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bobgnar · 03-27-2005, 01:33 PM

I have 3 routers. The first a 1.5 hp Craftsman about 25 years old and going strong. Very loud but eats the wood. Less than 5 years old are 2 PC's the 690 and a 5 speed jumbo.The jumbo is very nice to work with and quiet. The 690 is fairly quiet and easy to work with EXCEPT my Craftsman showed me the value of the handle switch. With the 690 you must lift a hand to flip the switch. Sometimes this is can make you feel uneasy, unless you are one of those who enjoy welding without eye protection.

polcyn.ronald · 03-27-2005, 02:48 PM

Although I have 2 Craftsman Routers (one is 41 years old and still as good as new) I voted for Porter Cable because the Craftsman Routers are never standard. The bases are different, standard collars don't fit, etc. This is my only complaint with the 2 I have.

Gror · 03-27-2005, 04:18 PM

I just recently purchased my first router(s) but before doing so I asked the advice of a couple of woodworking pros who use thier tools everyday to make a living. After talking to them my choices came down to Porter Cable or Festool. Both are great tools, but I went with Festool 2000 and 1010 routers. The 2000 is a nice 3 1/2hp and the 1010 is the smaller lightweight 1/4" router and i'm happy with my decision.

Ike · 03-27-2005, 05:40 PM

I have two routers and wished I had one good one???? the bits stick in the chucks.it makes you want to set and watch router work shop.it looks like more fun

dnoonkeste · 03-27-2005, 06:06 PM

Porter Cable

JamesEMc · 03-27-2005, 06:52 PM

The router I use the most is a cheapie Mastercraft because it is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and once I devised a custom tool, easy to change bits in. My favorite would probably be one of the pricey ones listed if I had the money to try them all. I'm retired and a hobbyist woodruiner and must keep my costs down. I have a Ryobi in my table that's a pain to use, but it routs just fine.

cabinetsetc · 03-27-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krislu

My favorites are P.C. and Craftsman. The one I dislike the most is Bosch. The bits always stick in the collect. I can never get them out. I called and e-mailed Bosch and got no replies. I posted on all the woodworking forumns and with all the advice I got from people was much apprieciated but none of it worked. I even brought it to a tool repair place by me and he didn't know. I did read on Bosch's own forumn a lot of complaints about it and still no replies from Bosch. I have 6 routers in all but the one I seem to go for most of the time is the Craftsman. There light weight, great features: I like 1 wrench bit changes! I prefer there hand grips. I Can afford to own multiples of there routers. I know the quality is not as good as all the rest but "you can buy the professional paint brush or you can buy cheap ones and throw them out after the job."When the job is done you can't tell if I used my PC or Sears. The Bosch I left a Dovetail bit in it and the router only gets used for that. I even bought a Bosch Cook top to replace the 40yr old one I had in my Kitchen and it doesn't work right. The igniters either don't turn on or don't turn off. The repair man is here constantly and getting parts is impossible. I don't trust Bosch as a company. Sorry for the rant! Back to Routers - Kris

I have a 1617 bosch and had the same problem with the bits sticking in the router (I mean really sticking) I've ruined bits trying to get it to give them back. I changed the collet and solved the problem. Rick

cabinetsetc · 03-27-2005, 07:54 PM

I have a Bosch 1617 which I like for hand work in the shop. I still prefer the King on the table. In the feild (because I tend to lose the odd one) I use a cheap router and as of late I tried a skil 1 3/4 hp. I like it. So far it seems to be quiet, reliable, smooth and I like the trigger switch in the handle. A lot of router for the money and it doesn't cripple me if I lose it. I also have a Makita on a bench but I find adjustments a pain as well as changing bits. It's also very noisy but of course it's also very old and still running and doesn't show any signs of giving up any time soon. So although Makita is not my personal favorite, it has given me years of uninterupted service. This can't be a bad thing.
Haven't had a chance to comment or even read the forum lately (too busy) but it's good to see that you folks are still here. Talk to you again in September.
Rick

hcrab3 · 03-27-2005, 09:33 PM

Porter Cable

wcehmann · 03-28-2005, 12:10 AM

[quote=ejant]Who is your preferred router manufacturer

I prefer Porter Cable

View Poll Results: Favorite Router Manufacturer
Dewalt	37	10.11%
Porter Cable	154	42.08%
Bosch	49	13.39%
Freud	16	4.37%
Milwaukee	7	1.91%
Fein	0	0%
Makita	7	1.91%
Triton	16	4.37%
Craftsman	21	5.74%
Hitachi	33	9.02%
Other (specify)	26	7.10%
Voters: 366. You may not vote on this poll

03-27-2005, 01:33 PM	#21
bobgnar Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1 View bobgnar's Gallery	Report This Post! I have 3 routers. The first a 1.5 hp Craftsman about 25 years old and going strong. Very loud but eats the wood. Less than 5 years old are 2 PC's the 690 and a 5 speed jumbo.The jumbo is very nice to work with and quiet. The 690 is fairly quiet and easy to work with EXCEPT my Craftsman showed me the value of the handle switch. With the 690 you must lift a hand to flip the switch. Sometimes this is can make you feel uneasy, unless you are one of those who enjoy welding without eye protection.
	Top -

03-27-2005, 02:48 PM	#22
polcyn.ronald Registered User New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2 View polcyn.ronald's Gallery	Report This Post! Although I have 2 Craftsman Routers (one is 41 years old and still as good as new) I voted for Porter Cable because the Craftsman Routers are never standard. The bases are different, standard collars don't fit, etc. This is my only complaint with the 2 I have.
	Top -

03-27-2005, 04:18 PM	#23
Gror Registered User New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2 View Gror's Gallery	Report This Post! I just recently purchased my first router(s) but before doing so I asked the advice of a couple of woodworking pros who use thier tools everyday to make a living. After talking to them my choices came down to Porter Cable or Festool. Both are great tools, but I went with Festool 2000 and 1010 routers. The 2000 is a nice 3 1/2hp and the 1010 is the smaller lightweight 1/4" router and i'm happy with my decision.
	Top -

03-27-2005, 05:40 PM	#24
Ike Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1 View Ike's Gallery	Report This Post! I have two routers and wished I had one good one???? the bits stick in the chucks.it makes you want to set and watch router work shop.it looks like more fun Last edited by Ike; 03-27-2005 at 05:45 PM.
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03-27-2005, 06:06 PM	#25
dnoonkeste Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1 View dnoonkeste's Gallery	Report This Post! Most Popular Router Porter Cable
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03-27-2005, 06:52 PM	#26
JamesEMc Registered User Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 541 View JamesEMc's Gallery	Report This Post! The router I use the most is a cheapie Mastercraft because it is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and once I devised a custom tool, easy to change bits in. My favorite would probably be one of the pricey ones listed if I had the money to try them all. I'm retired and a hobbyist woodruiner and must keep my costs down. I have a Ryobi in my table that's a pain to use, but it routs just fine. __________________ Reunite Gondwanaland
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03-27-2005, 07:54 PM	#28
cabinetsetc Registered User Dedicated Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 46 View cabinetsetc's Gallery	Report This Post! Favorite Router I have a Bosch 1617 which I like for hand work in the shop. I still prefer the King on the table. In the feild (because I tend to lose the odd one) I use a cheap router and as of late I tried a skil 1 3/4 hp. I like it. So far it seems to be quiet, reliable, smooth and I like the trigger switch in the handle. A lot of router for the money and it doesn't cripple me if I lose it. I also have a Makita on a bench but I find adjustments a pain as well as changing bits. It's also very noisy but of course it's also very old and still running and doesn't show any signs of giving up any time soon. So although Makita is not my personal favorite, it has given me years of uninterupted service. This can't be a bad thing. Haven't had a chance to comment or even read the forum lately (too busy) but it's good to see that you folks are still here. Talk to you again in September. Rick
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03-27-2005, 09:33 PM	#29
hcrab3 Registered User New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2 View hcrab3's Gallery	Report This Post! Favorite Router Manufacturer Porter Cable Last edited by hcrab3; 03-27-2005 at 09:45 PM.
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03-28-2005, 12:10 AM	#30
wcehmann Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1 View wcehmann's Gallery	Report This Post! Porter Cable [quote=ejant]Who is your preferred router manufacturer I prefer Porter Cable
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