On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 17:36:03 +0000, Matthew Whyte wrote:

Firstly, thanks to everyone for replying to my query a while back about
double glazing - I'm kind of a lurker here but I really appreciate folk on
this group taking the time to help out.

Anyway, I currently have a cheapo Power Devil router that has more than paid
for itself many times over, and although I can't complain for £30, I have
decided to take the plunge (groan) and get a decent one. Criteria:

* Up to about £200
* Must have fine height adjustment
* Decent parallel guide preferable

I've almost decided to stay with a 1/4" - having just seen some 1/2" ones
they just look too darn big for handheld use. 'Use' being general woodwork,
some furniture making, joint cutting etc. Am I going to lose out by not
having 1/2"? Are they as cumbersome as they look? What kind of work
necessitates a 1/2" machine?

For 1/4" machines, I've sort of got it down to the following shortlist:

* DeWalt DW621
* Bosch GOF900CE
* Makita RP1110C
* Metabo OfE1229

I'm assuming that all of these are pretty good, however, I was wondering if
anyone has any good or bad experience with any of them? Or any others to
recommend?

The DW621 is a pretty reasonable machine. I have a DW625, which is
the 12.7mm version - originally an Elu product.

I have a Trend T5 as a 1/4" router (actually the same stable).

If I had to pick one, I would pick the 12.7mm DW625 because you can do
a lot more with it in terms of depth and width of cut and it will take
6.25mm bits anyway. At a certain point, the smaller machines are
not man enough for the job.

If you want to go under the £200 budget, then the Freud 2000 is a good
12.7mm buy at about £170

I wouldn't go below that to any of the DIY shed brand and similar
products that are sub £100 They simply don't have the accuracy and
power.



Also, having looked around the US sites, 'fixed' routers seem to be as
popular as plunge ones. Looks like they can be height adjusted, but not
plunged via a sprung column mechanism like the ones we're used to. Eg:

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...productID=5565

I'm not sure if they would be better, perhaps not, but just out of interest,
anybody got any idea why we don't get them here?

MTIA, Matthew

Mainly a question of fashion. I've used one of the American twist
base types and they are nice to adjust to depth, although to be
honest, if you have a decent depth adjuster on a plunge model it is
pretty good.

The other advantage of a plunge type is that it is much easier to
plunge part way across a piece and begin cutting.


..andy

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