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First Router

2K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  NiteWalker 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm looking for a first router and found a used craftsman professional router on craigslist for $45. It comes with a few bit and what looks like pattern base plates. I think it is 2hp, 9amp, and both 1/2 and 1/4 collar. I am new to woodworking and would like to see if it is something I would like to pursue further before investing $150+ in a nice router. Would this router be a good start or should I go with a new off brand/weaker router?
 
#2 ·
Depending on how old it is, and what accessories it comes with, it seems like a good deal. 2HP is a good amount of power for anything you'll be doing in the near future. Anything more than that is really for swinging panel raising bits and the like. The 1/2 and 1/4 collets are a good thing to have, and you should buy 1/2" shank bits any time you can afford to. They reduce vibration and provide a more stable cut. If I were you, I would try to talk the seller down a few dollars, maybe start at $30 and see where they're at. Once you get a router, whatever it ends up being, make sure you build a table to put it in! Plenty of designs around here for you to use. Good luck!
 
#4 ·
I have a Craftsman from the late 90s and it has a lot of power. I use it mostly for round over and beading and no complaints. If they are decent bits and the router doesn't look abused I would buy it but I wouldn't dicker personally - from $45 (on what could be a hundred and fifty worth of stuff) to $30 is an insult in my opinion.
 
#5 ·
for $45 great tool to get started with, is it from a shop or a hobbyist?? The google pictures for CM Pro router look suspiciously like the Bosch, there is a LJ review of the unit here, http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/3479

You'll find that once you're using a router having more than one is handy so my vote is go for it, and start looking at a router table plan.
 
#8 ·
I'd grab it.
I'm normally against budget tools, but my first router was a $69 ryobi. I beat the hell out of that thing and it kept on going. It will be a good router to learn with, then you can buy a quality router kit, like the bosch 1617evspk, or the dewalt dw618pk (hang onto that receipt or buy the extended warranty for the dewalt).
 
#9 ·
Grab it.

If you were looking at new products, to start with… I would say get one of the palm routers, like the Bosch Colt, or the new Dewalt.

For general useage, I use the small router, with ogee and roundover bits at least 5:1 over my larger router in the table.
 
#10 ·
Don't know if you went to get it, but if you did….the bits shown are pretty cheap ones with no guide bearings. I'd spring for some decent ones or you will not be happy with how it performs. You will burn the wood, it won't cut straight and you'll blame the router. Bits with guide bearings, please.
 
#12 ·
Su, welcome to the community.

I have an older Craftsman which I keep in my home-made router table. It's a good router for the price, but it's rather large and clumsy to handle. If at all possible, you should start with a router kit with interchangeable bases, as there are times when you'll need a fixed base and times when you'll need a plunge base. I don't know if Craftsman offers such a kit but Porter Cable, Makita and Dewalt all have these combo kits available at a reasonable price, and they are much smaller in size so easier to handle. Just for reference, here's a Bosch kit which is not terribly expensive and you would enjoy much more than the Craftsman you're looking at.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=sr_1_7?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1399124620&sr=1-7

Definitely get some decent quality "carbide" bits, preferably with 1/2" shank.

Don't beat yourself up by starting off with the wrong tool if you don't have to. If you can swing the extra $$ for a tool you'll enjoy using, go for it… get the combo kit.
 
#13 ·
I ended up getting a ryobi re180pl on ebay for $55. It's 2hp and takes both 1/2 and 1/4 bits. It seems pretty well taken care of. The only complaint I saw in reviews was the the plunge guides are a little loose. Does anybody here have experience with this router and can tell me if this was a good move or not?
 
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