Thread: Router's whcih one

I have the Triton which stays in the table and does a very good job there. (Bit too top heavy for my liking when out of the table.) I also have a Makita 3620, a GMC R2050 and a Makita laminate trimmer. All good at their respective jobs. I agree with the comment about the Hitachi machines. Very strong, but also very noisy. Like most things, it often comes down to personal preference when there is not much difference between them.

Zed,I didnt poll simply because your requirements are very much varied in their applications and having quite a range of routers I thought that for your needs I may favour one over the other which is not necessarily an easy task.

Your needs apparently require a mid range router one that is comfortable to use over a long period without any discomfort.

Whether you intend to adhere to a 1/2 or 1/4 inch router is another question but there are a varied range of routers that are comfortable to use over, as well as under the table.

For your inlay requirements you will need !/4" application on your router which in the least would need a collett to offer up that advantage.
"Template Tom" offers good advice having been an advocate of routers and a teacher in woodwork for quite a number of years and does not offer up advice lightly without due consideration.

May I suggest that you try the machines out for weight> feel>and if possible in a motive action that may determine your decision.Some will allow you to do this but bear in mind that that you try if possible the machine with the requiered features.
A good retailer worth his weight will go with your request ...it might cost slightly more than the "WAREHOUSE" facility but it will get where you want to be.

Cheers

thanks guys - advice appreciated. Must say am not surprised that big Mak & Triton are the popular choices - I shoudl run a sub poll that asks "of you who voted for Triton who is addicted to the orange and thus owns all the Triton gear anyway ?" )

I assume you're all guys ? except for all you purse carrying Manly and Brisbane fans of course.... Go Eels!

Hi

I've got the Triton, a Hitachi TR12 and a Porter Cable 1/4" (can't remember model no) and I enjoy using them all. The Triton stays in the table, the Hitachi gets used for plunge and template work and the Porter Cable is great for inlays, laminate trimming, etc.

If I was only in a position to own one of the above machines, it would have to be the Triton for sure.

I've used a number of Makitas too, but wouldn't swap what I've got.

Cheers

See the following thread for another router discussion.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...&threadid=7388

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek

If you keep this up, you'll have the blokes thinking you're not NORMal!

If I could only afford one router Id go for the TR12. agian.

mine has not given a problem in 6 years.


good steady unit thousands out there.

cheers

Soundman

I agree that the Hitachi router is a great machine and like you I have been using one for the past ten years. One of the great features of the Hitachi is the vernier type scale for setting the depth of cut

Yep TR 12...... Mine is now over 25 years old and still going strong It has outlasted 4 others (from other manufacturers). If I had to replace it with a new router tomorrow it would definitely be another TR 12.
More...

How did Hitachi jump up to 32 all of a sudden ? U did this have anything to do with your influence ?

Sorry Zed - I don't have that much influence.

Maybe it's because they've been around for ever and are pretty well bullet proof. There must have been millions of them sold in the years they have been on the market.

By the way look again there are now 35.

Cheers - Neil

Ock-aye-th'noo. Zed my wee friend it's now 38 an climin. If ye bide a wee while it'll be up ta 40 or moor.

I just voted an I must say that I love ma Hitachi. It's 28 years young an has neever missed a beat. Now uf oonly th wife was as reliable......

Mc
__________________
Lang may yer lum reek

Well I did it - bought the Trition - I may have to paint it light blue. looks like robby the robot! more features than a cimena megaplex. great unit. RRP is now $398 which is a drop of about $50 so if your in the market get one now!

i will now need to get a Routers basics book so I dont kill myself using it!

Moderator feel free to shut the poll if oyu wish otherwise leave it running... ta

A router?
Just 1 router? Its horses for courses.

I have a TR12 in my router bench with a power feeder, can't kill it.
Its had 2 new sets of bearings in its long life and still unstoppable.
Variable speed would be nice but ....

For bench work I have a 1/2"GMC and 4 - 1/4" GMC routers to save swapping bits if I get into a repetitive mood. With the GMC warranty I regard them as disposable units.

I forgot, I have a near new 1/4" Bosch which is a heap of fertiliser.
Should dig it out and put it on ebay and replace it with another GMC or 2.