WWA Info Exchange

In earlier threads we've all posted as to howmany routers we own, and I know that in some cases the quantity for some of us is substancial. I'm not looking to repeat that discussion, but I am wondering what your take is on how many is enough, how many is too many, and what are their uses?

I currently own just 2.

1. A DeWalt DW616, with a fixed base, D-handle base and a plunge base, and it also fits nicely into my RT's Jessum Router Lift. I have it's standard fix base bolted to the plate in my WY RT, the little Boch RT. This one is really my work horse, and while it's a single speed, I have an inline speed control I use when it's in the RT.

2. A Bosh Colt Palm Router. This is my quick router that I can use for small hand held jobs like rounding over small pieces and cleaning up edging.

Granted, it would be nice to have a dedicated router in each of the RT's, and a dedicated Plunge and fixed base router so I wouldn't have to keep changing setups. but, this takes up less space. So if I had an unlimited budget, and the space to store them, the ideal number for me would be 5, plunge, fixed, palm, and 2 for the RT's

So, do you think I'm router Challenged? How many routers do you have, how many would you like to have if space and budget weren't an issue, and what are the jobs for each?

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Frank
WWACOAUX#1
"I love the smell of Sawdust in the morning, it smells like, victory."
WWA'ers I've met: Popeye, Ed Avery, Stephen Wolf, Rockfish, Rodedon

Guess I'm about average (at least that's how I justify it!)
I have 3 routers each dedicated to a purpose:

A Bosch 1617 with fixed base that's in a router table (actually the
extension wing to my table saw)

A Bosch 1617 with the 2 bases fixed & plunge. I use this one for
hand held router tasks

A Dewalt 625 that's mounted in my WoodRat.

I'd really like to have one those Bosch laminate trimmers - looks sweet
but that would probably be considered excessive - just ask my wife.

Tom

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T-n-T

I only have one, a Hitachi M12VC with fixed and plunge bases. Changing between the bases is no big thing but I would love to have a dedicated router in the RT so at least 2 and maybe 3 if I think about a palm router.

I refuse to answer that question. (OK, I have 9, but I only use 6 regularly)

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Uncle Fester WWAMDAUX#3
La Plata, Maryland
Does Anyone Have A Comb?
Home Of A Beautiful DJ 20
I Say.... BUY DELTA!!
10,000 posts--Easter Sunday, 2008--7:43pm

I have 1.

Dewalt 621 plunge.

It is mounted to a phenolic plate in my router table. When I need hand-held I simply pull router and plate out of the table to go to town.

Despite Pat Warners criticisms about using a Plunge router in a table, it has worked flawlessly for 10 years.

I do not now, nor will I ever, get the "dedicated task router" strategy.
To me a D-handle, fixed base or plunge base all perform the same task. A "trim" router on the other hand is a different beast suited for different tasks.

Does this make me old school?

Or, alas, just old?


ETA: I my very personal view, what you have it an ideal set of routers and I wouldn't require any more than that.

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~Dan.

Darn Larry - I thought had a problem with 6...

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I still have all 10 fingers, well, 9 1/2, but who's counting.

Right now I just have one router.

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My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter!

I only have two, a PC 693, and a Ryobi 18v trim router.

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Ned

Madison Woodsmith.
WWACNYAUX #1
2B1ASK1

I have 24 router bits so if money is not an object...............





Ok! Ok! I really only have 3 routers because money IS an object.
I have a Porter Cable in the router table
I have a Hitachi with both fixed and plunge bases
I have a Bosch colt (which is as handy as pockets on a shirt.)

Rog

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Dont badmouth no strangers, they just friends you aint met yet.

An ounce of responsibility is worth a pound of State and Federal laws.

I spent most of my money on woodworking
tools and beer, the rest I just wasted.

no comment... because everyone here knows I NEVER buy unnecessary or excessive amounts of toy... er.. tools

Lawrence

I only have 6:
Porter Cable 890 combo
Milwaukee 5615 (My favorite hand held)
Old Craftsman (was dads)
Old Montgomery Wards
2 trim routers

I DO NOT HAVE A TOOL ADDICTION!!!!

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"It is not a mistake it is a learning experience"
Monte

o-Porter Cable basic router in the router table
o-Bosch 1651 dedicated plunge router
o-Bosch D handle fixed base
o-Two older Craftsman routers, one that belonged to my Dad that I can't bring myself to toss even though the switch is broken
o-Another fixed base PC
o-Palm or laminate trimmer
o-Two Dremel style 'routers' if they count at all.

That would total eight hand held power tools capable of spinning a cutter at high speed. But frankly I've never had an occasion that required enough operations that would require having all of the real routers set up at one time. I could easily live with just the table router, the big Bosch plunge (or any comparable brand for that matter), and perhaps another fixed base. It's just the comfort level of knowing they're there if need be.

I buy a lot of used tools, BTW. No way would the family banker allow me to spend the kind of money that all those tools represent as new purchases.

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

Well I fall short with only 2, the PC 890 and the PC Palm. I have the plunge base and regular and use it in many locations, In my Incra table and every where else.

I would like one more 890 to leave in the router table.

Thanks,

James

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The ancient Greeks and Romans used raw talent and man power I use all the help I can get from Mr. INCRA, Mr. Swissmade, Mr Grizzly and all fellow woodworkers. All fine souls if I say so myself.

I come in with five...

Two Dewalt DW625s (one in my router table and one for general use).

One Freud (I think it's the FT3000VCE) it's a big sucker. I got this to use in my router table because the collet comes out further than the DW625 so it will give more support to the bits.

Bosch palm router set up permanently with 1/4" roundover so I can use it to ease edges. I got this one on sale for $50 brand new because Lowes was stopping selling them and they didn't have a box.

Dewalt palm router, usually with a 1/4" straight bit for mortising hinges. I don't like this one as much as the Bosch (that's why I bought the Bosch).

-Alden

Table, trim and plunge here. Hitachi and two Bosch by brand, with the table at 15 amps, plunge at 12.

Even though it's a "trim" router, one of the smartest things I ever did was get the base and templates for the Colt. Makes a great hinge mortiser.

Wow, some of you people have a real problem with tools.

I only own one router...

one router for the router table DW 625. One router for my dovetail bit. One router for general stuff (DW 621). One router for laminate trimming. One router for my beal threading jig. One cheap router for a small roundover bit And one back up router PC 690 I think

That's it.

One router.

One myself also, woe is me!

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Sean

Countin' flowers on the wall,
that don't bother me at all,
smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo,
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do.

Second recipient of the D'oh Award. 4-13-08

Darn it, I forgot the cordless Ryobi router.... make that 7.

Ken

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I still have all 10 fingers, well, 9 1/2, but who's counting.

man, you guys have too many tools!

Lawrence

I just don't see how you can manage.

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis