Newbie and a question

[Eric Fortin]

Hi, this is my first post here but I have searched a lot for the past days about routers. I'd like to begin wood working and eventually become kind of good at it.

About the router. I would like to use it mainly for edges and cutting right now but might be interested in some jigs at some point(dovetail for example) and dados/rabbet. I will principally use MDF at the beginning.

Since I have a limited budget and consider buying used to be able get a better router, I came up with 3 options and would like to have your input.

Triton 2 1/4 HP: I read many good reviews about it. Dust collection seems to be a strong plus. Few accessories with the kit. I'd buy it new.

Dewalt DW621: Strongly recommended by Pat Warner, great dust collection but only a plunger. Would probably need one of his offset base. It is used and it the doesn't have accessories if memory serves me correctly.

Makita RF1101KIT: Two bases, edge kit. Seems kind of poor for dust collection. No switch on the handle.

The least expensive would be the dewalt(used), then the makita(used) and last the triton(new).

I want to buy a good router though and plan to buy a big one(3 1/2 HP) for a table setup in the future though it could be far from now waiting for a second child to come.

Thanks to all for this great forum.

[Greg Hines, MD]

Hi, this is my first post here but I have searched a lot for the past days about routers. I'd like to begin wood working and eventually become kind of good at it.

About the router. I would like to use it mainly for edges and cutting right now but might be interested in some jigs at some point(dovetail for example) and dados/rabbet. I will principally use MDF at the beginning.

Since I have a limited budget and consider buying used to be able get a better router, I came up with 3 options and would like to have your input.

Triton 2 1/4 HP: I read many good reviews about it. Dust collection seems to be a strong plus. Few accessories with the kit. I'd buy it new.

Dewalt DW621: Strongly recommended by Pat Warner, great dust collection but only a plunger. Would probably need one of his offset base. It is used and it the doesn't have accessories if memory serves me correctly.

Makita RF1101KIT: Two bases, edge kit. Seems kind of poor for dust collection. No switch on the handle.

The least expensive would be the dewalt(used), then the makita(used) and last the triton(new).

I want to buy a good router though and plan to buy a big one(3 1/2 HP) for a table setup in the future though it could be far from now waiting for a second child to come.

Thanks to all for this great forum.


I cannot comment on the specifics of your different routers, as I use Porter-Cable routers, but I would recommend that regardless of which brand you choose, go with a combination kit. My primary router is a PC890 with two bases. This allows me to leave one base permanently attached to my router table insert (the fixed base), and the plunge base for hand held uses.

Doc

[jerry nazard]

I have had a Triton 2 1/4 for 6 - 8 months. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Nice little machine.

[Eric DeSilva]

+1 on the Triton... Another happy user. Don't underestimate the value of good dust collection, especially if you are working with MDF. Dust from MDF is nasty.

[Charlie Plesums]

I used a DW621 for years as my "only" router. Great unit, even without the Pat Warner accessories. The depth adjustment is great (best of any I have used), so no concern that it is plunge only.

I had a 3+ hp unit in my router table, but it was too heavy for routine hand use. Sold it when I had to get rid of the router table.

I wore the 621 out, so bought a Festool router, but had the DeWalt rebuilt and now use the two interchangeably.

[Bill Arnold]

I've been using the Bosch 1617EVS for many years. I have the kit with both a fixed and plunge base plus another 1617EVS with a fixed base. The 1617
EVSPK can usually be found at a good price from various vendors. I got mine through Amazon. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Bosch.

For my router table, I have a Hitachi M12V 15A machine. It seems to be a popular choice for table mounting.

[Jim Becker]

Eric, welcome to SMC!

My serious recommendation for a "first router" situation is one of the 12-13 amp variable speed router "kits" that include multiple bases. A plunge-only router is certainly a fine machine, but it's a lot more top heavy and cumbersome to use for things like routing dovetails and edge work. A fixed base or D-handle is the better choice, IMHO, for that kind of work simply for balance. I happen to own and enjoy the DW618 kit and it's my go-to router for certain tasks, even though I own a couple of Festool routers that are simply wonderful to use. Makita (which you mention), Bosch, PC all make great kits of the type I mention.

[Eric Fortin]

Eric, welcome to SMC!

My serious recommendation for a "first router" situation is one of the 12-13 amp variable speed router "kits" that include multiple bases. A plunge-only router is certainly a fine machine, but it's a lot more top heavy and cumbersome to use for things like routing dovetails and edge work. A fixed base or D-handle is the better choice, IMHO, for that kind of work simply for balance. I happen to own and enjoy the DW618 kit and it's my go-to router for certain tasks, even though I own a couple of Festool routers that are simply wonderful to use. Makita (which you mention), Bosch, PC all make great kits of the type I mention.

So I should go for the makita since it's the only one with 2 bases that I can get for the moment. The only drawback for me is that I'd have to remove one hand from the handle to turn it on/off.