Best router?

[Tin.Man]

Looking for anyone with router experience! Just gonna be used for some g10 and micarta. I've done something similar in the past but want to sort of cry once with this router purchase.

Appreciate the help

 

[ggoose]

I have several brands (Milwuakee, DeWalt, Festool) and all are good. Just get one with the accessories you want and don't look back

 

[ggoose]

Forgot to add, good bits are a necessity...

 

[AVigil]

Milwuakee

is always a great move

 

[Tin.Man]

Thanks guys. Ggoose as in carbide ? Love to learn more on the cutting tools. I used just whatever Home Depot had back in the day then found later they make round over and mortise and all kinds of bits designed for laminate which is closer to g10 and micarta I think. Would a trim router be enough? It's multi speed and I like the smaller size.

 

[golfer1]

You might take a look at the laminate trimmers. The will cut 1/4" pretty well and are much more manageable with one hand. They take standard 1/4" bits and most will also take bits with 1/8". Stay with the better routers which ever way you go, price will be your guide. Cheep routers loose the bearings quickly. Hope that is helpful.

 

[Tin.Man]

Golfer thank you sir. Got a recommended brand?

 

[ggoose]

Ggoose as in carbide ?

Yes, carbide. Home depot sells Freud I think; they are fine and not too spendy. As golfer mentioned, if you go with a laminate trimmer, get 1/4 inch shank bits. You can also check out online shops; I have spent a few $ on bits at www.routerbitworld.com
As for a laminate trimmer, Fine Homebuiding magazine just gave a positive review to the Ridgid 18V Brushless Compact Router at Home Depot, though I have never used it.

 

[golfer1]

Rigid makes good tools, have a good warranty too.

 

[Geoff Flato]

Porter Cable and Bosch are the standards in cabinet shops.

 

[MBB]

I have the Dewalt DWP611 for my small router (technically, I bought it as a carving tool for a massive relief carving I was doing). It's larger than a laminate trimmer but smaller than a regular router, making it very user friendly. I have nothing but positive things to say about it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049ZFUK2/ref=psdc_552866_t1_B0048EFUV8

 

[scott.livesey]

I have a Craftsman and have had no issues. buy from a source that no questions asked returns. i would spend another $50 or so and get a basic router table from Skil or similar.

 

[Lieblad]

You pretty much cant go wrong with any industrial grade routers. All depends what power & features you want.
Plunge is handy as is a switch reachable with your hands on the grips.
I have a Stanley "mouse ears". About 45 years now & ran the nads off it, still does its job.
Fairly compact & powerful, But as basic as it gets. No plunge, switch inconvienient, no dust guard/fixings for vacuum cleaner, minimal fixings for a fence, etc.
If I needed another tomorrow, I would get more features.

 

[synthesist]

One caution about laminate trimmers/small routers that I learned, almost the hard way.

I bought a Ryobi at a garage sale. Plugged it in there and it worked so I went for the $20 which included a handful of cutters. 1/4" cutters. Those are the only size it takes since the "collet" is machined on the end of the armature and NOT REPLACEABLE or removable!!!!!

Since it was a garage sale and cheap I can't complain but I'd consider a swappable collet something that's pretty critical (in the buy once cry once world I abide in anyway). The Ryobi was barely touched when I acquired it and it's done a good job when I needed a small i.e. one handed tool.

Just sayin..... If I were to replace it I'd look at a Bosch, Milwaukee, DeWalt or Rigid kit and get the one that fit my hand the best. A good guarantee would be a secondary consideration.

Good luck...............

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel