Rumpty wrote:

PC690

--

Rumpty

Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
or 890, I just built a table for mine.

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 16:53:30 GMT, "Paul in MN"
wrote:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul



hitachi.

PC690

--

Rumpty

Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Paul in MN" wrote in
:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on
price. Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi
M12V that I can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I
realize the Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro
(weekend putzer) I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with
the extra ponies it is still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted
in a table and will stay there. Anyone have any
thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either of these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul




I have the M12V which I got from Amazon with a sale special for $135.
Thought I would only use it in a table but now use it for almost all jobs
instead of my Craftsman Random Height Adjustment Router. I've read good
things about the DW and I'm sure either would be fine. Hitachi doesn't have
a dedicated 1/4" collet and uses an insert to accommodate those bits. If
your using 1/2" bits primarily it's great.

Jerry

Paul in MN wrote:
I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul




I just bought the Hitachi and have about an hour of or two of making
sawdust with it. Even though it is a rather heavy beast, it is very
easy to control. I actually find it easier to handle than my 1 HP
1/4" Craftsman. The smooth start is quite nice, the location of the
switch and depth lock are quite convenient, etc. Keep in mind that
the only two routers I have actually used in the past 15 years are
the Craftsman 1 HP and Hitachi M12V.

If you throw in a couple bits, you will hit the magical $199 that
will qualify you for a $25 discount.

Mike

My suggestion is to know what you will be doing with it. If you decide at
some point to make raised panel doors with the horizontal bits, or other
tasks that use a large bits, then power and variable speed matters a lot.
You can still do it with lower powered routers, but it will take a lot more
passses. If you will only be doing profiles like roundovers, etc., then
either will be fine. If this will be your only router, don't count on it
staying in the table.

I know how important price is, but if at all possible don't let the price be
as much of a guide as functionality.

Wayne

By the way, I tried making some raised panel doors with one of the large
bits and I gotta tell ya, my Porter Cable 690 was not the tool. That big
panel raising bit (3+ inches in dia) needed a lot more power and a lot less
speed.


"Paul in MN" wrote in message
...
I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on
price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend
putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it
is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either
of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 16:53:30 GMT, "Paul in MN"
wrote:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul



As having less women in your life is a key to happiness, having more
than one router is, also.

Get yaself the beefy 3hp, variable speed routah fer the table and get
yaself a sprightly job fer da other work that needs to be done.

Don't buy any router that only handles 1/4" bits.

Don't buy any routah that is less than a horsey and a half - anything
below that is a trimmer and not fit for a rounded life.

I'm a Porter-Cable Dome Top guy myself, but it's not a religious issue
with me and I also own a Dewalt 2hp ( but happen to think it's a pos
in comparison).

Considerations, such as the availability of aftemarket appendages
comes into the decision mix, and once again, I'd steer you towards the
PC.

Don't set any store by the fact that it might be able to handle a 3/8"
bit - I've never seen one in the wiild.


Regards,
Tom.

Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.)
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email)
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1

Hi Paul
I second his recommendation on not letting price be your guide. And no single
router does everything well. I got by with a single router (a large one) for a
few years and I could do almost everything with it. However, now that I have
four different routers WW is a bit more fun and easier. If I had to go back to
only one it would be my Triton.
A common mistake made by those getting into routing make is to grossly
underestimate the cost of good bits. Most people I know have more money tied up
in bits than in their routers. It's very easy to spend $25-45 for a single good
quality bit. Therefore , cheapening on the router does not make a whole lot of
sense in the long run. Good Luck, JG

NoOne N Particular wrote:

My suggestion is to know what you will be doing with it. If you decide at
some point to make raised panel doors with the horizontal bits, or other
tasks that use a large bits, then power and variable speed matters a lot.
You can still do it with lower powered routers, but it will take a lot more
passses. If you will only be doing profiles like roundovers, etc., then
either will be fine. If this will be your only router, don't count on it
staying in the table.

I know how important price is, but if at all possible don't let the price be
as much of a guide as functionality.

Wayne

By the way, I tried making some raised panel doors with one of the large
bits and I gotta tell ya, my Porter Cable 690 was not the tool. That big
panel raising bit (3+ inches in dia) needed a lot more power and a lot less
speed.

"Paul in MN" wrote in message
...
I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on
price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend
putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it
is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either
of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul

Paul in MN wrote:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on
price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend
putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it
is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either
of these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul

dose either have a spindle lock, I got a makita, nice router, but it doesn't
have a spindle lock and it's an endless source of frustration with the
knuckle breaker wrench set up, especially in my table. it may be a little
silly thing but I'm never getting router with out one EVER AGAIN!

Advantage to this approach you get what YOU want in the table instead
of the beancounters' desire.

On Mon, 09 Aug 2004 18:04:11 GMT, "Paul in MN"
wrote:

Thanks all. I think I'm going to go with the Hitachi to set up in a table
set up. I may build my own instead of buying which will give me enough
left over to buy another smaller unit as well. Thanks for all the info.

"Tom Watson" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 16:53:30 GMT, "Paul in MN"
wrote:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on
price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend
putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it
is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either
of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul



As having less women in your life is a key to happiness, having more
than one router is, also.

Get yaself the beefy 3hp, variable speed routah fer the table and get
yaself a sprightly job fer da other work that needs to be done.

Don't buy any router that only handles 1/4" bits.

Don't buy any routah that is less than a horsey and a half - anything
below that is a trimmer and not fit for a rounded life.

I'm a Porter-Cable Dome Top guy myself, but it's not a religious issue
with me and I also own a Dewalt 2hp ( but happen to think it's a pos
in comparison).

Considerations, such as the availability of aftemarket appendages
comes into the decision mix, and once again, I'd steer you towards the
PC.

Don't set any store by the fact that it might be able to handle a 3/8"
bit - I've never seen one in the wiild.


Regards,
Tom.

Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.)
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email)
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1

Thanks all. I think I'm going to go with the Hitachi to set up in a table
set up. I may build my own instead of buying which will give me enough
left over to buy another smaller unit as well. Thanks for all the info.

Paul

I have one of each. For years I used the 621 for both table and
hand-held use. When I decided to get a second router for dedicated
table use, I bought the more powerful Hitachi for the table and now
use the smaller and lighter Dewalt for hand-held.

For strictly table use, either one would work, but I'd go for the
extra power of the Hitachi.

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 16:53:30 GMT, "Paul in MN"
wrote:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either of
these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul



-- jc
Published e-mail address is strictly for spam collection.
If e-mailing me, please use jc631 at optonline dot net

I have two recommendations....

1. 1/2" shank plunge router is best in my opinion, you can always
make it stationary, but you can't make a non plunge router into one.
Being 1/2" you will have lots of power for using those large bits too.

2. Stay away from the Sears routers with the big "ring" that you
have to screw to adjust the bit height. They are a real pain if you
are trying to adjust the height from under a router table. The rings
tend to be really hard to turn unless you are part WWF wrestler.

Todd

"Todd" wrote in message om...
I have two recommendations....

1. 1/2" shank plunge router is best in my opinion, you can always
make it stationary, but you can't make a non plunge router into one.
Being 1/2" you will have lots of power for using those large bits too.

2. Stay away from the Sears routers with the big "ring" that you
have to screw to adjust the bit height. They are a real pain if you
are trying to adjust the height from under a router table. The rings
tend to be really hard to turn unless you are part WWF wrestler.


I whole heartedly support point 2. I had one of those for about 9 months now. I had to use a strap wrench to adjust the height.
Last time I tried to adjust it ( after blowing out all of the sawdust with compressed air ) I spun the whole motor in the base.
That did a job on the plastic.

Now, why on earth did I buy a craftsman, you ask. Well, I had one for 18 years and it was great. The bearing began to wear and the
cut eas getting wavy. The craftsman was the only thing that fit my old router table. A couple of month later, I built a new table
becaus the panel raising bit would not fit thru te opening of the old table. Craftsman router adjustment freezes up. Not a happy
camper.

New insert and PC 7518 router due to be delivered by UPS on Friday. This, I hope, will be my last router for the forseeable future.

--
Al Reid

"How will I know when I get there...
If I don't know where I'm going?"


Todd

There's a pretty good comparison chart at www.americanrouter.com,
about halfway down the page -- in pdf format -- it's next to the
Milwaukee router....



(Todd) wrote in message
[snip]

On Mon, 09 Aug 2004 10:29:18 -0400, Richard Clements
wrote:

Paul in MN wrote:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on
price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend
putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies it
is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either
of these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul

dose either have a spindle lock, I got a makita, nice router, but it doesn't
have a spindle lock and it's an endless source of frustration with the
knuckle breaker wrench set up, especially in my table. it may be a little
silly thing but I'm never getting router with out one EVER AGAIN!



I have a stable of routers, some with spindle locks, some with dual
wrenches.

dual wrenches wins every time in my shop.

wrote:

On Mon, 09 Aug 2004 10:29:18 -0400, Richard Clements
wrote:

Paul in MN wrote:

I've narrowed my search down to a couple of routers, mostly based on
price.
Both seem to be at least fairly regarded. One is the Hitachi M12V that
I
can get for $161.00, and the Dewalt DW621 for $179.00. I realize the
Hitachi is higher powered than the Dewalt, but as a non-pro (weekend
putzer)
I'm not sure if it is needed. On the other hand with the extra ponies
it is
still a tad cheaper. The router will be mounted in a table and will
stay
there. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/tales to tell on either
of these.
Thanks in advance,

Paul

dose either have a spindle lock, I got a makita, nice router, but it
doesn't have a spindle lock and it's an endless source of frustration with
the
knuckle breaker wrench set up, especially in my table. it may be a little
silly thing but I'm never getting router with out one EVER AGAIN!



I have a stable of routers, some with spindle locks, some with dual
wrenches.

dual wrenches wins every time in my shop.
Same here even in the table (mine is a small benchtop table) when I try to
lock the spindle and then pull one wrench I have to hold the other hand on
the table to keep it from scooting around.**I*made*mine*tall*enough*to*pull
the motor out to change bits anyway and its impossible to hold still with
one hand while pulling the wrench with the other.**Even*in*the*router*base
you have to try to try to hold the router from moving while working the
wrench, its a whole lot easier to put two wenches side by side squeeze them
together with one hand while they both pull against each other with the
same amount of leverage.**One*of*the*reasons*I*replaced*my*sears* router*was
because it had a spindle lock but didn't have the other nut to use two
wrenches so to tighten it down I had to sit/lay on it sometimes (sears
collets have to be real tight to keep the bit from moving).**I*think*all
the reviewers who say routers need a spindle lock haven't changed enough
bits to know what they are doing.