LINKS TO TOOLS SEEN IN VIDEO► (I have switched some of the routers since this video was made because the original models are no longer available.) My favorite router set with BOTH plunge and fixed bases: amzn.to/39cNsA2 My favorite fixed base router: amzn.to/3iFEdM7 My favorite plunge router: amzn.to/3c8adaw My favorite trim router: amzn.to/2Mj51nm Plunge base for trim router: amzn.to/3pj2FFu Trim router and base in one set: amzn.to/3sRDhsu My favorite router lift motor: amzn.to/2AZkvZk (We may make a small financial gain if you use these affiliate links)
In my local store Vinkomprom, I have found a router that's about $60, with 1200w,plunge base, micro adjustment, 6/8mm for bits. Its from a brand Workers Best I allready have 2 of their tools that work fine for me, and there is another router thats 2x the price from black&decker that is the same but it weights 5.2kg, and the Workers Best router is 2.5kg. Witch one sould i buy. Im a beginer woodworker, and i have a tight budget Edit: both have adjustable speed
THANK YOU!! I had a feeling I shouldn't mess around when choosing router and you confirmed my suspicion. Giving me a recommendation is above and beyond! Dude I wish I could visit your shop. I wanna use that gigantic hand plane.
I am going to purchase a router set with both bases, you recommend the BOSCH 1617EVSPK, I was originally going to go with this but now think I may go with the Bosch MRC23EVSK. I have researched the hell out of this but I am torn. Originally the 1617 was only $179 and the MRC23 was $299, then in a couple of days the 1617 went to $249. For 50 bucks you get LED's, more power and the power switch on the handle. I have a Hitachi M12V in a table, an old Craftsman 1.5HP with switch on the handle (30 years old on 3rd set of bearings), a Dewalt Trim router and a B&D Firestorm FS1200RP plunge (a copy of the dewalt DW621 with through the shaft dust collection). I know this video is 4 years old, but the MRC23 has been out since 2014 and Fine wood working recommends it. What do you think of the MRC23?
A note to any beginning woodworkers who may get sticker shock from the links in the description: When a product is no longer directly available at retail, resellers often mark up remaining stock of specific formerly-popular items, sometimes to ridiculous prices. For instance, as of Jan 2021, the first link (to a Porter-Cable combo plunge\fixed router) is listed at over $600. You can probably get a good set for around $200.
since i started woodworking as a hobbist/DIYer, you´ve been my most valuable professor! i'm as straight as a factory edge, but i love you james! thank you from brazil.
A very informative video indeed: no flannel, no extraneous self-aggrandisement, no irritating irrelevant background music, just the right pace and, to top it all, I can see from the positions of the levers on the lever caps of your stored metal planes that you have released the pressure on the blades. BTW, I’ve given away all my wooden-bodied moulding planes; I see you have many. The router has made them redundant, but I know they are a pleasure in their own right.
By accident I purchase a Crafts man router with both a fixed base and a plunge base. It was a one accident that paid off. I use both all of the time. The fixed base is left on my home made router table and the plunge base is use for everything else. Nice video. Thanks for posting, Barry
I made the plunge today and I bought a Bosch 1617evs fixed base router 2.25 HP 12 amp motor. I now have 5. Two trim router’s corded and cordless and 3 larger corded ones 2 hp, 2.25 hp and 3.25 that’s a plunge router. So awesome
Got you on autoplay as I'm busy making Jewellery Boxes and listening along while I work. The disadvantage is I can't leave likes and comments between videos. Every single one is brilliant, I love your style and knowledge.
I'm a beginner and three months into my projects I now need to upgrade from the cheap trim router I started with. This video is very helpful. I always learn something from your videos. Thanks!
Been 30 years since I used a router, my fathers Stanley with the big sliding power switch. Guessing '70's vintage in a metal case with door/jamb hinge kit. I remember that kick when powering on, hold on tight. I'm all for used tools on my budget. Brings to mind those selling they're used tools wanting new tool prices. You drove it off the lot and put 100k miles on it. So I took my Christmas gift cards and with your guidance took the plunge, went to Menards and bought a Bosch kit. Like you said a good router should last a long time. With the new features I love it already.
if you what to find real woodworking wisdom, here is the place. No mambo jambo , no competition against other youtubers, no brard new tools showing off, but sincer and deep profesional knowledge in Stumpy videos. A person that I respect and admire ! Great Job
James, thank you for the straight talk. Lots of good advice here and you included things I did not know. I am a DIYer and my Craftsman Router (from the 1970s) is slowly dying with bearing troubles. It lacks variable speed and soft start capabilities so I am ready to take the plunge (no pun intended) and get something more modern. I really appreciated your forthright advice; I believe it is good advice for the occasional user, like me, and I expect for the more advanced user. I was surprised to learn that you knew that a horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts. Clearly, you have knowledge beyond woodworking. The video production was superb in every way that matters, video quality, audio quality and the set containing so many older tools. On the strength of this one video alone I am subscribing. Thanks again.
Another excellent video sir! My son (21) has developed a strong interest in woodworking and we have watched a bunch of your videos so far. We will most likely watch them all soon. Thanks for producing great videos.
There are routers which are not only plunge routers, but which have the ability to separate from the plunger body and be used as a fixed table router. And with their ability to quick attach and quick detach on and off the plunger body and on and off the router table, it gives them a lot more flexibility and gives users the ability to get the best of both worlds without having to purchase two separate routers. These routers have existed longer than the time that this video was posted, and mentioning these would have been a big plus. I own that type of router and it is one of my favorite tools ever.
According to your marvelous video, I think we need at least 3 or four different routers in our workbench ( fixed, high power plunge, medium power plunge and trimmer )
Glad to hear someone finally speak about what a "horsepower" is in an electrical motor. A standard 20 amp circuit can only supply 3.2 HP. This is something I have ranted about for years. Tools such as shop vacs and such which claim 6 HP is BS, (check their water column lift capacity). I was a Porter Cable fan for years and had 6 of their routers and many other tools by them. I got away from them when they went offshore (like most). Their quality went down fast. I now buy Bosch routers. The 1617EVS is a great router and the plunge base for them is far superior to Porter Cable's. I just bought two more of them for a total of 4 now ( I hate changing bits when I am on a project and have to go back and reset).
I've been a cabinet maker, millworker, yacht interior for over 30 years... I've used almost every model and brand of routers there is.. I own my own too and they are Milwaukee.. they are my favourite over every other model...
Katsu trim router (at least here in the UK). Many bases available (plunge, offset, tilt) and it's compatible (i.e. a copy) with the Makita. At £35 ($45) it's an unbelievable option for the money. I love mine and am about to buy a second. They even sell spares (e.g. motor housing, rotor etc) for if (when?) it does go wrong.
I have the Makita 18v cordless router with plunge base and highly recommend it.. it is amazing. The batteries last surprising long for such a power hungry type of machine. It has many of the features Stumpy suggested, variable speed, soft start, speed maintaining software. If you already have some Makita batteries its a no brainer.
I've never used a router but I just scored the Dewalt model you have there for $60 including 6 bits---only used a few times-barely any dust on it. So I'm deep in the RUclips rabbit hole trying to figure these things out. Thanks for a very straightforward video.
Hummmm, wife thinks I have an addiction for drills and routers among my many tools. Routers owned and used: 5 decades old Sears Craftsman & Montgomery Wards Powr-Kraft (bought in my teenage years), Bosch Colt Palm, Porter Cable 7518, Porter Cable 690, DeWalt 618 Plunge, and a Makita 18volt...in order of acquisition. ...and I kinda took over my wife’s one router. Would like to add a DeWalt 611 Plunge and outfit the Bosch Colt and perhaps another PC-7518. All seems reasonable to me !
James H, I found this by far the best sub-10 minute vid as I prepare to buy my first router to make my own version of an IKEA kids storage bins case. I’d already compared products on-line and checked my first choice in store and this vid answered every query I had over the features I still didn’t understand, esp the value of 1/2” collet & bits. Another vid did inform on how to make a guide to repeat 1/2” wide slots @ 4” pitch...
The Skil router you have in the intro, my dad bought one from the grocery store with green stamps. I retired it when it quit holding bits securely and ran intermittently.
That's the first time I heard of "horsepower" in combination with power tools. Here in Germany the power(-consumption) of a tool is measured in Watt(s). Little routers are usually powerful enough with 1000 Watts, or even >1200 Watts! Still again a good video of yours! Keep it going! :-)
Excellent learning tutorial. I am in the market for a new router and this video is well timed and thorough, my purchase has been made easier as a result. Straightforward presentation with no wasted words or time and certainly no over-inflated egos.
Thanks for continuing to remind people that horsepower ratings (and "amp" ratings) can be very misleading. The same goes for vacuum cleaners and stand mixers. I can pull 12 amps through a coat hanger wire but it won't get much work done. The only thing that really matters is how much of that power actually makes it to the cutting head. Thumbs up for the "left walnut" remark :-)
Another issue I would look at in a router is dust collection. A router can be very messy if dust extraction does not work well. Also, many are equipped with very flimsy, clip-on plastic dust shrouds, which do not seem very durable and may soon be removed since they are in the way all the time.
Biggest issue I have run into with those shrouds is that they make em with a 30mm hole, though that problem fixes itself the second you plunge a large profile bit through it. I do have to say that when doing dadoes and mortices it works really well. However when doing profiles or edge trimming, it might as well not be there at all. It's half decent when used in a router table.
Dust collection is easy on the table but not always when doing free hand work. I usually work with a mask as well, especially when I am working with cedar or other irritant or toxic woods. That would have been a good point to mention. The speed of the bit is high enough to send a good number of particles out of the vacuum stream.
I have a router uplift kit. I mounted a used porter cable router on it and I love it. That was ten years ago. The problem I had was finding a router that had a shaft long enough to work. If that makes sense. So if you are going to mount on an uplift kit I suggest you buy the router after you get the uplift kit in place and then not wait to mount and test your router. If you run into the same problem you most likely will want to return it.
I bought the Dewalt package deal with both the fixed and plunge routers. Now I need to learn how to use them effectively. I tried it last night, and I butchered the board I was working with. It looked more like a piece of wood I found in the woods after a beaver finished gnawing on it. I think I may have used the wrong one for the job I was trying to do, and so I'm back to binging YooToob videos to find the answers to my questions.
Thanks for this vid! It took me 3-4 weeks of casual looking on the Net to decide on the Bosche 1617EVSPK. I was surprised to learn that I chose the router you like, but my reasoning was slightly different than yours. Nice to know I can thing like a Pro at times. Thanks again!!!
Thanks for the helpful video. One small correction. The shaft of a half inch bit has twice the surface area of a quarter inch bit, not four times. It has 4 times the volume, but only twice the surface area. The surface area of a cylinder is directly proportional to the radius (2πrh), while the volume is proportional to the square of the radius (πr²h).
Great video. A little nitpicky, but @ 5:30 I believe this to be incorrect regarding the surface area. The collet grabs onto the outside circumference as you mention, which increases linearly with the radius, not quadratically.
As a beginner wanting to learn these tools to make substrates for my art I want something that will be easy for my small hands, but will grow with me and also allow me to cut circles . The Bosch set is cheaper than buying the plunge base later. The handles look like they would fit me well. I think I’ll add it to my Christmas list.
Thank you Stumpy Nubs for a really worthwhile video. The video's title clearly described the subject matter of the video. The video presenter was concise and knowledgeable on the topic and spoke in a clear "no-bulls**t, no-hype" manner. I am now subscribing to their videos and going to their website for more information.
I have 8 routers in a drawer I never use anymore, I bought a festool 1010 and it was heaven compared to all my old routers, then I got the 1400 festool, again heaven, the accessories and setups for these 2 routers covers everything, sawdust and mess is almost gone with these too, with exception of router table or shaper for some things., I just use my shaper with router bit shaft.
He has a more recent video where he shows his workflow process in his shop and for his videos. He uses a teleprompter. With a little bit of practice most people can pull off a one take shot with a teleprompter.
This was exactly the information I was looking for and couldn't quite find from other videos. Thank you being thorough. I'm enjoying your other videos too!
100% agree with the bit selection, I had one 1/4inch Makita router, it is cool but too weak when I am planning to make window frames. Planning to buy 1/2 inch and amount it on a router table.
I bought a Trend (a UK brand)1/4" router years ago, and it has been great, but at times I wish I had a larger one. I'm not really a skilled woodworker, just bought it so I could put nice bullnoses etc on step treads on flooring jobs, but ended up finding loads of uses for it. It is a great tool for site work.
I quite often look at Estate Sales and local online auctions for woodworking machines and tools. I recently bought a Porter Cable at an Estate Sale just like Stumpy recommends in pristine condition for $50. It was a combination fixed and plunge router set. What a buy. The only problem was I already had the same identical set. Oh well, I now have 2. no joke
Very good, James. Personally, I think 3 routers is optimum. The small palm router, like the Bosch Colt, the 12 amp with fixed and plunge bases, and then your choice for in the router lift in your table. That one, of course, carries a premium price tag. You need the table, DIY or purchased, and then you need the lift. The bigger the motor, the more costly the lift. I have a 12 amp in a Jessem Routr-Lift II and am very happy with it.
In the greater scheme of things routers aren't that expensive and you can pick them up used at pawn shops. Ideally I'd like to have five or six of them each setup for their own specialized use. That way I don't have to change out bits and swap them in and out of router tables.
I own a Bosch plunge router. POC, and that's probably true for most, if not all, plunge routers. The reason is that the 'runners' around the poles have to have an amount of play, otherwise it was impossible to move the motor up and down. The consequence is: the motor (hence, the bit) is not necessarily perpendicular to the base. The bit sticks out at an angle, which is catastrophic for precise work. This might not look like a significant angle, but use a long bit, and you'll see the impact clearly. Grooves don't have the same depth on opposite edges etc.
In the UK a large store used to have routers on display on a lowish shelf (not plugged in of course), just the right height for children to play with them. It was interesting to see the brands that had fallen apart! And yes, it was the cheaper brands. On the other hand should you not by a cheap router that you can afford or should you instead bodge the job or simply not do the job - get the cheap router, treat it carefully and do the job - that's my view. For a router to fit a table look at the Triton reviews, it comes complete with a lift mechanism that bought separately could cost several hundred pounds (or dollars).
This is one of the best tutorials I’ve seen! Such a smooth and continuous delivery without any irrelevant stuff. Everything bang on point. Btw, are you reading of a prompter??? Anyway good stuff 👌🏻 Subscribed the second after the video finished. 👌🏻
A couple years later and everything James said here is still true but I would add if looking for that second router think about a cordless compact router. It is so nice to not have to drag a cord behind you with one of these routers. Some brands offer both corded and cordless compact routers that use the same bases so you can drop your cordless router in the plunge base for your corded router and away you go. Makita and DeWalt are two that I know of, and no doubt there are others. Of course selecting a cordless router you'll want to go with whatever battery platform you're already into, hopefully they make a cordless router. Then you can buy the bare tool and save the expense of a charger and battery.
The way this guy explains things is perfect. everything he says I extract and what I’ve learnt from him in the last few months Is priceless. Thank you sir.
I have several routers. A Craftsman with fixed and plunge bases (junk). My favorite is a Bosch trim router, I also have a Porter Cable that I got off Craigslist I like a lot. Thanks for the info.
Good video. I'll add... think about a battery operated 1/4" trim router as well or as an alternative to the corded trim router. They are perfect for quick round over trims without a cord limiting you. I love mine and it gets used way more than the corded/larger routers I have.
I'm fairly new to using a router but since I knew it's going to make a huge impact in my shop I went with your recommendation for the porter cable pk95. Maybe you could make a video of all the features and wheat you can do with it. It would help me a lot and I'm sure plenty of others. Either way thanks James I love the channel!
Thank you for this tutorial on routers and for clarifying HP on routers. Never thought about the versatility of 1/2" shaft vs 1/4", another great piece of information.
I'm not really a wood worker but I like tools, any kind of tool. I do not want to know that there is something that if I want to do but I can't because I do not have the proper tool. I did not know routers well before watching this. I just checked the one I have is Bosh 1617 12A double base EVS router with soft start feature. So, not too bad. I have only used it a couple of time since I purchased it.
I went with the Boush 1617 EVS PK 12 amp, 2 1/4 hp, comes with both bases and 1/2" and 1/4" collets. Great tool! Got it on sale at Lowes and then got a Lowes employee discount only paid 200.
I own four routers - 2 Bosch 2.25HP (one for the table) and 2 colt palm routers with plunge and fixed bases for all - I've been thinking about adding a fifth just for the router table and was thinking the PC 3hp motor. So, thanks! That is the route I'll take as you seem to really recommend it.
Great video. I learn more from your videos than most others I see. Packed full of detailed information and spoken in a way even a beginner like me can understand. Thanks!
In fact very useful information and incredible knowledge shown for the details about the power of the tools, store sellers are without doubt running away when they see you....
I've had a dw621 for years as my only router - keep it in my shop-made table. Recently I've started using my RotoZip - rz100 (has a 3jaw chuck instead of collets) as a trim router, and even keyholes, and been fairly happy with its performance.
What about those small cordless routers with the Plunge accessory attachment, ie DeWalt brushless 20V? Just for small house projects like door hinges to start with.
At 5:30, you said that doubling the diameter of the shaft gives you 4 x the surface area. It's actually only 2 times the surface area. Sorry to nitpick, I know it's annoying but I noticed it and thought i'd mention. Thanks for the great video :)
I came here looking for a router and you said the one I have has all the features I ever need and then some. I paid $50 WITH a table for it I can't even find a plunge router for under $100 nowadays.
Your the man for what information you give. I know you don't do field testing in your videos, but I still learn. If I want to check out testing I look for those videos. Thanks
Some users have only occasional use of a router and then in soft wood. So a 1/4" shank of collet and bit is plenty. Cheaper and used can save a lot of money if you use a router just now and again...
LINKS TO TOOLS SEEN IN VIDEO►
(I have switched some of the routers since this video was made because the original models are no longer available.)
My favorite router set with BOTH plunge and fixed bases: amzn.to/39cNsA2
My favorite fixed base router: amzn.to/3iFEdM7
My favorite plunge router: amzn.to/3c8adaw
My favorite trim router: amzn.to/2Mj51nm
Plunge base for trim router: amzn.to/3pj2FFu
Trim router and base in one set: amzn.to/3sRDhsu
My favorite router lift motor: amzn.to/2AZkvZk
(We may make a small financial gain if you use these affiliate links)
In my local store Vinkomprom, I have found a router that's about $60, with 1200w,plunge base, micro adjustment, 6/8mm for bits. Its from a brand Workers Best I allready have 2 of their tools that work fine for me, and there is another router thats 2x the price from black&decker that is the same but it weights 5.2kg, and the Workers Best router is 2.5kg. Witch one sould i buy. Im a beginer woodworker, and i have a tight budget
Edit: both have adjustable speed
Instablaster...
Porter Cable doesn't seem to make routers anymore. Any other recommendations for a router lift motor for a Sawstop inline router table?
THANK YOU!! I had a feeling I shouldn't mess around when choosing router and you confirmed my suspicion.
Giving me a recommendation is above and beyond!
Dude I wish I could visit your shop. I wanna use that gigantic hand plane.
I am going to purchase a router set with both bases, you recommend the BOSCH 1617EVSPK, I was originally going to go with this but now think I may go with the Bosch MRC23EVSK. I have researched the hell out of this but I am torn. Originally the 1617 was only $179 and the MRC23 was $299, then in a couple of days the 1617 went to $249. For 50 bucks you get LED's, more power and the power switch on the handle. I have a Hitachi M12V in a table, an old Craftsman 1.5HP with switch on the handle (30 years old on 3rd set of bearings), a Dewalt Trim router and a B&D Firestorm FS1200RP plunge (a copy of the dewalt DW621 with through the shaft dust collection). I know this video is 4 years old, but the MRC23 has been out since 2014 and Fine wood working recommends it. What do you think of the MRC23?
lol I was actually looking for info on network routers.. watched about half the video before realizing I had no idea what you're talking about
Well I guess you were rerouted huh?😂
Don't feel bad I just did the same thing but uno reverse
😂😂😂😂😂
@@omarjcoolHahah this is gold comment 😂😂
same
I dare say, this is hands down the most informative channel on woodworking tools and practices I have found to date. Thank you Sir.
possibly the most helpful speaker/teacher on youtube. every sentence has value and I learn so much in such a short period of time. you rock
You have a way of providing information that educates an old dog like me without making me feel dumb. I like that. Keep it up.
A note to any beginning woodworkers who may get sticker shock from the links in the description:
When a product is no longer directly available at retail, resellers often mark up remaining stock of specific formerly-popular items, sometimes to ridiculous prices.
For instance, as of Jan 2021, the first link (to a Porter-Cable combo plunge\fixed router) is listed at over $600. You can probably get a good set for around $200.
since i started woodworking as a hobbist/DIYer, you´ve been my most valuable professor! i'm as straight as a factory edge, but i love you james! thank you from brazil.
A very informative video indeed: no flannel, no extraneous self-aggrandisement, no irritating irrelevant background music, just the right pace and, to top it all, I can see from the positions of the levers on the lever caps of your stored metal planes that you have released the pressure on the blades. BTW, I’ve given away all my wooden-bodied moulding planes; I see you have many. The router has made them redundant, but I know they are a pleasure in their own right.
One of the best RUclips channels I have found for wood working advice and safety.
By accident I purchase a Crafts man router with both a fixed base and a plunge base. It was a one accident that paid off. I use both all of the time. The fixed base is left on my home made router table and the plunge base is use for everything else.
Nice video. Thanks for posting,
Barry
Almost bought a router today and that little voice went off and said you don’t have a clue what you’re buying! So glad to watch your video. Thank you!
I made the plunge today and I bought a Bosch 1617evs fixed base router 2.25 HP 12 amp motor. I now have 5. Two trim router’s corded and cordless and 3 larger corded ones 2 hp, 2.25 hp and 3.25 that’s a plunge router. So awesome
Got you on autoplay as I'm busy making Jewellery Boxes and listening along while I work. The disadvantage is I can't leave likes and comments between videos.
Every single one is brilliant, I love your style and knowledge.
I'm a beginner and three months into my projects I now need to upgrade from the cheap trim router I started with. This video is very helpful. I always learn something from your videos. Thanks!
Been 30 years since I used a router, my fathers Stanley with the big sliding power switch. Guessing '70's vintage in a metal case with door/jamb hinge kit. I remember that kick when powering on, hold on tight. I'm all for used tools on my budget. Brings to mind those selling they're used tools wanting new tool prices. You drove it off the lot and put 100k miles on it. So I took my Christmas gift cards and with your guidance took the plunge, went to Menards and bought a Bosch kit. Like you said a good router should last a long time. With the new features I love it already.
Why aren't all youtube videos like this 😭 Thank you guys 👍🏼
if you what to find real woodworking wisdom, here is the place. No mambo jambo , no competition against other youtubers, no brard new tools showing off, but sincer and deep profesional knowledge in Stumpy videos. A person that I respect and admire ! Great Job
James, thank you for the straight talk. Lots of good advice here and you included things I did not know. I am a DIYer and my Craftsman Router (from the 1970s) is slowly dying with bearing troubles. It lacks variable speed and soft start capabilities so I am ready to take the plunge (no pun intended) and get something more modern. I really appreciated your forthright advice; I believe it is good advice for the occasional user, like me, and I expect for the more advanced user. I was surprised to learn that you knew that a horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts. Clearly, you have knowledge beyond woodworking. The video production was superb in every way that matters, video quality, audio quality and the set containing so many older tools. On the strength of this one video alone I am subscribing. Thanks again.
An enthusiastic "Thank you for this video!" to you!! It's exactly the information I need to make this decision.
I am very new to woodworking and planning to buy a router. Your words are extremely helpful for me. Thank you very much for your time!!!
Another excellent video sir! My son (21) has developed a strong interest in woodworking and we have watched a bunch of your videos so far. We will most likely watch them all soon. Thanks for producing great videos.
There are routers which are not only plunge routers, but which have the ability to separate from the plunger body and be used as a fixed table router. And with their ability to quick attach and quick detach on and off the plunger body and on and off the router table, it gives them a lot more flexibility and gives users the ability to get the best of both worlds without having to purchase two separate routers. These routers have existed longer than the time that this video was posted, and mentioning these would have been a big plus. I own that type of router and it is one of my favorite tools ever.
I did mention them. In fact, I specifically recommended one.
@@StumpyNubs I apologize, I somehow missed that.
According to your marvelous video, I think we need at least 3 or four different routers in our workbench ( fixed, high power plunge, medium power plunge and trimmer )
Thank you!! It is like pulling teeth to find good advice when starting something new and this had just the information I was searching for.
James is amazing
Easily the best router advice I've seen on YT
Glad to hear someone finally speak about what a "horsepower" is in an electrical motor. A standard 20 amp circuit can only supply 3.2 HP. This is something I have ranted about for years. Tools such as shop vacs and such which claim 6 HP is BS, (check their water column lift capacity). I was a Porter Cable fan for years and had 6 of their routers and many other tools by them. I got away from them when they went offshore (like most). Their quality went down fast. I now buy Bosch routers. The 1617EVS is a great router and the plunge base for them is far superior to Porter Cable's. I just bought two more of them for a total of 4 now ( I hate changing bits when I am on a project and have to go back and reset).
“Left walnut “. I’m dying here. 🤣
I know that got me laughing to.
It's not that funny
Made me laugh too!
Right!😂😂
I've been a cabinet maker, millworker, yacht interior for over 30 years... I've used almost every model and brand of routers there is.. I own my own too and they are Milwaukee.. they are my favourite over every other model...
As a newb woodworker, I found this video very helpful.
Katsu trim router (at least here in the UK). Many bases available (plunge, offset, tilt) and it's compatible (i.e. a copy) with the Makita. At £35 ($45) it's an unbelievable option for the money. I love mine and am about to buy a second. They even sell spares (e.g. motor housing, rotor etc) for if (when?) it does go wrong.
I have the Makita 18v cordless router with plunge base and highly recommend it.. it is amazing. The batteries last surprising long for such a power hungry type of machine. It has many of the features Stumpy suggested, variable speed, soft start, speed maintaining software. If you already have some Makita batteries its a no brainer.
Hi , does its springs on the plunge work well? also which model number is it you have I think Makita do a few ? thanks
And have four bases
I wish Ryobi would make an 18v plunge router
I've never used a router but I just scored the Dewalt model you have there for $60 including 6 bits---only used a few times-barely any dust on it. So I'm deep in the RUclips rabbit hole trying to figure these things out. Thanks for a very straightforward video.
Hummmm, wife thinks I have an addiction for drills and routers among my many tools. Routers owned and used: 5 decades old Sears Craftsman & Montgomery Wards Powr-Kraft (bought in my teenage years), Bosch Colt Palm, Porter Cable 7518, Porter Cable 690, DeWalt 618 Plunge, and a Makita 18volt...in order of acquisition. ...and I kinda took over my wife’s one router. Would like to add a DeWalt 611 Plunge and outfit the Bosch Colt and perhaps another PC-7518. All seems reasonable to me !
It's really nice to watch videos where the host isn't talking at 90mph. Thanks
James H, I found this by far the best sub-10 minute vid as I prepare to buy my first router to make my own version of an IKEA kids storage bins case. I’d already compared products on-line and checked my first choice in store and this vid answered every query I had over the features I still didn’t understand, esp the value of 1/2” collet & bits. Another vid did inform on how to make a guide to repeat 1/2” wide slots @ 4” pitch...
The Skil router you have in the intro, my dad bought one from the grocery store with green stamps. I retired it when it quit holding bits securely and ran intermittently.
That's the first time I heard of "horsepower" in combination with power tools. Here in Germany the power(-consumption) of a tool is measured in Watt(s).
Little routers are usually powerful enough with 1000 Watts, or even >1200 Watts!
Still again a good video of yours! Keep it going! :-)
Excellent learning tutorial. I am in the market for a new router and this video is well timed and thorough, my purchase has been made easier as a result. Straightforward presentation with no wasted words or time and certainly no over-inflated egos.
Thanks for continuing to remind people that horsepower ratings (and "amp" ratings) can be very misleading. The same goes for vacuum cleaners and stand mixers. I can pull 12 amps through a coat hanger wire but it won't get much work done. The only thing that really matters is how much of that power actually makes it to the cutting head.
Thumbs up for the "left walnut" remark :-)
Another issue I would look at in a router is dust collection. A router can be very messy if dust extraction does not work well. Also, many are equipped with very flimsy, clip-on plastic dust shrouds, which do not seem very durable and may soon be removed since they are in the way all the time.
Biggest issue I have run into with those shrouds is that they make em with a 30mm hole, though that problem fixes itself the second you plunge a large profile bit through it.
I do have to say that when doing dadoes and mortices it works really well. However when doing profiles or edge trimming, it might as well not be there at all.
It's half decent when used in a router table.
Dust collection is easy on the table but not always when doing free hand work. I usually work with a mask as well, especially when I am working with cedar or other irritant or toxic woods. That would have been a good point to mention. The speed of the bit is high enough to send a good number of particles out of the vacuum stream.
A half-mask P100 respirator (for example the 3M 7500 series) runs $20..30. New lungs cost considerably more...
I have a router uplift kit. I mounted a used porter cable router on it and I love it. That was ten years ago. The problem I had was finding a router that had a shaft long enough to work. If that makes sense. So if you are going to mount on an uplift kit I suggest you buy the router after you get the uplift kit in place and then not wait to mount and test your router. If you run into the same problem you most likely will want to return it.
I liked the formula for figuring out the horsepower. I'm saving this to my favorites! You sir, earned a new subscriber.
The number you get from multiplying the amperage x the voltage is in Watts. Dividing that by 746 gives you HP.
I bought the Dewalt package deal with both the fixed and plunge routers. Now I need to learn how to use them effectively. I tried it last night, and I butchered the board I was working with. It looked more like a piece of wood I found in the woods after a beaver finished gnawing on it. I think I may have used the wrong one for the job I was trying to do, and so I'm back to binging YooToob videos to find the answers to my questions.
Thanks for this vid! It took me 3-4 weeks of casual looking on the Net to decide on the Bosche 1617EVSPK. I was surprised to learn that I chose the router you like, but my reasoning was slightly different than yours. Nice to know I can thing like a Pro at times. Thanks again!!!
Thanks for the helpful video. One small correction. The shaft of a half inch bit has twice the surface area of a quarter inch bit, not four times. It has 4 times the volume, but only twice the surface area. The surface area of a cylinder is directly proportional to the radius (2πrh), while the volume is proportional to the square of the radius (πr²h).
I dont know what I would do without you! I new to WW and you are my go to for everything so far! I am totally going to get that Bosch router!!
Great video. A little nitpicky, but @ 5:30 I believe this to be incorrect regarding the surface area. The collet grabs onto the outside circumference as you mention, which increases linearly with the radius, not quadratically.
As a beginner wanting to learn these tools to make substrates for my art I want something that will be easy for my small hands, but will grow with me and also allow me to cut circles . The Bosch set is cheaper than buying the plunge base later. The handles look like they would fit me well. I think I’ll add it to my Christmas list.
Thank you Stumpy Nubs for a really worthwhile video. The video's title clearly described the subject matter of the video. The video presenter was concise and knowledgeable on the topic and spoke in a clear "no-bulls**t, no-hype" manner. I am now subscribing to their videos and going to their website for more information.
man, this was WAY above average, specially for a noob like me.
Thanks very much, really solid video & advice.
cheers from Portugal
I have 8 routers in a drawer I never use anymore, I bought a festool 1010 and it was heaven compared to all my old routers, then I got the 1400 festool, again heaven, the accessories and setups for these 2 routers covers everything, sawdust and mess is almost gone with these too, with exception of router table or shaper for some things., I just use my shaper with router bit shaft.
You can send those you don't use to me, to use until I can afford Festool.
One of the best information videos on RUclips. Thanks for this. Saved me a bunch of money and disappointment.
Im more amazed by his perfect presentation done in one take...
He has a more recent video where he shows his workflow process in his shop and for his videos. He uses a teleprompter. With a little bit of practice most people can pull off a one take shot with a teleprompter.
This was exactly the information I was looking for and couldn't quite find from other videos. Thank you being thorough. I'm enjoying your other videos too!
100% agree with the bit selection, I had one 1/4inch Makita router, it is cool but too weak when I am planning to make window frames. Planning to buy 1/2 inch and amount it on a router table.
I just bought Skil from Rockler (they sell it @ Lowes too). It fits all of that and it cost about $130. So far super happy with it
I bought a Trend (a UK brand)1/4" router years ago, and it has been great, but at times I wish I had a larger one. I'm not really a skilled woodworker, just bought it so I could put nice bullnoses etc on step treads on flooring jobs, but ended up finding loads of uses for it. It is a great tool for site work.
Educational,enjoyed, no wasted time getting to the point viewers click for.
I have that Bosch. I got it late last year. Don't have the plunge base yet. I really like it. Love the soft start. Very easy to handle.
I quite often look at Estate Sales and local online auctions for woodworking machines and tools.
I recently bought a Porter Cable at an Estate Sale just like Stumpy recommends in pristine condition for $50. It was a combination fixed and plunge router set. What a buy. The only problem was I already had the same identical set. Oh well, I now have 2. no joke
Very good, James. Personally, I think 3 routers is optimum. The small palm router, like the Bosch Colt, the 12 amp with fixed and plunge bases, and then your choice for in the router lift in your table. That one, of course, carries a premium price tag. You need the table, DIY or purchased, and then you need the lift. The bigger the motor, the more costly the lift. I have a 12 amp in a Jessem Routr-Lift II and am very happy with it.
Great video. Completely changed my decision on what router to purchase while I'm starting up and it's all working out well. Thank you very much!
Thank you, glad I watched this before buying my first router!
Thanks, Jim! Even after a year, very timely. I'm replacing two vintage 1/4" fixed-base one-speed routers with the spiffiest plunger I can afford.
In the greater scheme of things routers aren't that expensive and you can pick them up used at pawn shops. Ideally I'd like to have five or six of them each setup for their own specialized use. That way I don't have to change out bits and swap them in and out of router tables.
I own a Bosch plunge router. POC, and that's probably true for most, if not all, plunge routers. The reason is that the 'runners' around the poles have to have an amount of play, otherwise it was impossible to move the motor up and down. The consequence is: the motor (hence, the bit) is not necessarily perpendicular to the base. The bit sticks out at an angle, which is catastrophic for precise work. This might not look like a significant angle, but use a long bit, and you'll see the impact clearly. Grooves don't have the same depth on opposite edges etc.
In the UK a large store used to have routers on display on a lowish shelf (not plugged in of course), just the right height for children to play with them. It was interesting to see the brands that had fallen apart! And yes, it was the cheaper brands. On the other hand should you not by a cheap router that you can afford or should you instead bodge the job or simply not do the job - get the cheap router, treat it carefully and do the job - that's my view. For a router to fit a table look at the Triton reviews, it comes complete with a lift mechanism that bought separately could cost several hundred pounds (or dollars).
This is one of the best tutorials I’ve seen! Such a smooth and continuous delivery without any irrelevant stuff. Everything bang on point. Btw, are you reading of a prompter??? Anyway good stuff
👌🏻 Subscribed the second after the video finished. 👌🏻
Did the same. Great information.
A couple years later and everything James said here is still true but I would add if looking for that second router think about a cordless compact router. It is so nice to not have to drag a cord behind you with one of these routers. Some brands offer both corded and cordless compact routers that use the same bases so you can drop your cordless router in the plunge base for your corded router and away you go. Makita and DeWalt are two that I know of, and no doubt there are others. Of course selecting a cordless router you'll want to go with whatever battery platform you're already into, hopefully they make a cordless router. Then you can buy the bare tool and save the expense of a charger and battery.
The way this guy explains things is perfect. everything he says I extract and what I’ve learnt from him in the last few months Is priceless. Thank you sir.
I have several routers. A Craftsman with fixed and plunge bases (junk). My favorite is a Bosch trim router, I also have a Porter Cable that I got off Craigslist I like a lot. Thanks for the info.
Good video. I'll add... think about a battery operated 1/4" trim router as well or as an alternative to the corded trim router. They are perfect for quick round over trims without a cord limiting you. I love mine and it gets used way more than the corded/larger routers I have.
I'm fairly new to using a router but since I knew it's going to make a huge impact in my shop I went with your recommendation for the porter cable pk95. Maybe you could make a video of all the features and wheat you can do with it. It would help me a lot and I'm sure plenty of others. Either way thanks James I love the channel!
This guy's good; informative & knows how to speak. Possible Bob Villa replacement.
Nicely planned and executed video. Clearly, you had a script and rehearsed the whole thing beforehand - bravo zulu!
Thank you for this tutorial on routers and for clarifying HP on routers. Never thought about the versatility of 1/2" shaft vs 1/4", another great piece of information.
I really like your advice and the fact you work with hand tools as well as power.
I am new and looking for my first router. Your video has given me a lot to think about. Especially the bit about variable speed. TQ!
I'm not really a wood worker but I like tools, any kind of tool. I do not want to know that there is something that if I want to do but I can't because I do not have the proper tool. I did not know routers well before watching this. I just checked the one I have is Bosh 1617 12A double base EVS router with soft start feature. So, not too bad. I have only used it a couple of time since I purchased it.
I went with the Boush 1617 EVS PK 12 amp, 2 1/4 hp, comes with both bases and 1/2" and 1/4" collets. Great tool! Got it on sale at Lowes and then got a Lowes employee discount only paid 200.
Hotrod Hog I just got the same kit for the same price at the same store a week ago :) after my 10yr old craftsman went up in smoke.
I own four routers - 2 Bosch 2.25HP (one for the table) and 2 colt palm routers with plunge and fixed bases for all - I've been thinking about adding a fifth just for the router table and was thinking the PC 3hp motor. So, thanks! That is the route I'll take as you seem to really recommend it.
Great video. I learn more from your videos than most others I see. Packed full of detailed information and spoken in a way even a beginner like me can understand. Thanks!
You answered all my questions, before I even had them. Thanx!!!! Great video!!!
Useful video. Wish I had watched this before I bought my router.
My cordless trim router seems to be my go to router most of the time.
Thanks for actually explaining the marketing bull tool companies put in their stats. More people need to understand this 👍🏼
In fact very useful information and incredible knowledge shown for the details about the power of the tools, store sellers are without doubt running away when they see you....
Hey man... just wanted to say I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge. I've been watching and learning a lot. Thanks!
I've had a dw621 for years as my only router - keep it in my shop-made table. Recently I've started using my RotoZip - rz100 (has a 3jaw chuck instead of collets) as a trim router, and even keyholes, and been fairly happy with its performance.
What about those small cordless routers with the Plunge accessory attachment, ie DeWalt brushless 20V? Just for small house projects like door hinges to start with.
Simple, valuable advice born of experience. Great video. Thanks.
Looking for my first router.
This was immensely helpful to me.
Thank you!
At 5:30, you said that doubling the diameter of the shaft gives you 4 x the surface area. It's actually only 2 times the surface area. Sorry to nitpick, I know it's annoying but I noticed it and thought i'd mention.
Thanks for the great video :)
did you account for the extra depth of bit or just circumference area?
@@dragonfly9415 I'm just talking about doubling the circumference. Does the length also increase? If so, I wasn't aware
I came here looking for a router and you said the one I have has all the features I ever need and then some. I paid $50 WITH a table for it I can't even find a plunge router for under $100 nowadays.
Jam-packed with useful information...as usual! Stumpy Nubs always delivers. Thanks.
I am so glad I thought to search for a vid like this~ EXCELLENT and straightforward layout of insight. Really appreciate the assistance (guidance)!
I have several excellent routers. Most of mine have two bases. One has 3 bases. My tiny router has a micro fence attached to a precision plunge base.
Your the man for what information you give. I know you don't do field testing in your videos, but I still learn. If I want to check out testing I look for those videos. Thanks
Some users have only occasional use of a router and then in soft wood. So a 1/4" shank of collet and bit is plenty. Cheaper and used can save a lot of money if you use a router just now and again...
You're correct my friend, there is nothing worse than a sticky plunge mechanism.