How many routers do you own?

[Carl Beckett]

Or maybe it should ask - how many is enough?

Or.... how many is too many? (I know, a rhetorical question)

My wife shakes her head every time I mention I 'need' another router.

I am guessing I am on the low end for this site:

1 big Porter Cable mounted in a table
2 standard Porter Cables
1 standard Dewalt
1 Dremel (a little adaptor to use a dremel like a router - works great for small precision hinge mounting)

Thats it! Clearly I need a couple more, especially one of the small palm routers.

Oh... and I have a shaper table top/motor project that needs put together to make another usable one.

I will say, there are few projects I do that doesnt give the table router a good workout - I have as much in it as I paid for the table saw.

[Larry Fox]

I currently own 3 which imho is 3 too many. It is one of my least favorite tools and I sincerely wish I could find a way to do certain tasks so as to not require a router. Of the three, the one that I would get rid of last is my Bosch Colt that I reach for most to do things like inlays, hinge mounting etc.

[Rich Engelhardt]

1 - Freud 1700 w/fixed and plunge base.
1- Ryobi 1.5 HP
1 - Craftsman 1.5 HP
1 - PC 690

3 - Dremel tools, a 200, 300 and 400 & both the plunge attachment and the table attachment
1 - Roto Zip
I have a feeling I'm leaving one or two out....

There's always a need for another router or some sort of specialty base.

I'd love to see Bosch come out with a decent base of some sort for the RotoZip. W/it's "D" handle and a good sub base it would rock for a lot of those tight places a normal or even trim router has trouble doing. Places like between a backsplash and a sink cutout.

[Jeff Monson]

4 for me

bosch palm router
milwaukee 1/2hp
pc 7518 for my router table
festool 1010

They all get used

[Jim O'Dell]

Four:
PC 7518 dedicated to the table
PC 8529 plunge that the speed control buned out. Wired direct for full speed now, but need to get an outboard speed control for it to make it more versatile.
Hitachi non plunge (M12 I think) that came as a freebie/rebate when I bought my Hitachi SCMS Black and Decker from 1987 or so that I chose as a prize from an installation contest where I worked at the time.
The B&D has been fired up once in the last 10 years, just to see if it still ran. Man that thing is a screamer!! The 7518 hasn't been used out of the RT since it was built. Don't use the 8529 much unless I have to have a plunge cut. I'd use the Hitachi exclusively for hand held stuff if it had a plunge base to go with it. It's nice and small and good power (2.25) for a handheld unit. It does all of the laminate trim I've done for shop fixtures.
Would love to have a small laminate trimmer. Maybe that will be my next one. :rolleyes: Jim.

[richard poitras]

6 each and 1 roto zip for me....

Richard

[Rick Moyer]

There was a poll on this topic earlier:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?123649-Router-survey...&highlight=how+many+routers
or this one:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?4997-How-many-router-do-you-need.&highlight=how+many+routers

[Larry Norton]

I have 10.

2 Porter Cable 690's
1 Porter Cable 891
1 Bosch 1613
1 Hitachi M12V
1 Porter Cable Laminate Trimmer
1 Bosch Colt
1 Brand New Dewalt 611 Compact I haven't used yet
1 Old Black and Decker I haven't used in years
1 Old Craftsman I haven't used in years

[Shawn Pixley]

I have two matching Hitachi routers. One in the router table, one hand held. I would prefer to have none. It is my least favorite tool. But some jobs are just plain easier with one.

[Bill Huber]

I only have 3 routers.

I have a Bosch 1617 in the router table.
A Bosch 1617 in the cabinet with a fixed and plunge base.
A Dewalt 611 in the cabinet with a fixed and plunge base.

I have an extra fixed base for the Bosch, I will pull the router out of the table and put it in the fixed base to use on the dovetail jig. This way I can set up both Bosch routers when doing dovetails, one for the straight bit and one for the dovetail bit.

[Alan Lightstone]

Four for me:

Festool OF1400 for handheld use.
Porter Cable 7518 in my router table in a Woodpecker PRL-V2 lift with a Wixey Digital heightgauge.
Black and Decker sitting in a storage unit, not ever used for about a decade.
Dewalt DW618PK that I have set up for a PC dovetail jig, and rarely use also.

I need something like a Bosch Colt or new Dewalt compact.

I could see easily being happy with 3 - The Festool, the PC in the router table, and a compact.

[Leo Graywacz]

2 Bosch Colts,
2 Bosch 1613EVS
1 Bocsh 1617EVS
1 Festool OH1400

[Neil Brooks]

Milwaukee 5625-20 -- lives under the table, and is just incredible. Sits in a Woodpecker PRL lift
Ryobi RE180PL plunge. Actually a darned fine tool ! Will soon become the dedicated router for the P-C dovetail jig
Brand spankin' ..... Bosch 1617EVSPK 2-1/4 HP fixed/plunge combo, with Whiteside quick release collet. Bought the bushing adapter to allow me to use it with my P-C template bushings. I have the distinct feeling that I'm going to LOVE this router :)



Yeah. A laminate or trim or ... similar small router -- likely a DeWalt -- is probably in my future.

Routers is yet another category of tool where I consider us to be VERY lucky. There are a TON of VERY good options, out there.

And I'd like them all .... ;)

[Ray Newman]

PC 7518 dedicated for router table use.

PCR 690, PC 100 (the ol' 7/8 HP unit), and DeWalt 621 for hand heldwork.

Also an older PC laminate trimmer.

I found that when working with dovetails jigs, having two routers set up (one with the straight bit; the other with the dovetail) will save time.

[Neil Bosdet]

6 for me....

[Chip Lindley]

Looking up old polls don't allow SMC'ers any bragging rights! ;-)

Counting trimmers, I have 12, all P-C (big and small) except for a nice old Black & Decker 7610 1/4" set up for use on the Leigh jig.

[Charlie Jones]

5 for me. One 3 hp dewalt in my table, 2 Craftsman, one old Rockwell D handle, and one new Bosch in my new slot mortiser that I built over the winter. Photos coming soon.

[steven c newman]

3 for me, a SKIL fixed base, a "no-brand" plunge that sits in the table, and an older (orange) B&D 1/4" one. The Skil won't hold at a setting for depth, clamp won't clamp and STAY clamped. No-brand has both 1/4", and 1/2" collets, and variable speed. The B&D needs some handle work, but still works. That's about it for electric routers...

[Paul Girouard]

Just one more! That's all anyone needs , one more! Doesn't matter how many you have , one more is just right!

[Bruce Page]

5 total
1 PC 7539 hanging off of the back of my mill
1 PC 7518 in Benchdog wing
1 PC 892 in TS crosscut table
1 PC 690 for handheld use
1 Bosch Colt in shop made plunge base

[Bryan Cramer]

1 DeWalt 2 base kit 618 (I think) 2 1/4 hp
1 Old Craftsman I don't use

[Julian Tracy]

Let's see... I just recently picked up used versions of the Festool 1400 and the 1010 (half priced gloats!)

Also have the Milwaukee 3HP remote Jessem motor setup in a Jessem table, a Milwaukee Body grip 2 1/4HP dual base I use in my Jobsite saw table extension as well as in my Unisaw extension as a 2nd router table in the shop. And have a PC 7310 multi-base laminate trimmer kit for counter installs.

Oh - forgot, also just bought a like new ELU 3HP plunge from a fellow Creeker for $150 plus it had some extra's thown in. Couldn't pass up such a classic workhorse at a great price.

After getting the Festools, I sold off my Bosch 2 base kit and am selling my Makita D handled router and also selling a spare Ridgid Laminate trimmer.

I've been on the lookout for the older PC 93-series round laminate trimmers on CL...

JT

[Dar Lounsbury]

I have more than I want to admit to. Several more than 12 PCs and as Paul said " just one more". Would like to get the new little DeWalt plunge kit.

These tool audits get one to look carefully at how you use tool money. No regrets here but I have spent more than my share. Wife NEVER says no. "Get what you need". Define need. If I leave a tool catalog where she can read it, she will ask what something does then ask if we should get one. She has not found the lathe page yet, but that might be better never seen.

Dar

[Gene Howe]

6 here, but I like Norm Abrams' philosophy: "A router for every bit". He probably never said that but, that was my observation after watching most of his shows.

[johnny means]

I forget, but whatever is in this photo. Thinking about a couple of those 3 hp Tritons, now that they're on sale at WC.
189950

[Mike Zilis]

I believe I'm up to 7.

1 PC 7518 in the table
1 Hitachi M12 dedicated to the Leigh FMT
1 Bosch Colt
1 PC 690 Plunge
3 PC 690 D-Handle

[Myk Rian]

I only need 2, so that's how many I have.

[scott spencer]

I currently own 4....
- Milwaukee 5615 primarily for plunge work and hand use
- Hitachi M12VC fixed base for dovetails and general hand use
- Milwaukee 5625 for raised panels and big bits in the table
- Freud FT1700 primarily for table use

I've owned 9 overall, and as many as 5 at once. Two would be fine...one for hand use, one for table, but I'm happy with 4.

Overall I find the router to be the one of the most versatile tools in the shop....if not THE most versatile.

[Jim Rimmer]

I will pull the router out of the table and put it in the fixed base to use on the dovetail jig. This way I can set up both Bosch routers when doing dovetails, one for the straight bit and one for the dovetail bit.

That is why I have two PC 690's set up for through dovetails in 1/2" stock
One PC 690 waiting to be set up for half blind dovetails
Freud 3.5 HP in router table
Ryobi 3 1/4 HP with 3 bases but left in the plunge base (wish I had bought something else)
Bosch Colt
DeWalt 611 with fixed & plunge base
Rotozip that I've never used

That makes 7 (8 if you count the Rotozip) but i have 2 others that are going in the garage sale next weekend. They're not worth putting in the classifieds here.

So, as of today I have 10 but could always use another. :D

[Leo Graywacz]

I only need 2, so that's how many I have.

Well I need 2 dozen...so I have 6. We'll get there.

[Harold Burrell]

How many routers do you own?



I want to tell you...but I can't.

Because my wife might read this and make me sell something. :eek:

[Carl Beckett]

There was a poll on this topic earlier:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?123649-Router-survey...&highlight=how+many+routers
or this one:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?4997-How-many-router-do-you-need.&highlight=how+many+routers

Sorry for rehashing old posts - If I had thought about it would have guessed there was such a post. Maybe I should have asked what the best bandsaw is? Or whether the SawStop is a must buy for safety? (its a joke! sorry to create redundant posts but this one is running so guess I will just leave it to die a natural death)

[Bill Huber]

Sorry for rehashing old posts - If I had thought about it would have guessed there was such a post. Maybe I should have asked what the best bandsaw is? Or whether the SawStop is a must buy for safety? (its a joke! sorry to create redundant posts but this one is running so guess I will just leave it to die a natural death)

Lets face it everyone just loves to talk about how many routers they have. I am sure you could start a new thread asking the same question tomorrow and get a bunch of replies.:D

You could also start one on which table saw blade is the best...:D:D

[Chris Curry]

Only five... that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Mike Langford]

1 Bosch (older model trim router w/tilt base)
1 Ryobi (3 HP plunge)
1 DeWalt DW618 (3 bases)
5 PC 690's (2 hand held - 2 in a router table - 1 in a Marlin duplicator
4 Dremels ( 2 hand held - 1 w/base for inlays - 1 w/flex shaft)

12 Total...

...I sure like the looks of the new little Dewalt w/plunge base! (maybe...;))

[Bruce Wrenn]

More than 25, but less than 30, give or take a few. I own so many that I actually gave away a NIB PC 690 a couple years ago. I got for participating in a Delta design session at IWF in 2008. Thought I wanted one of the little Dewalt plunges until I handled one at the Woodworkijng Show last week. There was so much slop in the plunge, that it could have been used as a domino. I have a bottom of the line Ryobi that has a tighter plunge.

[Brian Effinger]

I only have two at the moment. A PC with 2 bases (a 690???) and a big Milwaukee 5625-20 (courtesy of Mike Goetzke) in the router table. I have been thinking of adding the new mini dewalt, but after Bruce's comments, maybe I won't. Or I'll at least take one for a test drive first.

More than 25, but less than 30, give or take a few. I own so many that I actually gave away a NIB PC 690 a couple years ago. I got for participating in a Delta design session at IWF in 2008. Thought I wanted one of the little Dewalt plunges until I handled one at the Woodworkijng Show last week. There was so much slop in the plunge, that it could have been used as a domino. I have a bottom of the line Ryobi that has a tighter plunge.
And, I have to say - Wow! That is a lot of routers, Bruce.

[Dave Gaul]

3.25 Triton in the table
2 2.25 Craftsman (2 fixed bases, one plunge)
Rotozip (I never use it as a router though)

and a 2.25 Triton en route

[Rick Fisher]

(1) Festool OF1400
(2) Festool Trim router kit
(3) PC - 7518 in Lift..
(4) PC - 690 in seperate lift
(5) Bosch Colt.
(6) Milwaukee 1-3/4 hp twin base kit..

Keep thinking of the Festool 1010.. Dunno.

[Greg Scull]

Somehow my wife (and mom) colluded to buy me a Bosch 1617 fix and plunge base kit years ago .. somewhere around 2004 when woodworking was just a glimmer :) ..

My FIL gave me a craftsman which I have sold and am back down to 1. Small shop here so I think the next router in my future is a little one for the non table mounted tasks.

I know how useful the router can be and have used it to the point of breaking it (and back) .. but yeah, on every project that involves it .. I dread the Router the most.

I think its something about the setup, the multiple passes, dust collection is impossible ( handheld )... I want more routers and one of those 3 Router table tables.... one for rails, one for stiles, one for panels. then .. maybe ill get repeatable results....

[Gary Curtis]

DeWalt 625

Milwaukee 5616 fixed base

Festool OF 1400

Some day I will get a shaper with a powerfeed.

[neal jack]

DeWalt 625

Milwaukee 5616 fixed base

Festool OF 1400

Some day I will get a shaper with a powerfeed.

the day would come soon. good luck.

[mickey cassiba]

I currently have three and a half...1 PC 7518
1PC 890
1PC 690
1PC 310(really only half a router)
Can you tell I like Porter Cable?

[Larry Edgerton]

Over 20, all Porter Cable. Last time I actually counted it was 27, but I buy new and they burn out so the number floats. I have 5 or 6 310's because they quit making them and I stocked up because that is what all my Betterly fixtures use.

I like to have a router with the bit I need in it. Some common bits are worn out before they come out of the router. I do work alternately on site and at the shop so I need routers both places without hauling them back and forth.

And, I just like routers........

[Larry Edgerton]

1PC 310(really only half a router)
?

I have to disagree there, its not just half a router. It is by far and away the best small router ever made. I use them constantly, and I have yet to wear one out, and they are so easy on the hand with their small size. They were not cheap, but I consider them worth every penny.

I give them full honors........

Larry

Hey, where did the smiley faces go?

[mickey cassiba]

I have to disagree there, its not just half a router. It is by far and away the best small router ever made. I use them constantly, and I have yet to wear one out, and they are so easy on the hand with their small size. They were not cheap, but I consider them worth every penny.

I give them full honors........

Larry

Hey, where did the smiley faces go?
No disrespect intended to the little guy. As a matter of fact, its my favorite. Fits my stubby little fingers. Wish I had picked up a couple of extras when I worked for PC. We had incredible employee discounts.

[Rod Sheridan]

Two,

- an E.C.Emmerich wood one that gets used frequently

- a Porter Cable laminate trimmer that was used to trim some laminate on a project once, and now takes up storage space in the shop

Personally I detest routers, which is why I own a tilting spindle, sliding table shaper with a stock feeder.................Rod.

[Noah Vig]

5

pc 7518 table
pc 690 w/fix &plunge
Bosch 1617evs w/fix&plunge
Hitachi ?
Skil?

Doubt I would notice the difference if hitachi and skil hit the road.

[Philip Rodriquez]

I have:

1 Triton dedicated to my RT
2 PC 690's with 5 bases
1 Bosch 2.25 VS (just got it)
1 Bosch VS Colt
and a 3 HP Jet Shaper :0)

Oh, 2 router planes!

[David Hostetler]

2 Hitachi KM12VC's.
1 B&D Firestorm FS1200RP, worst router ever... Stowed away in a corner never to be seen or used again...

[Conrad Fiore]

To steal a quote from someone else, about something else. "I have as many as I need, but not as many as I want."

[pat warner]

3 less than I had last week.

[Callan Campbell]

Well Carl, it depends on who's asking-
My Wife,- I own plenty, and don't need anymore!
Myself, welllll, maybe just ONE more..........
Sales Staff, Buddy, this is the ONE YOU CAN'T LIVE without anymore!!!
So it really depends.. And for the record, I have one laminate type router- Bosch Colt, one standard, P-C 690, one big P-C in a Router Table, and one medium plunge, Festool 1400. So 4, for now, maybe, we'll see, perhaps......:p

[David Weaver]

3 (7518, 1617evs, m12vc kit (i can't believe amazon wants $175 for that - it's made in *china* - it should be $99 all the time))

one router is too many. I *despise* them.

They are leftover from a prior era when i used power tools, and they stay in the house only on the off chance the wife wants something right away and I have to use them for speed.

[Joe Spear]

Seven, plus the little router base for my Dremel.

[Erik Christensen]

man I THOUGHT I had enough routers

Dewalt 618 with all 3 bases
Festool 1010
Festool 2200

now after reading some of these posts I realize I an under-equipped - the horror. I will have to start begging management for a new Festool MFK700 as I HAVE to keep up with those "creekers".

[Matt Meiser]

1 PC 7518 bought without the base and dedicated to a table
1 Dewalt DW618PK (both bases)
1 Dewalt DW616 (the 618's single speed, lower powered brother, but base-compatible)
1 Dewalt DW611PK (both bases, due from Amazon tomorrow :D)

[Jay Allen]

I have quite a few
Triton in the table
Ridgid 2930 2 base kit
Milwaukee 5615 with a pattern bit
Milwaukee 5615 with a flush trim bit
Craftsman 1 3/4 HP w dovetail
Craftsman 1 3/4 HP w straight
(3) Bosch Colts
Ridgid r2400
Dewalt 670 with all 3 bases

And the newest toy...er tool, Porter Cable mid size 450 PK. In fact I just got the "freebies" in the mail. A dust collection port for the fixed base and an edge guide were "rebate type" extras, that you had to send away for.

[Ryan Hellmer]

1 Hitachi M12v in the table
1 Makita RF1101 (plunge on the Leigh FMT, fixed on the Akeda dovetail jig)
1 DeWalt 618 (plunge and fixed for general use)
1 Bosch 1613AEVS (plunge) on the Legacy Mill
1 Skil plunge router on the trammel
1 Makita RD1100 (probably my favorite, D-Handle)
1 PC Laminate trimmer, seldom used.

I guess 7, although I'm looking to add another Makita RD1101 (d-handle with variable speed) to the arsenal. I LOVE routers and their jigs. I'm surprised to see how many people don't like them. You could always sell me your routers and get a BUNCH of profile and speciality planes instead. It's nice to have multiples so you don't have to screw around with changing bits all the time. Last night I cut a bunch of dovetails and had the Makita RF set up to cut tails and the DeWalt set to cut pins, zip zip zip, 4 drawer boxes cut in 45 minutes (including setup).

Ryan

[Callan Campbell]

man I THOUGHT I had enough routers

Dewalt 618 with all 3 bases
Festool 1010
Festool 2200

now after reading some of these posts I realize I an under-equipped - the horror. I will have to start begging management for a new Festool MFK700 as I HAVE to keep up with those "creekers".
There's ALWAYS a good reason to buy more tools........... :p:p