selecting my first router

Yander

Hello,

You guys probably get bombarded with these types of questions, but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for with the search function.

Since being sucked into the hobby of woodworking, every project I cross seems like it has a need for a router. I am repeatedly blown away by what the tool can do. I am getting sick of borrowing routers from friends and family and have decided to bite the bullet and buy one.

I was wondering what is the best router I can find for less than $120 dollars? I am a college student that can't afford something of professional quality but I am still looking for something that will last. I would be using it for simple small tasks at first, but would like a tool I can grow into. (at least for a while)

I have been eyeballing the craftsman 17543 and the Porter Cable 690LR.

Which do you guys think is a better fit? What else should I be looking at?

Thanks,
Jerry

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bobj3

HI Jerry

" I have been eyeballing the craftsman 17543 and the Porter Cable 690LR."

Go with the 17543 kit,it comes with much more than the PC.. for 1/2 the price..

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Bob J.

xplorx4

Greetings Jerry and welcome to the router forum. I’ve not know BJ to give bad advice, several fellas have it and it receives good reviews. I have the Ridgid 2930, and like it, but when time comes for another one it will be the Sears in all probability.

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Yander

Thanks a lot for the comments and advice. I was leaning towards the craftsman combo kit anyways based on what I have read around here and on the internet. My only hesitation was that everyone seems to have a different opinion on craftsman tools. (they're good, they're bad, the pro series is good, it depends on the tool)

Is this router compatible with parts from other major brands? Down the road if I need accessories or replacement parts, will they be hard to find?

thanks again

rwyoung

+1 on the 17543. The PC bushings fit the base by the way.

Twill57

The Craftsman 17543 would be a good choice. If you are really looking to stretch your dollar, check out some local pawn shops. There are usually a few Porter Cable or DeWalt routers about. I picked up a DeWalt 610 in great shape for under $50 and a PC 690 like new for about $65. Granted this was a few years ago, but the pawn shop is still a good bet.
Another option is to watch for close outs at the borgs.
Good luck,

BigJimAK

Also craigslist.org has 3 or 4 routers posted every day here in Anchorage... often you see people who bought (or were given) tools they will never use and finally want to clean house... your mileage may vary.

Jim

cmchatten

About 27 years ago (yes I was Much younger then) I bought a B&D cheapie, guess what it still works. I have upgraded to another B&D and it does me for now.

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Mike

Jerry, before you spend money on a router come and try out a few different models. You can PM me for directions, but 696 & 75 will give you the general idea. When you buy a Sears router you get your parts and accessories from Sears; unless you are talking about jigs and fixtures. Again, I will be happy to show you the differences.

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jschaben

I dunno, I haven't been to big on Craftsman stuff since the 70's when they were arrogant enough to make their suppliers do things just enough different that you had to buy stuff from Sears. Still burns about having to buy Craftsman staples for my old hand held stapler, looked just like T50's but just a little to narrow, swingline didn't work either.
So much for my soap box.
I'm big on saving money by hitting the reman/recon market. Most look new and you can't tell them from new after you have used it once. Also have a warrantee, not as long as a new tools but enough to wring it out and see if it breaks. Two places I would look are cpooutlets.com, the have porter cable, dewalt, milwaukee, skil, bosch and makita. Good people to deal with also.
The other is reconditionedsales.com. They have Hitachi and Freud.
I have a Hitachi m12v kit, its the 2 1/4 with fixed and plunge for handheld and the freud 1700 for the table. Spent under $200 for both.
Good Luck, John



I just checked reconditioned sales and they have the Hitachi kit for $102 and it includes guide bushings, centering pin and extra subbase.

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