router advice

[Randy Huckeby]

Hey Mike,
I had never used a router before but about a month before xmas I treated myself to a Bosch Colt. It is real light but very user friendly. I have used it to round over edges & with a straight bit I have freehanded some letters for a sign. It works beautiful for things like that & in my research got very high reviews. Got mine at Menards

[lucky788scroller]

I would recommend either a porter cable, dewalt, or bosch router kit, which will have both a fixed and a plunge base. I have Bosch, and think they are great.I do think the PC ones might be even better, since most places that make the easylifts for tablemounting design them around the PC 690 series. dale
(search on here about routers, this topic was covered pretty well a couple months ago)

[Minnesota scroller]

After reading Randy's post I decided to check out the specs of the Bosch Colt. The reviews are great. I had a few questions, so I called the 800 number for Bosch, and was I surprised. I got a live person after just 1 ring. I almost dropped the phone. The lady I spoke with was very friendly and helpful but a couple questions she couldn't answer. She asked me to call back during normal business hours and I'd get transferred to a technician. I made this phone call at 6:10 PM their time. So far, Bosch has really impressed me. You seldom get this kind of customer service these days. I'm already leaning towards a Bosch router. I am going to cancel my order to Amazon for the Black & Decker. I just remembered, they are the cheaper division of Dewalt.

[ozarkhillbilly]

I may be wrong here Mike, and not that it really matters, but I believe Black and Decker is the parent corp. of Dewalt as well as Porter Cable and Delta Machinery and a host of others that may surprise you!
http://www.bdk.com/

Back to your orginal question, I too am in favor of the Bosch, pretty much anything with that name on it is of good quality. I deal with this company often and as you have already discovered they do have great customer service, both at the customer level as well as for the retail vendor.

[earlinjax]

For what its worth, one of my sons-in-law had a Ryobi and it didn't last at all. I know other people have had good luck with them but I have had a couple of Ryobi tools and now spend a bit more and get a lot more quality.

EarlinJax

[Stan]

Mike,
Figured I'd throw my $.02 in here. I have quite a few routers around and each has a pretty specific use. From the description of what your planning on doing with the router, I would recommend a Makita 3620 or 3621.

I have 4 of them that I have purchased either via eBay or at local second hand stores for under $35 each. The Makita 3620/3621 is a small 1-1/4hp plunge router. It is a 1/4" collet only router. I have one set up permanently with a keyhole bit and a jig for cutting the keyholes.

I would recommend this router as they can be found in good used shape normally for a good price. If/when you decide to upgrade to a larger router (or one with both a fixed and plunge base), the Makita can always be set aside with a round-over bit and left that way -- just grab it and go.

If you are thinking about something larger, the Freud FT1700 from Lowes is a pretty good deal (free plunge base via rebate). I have been very pleased with the 'above the table' base lock and height adjustment built into the router -- no need to go under the table except for the power switch. (I believe you said no table work for now -- but it is a nice option to have).

Well, that's my $.02 -- hope that helps one way or t'other.

[Minnesota scroller]

Originally Posted by ozarkhillbilly

I may be wrong here Mike, and not that it really matters, but I believe Black and Decker is the parent corp. of Dewalt as well as Porter Cable and Delta Machinery and a host of others that may surprise you!
http://www.bdk.com/

Back to your orginal question, I too am in favor of the Bosch, pretty much anything with that name on it is of good quality. I deal with this company often and as you have already discovered they do have great customer service, both at the customer level as well as for the retail vendor.

Bill, that was a surprise. I had read online some time ago that B & D had bought Dewalt and the Dewalt line was the higher quality line and B & D, the lower quality. I guess B & D can't make these claims if they aren't true.

I was just looking at some of the reviews of Bosch routers on Amazon and some are concerned that Bosch is turning into another company like Dewalt. They didn't mean that in a good way either. I'm beginning to think I should stick with my old Stanley 1 3/4 hp fixed base hunk of steel. I do need to rub the bit against something to get it to start spinning, but it works. And I have routed a couple key hole slots with the relic, so maybe I'll just pick up a dado or mortise bit and give them a shot for routing the recesses in my outlet covers.

[Stan]

Mike,
Posted some info about the Makita 3620/3621 and Freud FT1700 a bit ago -- hopefully it will show up shortly.

[Minnesota scroller]

Gee Stan, if you have 4 of them, give me a good deal on one. You don't need to be a hog.

Thanks for the .02 worth. I'll check them out.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by Minnesota scroller

Gee Stan, if you have 4 of them, give me a good deal on one. You don't need to be a hog.

Thanks for the .02 worth. I'll check them out.

heh, sorry Mike -- they are all set up for dedicated purpose right now. I'll check a couple local stores in the next couple days though -- will grab one if I find one in the 'under $30' range. If you already have something by then -- I can always use another...