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Thread: Trim Router advice
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29th December 2018, 02:48 PM #1GOLD MEMBER
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Trim Router advice
Hi All. I’m after some help choosing a little trim router.
I have a festool OF1400 which is all I need for most work, but I’d like a small trim router for simple finishing work such as tidying up and rounding off corners of work and so on.
Easily available options seem to range from super cheap Ozito or Ryobi, to mid-range Makita (RTO700) and Bosch (GMR1), and then upwards to Festool MFK700.
The Festool looks like a beautiful tool, but I can’t justify that kind of money for the basic use I’ll be putting it to.
I don’t like ‘buy cheap buy twice’ tools, so I’m not sure about Ozito and Ryobi, although they’re probably not going to get much stress.
Are the $200-250 Makita and Bosch options worth the little bit extra over the cheapies, and any thoughts which might be better? Easier to handle, longer lasting, more common accessories, guides and so on?
And have I missed any options?
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29th December 2018 02:48 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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29th December 2018, 03:14 PM #2
I recently [early Nov2018] had the need to purchase a trim router, asking my friend of 30yrs who owns a tool shop.
I was looking at the Bosch Blue Professional but he persuaded me to buy the Makita with variable speed plus micro adjust ratchet on the side....
I've been running T/C Bits on hardwood and IMHO it's one top machine. Cheers, crowie
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29th December 2018, 04:51 PM #3GOLD MEMBER
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I favour the Makita ones as well and recently added a cordless trimmer to the collection. They also offer a tilting base , plunge attachment and a offset base for routing up against a vertical surface
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29th December 2018, 04:52 PM #4Woodworking mechanic
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Crowie, is that the Makita trim router with the plunge base accessory or a different unit?
Cheers
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29th December 2018, 05:05 PM #5
This is the one I purchased - RT0700C
https://www.makita.com.au/products/p...5mm-1-4-router
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29th December 2018, 07:18 PM #6
I don’t recommend the Ryobi. For trimmer routers there is no middle ground, either go cheap and accept the limitations or go quality and swallow the price. I have the Ryobi but only because at the time Ozito didn’t make one and I didn’t need a quality tool. I still don’t, it only comes out once or twice a year for those little jobs that I can’t do with a full sized plunge router.
The depth adjustment on the Ryobi is rack and pinion but very stiff to operate; it doesn’t matter how carefull you are or how you try to free it up it is still a PITA to get set up. If you are going to use this tool regularly go for the Makita and retain some sanity.
The Ozito is for all intents and purposes exactly the same as the Ryobi and shares all its flaws at half the price. I’ve said several times on this Forum that Ryobi products are best for people who are too proud to buy Ozito.Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.
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29th December 2018, 08:03 PM #7
I bought a Mak (the grey Makita brand) for $100 and it worked well enough to convince me to buy a second. I can leave a roundover bit and a trim bit permanently in each one.
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29th December 2018, 08:22 PM #8
The Makita with the plunge base is a good option to have ,I have a basic Makita trimmie as well as a Ozito which i used today without any issues, so I don't necessarily write off the cheapies if they do the job without a struggle.
Some years back I bought the Festool OFK700,its an expensive toy to have sitting idle when the cheapies will often do what I want to do .May have to consider moving it on.Johnno
Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.
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29th December 2018, 09:29 PM #9
I have a 10 year old Makita, and it does all I could ask. Out of curiosity, I purchased on ebay a trimmer router much discussed and praised on the UK forum. It appears to be reliable and comparable with the Makita. Most parts are interchangeable. And it is cheap.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Variable...8AAOSwFbJZ3w5n
I have used it, and it is more powerful than my Makita, and comes with variable speed (which my old Makita lacks). It uses the same fences, etc.
For a few Dollars more, you can get one with all the fruit ...
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/710W-Var...UAAOSwq9lZhHGl
Regards from Perth
DerekVisit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.
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29th December 2018, 11:48 PM #10Taking a break
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Makita N3701 all day; fully cast aluminium body, made in Japan and enough power to run a 10mm radius in one pass in any timber you like. Not sure if they're still in production, but I'm sure you could find something online.
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30th December 2018, 12:24 AM #11
That's the one I have.
It is a great little trimmer with a great balance. Slim and easy to hold. However, it is very basic. The latest Makita model, as with the cheapie I link to, has soft start and a fine adjuster (both of which the Makita N3701 does not have). And they are also aluminium bodied.
Incidentally, all the accessories for the new Makitas (and the cheapie) fit the N3701. So, you could get both.
Regards from Perth
DerekVisit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.
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30th December 2018, 12:34 AM #12
Looks like a clone of the Makita Crowie talked about, pretty good copy too. Well, I just treated myself to an early birthday present coz THIS one I got for only $125 shipped.
Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.
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30th December 2018, 05:15 AM #13
I have one of these https://www.boschtools.com/ca/en/bos...0evs-195774-p/
I also have a Makita trimmer, but it's back in AUS.
Accepting that comparisons are drawn from memory, the Bosch seems easier to use in terms of depth adjustment and one handed use.
However, for a trimmer, I think you would want to look long and hard at the various cordless options.
This one https://www.boschtools.com/ca/en/bos...-25n-196784-p/ is getting some positive reviews.regards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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30th December 2018, 07:17 AM #14GOLD MEMBER
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looks like Makita gets the most votes
Those Chinese knockoffs are ridiculously cheap - definitely worth a look
Cordless does make sense, but I'm reluctant to add yet another battery system to the already growing selection. Wouldn't it be nice if manufacturers could agree on an industry standard? Bad for profits but good for consumers
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30th December 2018, 07:28 AM #15GOLD MEMBER
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My new brushless 18v Makita one is amazing. The power is equal to my corded version and not having a cord catching and pulling on the machine is a big win.
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