Any laminate trimmer with good height adjustment?

[Jesse Cloud]

Hi all,
I like to use a laminate trimmer to route off protruding plugs, etc. The small trimmer can get into small places that a regular router can't.

Problem is that the height adjustment on my PC trimmer wobbles and changes the height as you tighten it. I'm too old to waste time like this anymore - would really appreciate being pointed toward one with a decent height adjustment.

Thanks in Advance,
Jess

[tod evans]

jesse, try the p/c 310 not the plastic one...02 tod

[Greg Koch]

The Bosch is suppost to be one of the best. Here's a review: http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/bpr20evskrvu.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AYN6NE/qid=1153501462/sr=8-3/ref=pd_bbs_3/104-5556887-6270335?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013

[Doug Shepard]

There's always this
http://www.microfence.com/pages/Plunge/overview.html
Finally got a chance to start using mine the last few weeks and it's a real sweet setup - even with my DW laminate trimmer. Probably works even better with a better trimmer.

[Peter Pedisich]

PC310...An American Classic, probably on it's way to Mexico production like the rest.

[Howard Rosenberg]

It's got Imperial and metric markings on the barrel.
I simply eyeball the top of the base opposite a useful point (e.g. 13 mm) and make my adjustments that way.

Mine has a transparent base.
I find it very handy for when I'm making templates.
The new one has:
- the transparent base
- an LED light
- the buckle-style clamp

Now, buckle-style clamps, I'm not too fond of.
I find they need their nylon-lined nuts tightened every so often.

But the new Makita unit looks very solid and as with all Makita products, never specs ot all that well but the real-world performance is extraordinary.

HTH
Howard

[glenn bradley]

Haven't used the Bosch but I've read numerous reviews. Played with one at the BORG; height adjustment seems very well thought out. BTW, thanks for the idea of using one to surface protruding plugs; cool technique!

[Greg Koch]

Here's the Amazon ad with the reviews...worth reading: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B0000222Z4/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/104-5556887-6270335?ie=UTF8&customer-reviews.sort%5Fby=-SubmissionDate&n=228013

But...here's the Amazon ad with the better pricing: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006614Q2/qid=1153510781/sr=8-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-5556887-6270335?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013

Strange!

[pat warner]

Have tested many, and the PR-20 was not there (any good) 6 months ago.
Now with new production run, the Bosch (http://patwarner.com/pr20_subbase.html) depth changer is the best I've used. Similar to PC 7310 but this one actually works and works well!

PW

[Jesse Cloud]

Went down to the local woodworker candy store and looked at both the Bosch and the PC310. I was leaning toward the PC310. Funny thing happened though, when we opened the box and started playing with it, it felt very poorly made, fit between the groove and the pin on the adjuster was very awkward. The salesman started off saying "I have had one of these at home for years and I wouldn't trade it for anything." Then he noticed, "You know, mine doesn't do this" and "Gee, mine has calibration on this ring here, but this one doesn't." and "Mine just slides on and off really easy." Looks like manufacturing may have gone South or far east.

The Bosch followed me home and its going to get a workout tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Thanks again for all the great input!