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Originally Posted by Carpintero Hi there,
I just got a set of these raised panel bits, unfortunately, my router kit is 1 1/4 Hp fixed speed, and that I know is a big NO-NO with this size of bits, I plan on doing maybe two sets of cabinet doors, but at a very slow pace, so I expect them to be good for these 2 projects, cutting mostly knotty pine.
However I want a 2nd router (to be mostly permanently mounted to the table I am about to build for about $20 and lot's of free material)...photos will be posted as work progressess.
And the question is...Is this router adequate for the intended application (raised panels) or should I go with 3 1/4 Hp and have power to spare?, I am really watching the cost here...
Ziggy |
For your own safety and because we like to keep all the members we can..... get the new router before you do any of the work with the larger bits. From the picture I can't tell what the dia. of the larger bit is but a fixed speed router will spin somewhere about 25,000 or 28,000 RPM will give you tip speeds of near 300 mph!!!!! Larger bits need to run more like 12,000 or even 8,000 rpm. I think it unsafe to use the fixed speed router for large bits..... in fact most bits have a warning saying not to use over some number of rpm. In case you are still thinking about this idea picture one of those knots getting taken out at 300 mph and hitting you??????? And that is one of the not so bad things that could happen.
Now on to routers, the router I reviewed would work for most things and I look at as a general purpose router. If you will want one for use in a table and are going to be doing a lot of doors and panels you might want the larger 3 1/2 HP ones. Hitachi has one of this size I saw on Amazon for like $160, I don't own that one but I've heard good reports.
If you want one for more general use, having a plunge and fixed base and the ability to change speeds and so on and so on then the mid range 2 HP ones are what you are looking for. They have the power to do most everything and are a lot lighter for handheld operations. The one I reviewed is one of the lower priced ones in that class but still a very high quality router.....
The other option if you really want to use the router you have is a speed controller, the ones I have seen are about $30 but you might find one cheaper..... I have one and they do work.
Ed