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Forum topic by Bobthebuilder2 | posted 03-10-2015 02:48 AM | 2368 views | 0 times favorited | 34 replies | ![]() |
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03-10-2015 02:48 AM |
Hello, ive been researching for a long while now and i seem to still not be getting very far. Everytime i read a review on a router or table saw, first thing i do is check the worst reviews, to find the major defects for it and recourring ones. Basically everything i look at has what seems to be major flaws. Before i begin here, i should tell you a bit about myself. Im completely new to woodworking, just starting out. I want to build a machinists toolbox so i need to do boxjoints and/or dovetails, and things like that. I have a hand circular saw , and a jig saw, already, cheap stuff but it works. The very first thing i plan to do is make a router table/cabnet with drawers ect. Eventually id like to make a cabnet or 2 for my moms laundry room. I figuer this means i would most likely want one that can be put in a table, as well as used to plunge. i also seen a view video’s on inlaying on youtube, and that seemed like it might be fun to do once or twice One question tho, is there an easy way to rig a router up, so its easy to take off the table and use it freehand? I understand multibase routers excel at this aspect, but from what im seeing, they also come with ALOT of problems to be able to do that. So long story short, im not doing anything extreeme, yet. But for a purchase like this, where the entry models start so expensive, i wanted to do a lot of research and get this right the first time. Bosch routers = 1.needs stupid adaptors for guides (more than one apparently, even more stupid) 2. in the case of the MRF23 product, apparently they have metal contacts in the base so they can have the trigger in a nice place, downside is this connection fails, motor goes bad, ect, ontop of this one person pointed out that you can’t use the motor for anything else but routing, not sure if id ever want to but who knows. They recently dropped the price, like yesterday, on this model, by about $50 3. no or few accessorys (circle guide, edge guide, ect) 4. with the 1617 model, apparently the base might have a “level” issue as someone complained about mutliple replacement bases being ‘crowned’ Dewalt = 1. bad motors apparently, and apparenlty alot of them since one review states the motors are backordered 2. “plug locks” breaking 3. motor housing breaking milwakee= 1. the above table crank to rise the router, the part on the router is plastic, so it breaks quickly and you can’t use the lift anymore 2. think i read a few motor problems on these as well porter cable= 1. most of the reviews consist of saying they “used” to be good but not anymore, motors going bad, ect. and to save me some time, a little quote from one reviewer, not sure if i need to put his name for a quote but ill just put his initals M.F. and u can find the rest of it under the review for the 895K portercable router “1. lateral deflection in the plunge base 2. backlash in the fixed base height adjustment 3. low-grade bearings in the motor 4. motor windings not varnished I got a bit concerned, but decided to hold off on forming an opinion until I’d actually used the router. After it arrived and I began using it, I started to notice things. First problem: as noted in the review I’d read, the plastic bushing on the non-locking shaft of the plunge base allowed an intolerable amount of movement, both vertical and horizontal. Second problem: due to the backlash in the height adjustment mechanism on the fixed base, the depth of cut would change during use. Third problem: when changing bit height the motor shifts in the base, causing between 1/32” and 1/8” in horizontal movement of the bit as well.” Triton= 1. switch failures 2. switch saftey, have to slide switch everytime u change bits 3. according to one person, dust can get on the plunge shafts and cause problems 4. if one needs repair work, apparently that can be a big problem finding a repair center 5. the router lift apparently had a plastic part, but was replaced to metal now, so that should be non issue Festool= 1. Costs the price of 2 routers 2. Because of the price, I would be worried to mount it in a table, in fear of it getting too dusty So im feeling pretty stumped here, i don’t know if i should get one with multiple bases or not, fixed or plunge, i dunno im just lost. I was almost set on the bosch when i seen the sale, but then i seen those stupid stupid adaptor plates, i just can’t wrap my head around that and me personally, it pisses me off that they would do that, it feels so much like a money grab |