purplepride

I have never done any woodworking projects, but I would like to as a hobby. What would be a good router to start with and other tools that I would need for normal projects. I saw this one at the store for $99. Would it be good enough to start with.

http://www.skil.com/Products/Tools/R...ct.htm?id=1825

Thanks for any help. Michael

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ejant

Hi Mike,

Sounds like you get a lot for $99.00.

Rather than invest the $99.00 into something you'll grow out of very fast and be limited to what you can do spend a little more money on something like a 2.5 hp Dewalt or Bosch router. A basic bit set by Freud or CMT.

You want a half inch router and use half inch bits.

Click on the OAK PARK link on top of the forum page and look at the Router Workshop basic table setup.
Look at the 1st in the series of the video sets, this is a great starting point for a beginner. Plenty of easy projects you can expand on.

If you want to purchase the Skil router to see if you are interested in the hobby go ahead and do that.

Glenmore

I would personally go with porter cable because you can get one with the 1/4" and the 1/2" collects it will be about 50.00 more but well worth it in the long run.

reible

Hi,

You did not mention if you have any other tools yet, if not you might want to think about a few of those before a router. If you are unsure what you might need let us know and someone will get you started down that road.

Now having said that another warning is in order. The cost of the router is soon overtaken by the cost of all the "good stuff" you "need". For example you will want more and more bits, even cheap ones add up very fast. Now how about that table, edge guide, bushings, and what have you??? You guessed it you have double what you paid for the router and it just keeps going. I'm not saying this is bad.

I personal feel that router is fine, you will need some bits and I think as a beginner a cheap 15 piece set will get you routing and that is when you find out if this is something you like. Then I would get a couple of books on routers maybe sometiing with a few simple projects or jigs to make. (Make use of the public library or buy them.) Watch Router Workshop and other workshop shows if you can. Make a few things if you like it, then if you do start adding more things to your shop, a better router, expensive bits etc.

Just my personal feelings,

Ed

purplepride

At the moment I don't have any tools.

ejant

I found this site for you that should give you an idea of what basic hand tools are needed to get started.

http://woodworking.about.com/b/a/2003_07_28.htm

ejant

It will cost a bit to get started. Most woodworkers start off with a few basic tools and add to them.
Always remember when buying any tool. A good quality tool will last a lifetime properly taken care of.

A good place to get tools is at garage sales, flea markets, etc.

reible

I don't know if you have access to a Community college / ?? But I know in our area they offer evening classes in woodworking. Some times they have classes at more local high schools that have NICE shops.

This is a good tip for others as well:
Some years back a group of my associates took such a class to have access to the tools, the project then was "work benches" and being able to surface plane the whole top at once then sand it in a machine made it rather nice.

Ed

purplepride

On the router workshop what kind of router do they use plunge or fixed.

BobandRick

The PC 890 series router with both the plunge and fixed base.

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