[craydive]

Hi,
This is my first post, as I am very new to this forum. I have done woodworking many years ago at school and early working life. Not what you would call experienced, but as all things in life, I am willing to have a go. My first project is to build a pair of speakers using 18mm marine grade plywood. I have joined the Mens Shed, and have managed to cut the plywood to match the plan of the speakers. However, I want to now use a router to provide cuts into the side wall of the speaker boxes to take the internal bracing. I have scored a Triton RTA300 router table in good condition, very cheaply, but it doesn't come with a router. Hence my question, what would be a suitable router to get me started. Not on a tight budget, but I do want to manage the costs, as there is other stuff to get as well. I want to use 1/2" bits, and the immediate routing is confined to 14mm deep rebates, by 18mm wide. However, this is now, and I would like my router table to be versatile in the future. Next week I am going to Adelaide, South Australia, and would look at what routers they have down there. However, it would help to know what might be a suitable router to help me.
cheers
steve

 

[craydive]

Thanks Chuck, and I have actually been eyeing off a makita handheld trimmer router. In this particular project I am planning to also do some long rebates along the edge of the side panels. I guess a jig for this and hand trimmer would also do the job. More to think about, during luchtimes and slack times during the day. I must say this project whilst simple to many, is really enjoyable pondering the best way to do things.

I did score the triton RTA300 table very cheaply, so I would like to populate it with a router, even if not used on this particular job.

Thanks Harry. I looked at the Triton website today, and noticed the current router is a TRA001B. I also saw a Triton TRA001 router for sale on gumtree, and this made me wonder what the difference is between the TRA001B and the TRA001 models are. Any thoughts?

I also saw some GMC routers that have never been used, and have some bits included in the kit. The GMC router would have to be 10 years old, as GMC went bust in 2008/9. However they are very very cheap in gumtree. Are they worth considering for part time use of the router table, until I get a much better feel for what and the amount of routering that I may do?

 

[craydive]

Thanks guys.
The Triton TRA001B is $519, and I saw a TRA001 in gumtree.com.au that was advertised as new for $300, hence the reason for asking about the model number differences. Thinking on it, when I am getting into that amount of money, I want the whole enchilada, meaning the table height adjustment to be part of the deal. I am quite enamoured with the idea of the triton, after the recommendations here. So I am left with the $519 TRA001B or a cheaper option.

I looked at the GMC router on gumtree, and it is a 1550W unit with 50 router bits as part of the kit, advertised as new, and unused, for $90. I will check out the GMC this weekend, and if it is new and unused, I think I will get it. Even if it breaks down after a few uses, I will have gained experience with a table router, and the fact that it has some bits means I can get started without a large cash outlay. The bits, even if they are not the highest quality, will allow me to gain experience.

I have been quizzing the cabinet maker at work for the last three weeks about routers, and listening to sage words of advice. He is big on jigs. He put me onto the Makita RTO700CX2 trim router (mentioned above as eyeing off). Snap, its the same series as Harry has suggested. I have ordered the beast, so will see how it goes when the trim router arrives. Will check out the 50 bits in the GMC kit to see if any are 1/4" bits.

 

[craydive]

Hi Guys, Well life gets in the way and my plans of spending a week in Adelaide and looking at a router and then using it in anger were thwarted. I ended up helping number 2 daughter move back from Townsville to Adelaide, by road. The things dad's do.
I did get to look at the GMC router mentioned and decided to give it a whirl. The GMC router doesn't look used, and all the bits are there. Now I just have to learn what they all do. I have upladed a piccy of the base of the GMC router and there doesnt look like any scrape marks on it at all.

I also did a cheeky detour on the road trip and managed to squeeze into the 4WD a triton 2000 saw table, triton 2400W saw, and extension table that allows large sheets to be cut (8x4). Sadly, all the woodworking gear is at our shack in South Australia, and I live in a small unit Alice Springs, so my woodworking fun will have to wait until I get back there again. Hopefully soon, as I have left my speaker cabinet wood on my workbench waiting till I can toodle down there again.