34 Re: Lets discuss routers
Description
This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 4, by multiple authors.
34 Re: Lets discuss routers
From: Dave Tardiff <rutgers!umix!apollo!tardiff_d>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 87 10:30:54 est
After struggling for years with a 5/8 hp Sears router, I finally upgraded
to a Bosch 1604 (I think that's the model) 1 & 3/4 hp model. I looked fairly
extensively at the time, and I chose the Bosch for the following reasons:
1. Power. 1.75 is a LOT of horsepower for a router - almost too much for
hand-held work. The machine twists a bit when you start it up, and
it resists fast rotations (precesses like a gyro). But what power!
I just used it to carve a 1/4 deep hole in solid maple, and it was
like carving soap.
2. 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch collet capacity. (the 3/8 collet is optional)
With this router's power, 1/2 inch bits and a router table can replace
a shaper for most work. The 1/2 inch bits available from professional
supply stores are much, much better than Sear's best carbides, and don't
cost much more.
3. Design. This is a very traditional router - round base, simple
motor-in-a-collar design. The top edge of the collar is spiralled,
so that a 1/4 inch rotation of the motor in the collar changes
the depth by 1/32 inch (marked increments around the collar). This
is very precise, and easy to adjust up or down. It doesn't
plunge, but the compactness of the tool makes up for that lack.
You can always mount a square base plate and tilt it in - I lowered
it by hand into maple using a 1/2 inch bit with no problem or loss
of control.
4. Reliability. Bosch makes solid, professional tools that last.
The price for all this was $130 on sale, and I've seen similiar mail
orders. A bit steep, but compared to a Sears for $60, well worth the
difference. I've given up buying consumer tools. The professionals cost
about twice as much, but they do the job at least twice as well and last
10 times as long.
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