First post here. Best site I've found so far with info about routers.
I was given a Bench Dog ProTop Contractor for my birthday. I have a Craftsman 315.175342 router - its the 2HP plunge router they were selling around 2 years ago (got that for Christmas). Sears no longer makes the fixed base for that router (or so they say). So, I'm looking to upgrade.
I mostly do light-weight stuff making stands for tube-amplifiers and speakers, etc. I would like the router to work with the Jasper Circle Jigs I have, but that's not absolutely critical because the craftsman still works for that.
Benchdog says the insert plate fits the Bosch 1617, Hitachi M12VC, Porter Cable 690 and DeWalt 618 routers (and others). I'm considering these because of price mostly and because they offer them in a "kit" so I can get a fixed base and a plunge base. Mostly I'm concerned about ease of height adjustment, lots of travel and ease of changing bits.
So, here's my question. Which of these would be best for using with the bench dog router table? Any other suggestions?
Finally, should I save some money and only get the fixed base only or go for the kit since the craftsman only takes 1/4" bits?
I was given a Bench Dog ProTop Contractor for my birthday. I have a Craftsman 315.175342 router - its the 2HP plunge router they were selling around 2 years ago (got that for Christmas). Sears no longer makes the fixed base for that router (or so they say). So, I'm looking to upgrade.
I mostly do light-weight stuff making stands for tube-amplifiers and speakers, etc. I would like the router to work with the Jasper Circle Jigs I have, but that's not absolutely critical because the craftsman still works for that.
Benchdog says the insert plate fits the Bosch 1617, Hitachi M12VC, Porter Cable 690 and DeWalt 618 routers (and others). I'm considering these because of price mostly and because they offer them in a "kit" so I can get a fixed base and a plunge base. Mostly I'm concerned about ease of height adjustment, lots of travel and ease of changing bits.
So, here's my question. Which of these would be best for using with the bench dog router table? Any other suggestions?
Finally, should I save some money and only get the fixed base only or go for the kit since the craftsman only takes 1/4" bits?