Bosch makes a good router to mount under a table, has a height adjustment that can be accessed through the table with an allen wrench. Bosch Router
The Bosch router is kindo of hard to remove and repurpose once it's been undermounted. Porter Cable makes some excellent combo routers, you could leave your base mounted underneath in place and just drop the router to insert into your plunge base.

 

I like the Bosch 1617 router for hand held work. It has a fixed and plunge base and I use both depending on the task at hand. I like a bigger boy in my table but if you want to have a single router, I'd go with the 1617 combo. As JRigg said, it's friendly for adjusting height in the table and mostly, it's just a matter of removing 3 screws to take it off the table for handheld use then 3 more screws to put the baseplate back on. Don't get me wrong, that's too many screws to be convienent IMO but it's something you can live with.

If you're going to go with 2 routers, I'd go with the 1617 combo for hand held work and something that's 3+ hp that you can adjust from above the table. I don't know what that is… I have the PC 7539 router and a Router Raizer installed and it's great for me. But that router is no longer made I don't think so I can't give a specific recommendation.

Best of luck with your decision!

 

I'd personally get this combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00005RHPD&pd_rd_w=TcjR2&pf_rd_p=f0dedbe2-13c8-4136-a746-4398ed93cf0f&pd_rd_wg=hNs4D&pf_rd_r=ZPM5K0FS1PHMCFPVBMBH&pd_rd_r=06c3ffbe-1a98-11e9-9afe-e19854ff74f0

And then get the router base to keep in the router table. That way its 5 seconds to switch between router table or handheld. New router base here, may be able to get the older one cheaper, maybe ebay?
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-RA1165-Under-Table-Router-Above-Table/dp/B0007VHPFK/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1547757730&sr=1-3&keywords=bosch+router+table+base

 

Good call SMP. But, isn't the base that comes with that combo kit the same as the other one you linked? That's the kit I have and I know that base has the above-table-adjustability. Or maybe you're saying to have 3 bases… Not a bad plan

 

Good call SMP. But, isn t the base that comes with that combo kit the same as the other one you linked? That s the kit I have and I know that base has the above-table-adjustability. Or maybe you re saying to have 3 bases… Not a bad plan

- HokieKen

Exactly, you buy the 3rd base to just leave in the router table. Then you can pop the motor in either the table or your handheld base in 5 seconds with the quick release. Well worth the $40. If you are as lazy as me, when I just had the 1, I would leave it in the table and avoid using it by hand at all costs because I would absolutely dread changing it. I actually routed a table I made for my travel trailer on the router table even though it was way too big to not be completely awkward. Could have easily ruined $100 worth of walnut.

 

Just another point of view to consider: I bought a full sized router a number of years ago and then when I built my router table, I bought a second base so that one could stay in the table. I recently bought a trim router and find that it is capable of doing 90% of the hand-held work I do. My full size stays in the table most of the time.

 

The Bosch combo that several of you have recommended was already high on my list. And I like the "just get another base" plan. If I'm understanding it correctly, I could use the router with the fixed based or plunge base right away. I could use the original fixed base when I first build a router table, delaying spending the money on the spare standalone router base. The motor would then easily move to whichever I need to use for my current project?

I could probably skip the second base at least to start.

That would let me use my initial router base under the table, moving the motor if I need the plunge base, and instead of getting a second base, I could unscrew it when I needed it. And over time, I'll get a much better feel for how much I really need that 2nd base. Between the table router, the plunge base, and perhaps a cheap harbor freight trim router, maybe I can get by without that extra base for a long time. I suspect that once I have a router table set up, most of what I do will be done there.

Thanks. You guys have helped a lot. I'm brand new to the forums, and I really appreciate it.

 

I'm not sure what the Bosch costs, but this is a nice affordable set. I used the fixed base in my router table for many years and used the plunge base for handheld routing. That worked for me for a long time. Then I got tied of taking the router out, so I got a triton 3 1/4 horse router for the table. Now I use the hitachi with whichever base suits me for handheld. Of course I also use the ridged and porter cable trim routers that I have too. Can't have too many routers.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-2-25-HP-Variable-Speed-Combo-Fixed-Plunge-Corded-Router/50425858?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-RoutersAndRouterAccessories-_-50425858:Hitachi&CAWELAID=&kpid=50425858&CAGPSPN=pla&store_code=1055&k_clickID=go_625706834_34613746390_111132554110_pla-260766394716_t_9022817&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI87jEwIz23wIVmo7ICh2AKwAXEAQYAiABEgIpa_D_BwE

 

Nube - now that you are familiar with some of the brand names
and how they perform, I would suggest you walk through some
of your local pawn shops to see what they have.
hand tools seem to be the most popular pawned items in my area.
you might be able to find a router already in a small table for a decent
price as well as a couple of hand-helds, trim routers, etc.
what the hey, it's worth a shot (if you are on a budget).
welcome aboard, have fun and be safe.

.

.

 

A combo set is a good starting point. The Bosch is a good router, but there are other excellent choices too. Milwaukee, Porter Cable, DW, and Hitachi all accept the standard 1-3/16" inserts without an adapter. Go handle some of them, and see which feels best in your hands.

 

You are on the right track. A combo set up is a good place to start. Put the fixed base in your router table and remove the motor and put it in the plunge base for hand held routing. That will probably work for you for many years. Like most of us eventually you'll want a trim router, and you'll find that for most of your hand held routing that will suffice and you won't have to remove the router from your table very often.

 

I d personally get this combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00005RHPD&pd_rd_w=TcjR2&pf_rd_p=f0dedbe2-13c8-4136-a746-4398ed93cf0f&pd_rd_wg=hNs4D&pf_rd_r=ZPM5K0FS1PHMCFPVBMBH&pd_rd_r=06c3ffbe-1a98-11e9-9afe-e19854ff74f0

And then get the router base to keep in the router table. That way its 5 seconds to switch between router table or handheld. New router base here, may be able to get the older one cheaper, maybe ebay?
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-RA1165-Under-Table-Router-Above-Table/dp/B0007VHPFK/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1547757730&sr=1-3&keywords=bosch+router+table+base

- SMP

This is the exact route (no pun intended) that I am taking. I've already purchased the combo kit, as well as the optional edge guide attachment and when I get my table saw, I will make a router table insert and buy the extra base for that.

Woodnube, I could swear I was reading my own post when I read your's. I too am a programmer and I'm new to woodworking, though I've always enjoyed making things whenever the opportunity arose, and I have the "half" part of a 2 1/2 car garage as my shop space. I've been learning a lot the last year watching YouTube videos and lurking here. I was going to start last year with my table saw purchase but life got in the way and I had to put off that purchase. Things are looking up this year and I can't wait to get started.

 

+1 on handling different routers, to see how they feel. Personally, I really like the hand grip on Milwaukee routers. Also, in addition to pawn shops, check Craigslist- often can find an extra base there.

 

I could probably skip the second base at least to start.

That would let me use my initial router base under the table, moving the motor if I need the plunge base, and instead of getting a second base, I could unscrew it when I needed it. And over time, I ll get a much better feel for how much I really need that 2nd base. Between the table router, the plunge base, and perhaps a cheap harbor freight trim router, maybe I can get by without that extra base for a long time. I suspect that once I have a router table set up, most of what I do will be done there.

Thanks. You guys have helped a lot. I m brand new to the forums, and I really appreciate it.

- WoodNube

You could get by without the extra base forever. Its more of a convenience and time saver. You could even get by with just a handheld and no plunge base possibly forever, depending on what you are trying to do.

Bondogaposis gave good advice, but if you do end up going that route, and use the plunge base for your sole handheld, make sure to ALWAYS double check that the plunge is locked if you don't want it to plunge. My first router was just a plunge router, and I lost track of how many projects I ruined by not locking it out, and accidentally plunging off a chunk of an edge. Wasting tons of time and perfectly good pieces of wood. One decent piece of wood can cost more than the extra base. But it is a good way to learn. I triple check my no plunge base now to make sure its locked in place securely.

 

...another vote for Bosch. I also have the 1617. Several years ago I found a deal on Amazon for new 3 1/4 plunge router from Hitachi for $117! That took care of my need for an under table router. That being said, I still can't quite justify why I bought two! As was said above, I guess you can't have enough routers. The one in the table and now I have one for my router planing sled.

Start with the combo router, find the one you like best. There are so many out there. Do some work with them and find out what you do most. AS was mentioned above, you will probably find you want a trim router and maybe a big 3HP router. Get them when you need them, the combo should serve you well for quite a while until you do.

Good Luck!

 

A combo set is a good starting point. The Bosch is a good router, but there are other excellent choices too. Milwaukee, Porter Cable, DW, and Hitachi all accept the standard 1-3/16" inserts without an adapter. Go handle some of them, and see which feels best in your hands.

- knotscott

That's an excellent point. That did make me mad as hornet. So if you plan to use the PC template bits for inlay work or template routing, be aware that the Bosch doesn't accept them directly. You have to buy an adapter. Which I did. Then the adapter was a sloppy piece of crap and was totally unacceptable for inlay work. So then I had to buy a third-party base plate for the router that would accept the bushings. Then all was well.

Cautionary tale…

 

For a router, Craigslist is your friend. Get a name brand like Bosch or Porter Cable or Dewalt. They are usually bullet proof as they have very few moving parts and is just basically a motor in a case.

 

there are a few of us here on this forum that have six or more routers . . . .
in our collective opinions, routers are like clamps ~ you can never have too many.
just wait - one day you will have more than one also.
ENJOY the journey !!

and keep your fingers away from that little part that spins really fast.
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