Routers

This month, I'd like to discuss a tool that is a staple of every woodworker, and a tool that I feel makes woodworkers fall in love with the hobby. The tool I'm referring to is the general purpose shop router. The reason I made the above statement is I truly feel that when a novice takes his first piece of wood, and puts a decorative edge on it, or does something as simple as rounding over a edge, or dadoing out a shelve, it is one of the most gratifying feelings a woodworker can have.

Of course, routers come in all shapes and sizes, but the router that I feel fits the bill best as a general purpose shop router is a fixed base router in the 1 1/2 to 2 horsepower range. This horsepower is heavy duty enough to turn your larger bits, yet light enough to use by hand and to keep control of the router easily. Let's take a look at the bells and whistles you may look for on one of these routers.

Let's start with collet availability. For the most part, routers of 1 1/2 horsepower and more will accept both 1/4" and 1/2" collets. The bottom line here is that you want the router to accept all shank sizes of router bits you might want to use. Next, you want a good selection of template guides to be available. Template guides are just what they are called. They are guides that the router bit slips into that follow a template as the router bit is doing the cutting. They will fit into the center hole of the router baseplate and will be available in many different inside and outside diameters for use with a wide variety of bits. You should also look into how easy it is to install the template guides. Do you need a tool such as a screwdriver, or is it a tool free operation.

Next you want to make sure there is a good edge guide available for the router. A good edge guide today will be easy to install onto the router, and have a micro fine adjustment to make setup as easy as possible. You might also check to make sure there are different subbases available. You might want to use larger diameter router bits. If so, you will need a subbase with a large enough center hole to accept the bit you wish to use. Their are subbases that are teardrop shaped with a knob or handle at the end of the teardrop which will give you more control of your router. Their are also systems on the market that will give you the ability to remove your router motor from your fixed base and insert it into either a plunge base or a "D" handle base. These bases will make your router motor incredibly versatile.

Now that we've covered the different features to look for, let's look at the different routers available. The brand that has always led the way in woodworking tools in general, and routers in particular is Porter Cable. Their routers are pretty much a staple in all woodworking shops. Specifically, we are talking about their 690 series , midsize routers with either a fixed base, "D" handle base, or a plunge base. They offer all of the features we spoke about, and the one motor is interchangeable within the three bases. It is certainly one of my top choices.

Dewalt offers their model DW616 & DW618 that are very similar to the Porter Cable. It doesn't have the proven track record of the Porter Cable simply because it hasn't been around as long, but seems to be ruggedly built. It is slightly higher priced than the Porter Cable.

Their are models available by Makita and Milwaukee, but I feel they are overpriced for what they offer, and as compared to the competition.

I've left Bosch for last for good reason. They've introduced a complete new line of shop routers that have significant changes over their predecessors. Let's take a look at some of them. They start by offering three different models in the 2 to 2 1/4 horsepower range (1617EVS), with one offering variable speed. The adjustment for the height adjustment is now the easiest offered. Push a button and raise or lower the motor. They also have a microfine adjustment built onto each router, and template guide changing is done with no tools necessary. Simply depress a button, drop in the template guide, and release the button. It really cannot get easier than that. The fixed base unit offers real nice wood handles, and this motor is interchangeable with Porter Cable's line of router bases. Obviously by now you've determined that these new routers are some of the best available, and one of my top choices.

As always, I encourage you to e-mail me with questions or comments, as well as ideas for future columns.

Till next month,

Dean "The Tool Guru" Barnett, President

International Tool Corporation

Email the Guru.

Read previous months' tips:

Circular Saws
Biscuit Joiners
Cabinet Tablesaws
Slide Compound Miter Saws
Mid-Sized Plunge Routers
Cordless Drills
Detail Sanders
Random Orbit Sanders
Brad Nailers
Hammer Drills
Saw Blades