FOUND - new router (woodworking tool thingy)

[g8ina]

My Bosch router died a efew weeks ago, the motor just stopped and smoke and flames appeared, by the time I'd turned it off the damage was done, completely knaddered.

I was supposed to wait till May and get a new one for my BD, but I just sold an amp, so have 70 odd quid to spare.

Looking at another Bosch or Draper, Wickes, Titan, or a second hand Erbauer. All 1500 to 2000 watts, they will all do the job, which is prepping Corian for turntables and making 300mm diameter platters from 12mm Corian.

Any thoughts on brands, or have you another to consider ? Really max is about 80 quid....

[Ttaskmaster]

Any thoughts on brands, or have you another to consider ? Really max is about 80 quid....

Thoughts only...

You won't get anything special for £50, even in the handheld ¼" category. You usually get what you pay for. I don't actually use a powered router myself, mainly because of the cost.

Saying that, I believe Katsu are the go-to brand for cheap but realiable routers. Bosch and Makita do some good ones. DeWalt are overpriced, the others you mentioned are somewhere between all this.

Everyone advises staying away from brands favoured by/unique to B&Q/Homebase/Wickes, along with getting ½", as you can use those or ¼" if ever you need, whereas ¼" only can bite you in the bum later on. You could build a jig for cutting the platters, especially if you have a bandsaw or similar, and hand-tool them until you've got more cash... Buy once, buy right, and all that?

TL;DR - Have a look at Katsu routers?

[blueball]

I've had a few Erbauer tools, well made and very tough.

My main router I have had for years and it still goes well. Made by ELU before DeWalt bought them and turned the world yellow!

[Saracen999]

I have heard comments that new Bosch aren't built to 'old' Bosch standards. But then, what is? Also, it's anecdotal, and I can't vouch for it.

Recently (years or so) my strategy has been that for occasional use tools, go cheap. I did that with a Titan angle-grinder. My logic was I don't often need an angle-grinder but I did need one, right now, when I bought it. It was something like £18, did the job and if it did't outlast last one job .... so be it. Two years-ish later, still going strong and now I've got it I find othet uses for it.

However .... for anything other than occasional or one-off tasks, I'd rather buy-once, buy-right, as Ttaskmaster said. For that, my go-to choice, after a LOT of asking around us Makita. I haven't looked at router prices recently but my bet is quite a bit more than £80.

So, I figured, if I need it, and it's important, I'll go out of my way to rummage up the extra cash. But not knowing your circumstances, that may or nay not be possible. Cheaper than buying cheap and several times, though. Just a thought.

[kompukare]

Although a way smaller model (900watts, collet size), apparently Homebase are selling off this Makita for £73ish.
Normally around £120+ I guess.
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/mak...mebase-3181956
But it may a wild goose chase with only a few left in the whole country.

[blueball]

I have heard comments that new Bosch aren't built to 'old' Bosch standards. But then, what is? Also, it's anecdotal, and I can't vouch for it.

There was two types of Bosch tools, Bosch Green and Bosch Blue. Green was aimed at DIYers and Blue was for professionals, I was a keen DIYer but ended up only buying Bosch Blue. I didn't, and still don't, rate Bosch Green any higher than any other DIY brand because too many times the motors failed.

[Saracen999]

There was two types of Bosch tools, Bosch Green and Bosch Blue. Green was aimed at DIYers and Blue was for professionals, I was a keen DIYer but ended up only buying Bosch Blue. I didn't, and still don't, rate Bosch Green any higher than any other DIY brand because too many times the motors failed.

Agreed. Similar logic applies to DeWalt, IMO. Price seems to be the hint. If it looks too cheap, there's probably a good reason why.

[g8ina]

Thanks all, esp Saracen

My funds have now significantly increased, and Makita may well be on the cards, or Bosch blue which I was aware of Makita seem to be mostly 110v, so may have to factor a Tx into the sums ...

Decisions decisions ...

[blueball]

My funds have now significantly increased...

It has to be Festool then

https://amzn.to/2Gtz9tK

[Saracen999]

Thanks all, esp Saracen

My funds have now significantly increased, and Makita may well be on the cards, or Bosch blue which I was aware of Makita seem to be mostly 110v, so may have to factor a Tx into the sums ...

Decisions decisions ...

Last time I looked, Makita did almost everything in both 110v and 240v.

[g8ina]

It has to be Festool then

https://amzn.to/2Gtz9tK

Twit

[Ttaskmaster]

It has to be Festool then

Only if they're sponsoring your YouTube channel!!

[peterb]

It has to be Festool then

https://amzn.to/2Gtz9tK

For that you could buy a CNC routing table!

[Ttaskmaster]

Do you think you'll ever want to mount it to a router table as well?

[g8ina]

Yes, I did have that as a requirement, so the latest idea is a Triton MF at £160, it has a lockable mains switch, not just momentray push to operate.

[g8ina]

Yayyyyyy, providence has provided I just sold an infrared camera, havent sold any for almost 2 years and this one just popped up outa the blue, so I am cash plus

I'll be off to Screwfix tomorrow I think.