New beginner router advice

Discussion in 'Tool Talk' started by PJ Wales, Apr 1, 2014.

  1. PJ Wales

    PJ Wales Member

    Hi all,

    As the title goes, I am seeking a total new entry level router but need to be cheap with a budget of say 50 to 80 tops. Been reading around the forums for the router and all seems to be pushing towards the mid to high end range costing well over or near to 100+ or in some cases to 200+ which is way out of my budget.

    The main role of my router use is light to medium work, 1st used will be for door hinges rebating, followed by rebated draught excluder. However upon searching on this elusive rebated draught excluder it all seems to be pointing towards intumescent seals brushes rather than actual draught excluder which are on my doors and read it is purely for fire doors. my plan is to replace all internal doors and redo all the door jambs etc as well.

    So this is why I am asking what is and would be considered to be the best entry level router for light to medium uses.

    Bosch? Ryobi? (has seen 1 or 2 around 70 quid each), trends? or go for company own brands such as B&Q Power tools? Also what should I be looking out for? I knows if I want to go free mode then the cost might be lower whereas if I wish to get a router table at a later date, the table version could and can push up the price which leads me to the next conflicting question, what is rockworth router with router table like for an entry level?

    I know I am asking for a lot, I have other power tools I need without worries just the router that got me stumped, with so much out there not easy to know which is good and which is bad. Some swears by this product whereas other says it the worst you can get which put new entry user like right of knowing which is best to get.

    Thanks, PJ
     
  2. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    If I were you I would avoid an own brand as they tend to be cheap chinese built machines with no spare parts or after care available.
    Trend are a specialist router manufacturer but de walt, bosch, makita, cmt and hitachi are all good companies.
    You will be looking at a 1/4" model and you will need a top hat if you are going to be using hinge jigs.
    I wouldn't worry too much about router table use as if you get that far you are probably looking at getting a 1/2" model, you can invert a router in a workmate if you are ingenious.
    Be careful as routers can make a mess of your work and your fingers very easily.
     
  3. Sean_ork

    Sean_ork Screwfix Select

    you might be better off looking for a good quality SH 1/2'' from the makers mentioned above - if you bide your time and wait for the right one there's some bargains to be had

    or save up till you can buy a quality one - if you buy the right one and look after it it will last a lifetime
     
  4. PJ Wales

    PJ Wales Member

    Thanks Chippie and Sean, but what is top hat in regards to hinge jigs and also SH 1/2"? These are jargon's unknown to me.

    Cos I has been reading others threads about routers which has lead me to ask and to give my intended job uses, so would an Trend T4 be an ideal starting router for me or go with something like Bosch POF 1200 AE?

    Yes granted i could wait and bide my time and save up for a decent one which will last me a life time but this then leads to me wonder once I've done these jobs what further use will I have apart from odd jobs such as routing shelf edges or rebuilding cabinets using rebate for slotted 5mm plywood.

    I even considered dremel methods but 1 big drawback to this is Dremel isn't cheap for router style tool along with dremel routing kit as extra both together can total around 160 combined, which is equivalent to Sean suggestion of biding my time and get a decent router and at a possibly cheaper then Dremel.

    that is my dilemma, wait and bide my time and get a decent one and have very little use for it and be sitting in cupboard gathering dust or go for Trend T4 style and get my job worth usage out of it and if I find I have more use for it then go Sean methods of biding my time an get a decent one.

    Sorry for a long post, just covering all my bases before committing myself as I don't have an endless pot of income.

    Thanks, PJ
     
  5. Sean_ork

    Sean_ork Screwfix Select

    just as a guide, 3 weeks ago I collected an almost new Makita 3612 including the blown case it usually comes with for just under half what you are intending to pay for a new quarter inch mini router - admittedly that would be a little excessive for your current needs but it does illustrate that you don't have to save up in order to get a decent one

    that Trend one will probably be fine for what you need, but you might quickly outgrow it
     
  6. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    The trend will be fine.
    A top hat is a template guide.
    For the draft proofing look at Mighton or Reddiseal.
    I have several routers for different uses.
     
  7. PJ Wales

    PJ Wales Member

    Ahhh now I know what you meant now by top hat and sorry for being clueless on that.

    I has a look at my 2 doors that has this rebated draft excluder and can confirm it is an fire seal excluder. So this must means my internal doors are fire doors. So is it still suitable to act as a draft excluder on a normal internal door and bi-fold doors? Something I need to check and look into.

    Also was looking around and saw this 1/2" DeWalt router going for 60 quids what do you think?
    http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dw625ek-lx-router-1-2-2000w/51622

    Any good as it is well within my budget range and more importantly has read that 1/2" collet give studier and cleaner and heavy cutting jobs than over the 1/4" collet.

    Or would a Bosch 1/4" collet such as this http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-pof-1200ae-1200w-router-240v/32549 be more ideal for me to start with to get a feel and then over time if I have more need for use of router to bide my time for a decent or would I be better off with trend T4 as my starting entry and going for 1/2" collet over time as mention.

    But how do you feel about this one purely for the price and me being a total new user to router, http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb468rou-1200w-router-230-240v/31457# at 30 quids with 4 good reviews as well as titan router at 60 quids http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb292rou-1250w-plunge-router-230v/41123

    Thanks, PJ.
     
  8. big all

    big all Screwfix Select

    the dewalt for £60 its 110v
     
  9. snezza30

    snezza30 Member

    Even if it is 110v.........its still a BARGAIN...!!!!!

    You can pick up a Transformer to drop down to 110v, and its still a bargain!!!!!

    Go for it.
     
  10. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    The 625 is the dogs doodahs. It's an old ELU model and is bullet proof.
    The only problem for you is probably the weight as a beginner but buy it anyway and a 1/4" for the light work.
    You can buy any size collet to fit in that, it works inverted and if you dropped it off a tower block the worst that would happen is a handle might go a bit wobbly.
    Buy it now!
     
  11. PJ Wales

    PJ Wales Member

    So it seems that DeWalt 625 1/2" router for 60 quids is the way forward then, didn't see it was 110v surely the plug would come with it's own transformer like laptop does?

    A quick google shows it is round transformer style plug damn.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2014
  12. Phil the Paver

    Phil the Paver Screwfix Select

  13. PJ Wales

    PJ Wales Member

    Thx Phil just saw that after a quick google check, so a transformer would cost me like 60 to 70 quid, so might then either go for one of the other routers listed above except the DeWalt.
     
  14. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    You can buy a transformer for less than £50 and that is an industrial tool that will out live me.
     
  15. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Buy the 625!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  16. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    It's a £250 router for £60
     
  17. PJ Wales

    PJ Wales Member

    Beside it all out of stock now just did a stock check on the DeWalt.
    SO it either Titan, Energer, Bosch or Trend T4.
     
  18. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Was it in stock when we told you to buy it but before you started dithering?
     
  19. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

  20. PJ Wales

    PJ Wales Member

    when u all advised to get 625 i went to place a reserve on it to collect and shows it as out of stock so tried Bristol and also out of stock. Tried london and shows as out of stock so gonna nip into screwfix tomorrow or friday and check to see if they have one lurking around somewhere.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice