Collected Router info

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IslandPink
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#1 Collected Router info

Post by IslandPink »

Seeing as how I need to buy a new router, I thought I might start a general thread about the devices, so maybe some of the scattered observations from various people over the years can be brought together.
For Mike's benefit, these are 'rowters' not 'rooters' .

So , my current situation involves sidelining a cheap ( ~£45 ) 'MAC Allister' unit I bought from B&Q in a rush, and getting something with less spindle runout, a baseplate made from metal, and probably a bit more power.
I don't need lots of fancy functions, just want a plunge router that's made nicely and will last.
Last night I was skimming through things on EBay and saw a Bosch one,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-POF140 ... Sw4CFYz9M1
But today talking to someone at work, apparently the better (pro) Bosch ones are blue.
I can stretch towards £200 if I think it's worth it, but £400 or £450 is not in my line, at present.
I saw Stephen's comment about the better bearings and build quality giving cleaner cuts, that got me thinking.
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Toppsy
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#2 Re: Collected Router info

Post by Toppsy »

Mark,
My recommendation would be one of the TREND range of routers.
With the failure of my old trusted B&Q router I did quite some research and finally settled on a TREND T5 router. It does everything I need from a router and is very accurate for depth cuts and smoothness in operation. I also like the plunge spindle locking mechanism with the twisting of the right hand side handle grip. This router is aimed for the hobbyist use of which I would have thought suited to your usage. The more expensive routers are aimed for heavy duty usage such as for trades persons or professional cabinet makers and the likes. These I find are a little too heavy to use for the type of work we would need the router for in making speakers etc. So unless you really think you need to use 1/2" router bits the T5 should fit the bill.

I also heartily recommend to use TREND router bits/cutters. They are quality cutting bits with quality bearings. The cheap crap router cutters you can buy of the likes of Ebay have crap bearings as you have recently experienced. My own experience is similar. I have never had a bearing issue/failure with the trend cutters.
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IslandPink
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#3 Re: Collected Router info

Post by IslandPink »

This is just the sort of info I needed, thanks Colin. I saw a Trend unit earlier and noticed it was in a good price range.
I will have a closer look. Where do you buy your bits from ? I see that there are only cheap ones on EBay, as you say. A friend of mine buys stuff from Axminster tools.
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Toppsy
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#4 Re: Collected Router info

Post by Toppsy »

I usually buy direct from TREND own web site. But occasionally you can get them from ebay and/or Amazon. I have noticed today on a web search for TREND that Screwfix direct now sells trend router cutters and routers. But seem to be aimed at kitchen fitters and the likes. I also can order them from my local hardware/tool supplier. Next day delivery if they do not have in stock the particular cutter bit you want. Same price as off Trend web site but saves on postage.

I suggest you get hold of a Trend catalogue. I have a 2014 catalogue from when I purchased my T5 router but I could see if my local shop has a 2019 catalogue I could post you?

I like TREND as they are a specialist/dedicated router manufacturer/supplier.

You can order a free catalogue online here: https://www.trendproductsonline.co.uk/l ... chure.html

EDIT:

Mark In the past I have also used Rutlands Limited for router cutter bits. These are American but of good quality. I have a boxed set of round-over bits 1/4" through 1" radius. https://www.rutlands.co.uk/
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#5 Re: Collected Router info

Post by Ant »

I second the trend, my t5 gave nearly 20 years of hard use before the bearings finally went.
Bosch blue stuff is good, everything I use regularly (mitre saw, drills, jigsaw ect) other than routers is bosch blue. I do have a blue router, a gof 900. their routers are heavy and a little underpowered imo. My gof 900 is sat in the router table as it has a micro adjust for the plunge depth.
For the big stuff I have a hitachi m12 which is a beastly thing very heavy and very accurate. For everything else I used the trend until it finally gave up the ghost. It was worth the extra outlay.
I do like hitachi stuff though, have the router, a small 1/4" chuck drill and a hammer drill, all accurate and uilt like a tank
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IslandPink
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#6 Re: Collected Router info

Post by IslandPink »

Well that's good enough for me to buy.
I notice these people have one/them at a very good price, will try & order now.
https://www.machinery4wood.co.uk/produc ... gLh8vD_BwE
A catalogue would be lovely Colin, no rush. I'll pm you my address if you haven't got it.
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#7 Re: Collected Router info

Post by vinylspinner »

I use the blue Bosch routers and have two GOF1700ace machines, both are easily over 25 years old and still going strong. Also have the Hitachi M12 and an old Elu. For smaller work I use the little Makita that has several different bases, nice and light and can be used one handed.

Howdens can be a good source for the Trend cutters, often on their happy hour promotions for around £3.99 for a 50mm straight cutter (12.7mm).
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#8 Re: Collected Router info

Post by Ant »

Re cutters, I'm of the same opinion as Colin, trend cutters are usually spot on, I have trend and bosch cutters, some erbauer cutters too. The trend and bosch cutters last longer but the erbauer ones are pretty good. You can usually swap the bearings on guided cutters, but that won't help if they have a load of runout on them.
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vinylspinner
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#9 Re: Collected Router info

Post by vinylspinner »

I agree with Ant and Colin, cheap cutters are not always accurate and some can be extremely dangerous as well, not worth the risk imho.
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#10 Re: Collected Router info

Post by izzy wizzy »

Toppsy wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 6:32 pm I also heartily recommend to use TREND router bits/cutters. They are quality cutting bits with quality bearings. The cheap crap router cutters you can buy of the likes of Ebay have crap bearings as you have recently experienced. My own experience is similar. I have never had a bearing issue/failure with the trend cutters.
Second this. Even the cheaper Trend bits, the green ones are very good.
simon
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#11 Re: Collected Router info

Post by simon »

Good info on Trend bits. I bought an Erbauer trim bit for 18mm material - first time I used it the bearing failed. It didn't trim straight and left oil/grease on the wood. It didn't really matter to me in this case but I'll never buy another Erbauer bit. Will try Trend now.

Until recently I only had 1 router - £12.50 worth marked down at Aldi or Lidl and has done a sterling job, but it's a bit cheap and inaccurate for precision work.

I bought a Katsu trim router from Amazon for about £35 IIRC. It's a Makita copy and gets a bit warm for my liking (220V/240V issue?) Handy for small trim stuff as it's light. If I was buying again I might get a better brand.

Recently I treated myself to a Triton TRA001 - it's a beast. 1/2" collet, though I bought a 1/4" too, bought principally for router table application as it has loads of power and a simple bit change from above. Also has precise and continuous micro adjustment. Sadly I've not had had the time to really use it yet.
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#12 Re: Collected Router info

Post by steve s »

I've got the same triton router, except for the size it's really good. It's a few years old now.
The tube manual is quite like a telephone book. The number of it perfect. It is useful to make it possible to speak with a girl. But we can't see her beautiful face from the telephone number
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Ray P
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#13 Re: Collected Router info

Post by Ray P »

I have 1/4 and 1/2 inch routers, both Axminster Tools own brand (White); they've both proven to be excellent investments and are really solid bits of kit. I find the 1/2inch indispensable for things like cabinet roundovers. I agree about the cutter bits comments - avoid cheap ones if you want to do a good job.

Incidentally, Axminster Tools are based only about 30mins drive from me - their showroom is like an Aladdins Cave!
Sorry, I couldn't resist!
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#14 Re: Collected Router info

Post by Ant »

I've got one of the katsu laminate trimmers with a plunge base, fixed base and angled base, nice little bit of kit for small jobs
I've never had a problem with an erbauer bit, maybe one of a bad batch?
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#15 Re: Collected Router info

Post by simon »

Probably, the reviews were okay. C'est la vie.
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