Andy Hall wrote:

Issues of fine height adjusters and micro
adjustable fences are more time savers than true accuracy aids. The
argument for buying a cheap router is the necessity of getting a job
done within a budget. Which is why my first and second routers were
Power Devils, I sunk my money into reasonably decent bits (Trend
largely). The first one still runs, it has been permanently in my table
since I bought the second one. When the second one died (blown upper
bearings which wrecked the bushes etc) I had enough to get a T5.

But the money spent on the Power Devils could have gone towards the
cost of the T5 and the overall investment would have been less.

Except that at the time I couldn't afford both a T5 and the Trend bits I
needed. As I said the first one is still doing sterling service inverted
in the table. That means it gets all the bigger diameter 8mm bits.

I do agree about getting decent bits such as Trend, CMT and Freud.



If I had an urgent need to run a half inch bit (panel raising is
probably the most likely use), I might be tempted by such a router,
provided I could fit it on my table. Especially since decent 1/2" panel
raising bits aren't cheap ;-)

[1] Caveats about pushing the motor too hard notwithstanding.

I think you would be disappointed. The mechanical watts output of
this class of router is poor for the input power. It's the same
marketing as laser guides on tools. Claim a power of 2000W vs. the
proper router's 1800W and it looks as though the former is better.
Tick in the box. The fact that it is misleading and that laser guides
are mainly ornamental is pure marketing.

I agree that it is indeed underpowered for a 1/2" router, however it
will still take 1/2" bits and used carefully there is no reason why it
can't do a job perfectly adequately. You will for eg spend more hiring
one for the weekend.

Peter
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