Shopping for a New Plunge Router

4woody · January 31, 2007, 06:45:56 PM

Good luck i hope you dont have any troubles out of it i tried to of the saw an no luck two saw four houses thats not good an they was new

Kevin · January 31, 2007, 08:16:21 PM

Way to go Norm!
Let me know what it's like, I'm in the mood to buy one myself, been looking at the Freud FT3000VCE 3-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router .

Don_Papenburg · January 31, 2007, 09:12:32 PM

Don't go buying them routers just yet Norm. Take a look at the big yellow router from down under . I think it is called a Tridon or something like that . I have read several reveiws of it and all were positive . I would consider the Bosch also I have a buddy that has some of them . He makes his living with them doing custom wood work. I have the old PC 3hp plunge and three 690 fixed base routers plus a palm grip Milwalkee. I like the palm grip for long routing jobs. My opinion is that If I were to buy a new plunge router it would be Bosch or Tridon

woodbeard · February 02, 2007, 09:39:42 AM

I have the 3612 Makita, I like it a lot. It does start smooth, and the speed control works well, but the control knob doesnt always stay where I set it. I usually have to tape it in place so it doesn't slow down on me. Also,the plunge lock has slipped on me at times, but this may just be something I need to adjust, hopefully not with tape. ;D Other than that, it plunges well, the switch is easy to use and not positioned where it can be bumped on, and the collet works well.
That Hitachi looks like something out of a cheezy sci-fi show. Hopefully thats not the only upgrade they made to the old clunky models that it seems to have evolved from.

Tony · February 02, 2007, 07:55:32 PM

Quote from: Don_Papenburg on January 31, 2007, 09:12:32 PM
Don't go buying them routers just yet Norm. Take a look at the big yellow router from down under . I think it is called a Tridon or something like that . I have read several reveiws of it and all were positive .

I think it's Triton??? ??? :

Fine Woodworking said it was the best :P

Tony

Don_Papenburg · February 02, 2007, 10:33:02 PM

Yep thats it ,Triton

brdmkr · February 02, 2007, 11:01:28 PM

Norm,

I really like my older model Hitachi M12V. I have not had a lick of trouble out of it. The only thing I do not like about it is that it will not handle really large bits due to a smaller hole in the base. For such a big router, I wish the opening were larger. I think the new model will handle larger bits. Supposedly this new router is a substantial IMPROVEMENT over mine. If it is, you will be happy.

I don't know you, and I wouldn't dare want to offend, but the one thing that I think is wrong with the new Hitachi is.... IT IS UGLY :D But hey, looks don't route, and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder ;)!

I'm sure you'll be pleased. Let us know what you think.

Norm · February 03, 2007, 08:31:21 AM

Thanks for that brdmkr, I did get the hitachi in yesterday. It was frozen hard as a rock so I'll not get to use it until today. The one thing that I didn't like was the looks of it. It kind of reminded me of something Tim Allen would use. :D

I did look at the triton but had never heard of it before so was kind of leary of it. It only had two reviews on amazon so I thought I'd stick with the hitachi which got good reviews also.

It sure is nice to have a woodworking section here now. I've always been intimidated by the other sites for woodworkers being a rookie at it and all. Thanks for all the help folks.

brdmkr · February 03, 2007, 02:37:35 PM

Quote from: Norm on February 03, 2007, 08:31:21 AM
It sure is nice to have a woodworking section here now. I've always been intimidated by the other sites for woodworkers being a rookie at it and all. Thanks for all the help folks.

You know, I drop in on a couple of the woodworking sites just to get ideas, but one of the sites some of the comments can be downright rude. There is another site that requires that you post under your real name. Folks there are pretty friendly to one another. In a way, it reminds me of this site, only devoted entirely to woodworking.

Good luck with the Tim Allen special ;D

Kevin · February 03, 2007, 09:12:01 PM

Here's a review on the Triton...

http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/TritonRouter/TritonRouterReview.html

DR Buck · February 06, 2007, 03:12:30 PM

Didn't see any own up to having the DeWalt. :

Well, I've got the 2 HP DeWalt 621 and it meets my needs OK. I haven't used it with any large bits freehand, but it handles them OK mounted under the table. I've done most of my freehand routing with my really old Craftsman 1hp unit. It's getting near the end though.

Other than the torque kick at startup the DeWalt is fairly stable and not real hard to keep under control.

Here's the DW-621 link DeWalt Plunge Router

metalspinner · February 06, 2007, 05:37:51 PM

Dr buck,

I'll own up to it. I have the Dewalt, but it's the 625. It works fine in it's current obligation. It's set up in a jointer /planer rig for my really big boards. It's a little cumbersom trying to use it handheld, but I have the porter cable multi base for that sort of stuff.

brdmkr · February 06, 2007, 05:50:46 PM

Metalspinner,

What kind of bit do you use in your planing rig? Is it just a standard straight bit or have you found something better? I have always wondered if I could find a bit similar to what Lucas sells for their surfacer.

metalspinner · February 06, 2007, 07:13:07 PM

1 1/4 straight bit. It's just the biggest I found locally. I saw a 2 1/4" in a catalogue once, maybe Grizzley. It was not a straight bit, but it only needs to be flat on the bottom.

Raphael · February 27, 2007, 10:06:06 AM

I'm quite happy with the performance of my Fein RT1800, the switch is right there at your finger tips. Plunge is a little stiff but can be adjusted. I've heard good things about the Freud FT3000, almost went that way myself...

tcsmpsi · February 28, 2007, 09:44:57 AM

Plunge router?
Well, I always tried to keep mine from taking plunges, but from time to time, gotta start somewhere. :D

Back over in another small shop I have an old Black and Decker industrial model mounted in a table. Both these specimens work real well, though I didn't get a pic of the B&D setup.

I've looked a bit at some of these newer router set ups, and I can't hardly tell which end goes where. :D

I've also got another base and a door hinge jig for this Porter Cable. Don't know what I'd do if I had to actually replace either of my routers. What I've seen available is not real inspiring.

Kevin · March 25, 2007, 03:18:58 PM

The Freud is a beauty!
Soft start whines up like a jet engine.

tcsmpsi · April 23, 2007, 09:06:18 AM

Hey Norm

Have you had a chance to use your new Hitachi router?

Sorting through applications, shapers, etc., completely contrary to my post above (well, sort of), I went ahead a purchased a new router. More hp, and ability to use bigger, more diverse bits.

When WDH was down the other day, we were over in that part of the shop and mentioned, looking over my old Porter Cable router that it was an old one. He asked me how old, and thinking about it, I told him about 50 yrs old. Got to looking at my owner's manual for it, and it is actually a bit over 50.

I haven't used it yet, but I did purchase a Makita 3612, that I intend to set up in a table.

Speaking of which, has anyone used one of the table saw extension router tables? Space and maneuverability are of notable concern at the present time.

I did get a new Hitachi table saw to take the spot of my old Delta, which I believe will accomodate a good sized router table.

I got the designated circuit run for the Hitachi Sat., and though I've only ripped a couple boards through it, it is going to be a notable improvement over the old Delta.

Norm · April 24, 2007, 07:59:29 AM

I haven't had a chance to run it yet tcsmpsi. I opened the box and went hummm looks complicated...probably should put the owners manual under my pillow and sleep on it. :D

The Makita was my first choice but it was on backorder through amazon (free 2 day shipping) so I went with the Hitachi. Be interested to how you like it after some use.

tcsmpsi · April 24, 2007, 10:52:41 AM

Likewise, Norm.

I've never had a plunge router. There weren't no such critter last time I bought a router. ;)

I ordered the 3612 from toolsforless.com. No shipping, in stock and they sent along with it, a nice 3 pc. Makita raised panel door kit. For 259., I could hardly say no.

I've looked the thing over, dissected it, believe I have a pretty good idea of its workings.

The male teenager left at the house, is showing some propensity of interest in the whole woodworking process, and he would need his own router to learn to live with.

I'm still eyeing the Hitachi. ;D