best router?

[Mark Vaughn]

whats your best router for the money? 2 1/4hp

[Eric Haycraft]

For what use? Freehand? Table mount? Multi-base?

[Brad Schmid]

Hmmm, that depends on alot, but I'll take a crack at it... If we're strictly limiting the conversation to 2 1/4 hp, my personal favorite is the DW618PK (fixed & plunge). It's smooth, solid, powerfull, good plunge action (not as good as 621 though IMHO), reliable, fit's my hands good and goes on sale once in a while for well under $200 (which is how I interpret "for the money").

[scott spencer]

It depends one the usage, but even if that's a known factor, you're likely to get 8 opinions from 7 responses! :rolleyes:

I like the Freud FT1700 in the table, and the Milwaukee 5616 for hand use. It's really a matter of personal preference.

[Todd Bin]

The Festool OF1400 may not be the most economical router but it is really, really nice. However, I feel the handle has its plusses and minuses. For example, routing mortises I would prefer the "ear" handles on a router like the Dewalt.

I also would not mount the Festool in a router table.

[glenn bradley]

Dedicated plunge, I say Triton. Combo kit, I say DW618. For some more money, the Mil 5616-24 but DC is minimal.

[Jason Scott]

Dewalt 618PK, as said, just got mine last week and it is fantastic