Ok -- here's my early morning first cup of coffee philosophising ----
oldnewbie said:
Ok guys. I've been reading about all the different exotic routers you have, and getting more sheepish as I go along.
Don't let anyone intentionally or unintentionally make you feel that way for a
second --
Unless you are Bill Gates there will
always be someone who can buy something fancier than what you have. But as long as what you are using does what
you need it to do -- it's a
perfectly good tool.
My old AMC Hornet wasn't as fancy as a Camaro - but I put over 200K miles on it across 8 states and it never let me down. And I can't tell you how many fancy car owners I have given rides to when the roads iced up.
Judge what you have by how well it meets your needs - not by what someone else may have.
oldnewbie said:
I have a Skil 1836, 1 1/2 hp plunge router that I've been trying to learn on. Am I just beating my brains against the wall?
You beat me -
My first (about 20 years ago)
was an orange plastic Black and Decker -- I believe 3/4 hp.
Some would say that's a step above a toy -- but I made a LOTof book cases and picture frames with it.
I've had two other routers since -- a 1 hp Craftsman and my current 1.5 hp Ryobi - all 1/4" shank. And I have cut everything from mdf to oak with them. The only trick - as mentioned - is to make shallow cuts.
Lately I have had the itch to do rail and stiles and some other shaping that can be done more easily with 1/2" shank - so I broke down yesterday and bought my first 1/2 shank router (the Craftsman combo set)
NOT because anyone made me believe what I had wasn't a perfectly good tool -- I already knew better. But because I now had a need that a different tool could handle better.
oldnewbie said:
Also, does anyone know of a guide bushing plate and bushings that I can use with it?
If the base that came on the router won't accept standard PC bushings - check Rockler or Woodcraft -- there are replacement plates made just for that purpose - predrilled to fit most routers. That's what I had to do with my Ryobi.
oldnewbie said:
And to further show my stupidity, is there such a thing as an adaptor to convert 1/4" to 1/2" router bits?
Even if you find one -- I would recommend AGAINST using it.
It's a good bet that shaft and bearings and other components of your router were designed with 1/4" shanks in mind -- and trying to rig it to handle something heavier -- will probably - at best -- shorten its life.
At worst - create a dangerous situation.
If you find you need/want a 1/2" shank router -- buy one.
As mentioned - the Craftsman combo is on sale through today for $99
HARD to beat.
Ok - coffee cup empty -- sun is out -- and I have a customer waiting on a mantle -- you guys have a great day.