Drugstore Cowboy

Woodcraft ad says:

"If a woodworker could only have one router, this would be the one the majority would pick!"

True?

Good deal at $109?
Still a good deal at $159?

Advertising

bobj3

Hi Cowboy

I would say No, not a good deal, it's not a plunge router to start with and it's only 1 3/4Hp
at 109.oo bucks you can get a kit with both bases,,,,plus others items you may want..it's almost the same as a PC....VS.,Softstart,edge Guide,case,vac.pickup, etc.

take a look at the link below
http://www.routerforums.com/general-...er-router.html

==============

__________________
PodCast videos
RWS on YouTube

http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html
Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm

Bob J.

kp91

A bunch of folks were buying 11 amp sears routers with 2 bases, maybe that deal is still going on, I think it was around $120....

As for the 690s

I paid close to $190 for my 693 plunger a decade ago, and that thing still runs like the tank it is. The only gripe is that it is single speed, and when it starts it spins right up, you better be ready for it. $100 for the fixed base version isn't a bad deal for a porter cable in my opinion, you can probably pick up a plunge base off of ebay or such for pretty reasonable.

My 693 doesn't see quite as much use as it used to, since I have 2 890's now, and I like the soft start and variable speed, but the old one still performs well when called on. I actually like the plunge base on the 693 a little better than the 890, but that could just be that I'm used to it more. I'll have to double check that the 690 motor clamps right in an 890 plunge base, that could double your chance of finding a cheap plunge base.

Sorry for rambling on.....

router set 17543, $109.00 (ask about a craftsman club discount, they may take another $10 off.....) and the are in stock in all 3 of your local sears locations

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cemldffidfmg.0

__________________
Doug
1 John 1:9

challagan

Only one router... no not for me. I would have a dual base router set up if I was going to have only one. What will it's use be for? Hand work for round overs, dadoing, round overs etc.? Do you have a router table already? I would not be worried if it is only a 1 3/4 HP router as you can do a lot with that power... I mean heck I can do a ton with my 1 HP colt router. $109. is a good price for that router compared to what you see. If you are truely looking for a new router... try out the competition. That is what I did and why I selected the Dewalt 618 PK....best feeling router for me I ever used. Sqwatty low center of gravity and couldn't believe it was a 2 1/4 router. Anyway, that's my thoughts but I would see if you can get the PC made router combo set for what that set costs. I forgot about that until BJ mentioned it.
Corey

__________________
My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/

Drugstore Cowboy

Mostly I was picking on Woodcraft for (what I assumed to be) their exageration.
That - and stirring up some conversation to get some thoughts.
(so Doug -- dont worry about rambling - --
I find when people ramble they often say more of what they really think than when they pick words carefully.)

My 1.5 hp Ryobi is less than a year old -- and so far I haven't found anything I NEEDED to do that it couldnt handle.
Its only real limitation is the 1/4" shank which makes it harder to find bits to do some of the shaping that I would LIKE to do.
So I know I will be replacing it at some point.

IF there had been a unified chorus telling me what a steal it was at that price --I might well have tried to find the money.
BUT -- from what I am hearing -- I think I will wait for the Christmas (and after Christmas) sales.

Thanks as always

challagan

Cowboy, That doesn't surprise me. I used a 1 1/2 horse Craftsman for years and besides being a 1/4 shank only and fixed base it did all I wanted it to do. After using the Bosch Colt with just a 1 HP and I find it can handle a lot. I think people get too hung up on HP and my 2 1/4 Dewalt has all I will probably ever need... yet I still have a 3 HP dewalt under the hood of a my table . A good 2 HP plunge router would be the one I would take if I could have only one.

Corey

__________________
My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/

Glenmore

Cowboy I have 2 of them got them both from lowes. The first one was a replacement for my crapsman. Really like it so I went and bought another for the router table. Can't complain plus I don't use my router table for heavy work not yet anyway. I bought them both from lowes for under 100.00 when they have sales. When I picked them up didn't even know of the extra 20% off it was like a gift.

__________________
Glenmore

Days without wood working are days not worth getting up for.

banshee_z71

I've sold a lot of 690LRs and rarely I get a compliant. But If I could choose only 1 tool it would depend on how much money I had.

__________________
Ballew Saw and Tool