is a router worth it?

Darthness · Post by **Darthness** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:00 pm

i'm thinking about getting a router. is it pretty easy to cut good circles and do fairly accurate curves and stuff with MDF? what brand of routers and features should i look at?i want to make some change in my install and such this summer and i think a router could be helpful. i'd like to make some speaker rings for my component set and possibly do some kick panels this this summer.\

ty :)

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:07 pm

i love my router its deffinatly great for cutting circles. and has many other uses around the shop.

Darthness · Post by **Darthness** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:12 pm

would it come in handy if i wanted to do something like that chris has done/ he's got the amp in the wheel well and such....how do you get the right curve to get a good fit for stuff like that

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:19 pm

yes it helps alot just make sure you get all the attachments.

Darthness · Post by **Darthness** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:21 pm

ok... what kind of brand should i look at/ what kind do you guys use?

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:23 pm

i have a dewalt. but porter cable milwaukee makita are all good brands.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Mon May 22, 2006 2:58 pm

Just find one with enough balls.

Also with MDF dont waste your time with HSS cutters, get CARBIDE or dont bother.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=47937

Im a cheap bastard... Think I might pick one of these up soon. Tired of borrowing my Uncles.

As for a circle jig, well buy it and look at the bottom plastic piece. Take it off and draw it onto some thin wood. Drill the holes out. Mark the center of the cutter. Then you can measure out poke your center line hole for various radius's.

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:03 pm

u can make your own circle jig pretty easy 2.

joeyc · Post by **joeyc** » Mon May 22, 2006 7:03 pm

I have a porter cable 2 1/4 hp plunge router. It does great, but there is also alot to do with knowing how to operate it. Anyone can do it though, you just have to be careful when learning. I suppose you might be able to hurt yourself with one, but I doubt your that much of a dumbass

I mean as far as cutting in the wrong direction and losing control can mess up your work; or trying to cut to deep or all at once. To do it properly, not stressing equipment, you should probably only plunge 1/4" or less at a time.

But the subject at hand now is what type of router. RYAN do not buy that router, its the same as stereo equipment in my opinion, unless you want a Visonik caliber tool!!!! Porter Cable, Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch are what I would call highly recommended. I still don't think Dewault is all they are cracked up to be, not that they suck (bill), they are just not as good as those four above IMO. Like Ryan said, get one with some BALLS! What I suggest is hitting all the local pawn shops for any of the above highly recommended brands, a used one of those will outlast a "Chicago Tools" ANYDAY!!! Of course it is a given you verify the condition of the router, you can ALWAYS get parts for a good brand as well.

just my 2 cents

EDIT: I like the jasper circle jigs, simple to use and more durable than wood as far as precision after wear and tear

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Mon May 22, 2006 7:20 pm

Not too long ago, I got a Milwalkee circular saw. I've used it a couple times, I have to say, it is one excelent circular saw. Very well balanced. I vouch for Milwalkee.