router question

I am wanting to buy me a few tools and do some woodworking just for myself. I was wanting to buy a basic router but noticed there are several different kinds. I saw a plunger router, I think a compact router, and another type. I am wanting to practice making like dado joints, and the different types of cuts to make cabinets and drawers. I want one I can use on a router table and mount. What kind would I need for that and I do not want to spend over 100 dollars on the router because I wont be using it much.

Look at the router tables first, then decide on a router to mount on it. Mine are Sears Craftman, 20+ years old and work well. You're going to be pushing it with a $100 budget because the bits are very expensive. Let us know if you have any questions.

Tracker I know the bits are expensive, I was talking about the router itself. I watched videos and some people suggested getting a less expensive router because the bits cost a lot.

I have a black and decker, craftsman, porter cable and a dewalt. I would buy the best dewalt you can afford. With that being said they all get the job done if used slow and not try to make deep dados only go 1/8 -1/4 deep each pass

Like Tracker123 says, check out Sears. I got their 2 in 1 Router that has both bases so you can have it as a plunge router or the standard router and that will mount to a router table also. It is a good unit and if caught on sale it's a heck of a deal too. Ferdi

Too bad you don't live closer to me. I'd give you a router. small table and assorted bits. At least I think I've still got it somewhere.

Just my kind of luck Barnacle. My brother lives out close to you but I never go visit. (Shame on me) My dad use to live in Chesapeake.

Is the plunge base router not also mountable to a router table? If it is lockable cant you use it just like a fixed base router and start on one end of a board and go to the other end and not just use it for starting somewhere inside the board for the plunge feature? If so, why would someone buy just a fixed base if the plunge base can be used the same way? Please help me understand.

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Originally Posted by Ferdi

Like Tracker123 says, check out Sears. I got their 2 in 1 Router that has both bases so you can have it as a plunge router or the standard router and that will mount to a router table also. It is a good unit and if caught on sale it's a heck of a deal too. Ferdi

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porter cable makes a set with fixed base and plunge base router. I got one for Christmas 1 year and I could use it any way I wanted including on a stand. I think the whole kit was around $100, but now probably $130, good set for the money and comes in a carrying case

Porter Cable is the way to go in my opinion. I used to build for a living. I've burned up my fair share of routers, jig saws, and circular saws until I found the right ones that worked the best.

Porter Cable has a kit that comes with a fixed mount as well as a plunge base. I use my plunge base most of the time and just lock it in the fixed position. You will also get different throats to run different sized bits.

If you are looking to do dovetails and cabinet type jointery, I suggest the Porter cable dovetail jig. Comes with all the alluminum plates you need to do blind dovetails, pocket dovetails, dados, you name it. Comes with different collars that fit into the slots of the jig. Once proficient, you will do both pieces at the same time and never have a screwed up joint.

If you have time wicklundrh could you look up the one you are talking about and post a link to it for me please. Can you connect your plunge base to a routing table or does it have to have the fixed base on it to do that.

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

Porter Cable is the way to go in my opinion. I used to build for a living. I've burned up my fair share of routers, jig saws, and circular saws until I found the right ones that worked the best.

Porter Cable has a kit that comes with a fixed mount as well as a plunge base. I use my plunge base most of the time and just lock it in the fixed position. You will also get different throats to run different sized bits.

If you are looking to do dovetails and cabinet type jointery, I suggest the Porter cable dovetail jig. Comes with all the alluminum plates you need to do blind dovetails, pocket dovetails, dados, you name it. Comes with different collars that fit into the slots of the jig. Once proficient, you will do both pieces at the same time and never have a screwed up joint.

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If you go to Lowe'''s Home Improvement':' Appliances, Tools, Hardware, Paint, Flooring then go to tools, and wood working tools. You can narrow down your search to "Porter Cable". You should come up with about six pages of porter cable tools.
They have two different router models. A 2.25 HP and a 1.75 HP. Only the 2.25 comes as a kit with the fixed and plunge base. I recommend the biggest you can get. Bigger IS better in this case!

Picture of a 2.25 taken from lowes.com
Attachment 191417

Picture of Dovetail Jig (taken from Lowes)
Attachment 191418

Also, when using in a router table, you want to use the fixed base. My recommendation is to build your own table. Don't buy one. There are several woodworking sites that have free plans for building one. Then you get exactly what you want! They also give you some very good ideas on things from clamping to setting up fences.

Get a high horsepower plunge router....preferably two and a half horsepower. You can lock the plunge router in the plunge position at any set depth and use it on a router table. You need high horse power if you are going to make cabinets so you can run large bits to make raised panel doors etc. I started with a one third HP craftsman and found it was not what I needed for building cabinets and furniture. I use a Hitachi two and a half hp now and it will do anything. A lot higher priced than a hundred bucks though. Some of my bits cost anywhere fron 40 to 100 bucks each. And I gave my craftsman router table away....way to small.....I built my own and the plunge router in lock position works great.

I agree with G. Like I said, buy the biggest one you can get. You get what you pay for in this instance. If you are making high end cabinetry and furniture, they make some commercial grade ones that are out of this world. We are always limited by our pocket books! I have some cabinet door bits that are several hundred dollars for a set of two. I have a smaller shaper router table that would go to some jobs sites with me but my plunge router is an indespensible tool.

I think I might be better off just buying a good table saw. I can rip my wood and do a lot of joints with it like a router. I wont be able to do designs and raised panels, but not really looking for that. Maybe I will get both a little at a time. Thanks everyone.