what is your use case for two identical routers?

I use 2 routers for the dovetail jig. One holds the dovetail bit and the other holds the pin bit. It saves time changing bits and adjusting heights and simplifies that process. For me the less I have to think/change/adjust gives more time to focus on other details.

Marco said:

I use 2 routers for the dovetail jig. One holds the dovetail bit and the other holds the pin bit. It saves time changing bits and adjusting heights and simplifies that process. For me the less I have to think/change/adjust gives more time to focus on other details.

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thanks Marco

so do you use full size routers for that? or compact ones?

Triton MOF001C 2-1/4 mounted in the router table.
DeWalt DW621 for table top projects
Rigid trim router - when size and job dictates the usage and portability.
Craftsman 2hp router - for loaning to neighbors - they aren't gettin' the good ones ;-)

Mike_C said:

I have seen discussions around how many routers people have.....but mostly they are about numbers, and not necessarily the usage.

I have 2 big plunge routers - one in the table and one freehand (of course I can take the one in the table out if i need to)

I also have a Makita trim router.

am thnking about getting another trim router....but not sure i can justify the cost.
what are your specific use cases for when you need to routers - and i mean NOT for the table/freehand situation

would love to hear what comes up in your day to day woodworking

Mike

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If you are a Profesional mamy routers can be helpful. Most cabinet guys really only need 3-4. Many will find deals and have back ups. For me it's having many ready for machines. Some routers are for permanent setups like dovetails, etc.

If your making furniture you could use many more than a cabinet maker...

Someone on another forum said they buy more tools because they don't have a lot of time to work on projects.. if your in a hurry I call that "production"

If you are doing rail and stile doors then two routers are invaluable. There is no bigger waste of time and materials than to have to swap out a bit when you realize that you are one piece short. Two routers mounted on two plates make the job simple. I can't speak to handheld because I seldom find a need for them. I do use a 1/4" one every now and then when installing door hinges or trimming Formica. But when I say every now and then I mean two or three times a decade.

harrysin said:

I currently have four routers, the Makita 3612C permanently on skis, the Makita RP2301FC for hand held work and the Makita RTO700CX3 for intricate work. The Triton TRA1000 is under the table.

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@Harry

why the one on skies? is that for flattening slabs? do you find the rods rigid enough? over what span?

mgmine said:

If you are doing rail and stile doors then two routers are invaluable. There is no bigger waste of time and materials than to have to swap out a bit when you realize that you are one piece short. Two routers mounted on two plates make the job simple. I can't speak to handheld because I seldom find a need for them. I do use a 1/4" one every now and then when installing door hinges or trimming Formica. But when I say every now and then I mean two or three times a decade.

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@mgmine very good point - forgot about those situations where you have a bit pair (R&S, tongue and groove , flooring.....

@Rebelwork Woodworking

"If your looking for stuff to buy any member will be glad to help you spend your money "

hahahah!!! love that .

the double router table is really sweet....maybe something for the next table i build. since im sharing a workshop with another woodworker we have several routers between us we could put in a table

Tra001 in a table, two Bosch 1617s, Bosch trim router. Had one 1617 in the table, another for freehand use. When I put the Triton in the table, the second 1617 went into the plunge base and is used occasionally to make dados and cuts requiring multiple passes at increasing depths.

Got the trim router specifically to cut hinge and door lock mortises, but have found that it is also light and easily handled for freehand and roundovers. Using the trim router more than the 1617s these days, easier to handle, and I have several accessory bases, including a plunge base for it. Recovering from pneumonia these days, but have a DVD storage cabinet that needs building when I'm up to it again. I have a Dado Wiz for exact fit dados that runs on a track, and the 1617 is the machine for that, along with a foot switch.

Mike_C said:

I have seen discussions around how many routers people have.....but mostly they are about numbers, and not necessarily the usage.

I have 2 big plunge routers - one in the table and one freehand (of course I can take the one in the table out if i need to)

I also have a Makita trim router.

am thnking about getting another trim router....but not sure i can justify the cost.
what are your specific use cases for when you need to routers - and i mean NOT for the table/freehand situation

would love to hear what comes up in your day to day woodworking

Mike

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I have 6-routers mounted in router tables. I use all of these each week. In 4-of them I never change the bit height nor move the fence. In two of them I will move the fence in micro adjustments, and in one I may have to move the bit height and the fence both in micro adjustments. At one time I had 12 routers, but I've slimmed back some. Malcolm / Kentucky USA

I have 7 and one in my cnc and 1 mounted in my table . Don't use them every day but frequently ,a couple have round over bit for edges and don't get changed.

As mentioned before, two large ones in tables are great for any kind of stile and rail projects, several little guys are unbeatable for production trim or cabinet jobs. I have a small Bosch colt with a 1/16 roundover pretty much locked in, couple other dewalt trimmers with chamfers or rabbets. Anything to avoid the time to change a bit back and forth...

Hi, Mike.
I have several routers. A Triton 001 in the RT and a Bosch 1619EVS as a backer. One trimer in a mini-RT. A Colt with a 1/4" round-over bit for edges. Two DW 660, one in my homemade milling machine and the other for the lathe. A Skil 1810 is used with a bit to make grooves at the wood edges.
A PC960 with a flush-trim bit and another with a rabbeting bit. The oldest one is used with a jig for circular cuts.
I hate to change the router bits, I just fit them to a particular need.

kywoodchopper said:

I have 6-routers mounted in router tables. I use all of these each week. In 4-of them I never change the bit height nor move the fence. In two of them I will move the fence in micro adjustments, and in one I may have to move the bit height and the fence both in micro adjustments. At one time I had 12 routers, but I've slimmed back some. Malcolm / Kentucky USA

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Why do you have 6 mounted in router tables?