Welcome Rob. My personal choice is the Bosch 1617 combo kit. I like the feel of it better than others I have tried. This is not to say it is the right choice for you. Only you will know which is the most comfortable for you. As far as the Hitachi, make sure you are talking apples and apples. The KM12SC is the single speed combo, the KM12VS is the soft start/variable speed version. Both sets come with guide bushings. The component most likely to fail in any electrical application is an IC chip. For this reason I prefer to use the standard on / off switch version. You can buy a larger aftermarket speed controler (which should stand up better) on sale for as little as $14. Since we have recently seen the KM12SC for as little as $89 at Amazon.com I must recomend this as a super value. Reported prices on the KM12VS seem to average around $167, still a good value for your money.
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Rob
Just my 2 cents...
I would back off the Ridgid, do a search on Froogle.com and you will not see one come up that should tell you something.
And I do like Riggid power tools,I have a 12" chop saw that's great but they are not strong in routers..not say you will have a problem with it BUT.
Hitachi combo is not to bad but it's so dam ugly ( displeasing/repulsive to the eye)
I guess I should define "dam ugly" It looks like it could be a 1920 vacuum cleaner motor or maybe a 1950's malt mixer motor that they used to make into a router motor,if you recall they are green also.
I do like the Porter Cable, it's not ugly hahahahahahahaha
and you can get many add on items for it unlike the other routers and you can get them at just about any hardware store or HomeDepot outlets or Rockler stores that should tell you something.
Many of this forum like the Bosch routers but it's not my cup of tea...but that's just my 2 cents.
Good Luck with your hunt
Bj
Just my 2 cents...
I would back off the Ridgid, do a search on Froogle.com and you will not see one come up that should tell you something.
And I do like Riggid power tools,I have a 12" chop saw that's great but they are not strong in routers..not say you will have a problem with it BUT.
Hitachi combo is not to bad but it's so dam ugly ( displeasing/repulsive to the eye)
I guess I should define "dam ugly" It looks like it could be a 1920 vacuum cleaner motor or maybe a 1950's malt mixer motor that they used to make into a router motor,if you recall they are green also.
I do like the Porter Cable, it's not ugly hahahahahahahaha
and you can get many add on items for it unlike the other routers and you can get them at just about any hardware store or HomeDepot outlets or Rockler stores that should tell you something.Many of this forum like the Bosch routers but it's not my cup of tea...but that's just my 2 cents.
Good Luck with your hunt
Bj
Unproven, but a good deal...
Bj, I kind of like the look of the Hitachi.
As far as the Ridgid combo goes, I think it's only been out for a couple of months and they may be ramping up production which would explain their absence on froogle and the auctions. Their lifetime service warranty sounds too nice and, although I don't own any Ridgid tools, one of my friends swears by his and has great luck with them. Still, I don't like a non-proven model.
Before I buy, I'll try to handle as many as possible. aniceone2hold, the Bosch is definitely one that I want to get a hands on experience with since I really love Bosch tools.
I can get 10% off at HD this weekend so the Ridgid set would only cost $180.
Cheers!
Rob
Bj, I kind of like the look of the Hitachi.
As far as the Ridgid combo goes, I think it's only been out for a couple of months and they may be ramping up production which would explain their absence on froogle and the auctions. Their lifetime service warranty sounds too nice and, although I don't own any Ridgid tools, one of my friends swears by his and has great luck with them. Still, I don't like a non-proven model.
Before I buy, I'll try to handle as many as possible. aniceone2hold, the Bosch is definitely one that I want to get a hands on experience with since I really love Bosch tools.
I can get 10% off at HD this weekend so the Ridgid set would only cost $180.
Cheers!
Rob
Hi Mike
How did the routers come out in the test they ran ??
"the best tool and best value"
-------------
Special Router Issue!
Over 20 pages devoted to the most versatile tool in the shop.
Whether you want to build a sturdy router “job box”, get better results on your router table, or check out the hottest new plunge routers and cutting-edge bits, this issue has it all.
TOOL REPORTS
Tool Test:
10 “Big” Plunge Routers
If you’re looking for a router that can do it all, these plunge routers have the power and precision to fill the bill.
We put 10 of them through their paces to find the best tool and best value.
http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/main/wb000-toc.html
Bj
How did the routers come out in the test they ran ??
"the best tool and best value"
-------------
Special Router Issue!
Over 20 pages devoted to the most versatile tool in the shop.
Whether you want to build a sturdy router “job box”, get better results on your router table, or check out the hottest new plunge routers and cutting-edge bits, this issue has it all.
TOOL REPORTS
Tool Test:
10 “Big” Plunge Routers
If you’re looking for a router that can do it all, these plunge routers have the power and precision to fill the bill.
We put 10 of them through their paces to find the best tool and best value.
http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/main/wb000-toc.html
Bj
Mike,aniceone2hold said:
I have the 1619 EVS and love it. Changing bits above the table is a breeze and the spring defeat works good. Also the adjust for the bit is very easy to operate even for very small adjustments. It has handled everything I have ran through it so far and I am finding more and more uses for router work on the table.The largest bit I have turned so far is the reversible glue joint bit and it was a piece of cake. I actually had to slow it down a little compared to when I was running my 1617. My next project coming up is raised panel doors so I will see how it does.
I have the 2390 also and the small amount of time I have spent I have been pleased. It is very powerful, smooth and works in a table well. I do wish the fence holes did go to the other side for stability but I have the PC fence and I have not had any problems running rabbets or straight cuts. In the table with a little practice the bits are easy to change above the table, the collet lock can be tricky to hold the first few times in the table but I have not had any problems. Here's a few pics:
Attachments
My 1 cent
I’m not the kind that would defend any tool made in china or any third world by any manufacturer including Dewalt, Bosch, PC and Hitachi before track record. Even the big name people are making their tools in Malaysia and Mexico and still charging few hundred for these same routers that used to be made in Germany, Switzerland and Japan.
Having said that, friend of mine who has absolutely no router experience purchased one of these Ridgid routers and asked my to check it out for him.
First you have 90 days to test it and return it if you are not happy and it also has life time warranty if you decide to keep it. As far as testing goes, router bit was dead on accurate as in perpendicular to base in both the plunge and regular base.
That is more than I can say about some of the brand name routers out there.
Sure it does not have the perfect Balance of Original DW625 or smoothness or all the features of new 1619EVS or quietness of Fein router. But then you don’t have to mortgage the house to buy it either. Currently, Fein is the only router made in Germany and it’s over 300.00 and you don’t get any thing with it. When you buy the extras that usually come with other routers, you end up in 500.00 range.
Right now the best overall router is Bosch1619EVS as far as features I’m not sure where they are being made. The Bosch page says USA. Hummmm, like that has happened in the last 15 years. It still doesn’t have the perfect low center of gravity Switz made DW625 had before they changed the base and start making them somewhere else. But it’s as close to a perfect all around router as you can get these days. and it most defiantly will be my next Router.
If you’re going to own one router, it should be 1619EVS. Second goes to Hitachi M12v at one half the price or less but it is made in Malaysia and I went through 2 before I got one that wasn’t defective in a minor way.
It is dead on accurate and powerful. I call it brute force with no refinement.
I lovz it.
I’m not the kind that would defend any tool made in china or any third world by any manufacturer including Dewalt, Bosch, PC and Hitachi before track record. Even the big name people are making their tools in Malaysia and Mexico and still charging few hundred for these same routers that used to be made in Germany, Switzerland and Japan.
Having said that, friend of mine who has absolutely no router experience purchased one of these Ridgid routers and asked my to check it out for him.
First you have 90 days to test it and return it if you are not happy and it also has life time warranty if you decide to keep it. As far as testing goes, router bit was dead on accurate as in perpendicular to base in both the plunge and regular base.
That is more than I can say about some of the brand name routers out there.
Sure it does not have the perfect Balance of Original DW625 or smoothness or all the features of new 1619EVS or quietness of Fein router. But then you don’t have to mortgage the house to buy it either. Currently, Fein is the only router made in Germany and it’s over 300.00 and you don’t get any thing with it. When you buy the extras that usually come with other routers, you end up in 500.00 range.
Right now the best overall router is Bosch1619EVS as far as features I’m not sure where they are being made. The Bosch page says USA. Hummmm, like that has happened in the last 15 years. It still doesn’t have the perfect low center of gravity Switz made DW625 had before they changed the base and start making them somewhere else. But it’s as close to a perfect all around router as you can get these days. and it most defiantly will be my next Router.
If you’re going to own one router, it should be 1619EVS. Second goes to Hitachi M12v at one half the price or less but it is made in Malaysia and I went through 2 before I got one that wasn’t defective in a minor way.
It is dead on accurate and powerful. I call it brute force with no refinement.
I lovz it.
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
