bigdaz

I'm thinking about buying a router but since i've never used one I was wondering if anyone could tell me what features to look for / things to avoid.

Sir Ramic

A router??? A woodworking router or a Router to distribute your network connections ?

grumpygrouter

Just what I was thinking Sir Ramic!

Grumpy

Grumpy

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GazTech

I'm convinced that bigdaz means electric router, if so they are essential kit for joinery/kitchen fitting ie scribe and butt joints on workops etc.....I have moved this thread to tiling /tools...if you mean computer router Daz I will move it back.....Gaz

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

bigdaz

Thanks Gaz, yes it is a woodworking router I'm after, sorry for the confusion

GazTech

Daz what did you want to know about them.?..have you a need for one, they dont get used in tiling at all....Gaz

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

Sir Ramic

In that case i would suggest a Dewalt Dw625 1/2 inch collet. Plenty of power there. The 1/2 model may do you but they can be under powered on tough wood and you will find router bits tend to last longer with the 1/2inch sizes.
Dont buy cheap brands with routers they have a tendency to have the shaft run offline.

bigdaz

as an addition to plastering and tiling I want to get into bathroom and kitchen fitting so for the worktop mitres I'll need a router and jig, but I don't want to rush out on day one and look for the most expensive one. just a decent enough one to get me through the first few jobs will do although im not looking for a 'Wickes own' brand or anything like that.
its just that when I look at the widely priced adverts I come across things like 'plunge' router and don't know if it will be of any use to me

heffs

You need a heavy duty router for worktops - I reckon 2KW. I've got a DeWalt 625 and it's great. If you shop around you can get one for just over £200. Try Tooled-Up.com. Jigs are expensive, but I got a new one from ebay and it does the job.

Heffs

tiler burden

either the dewalt that sir ramic mentioned or the trend t10!! trend are the best routers, they are owned by dewalt now but there range of accessories are excellent. you will need a half inch collet for kitchen fitting and a soft start. i had the t11 2 yrs ago which is the t10 only desinged to fit the trend table.

if you get in touch with trend, they'll send you out a dvd about worktops and fitting and a cataolgue full of there accessories. you'll need around 2-3 grands worth of tools for kitchen fitting. table saw, chop saw, router, at least 2 cordless drills, jig saw, circ saw (festool ts55 is the best) all the tools will need to be good kit, no ryobi etc....i just bought a makita 18v lithium ion kit for 800 from www.hobuk.co.uk and the quality is way better than dewalt now.

gaz is your man for kitchen fitting advice but you need to be set up really efficiently. it gets critisised as not beng a trade but to be fair its a damn good earner if you get it right

ed

devonmark

as ed said....trend router, but the best tools you can get for woodworking are festool by far...i.m.o..mark.

Plastering & Tiling Solutions.

bigdaz

thanks guys thats the kind of thing I was looking for. I've been looking round on various forums and it seems you're right about kitchen fitting and the attitude towards it from traditional trades. have to say that would be the least of my worries though, at the end of the day its all about the moola