From a Newbie: Help Choosing A Router

Hesselite, Just so you go into this with eyes open. What you are looking at is for occasional home use. Routers will do so many jobs for you, if you enjoy woodworking I would urge you to consider spending more for a good quality combo kit. There is a world of difference between the $100 routers and the $200 kits. Much larger bearings to make the unit last, better motors, etc.
That having been said, both the Skil and the Ryobi will do a nice job. I wouldn't put much store in the HP ratings, they will both perform well enough. The important thing is how they feel in your hands, are you comfortable with the adjustments? If you want to be able to table mount your router are the adjustments still easy upside down? 1/2" shaft bits are stronger and have less vibration than 1/4" bits. If one of these will accept 1/2" and the other not, that would be a good reason to decide on. I think they are both equiped with 1/4" only. When you go looking for router bits try Woodcraft. If they dont have a store near you visit the website at: www.woodcraft.com
They sell decent quality bits with a 100% money back guarantee. You can save a great deal of money going this route. Their bits are most always on sale for around $6 each. Buy their 10 piece set of the most commonly used bits and you will be in good shape. They will do most jobs you are likely to start. Dont waste your money buying bigger sets or cheaper sets. Cheap bits are nothing but trouble.

hesselite said:

Hello, and I hope I'm posting this in the correct forum:

I'm not a skilled woodworker. I'll work on projects every other weekend or so. I'm in need of a router, and I'm not looking for the best, and my price range is around $100. I'm thinking of buying one of the following routers from HD or Lowes. I'm looking for opinions as to which one the experts here think is the better router.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=109589-353-1825
SKIL 1825 Plunge/Fixed 2-1/4 HP Router Combo Kit with Sightlight from Lowes

or

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...dmjcgelceffdfgidgnl.0&MID=9876&prod_id=165667
Ryobi RE180PL 2 HP Plunge Router from Home Depot

Any input? The SKIL seems like the better buy... slightly higher HP, light, carrying case, and the fixed/plunge base combo is nice. What do you all think? Should I shell out another $30 or $40 and get a better one? I'd like to keep it at $80-$100 if possible

Thanks for any input!

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My only experience with Ryobi was their 12V Jobsite Cordless Drill. I really liked it but the batteries soon gave out and new ones are hard to find and cost almost as much as a new drill. I think Ryobi makes a good tool at a price most people can afford. The RE1803BK (don't know what the BK is) was reviewed in the Sept. 04 issue of American Router and they liked it. This one has 1/4 and 1/2' collets which is important because if you ever decide to upgrade to a more powerful router the 1/2" shank will take the pressure much better than a 1/4". Also those HP ratings are not correct. Look at the amp. rating and if it's not 14-15 or higher (115 volts)it's not a 2hp. motor.
Either of the routers you're looking at should be good for what you intend to use it for. Don't try to take deep cuts and allow the router to cool off frequently. The Ryobi reviewed by American Router has a soft start function which is nice for hand routing. Good luck and have fun.