Router question...How many???

[Johnnyy Johnson]

I have a real nice plunge porter-cable router. I like how I have it set up and use it with a fence for flutes and edges. I have a friend that has alot of experience with dove tails and he plans to teach me how to use my Leigh jig. I would like to have a dedicated router for dovetails but not sure if its worth the money to buy another one. My friend suggested a D handle fixed router. How do you guys deal with this. I have alot of time spent setting up machines and it gets old after awhile...Thanks Johnny

[Fred Preston]

well..... I have a dozen or more and still get the itch if I find a good deal. :-] most are dedicated to speciffic tasks.

[Peter Quinn]

I'm up to seven, or eight? I lose track, but it still feels a little lean. You don't need a monster router for everything. Maybe for dovetails a couple of small fixed base routers (1 1/2HP) would do the trick? Set um up and leave them that way.

[Myk Rian]

I have the smaller Craftsman for dovetails and handheld work. Nice router for $80.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917540000P?vName=Tools&cName=Portable+Power+Tools&sName=Routers+%26+Laminate+Trimmers

[Johnnyy Johnson]

Anyone got the Porter-Cable 691 with the D handle. I'm wondering if the handle would block the view of the bit unless you turned it to the side abit??

[Walter Plummer]

I like the D handle. I would use a fixed base for the dovetails. The plunge routers are too heavy. I have no experience with the new jigs. Getting the router depth dialed in for the old ones was a chore, and once set we left it and used it till you could not cut anymore. I vote for multiple routers.:D

[glenn bradley]

I have 5 or 6 so, yes, its worth it to buy another.

[scott spencer]

Johnny - Most of us tend to have our own way of doing things, and you're likely no different...it's just a matter of discover what what works for you. My favorite dovetail router is the fixed base Hitachi M12VC (http://www.epinions.com/review/Hitachi_Koki_U_S_A_Ltd_M12VC_2_1_4HP_Fix_Base_Rout er/content_464489320068)...smallish, light, well balanced, quiet, smooth, and easily powerful enough for the task. It'll accept the standard PC style bushings, and also happens to be less expensive than some of the other options. I sold my Bosch 1617 and PC690 in favor of the Hitachi for this task.

I'm down to 4 routers, and could get by pretty well with two if push came to shove. I've got a big Milwaukee 5625 for heavy duty table use, a Freud FT1700 for everyday table use, a Milwaukee 5615 for plunge and hand use, and the Hitachi for dovetails and other hand use.

[Johnnyy Johnson]

I like the PC 691 D handle model, but it does not have speed adjust. It runs at 25.5K RPM. Will that limit it's use? I want it mainly for dovetails but would like it for other light weight jobs. I know I will be limited to small bits, but will I run into problems burning the wood while cutting Dovetails?

[David DeCristoforo]

It doesn't matter how many you have. If you only have one, it should be a plunger. And you will have to do a lot of bit changing. But, as is the case with many things, there is no such thing as "enough". You could have as many routers as you have bits. So every time you buy a new bit, you could buy a new router. There are times when I'm working on a project and every router in my shop is set up for something related to that job so that I can just grab the one I need at that moment. And still, I end up thinking I could use "one more". Same with clamps....

[Michael O'Sullivan]

Johnnyy (if that is your real name... :)) --

I personally don't like the d-handle for the Leigh jig. I don't have the VRS (I think that is what it is called) add-on kit that helps with dust collection and balance, so one of the main ways I have to screw up the dovetails is to tilt the router forward or back accidentally. I found this happened more with the d-handle than the regular fixed base. If I really did a lot of dovetails, I might think about getting two 690-style routers, and keep a DT bit in one and the straight in the other. Remember, you'll also have to shell out for an additional 8mm collet and guide bushing (although I don't think they are too expensive).

Scott -- you wrote:
I'm down to 4 routers, and could get by pretty well with two if push came to shove. I've got a big Milwaukee 5625 for heavy duty table use, a Freud FT1700 for everyday table use, a Milwaukee 5615 for plunge and hand use, and the Hitachi for dovetails and other hand use.How come you use 2 different routers in your table? I would have thought the 5625 would handle the large and the small tasks (at least it does for me...) Or do you have 2 separate tables set up?

[Dennis Hatchett]

When I asked a hunter friend how many guns he had, he replied, "More than I need, but not as many as I want."

I also remember a New Yankee episode when Norm showed off more than a dozen routers stuffed into a drawer and that made sense to me. I started off with one of the more expensive heavy duty, do it all type of plunge router but that's the only one of those that I've ever purchased.

I now have a dozen or so routers with most of them being used for designated bits. Some dedicated routers are... 3 sizes of round-over, chamfer, flush cut, 2 for dovetails, rabbit with fence, etc... And I have the big hitachi dedicated to the router table.

Routers are very simple machines and I've found that the basic Porter Cable 1 - 1 1/2 horse models are more than adequate and very inexpensive. Most of mine were purchased second hand and I'm always looking for a good deal.

[Jeff Duncan]

I'm with Dennis, most of my dozen or so routers are Porter Cable
690's. They're just such a versatile solid tool I use them for almost anything. Have 1 set up for dovetails, 1 in the table, and a few scattered for various tasks. I do not have any routers that are more powerful, nor any with speed control, I guess those options could be handy for certain situations, but I've gotten by for this long without so??? Oh and I have a couple shapers so bigger stuff gets done on those anyway.
The great thing about having multiples of the same router is that if one goes south you can cannibalize it for parts:D
good luck,
JeffD

[Todd Trebuna]

I have 3. I can see the benefit of having more.
With me, One stays in the table. One is strictly for my mortising jig. The other one is my Bosch workhorse, which I use for everything else.

[Bill Arnold]

I have the following:

A Hitachi M12V in my router table - plenty of power for everything.

Three Bosch 1617EVS with fixed and plunge bases. One fixed base is mounted to a trammel arm and stick a motor in it when I need to do radius work.

One old Craftsman 1.5hp fixed base - gets very little use.

Three trim routers - one PC and two HF. I keep a flush trim bit in the PC, a 1/4" RO in one HF and a chamfer bit in the other HF.

My collection grew over the years for a variety of reasons but mainly because I wanted them. :rolleyes:

[Johnnyy Johnson]

I bought the PC 690LRVS. Now I have two...and Christmas has not come yet!!http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Glen Butler]

It doesn't matter how many you have. If you only have one, it should be a plunger.


I always value your opinion so could you explain why it should be a plunger?

[Johnnyy Johnson]

delete delete

[David DeCristoforo]

"...could you explain why it should be a plunger?"

Because a plunger is much more versatile than a "fixed base" router. So if you are only going to own one router, you want it to be capable of as many different functions as possible. Some routers come with (or there is at least an option for) two bases, one fixed and one plunger. One of those would be a good choice for an "only" router. PC, Hitachi, Bosch, Makita and Freud are just some of the options.

[Rod Sheridan]

I have an E.C. Emmerich cordless, and a Porter Cable laminate trimmer.

That's it, don't need any more.............Rod.

[Brian Penning]

I have 2 PC routers dedicated for my Dovetail jig. One for the pins and 1 for the tails.
It makes it soooo much easier and faster.

[paul cottingham]

This sounds like a trick question, like asking how many planes a person needs. I have 2 routers, and already feel the need for at least one more, at least today.


Paul

[Joe Wiliams]

Easy answer... only one more than you currently have:D

[John A langley]

Routers are like clamps you can not have enough:)

[Chip Lindley]

Imma big Porter Cable fan since the '80s. LightYears ahead of the p.o.s. Craftsman 1-1/2hp I struggled along with for far too long.

I have a big 7518 5-speed mounted in my TS/extension wing lift. A 7519 SpeedMatic just in case. A 7538 plunger for HD jobs. 693 plunger for lighter stuff. Two 691 D-handles dedicated to my Leigh D4 dovetail jig. Two 690s for general purposes. A little 7/8hp 100 for one-handed light duty jobs. The only renegade is a good ol' Black & Decker 3315 dedicated to the 16" OmniJig for half-blind DTs. Opps, theres a PC 310 offset trimmer for scribing backspashes.

Except for the B&D and the trimmer, P-Cs use identical collets and wrenches. I like the familiarity of knowing where the switch is if a panic situation arises. They are all rugged and relable. But, one or two more wouldn't hurt!.....just in case....

[Bruce Wrenn]

Easy answer... only one more than you currently have:DExactly where do you store 28 routers:confused:? That is how many you have if you have one more than me. Last year, I gave away a "brand new, in the box," 690 LR to be used in a raffle. Delta / Porta-Cable gave it to me for doing a "customer research session" at IWF. I buy used, so wrenches usually aren't included. It is easier to change routers than to change bits, IMHO.

[Rick Fisher]

I am shopping for another router right now.. Looking for a strong table router.. pretty much set on the Porter Cable 7518..

I have 2 plunge routers, a fixed base and two trimmers..

My favorite router is the Festool OF-1400 .. Bit changes are sooo easy.. its smooth as silk and I look forward to using it ..

If I could only have one router .. it would be a OF-1400 Plunge router..

[John Coloccia]

Someone did a poll on this a couple of months ago (How many routers do you own?). You may want to look that up too. There's some good info in there.

Personally, I have 3 at the moment. A PC I use for patterns, a Bosch I use for everything else (I really like the Bosch), and a Bosch Colt I use for small jobs. I suspect I'll pick up a few more in the coming year as I nail down the process for some things I'm building. Then I can setup the router once and dedicate it to a task.

[Larry Fox]

I have 3 plus a laminate trimmer but 0 is my ideal number. I think I might be in the minority here but a router is , hands down, my least favorite tool. I aspire to, and am working towards, be able to do everything I need with just the laminate trimmer.

[Sean Nagle]

I only have three routers currently. A DW625 in the router table, a DW621 for handheld plunge work and a PC690 for handheld edge profile work. I'd probably get a trim router next. However, to me the most important feature of any router is dust collection. I wouldn't buy another router that doesn't have exceptional dust collection.

[Tony Bilello]

.......... I would like to have a dedicated router for dovetails but not sure if its worth the money......... I have alot of time spent setting up machines and it gets old after awhile...Thanks Johnny

If you spend a lot of time setting up machines and it's getting old, then it is time for another router. Within reason, you can never have enough routers. When working on projects that require a decent amount of router work you really dont want to keep changing bits and settings. Invariably, there is always one piece that you forgot to route or you screwed up and need an identical set-up as one that was just changed out. Lots of time is wasted just getting it just right.

[Rod Sheridan]

I have 3 plus a laminate trimmer but 0 is my ideal number. I think I might be in the minority here but a router is , hands down, my least favorite tool. I aspire to, and am working towards, be able to do everything I need with just the laminate trimmer.

That's why I have an E.C Emmerich router, almost silent, cordless, light weight, makes chips and shavings, not dust.

Regards, Rod.

[Michael Koch]

I have two Porter Cable 690 routers. I am always looking for more. Can't have enough. The 690 is a workhorse. Can use it for anything. Routers are like calmps. Never have enough of them when doing a job. MK

[Ron Bontz]

With respect to dovetails, I have a porter cable 890 and a bosch 1617. They are both easily adjustable and well balanced. I don't always use both depending on what I am cutting dovetails on. I have a 690 D-handle, but I don't like the D handle on the jigs. That's just preference in technique. My PC 7518 is in the table, and my bosch 1611 plunge is used for , of course, plunging. Oh, did I mention my little trim router? :)

[Mike Wilkins]

I have a total of 9 or 10; lost track. I have 2 Bosch routers set up to use with my Leigh jig-one a D-handle and one regular. Both variable speed. And I also have 5 laminate trimmers set up with dedicatec bits.
Overkill?? No way. I am still looking for more when a great deal comes up.

[bruce buren]

buy another, I have 6 and have extra bases for some that are attached to specific job jigs. Way easier then having to move each time you need the jig. As long as you have the funds to do so I would.