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Router (woodworking) recommendations


s5300

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Hello all - after a year of telling my machine shops manager having a router would be dope.. he's buying one for my birthday.

I've read through all of the old recommendation threads - however there's not too much info going about. Any insight you guys can give me, I always appreciate it.

 

Currently looking at the Porter Cable 895pk.

All I'm really after is a fixed/plunge setup and large bit collets.

I don't think it will be used every day, but when it is I want it to work near flawlessly. The budget is around $250 for the router itself, though if there's a great deal floating a bit higher than that it can probably be done.

Bit recommendations are also great - currently I think we're just going to order a bunch of HSS bits from McMaster. I'm going to make Matthias Wandel's 45* tilting router lift for our table.

 

TL;DR - please recommend some routers, maybe whether or not you use said model and the pros/cons of it - bit recommendations welcome too.

 

Thanks guys(and girls)!

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I've used Dewalt, Hitachi, and Bosch routers.  I liked my Dewalt in the beginning, but I had to fix it twice, the third time I gave up on it, parts are too expensive.  At this point Dewalt is dead to me. The Hitachi router is decent for the price, but not as good as the other two.  The Bosch is my favorite, by far.  If ever buy another it will be a Bosch ever single time.  I've never used a Porter Cable, but they seem to be well liked.  They are a cousin to the Dewalt though, which is a mark against it in my book. 

 

For bits, I've used cheap ones and more expensive ones.  The cheap ones aren't worth the money unless its for a bit you are only going to use once.  For any bit you are going to use with any kind of regularity get a quality bit.  I like Whiteside bits, get em on Amazon, they are only a few bucks more than the cheap bits and are SOOOOO much better.  

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Im new to the game but my bosch works well. It can has a plunge base or fixed base. I got two so i could leave one in my router table and one for everything else. Ive only been using whiteside bits. No complaints yet. Like Triticum said tho, alot of people like the porter cable routers, i probably wouldve gotten that if my local lowes had it. But im more then happy with the bosch. 

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Makita square base plunge.Old Stanley 3.5 hp table mount router. Dewalt have bad armatures.  Bosch not what they used to be.  There are European brands that kick ass also.

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i have two routers.  my first was and still is a craftsman plunge base.  i have had it for about 5 years.  no issues.  i just got a jessem table lift and bought a porter cable to stay in it.  so other than the porter cable being newer and a bit quieter than the craftsman.  they are both good pieces.

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precision bits are my favorite for the price..ive used the expensive ones and a VERY select few are worth the money in my opinion..dont abuse your shit and u wont have a problem...ive had the same POS $90 ryobi router for 6+yrs now with no real issues

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  • 1 month later...

bosch 1619 with plunge base ( have heard good things about porter cable too but the bosch is more common so the router lift was compatible)

jessem router lift

Whiteside/12v tools bits

https://12vtools.com/

 

Edit: Super important but forgot Jasper Circle Jigs 

https://www.parts-express.com/jasper-circle-jig-model-200--365-250?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

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