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Red Green

wrote in :

On Fri, 02 May 2008 19:56:47 -0500, Red Green
wrote:

wrote in
m:

On Fri, 02 May 2008 13:37:22 GMT, (Bill)
wrote:

On Thu, 1 May 2008 18:57:55 -0700 (PDT), Christopher Nelson
wrote:

I'm considering buying my first router and not having used one much
in the past, I'm unsure what the important features are. I'm sure
more HP means better cutting power. I've seen some that say "fixed
speed" so I assume some are variable or multiple speed. Is a fixed
table OK or is plunge important? Any brands I should run screaming
from? (I saw some poor reviews of Craftsman here.)

Variable speed is good. Lets you slow down and safely use large
cutters. Plunge base is useful for plowing out stopped dadoes.
More HP means more power; king of the beasts is the 3 HP
Porter-Cable, but it's very big and heavy for handheld use. Great
for a router table. Soft start is a good feature to have - gives you
enough time to get both hands on the router before the bit is up to
full speed. I have a Hitachi kit that includes both fixed and
plunge bases. Porter-Cable and DeWalt make good routers as well.
Tons of accessories available for the Porter-Cable.

One feature I REALLY like when using a router hand-held is
illumination. Makes a huge difference to be able to see your work
that well.

With the light on mine I can really see much better....the sawdust on
the inside of the viewing shield.

Then you are doing it wrong, Red! LOL

**** happens - good ****, bad **** - but **** always happens.