Router recommendations

[untrepid]

Hi,

I couldn't see any suitable threads about this searching, so hopefully i'm not missing something and repeating this...

[ OK, I am... the search on this site seems poor, but a similar thread on the same page.. blimey, sorry... ]

I'm looking at buying a router on a moderate budget, but don't want to be caught out. As I've never used one I'm not clued up enough to know what I do and don't need. Mostly though I don't want total junk. I think I should be looking at 1500W and upwards (although screwfix have a 850W Makita for £100 which seems to skew things for me a little) a 1/2 collet, and past that I don't really know. I'm primarily planning on making shelves in alcoves and would like to think that I can save the cost of a suitable router in the cheaper materials fairly quickly, so am prepared to speculate to accumulate, but after suitable cutters I'd not really want to be breaking £120 to £150 and it still to be working in a decade - but I work in IT, it won't suffer too much over the years.

Can someone clarify the wattage needs? If the router is good enough, how much does power matter? A number of people here like Ryobi it seems... would I need more than their 1150W model for casual use, or might i regret it?


Thanks

Chris

 

[big-all]

big routers are for cutting worktops and mounting under tables for using with fancy large cutters
you can off course do delicate free hand with them but thats like writing a letter with a paint brush

if you are new go for a router up to 850w or there abouts these are light and easier to handle especialy in untrained hands
go for 1/4 inch cutters

then after a year or so when you have been bitten by the router bug then you can look at a 1600w+ for mounting under a table you can still use your 1/4" cutters in the table but now you will start buying 1/2 as well

 

[untrepid]

Thanks, size really isn't everything then.

http://www.toolsave.co.uk/product.php?prod_code=ERT-1150V seems good to me, and £20 cheaper than most other places...

 

[big-all]

thats what i paid for mines give or take £5

dont know why they call it a 1/4" as its a 1/2" !!!
perhaps the call it 1/4" to reduce expectations
it is a bit on the heavy side for freehand and underpowered for a table only realy a heavy duty 1/4" router or a lightweight 1/2" router not sutable for panel cutters worktop cutters or any other large cutters it will accept them but you will need to do 2 passes where 1 would do or 4 where 2 would do and maybe 5 where 3 would do

exactly what jobs are you planning for the router in the future!!!

 

[untrepid]

I'll go for that... well actually, not that as that is the previous model AFAIK. but https://www.toolstop.co.uk/ryobi-ert1150vn-1/4inch-1150w-router-240v-with-8-assorted-cutters-p10708 seems fine for the newer N model, quite what the difference is i've no idea.

As for what I'm doing in the future, i've not a clue, I just don't like spending my hardish earned money on stuff I don't understand! I'd imagine all that table mounting stuff will come into play at some point, fair to say I'm not really even too sure just how much I can use it for.

Thanks for the green light.

 

[big-all]

check the router cutters when you get them 3 off mines where off centre to the guide bearing so needed to be chucked but i do have over 300 cutters so aint bothered

dont forget router matt ptfe lub spray and 2 clamps from toolstation

i suggest you buy a 20 to 40 peice 1/4 inch set for around £1 a cutter from toolstation rutlands screwfix ect