My first router.....what to get

[majortom]

I would like to get a router. I see them all over ebay and I am getting really confused. Like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3856024988

I won't be getting a table right now but will be in the future so I want to keep that in mind. Also, I won't be doing alot of routering...just for fun not for work or anything like that.

I'd like to stay under $100.

What does this mean? 2 pc Router bits adapter 1/4 & 3/8" is 3/8" big enough?

Thanks in advance.

[rrich]

Jon,
I don't know of many 3/8" shank bits.

I've not seen router power requirements specified using Watts.

The brand name is not obvious in the listing. I don't recognise the serial number plate in the picture.

Assuming that 2200 watts is more than 15 amps, you're probably looking at a 2-1/2 to 3 HP router.

The seller has done a good job of hiding the identy of the company that is actually selling the router.

The seller's return policy says that it's yours, period.

The price $53 seems to be too low for a router that big.

The lack of a 1/2" collet seems to indicate that the router does not have the capacity to spin large panel raising bits. So then why all the horse power?

I'm a bit skeptical and I think that I would pass on this one.

[Chris Moore]

It looks suspiciously like the Chicago Electic stuff from Harbor Freight. It's produced in China by the millions and labeled with dozens of different American sounding brand names. It's garbage. Save your money.

Chris Moore
West Palm Beach, FL

[dcarter636]

Allow me to be among the first to say WELCOME majortom!

3/8" is kind of an odd size collet and that router price looks too good to be true for a reliable machine. Currently Home Depot is selling the Porter Cable 1 3/4 hp router with the conventional 1/4" and 1/2" collets (router bit holder/adaptors) for $100.

If you do a search in the <before I buy> conference you will find a bunch of info, this is one of the most common questions discussed.

[scottspencer]

I'd recommend staying with a good brand name and trying to get one with a 1/2" collet. Porter Cable makes an excellent basic router that's a staple in many, many shops.

Regards,
Scott

[ChefHDAN]

I'll agree with the consensus here that the unit you've seen strikes us all as a bit strange.
My first router was the 1 3/4 hp Porter Cable router kit, and it is still well used to this day. This kit is now selling for quite a bit less than I paid for it, I last saw it for about $125 online at International Tool (I think ???) This kit will last you as long as you want and will do anything you want to do until you want to spin the big bits.
If you want to buy your last router right now, then go ahead and look at the new PC 2 1/4 hp kits. They've got AWESOME features for handheld, plunge, table, and every other type of use. If I had to do it over again I would get one of these sets, and I probbably wouldn't have bought the big daddy 3 hp router from PC.

Just my opinion, but my father & grandfather, always told me to buy quality tools because they are much more expensive when you buy the same tool the second time around because the first one was a POS! Wood in itself is challenging enough to work with, don't make it harder to enjoy by having to fight with the tool too.
HDAN

[fifo28]

I agree with the posts above. Stick with an established brand. PC seems to be the leader, Makita's are great (my personal preference), Bosch, Dewalt etc.

A 1 to 1.5 hp router is a good start, then you can get the 3 hp monster when you want a router table.

[Tom Hintz]

I agree that the router you were looking at appears to be a bad idea. The collet itself is going to be a big problem and the price indicates this will be something you will likely have to buy, and buy again, etc. as it falls apart.
I have reviews of the current and recent router kits at the link below (scroll down to "Routers") that will give you a better idea of the features woodworkers look for and that make a router most useful as you get further into this hobby.
I think you will find that for a little more money you will come away with a full-on router system that will serve your current and soon-to-be expanding needs for a long time to come.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/index.html

[arcticfox46]

MajorTom,

WELCOME to the FORUM,

First the router on ebay IS 1/2 shank, and it comes with 3/8 and 1/4 adapter collets. You will use the 1/2 and 1/4 but not the 3/8

The seller on ebay is selling the same router that many ebay sellers sell. His feedback rating is too low to show the whole story. If you search ebay for routers you will find that EXACT same router being sold by many various sellers. Then if you look more closely at all the feedbacks you will start to see the problem. I see negative feedback on those routers because they are junk.

I like to say - You get what you pay for.
If a name brand router is going to cost $200 - $300 for a 2- 2 1/2 horsepower router - how on earth is a noname brand going to be any good at all for $35.00


I have a 1 hp Porter Cable router that I bought used for $50.00 some years ago. Absolutely wonderful router.

I also have a Hitachi M12V router that I bought about a year ago. Nice piece of equipment and you can get it with FREE shipping with a warrenty at Amazon.com for $160.00

[link:www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000223K9/qid=1102081991/sr=1-10/ref=sr_1_10/002-5513386-6163249?v=glance&s=hi|Amazon Link]

Please don't buy junk! You won't be happy.

[majortom]

Terrific! This is exactly why I posted on this forum. Although I am new to woodworking and new to posting on this forum, I have been lurking for some time on this.

I want to be ABLE to "spin" this bit:

http://www.routerbitworld.com/produc...673d573ceffa0a

Would a 1.5 - 2HP router work with this? AND, would I need a table?