in the table) plus I have an old 6mm 1HP Skill (Dovetails only) as well as 2 Makita Veneer trimmers. I use these (one is on its last legs) for trimming laminates but also for edge moulding of timber. Being able to be one handed its nimble enough and gutsy enough to handle that those jobs well.
But hey....42 years in the trade....I didn't buy them all at once, just as money and need arised.
Collecting tools is a slow process but its a fun pastime

Maybe if you have been naughty and nice the white bearded fella who is due soon just might put some thing noisy in your stocking

Thanks for the advice, I will pick u p the plunge router as it seems to suit all of my needs so far. I'm planning on making my own router table for this too with a Kreg router insert so ill start out with that setup

When you speak of laminate,can i ask what are you using exactly? I plan on using 2 sheets of MDF with 2 sheets of some form of laminate glued on bottom and top and then timber cladding on the outside to tidy it up. Im not sure what sort of laminate to get or where to buy it whether it be in a store or online. I can then use a straight router bit to cut off the edge of the laminate??


Nathan

I use the trimmers to cut the excess off when using Laminex on kitchen bench tops. We would use a router bit with the ball bearing on the bottom and then set it to neatly trim the Laminex back to the edge.
I am a Carpenter by trade but ended up in the Kitchen Manufacturing game before I retired.
When you pick up your 12mm router just have a look at either the Makita or Ryobi trimmers. You will see what I mean about being one handed and able to scoot around the edges of timber.
When you turn on your router for the first time (Not knowing what experience you have) grab it with 2 hands and roll the machine around slowly. You will feel the gyroscopic nature of a high speed electric motor. That same principle is behind instruments that keep planes flying horizontal to the horizon (More trivia)
Enjoy you adventures with the router but keep in mind it is VERY powerful beast. Just keep your wits about you.

You will be very happy with your choice of roiter and I am sure you will be looking for that second router very soon to insert into the router table. Just as a point of interest "There is more that can be done with the router when it is used in the plunge mode" To prove this statement log into my web site or visit youtube routing with tom odonnell and you will see a great number of projects produced with greater safety awareness when it is used with the aid of the template guides. Enjoy your new purchase. On another note ; when you are looking for your cutters have a look at what Carb-I-tool have to offer. As suggested above the Triton router is best suited foer the table mode as that was what it was really designed for (in my opinion). Finally look for the various template guides that Makita have to offer which will increase your routers potenial by 80% (Again in my opinion) as there are many processes I have illustrated that should be done with the router in the plunge mode and Not in the table