I recently upgraded from a craftsman router to a Bosch 1617 I can’t say enough good things about this router. It has made life so much more accurate and easy on my projects. It can be mounted under portable router table.
Bosch 1617 is one of the best affordable routers on the market. Get the kit with fixed and plunge because of the value, but you could just always leave the plunge on it if that's what you want.
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-Woodworking-Router-Combo/dp/B00005RHPD/
Router can be very dangerous, use it only as it is supposed to be used. In other words, if you need plunge router, buy one. Same with a router table. Read up in each power tool you purchase to learn how to use it properly and safely. Don’t be tempted to just wing it and start using without reading safety information.
THERE IS A PLUNGE BASE YOU CAN BUY FOR YOUR MODEL OF ROUTER. Personally though I would buy another larger router which includes a plunge base to give more versatility for your projects.
I wouldn't, during holiday sales you can get the Bosch 1617 with both bases for $150-170 (as I type this it's $170 for Prime Day) brand new then build a table around it. You'd have one of the most widely praised routers with modern features including speed control and warranty for just a bit more. Those bits and table are basically an afterthought and I see this router sell for 30-50 locally all the time, it's actually kind of annoying to use because of the collet locking mechanism.
Thanks! Any links or suggestions on a router table set up that would be better suited for trim molding?
How about this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FP5TDbH7A1RC5
This comes with 2 choices. Comes with a plunger and fixed option, but for twice the money it can come with a table. Is the table necessary or would I be better off skipping it and just saving the money?
Bosch makes a nice router kit that accepts 1/4" and 1/2" shank bits and comes with a fixed base and plunge base, all in a nice case. I got mine for just under $200 and have since spent an additional $45 for a table insert for my main powered workbench. You can also find refurbs for $150ish.
Bosch 12 Amp 2-1/4 Combination Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit 1617EVSPK with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YxXbBbAQJ61KP
I'm a big fan of the bosch counterpart but that dewalt has integral dust collection. IMO that's a pretty decent advantage, if it works as well as they claim. I think you will be happy with either of them.
As someone about to take out some material with a forstner and then take the rest out/smooth it out with a router that I have never used before, I'm now slightly terrified to tackle this project. Before I head into this I figured I would ask a couple questions.
I have a template that I purchased along with the bowl bit. It sounds like one of the issues was that the bearing was not fully on the piece of wood? If I make sure the bearing isn't partially above the template when I start should that be okay? Not sure if I explained that well or am fully understanding the part where you mentioned "mistake number one".
When the bearing was riding up the spiraling lip of the forstner bit remnants, is that something I can avoid by starting the bearing on the template and smoothing everything below before plunging the router a little deeper? For this project I will need to use a collett extension to get the router bit deep enough so it will eventually have to go below the template and ride along the work piece.
Any other tips you can give me before I head in would be great! This is a 2.5 HP Bosch plunge/fixed base router. This one to be exact - http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B00005RHPD - Would it be smart to start on a lower speed? Or would a higher speed be smarter to make sure it doesn't snag on the hard wood? I'm using a combination of maple/walnut glued together.
This is the one from my amazon order list, however I know mine actually looks a little different. I made my own router table and mounted it. I have a dewalt that I use for freehand work. Without any direct comparisons, I still think the Bosch is better even at half the cost.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005RHPD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hey thanks for the message. The main reason I was looking at the smaller dewalt was due to savings on cash. I think if I was in the $200+ range I'd go for this Bosch It's only $3 more and has 0.5 more HP. Edit: typo
Bosch 1617EVSPK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SQY8MWM3TV4BM3WJHD16
Can't get any better at this price and power point.
I really like the Bosch 1617EVSPK (currently $200 at Amazon). If that's too far out of the budget, I'd go with a Craftsman 27683 ($125 at Sears).
I think you'd really benefit from the versatility offered by a kit with fixed and plunge bases, as well as the ability to accept 1/2" and 1/4" collets.
This bosch router hit an all time low at 176$ according to camelcamelcamel https://smile.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-Woodworking-Router-Combo/dp/B00005RHPD/
This one for $176?
https://smile.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-Woodworking-Router-Combo/dp/B00005RHPD/
Recommend you add it to the holiday deals & gifts megathread!
This is pretty much the starter 1/2" collet router. You will get a trim/compact router at some point because they are much handier for doing smaller edge profiles.
Routers are super useful! She'll eventually want more than one. I have 4, but 2 of them see the most use.
My big router is one of the best you can buy at a reasonable price, the Bosch 1617 with both bases
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-Woodworking-Router-Combo/dp/B00005RHPD/
Then there is the little rigid trim router. It's incredibly useful and I use it all the time with a round over bit. Not sure what your budget is but this time of year they have a good sale on it with a sander as well. It's actually cheaper to buy both than the router by itself lol.
The rigid kit would make a great gift and would be the one I recommend to start. Then buy her a big router next year!
It will be mostly for roundovers or tasks easier to do one handed. I have this beast for heavier work.
Deal link: Amazon
Deal link: Amazon
Coupon code: 1617EVSP
This setup is what I got. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPD
It's a good kit. I've used both bases on it, easy change over.
Deal link: Amazon (additional 15% off coupon on app)
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I'd look for a kit that includes both a fixed and a plunge base, and includes both 1/4" and 1/2" collets.
The Bosch 1617EVSPK and Dewalt DW618PKB kits are both excellent choices. I have used both of these routers many times and would recommend either without reservation.
Deal link: Amazon
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Plunge router, I like the bosch one best.
Round nose bit for the groove, I like one with a bearing so it is easier to follow a template. You can select whatever size you want for the groove you want, for example:
You can get the same bit from amazon, just search for whiteside + model number, but amazon does not list the dimensions and usually has the wrong picture on whiteside bits for some reason so i linked them at woodcraft for clarity.
Deal link: Amazon
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Buy this one. You won't regret it.
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-Woodworking-Router-Combo/dp/B00005RHPD
Go with the Bosch new for $181 on Amazon (currently running $20 off Bosch promo)
Indeed...also if you are willing to wait for the slower Amazon delivery they currently have $20 off Bosch products including the router combo once you check out.
Yep, Amazon currently has the set here for $179.00 and it also shows a $20 off promotion which brought it down to $159.00 plus tax for me.
Oh ok so this Bosch router would work?
If money is a concern I would suggest putting off buying a table saw and instead get yourself a nice circular saw and make a rip guide. A table saw is certainly great to own but laying down $500+ for a decent one is a big jump, especially when that money can be spent on other things that will grant you capabilities instead of just making them easier.
Other than that I would suggest a router, a router table and a lift. With these three things there really isn't much you can't do (relevant to the task, of course).
As far as YouTube channels are concerned there are none better than Car Audio Fabrication.
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B00005RHPD
You can't go wrong with this as a first router
This Bosch Router
I picked up the bosch 1617evspk which includes the plunge and fixed bases but might be more than you're looking to spend on just the router. I've heard some good reviews of this craftsman professional router but I don't have any personal experience with it. It's currently listed at $170 but sears does a lot of coupons so you could likely get it closer to $150.
Edit. The hitachi Km12vc is supposed to be pretty decent and it's worth checking out the dewalt dw618 in various packages to see if any of those appeal to you.