Plunge Router

[doncolga]

You all think this is OK?

http://brunswick.craigslist.org/tls/2879015888.html

[LelandCrooks]

gone.

[doncolga]

gone.

I just got it. I talked to the guy...says its brand new Buffalo, been used once and includes looks like about 14 different bits.

[Nordo]

Congratulations Donny

Has anyone got any tips or links on how to use a router?
Also are the cheap "Taiwanese/Chinese" ones OK for limited use? i.e. say 4 - 6 cabinets?
What are a good set of starter bits for doing BFM cabinets (DRs and Titans)?

[doncolga]

Congratulations Donny

Has anyone got any tips or links on how to use a router?
Also are the cheap "Taiwanese/Chinese" ones OK for limited use? i.e. say 4 - 6 cabinets?
What are a good set of starter bits for doing BFM cabinets (DRs and Titans)?

I've never touched a router before in my life. If this one gets me through my six boxes (OT12's and Tuba 30's) I'll be happy. I've got an outdoor wedding at a local winery on the 5th and it'd be great to have the boxes really cleaned up by then.

[Tom Smit]

Congratulations Donny

Has anyone got any tips or links on how to use a router?
Also are the cheap "Taiwanese/Chinese" ones OK for limited use? i.e. say 4 - 6 cabinets?
What are a good set of starter bits for doing BFM cabinets (DRs and Titans)?

Youtube is full of vids.
Woodworkers, Woodworking ..... Google gave me this ...http://www.google.ca/search?q=router+ti ... =firefox-a

As for bits, 1/2" bottom bearing flush trim, a round-over bit (some like 1/4", some like 1/2"), up-spiral, (down-spiral is also handy). Carbide tipped will go through 18 ga nails.

[doncolga]

Congratulations Donny

Has anyone got any tips or links on how to use a router?
Also are the cheap "Taiwanese/Chinese" ones OK for limited use? i.e. say 4 - 6 cabinets?
What are a good set of starter bits for doing BFM cabinets (DRs and Titans)?

Youtube is full of vids.
Woodworkers, Woodworking ..... Google gave me this ...http://www.google.ca/search?q=router+ti ... =firefox-a

As for bits, 1/2" bottom bearing flush trim, a round-over bit (some like 1/4", some like 1/2"), up-spiral, (down-spiral is also handy). Carbide tipped will go through 18 ga nails.

hey Tom,

Does this one look decent to you?

[Tom Smit]

Donny, that one is 700 watt (mine is 1320, 2 hp) so it is somewhat under powered. It can work if you have patience and work slowly, paying attention to the motor and the bit and how they sound when it's working, ie, not overloading either of them.
I tried to find Buffalo routers but I wasn't successful.

[Grant Bunter]

Congratulations Donny

Has anyone got any tips or links on how to use a router?
Also are the cheap "Taiwanese/Chinese" ones OK for limited use? i.e. say 4 - 6 cabinets?
What are a good set of starter bits for doing BFM cabinets (DRs and Titans)?

Hey Nordo,
I once bought a cheap as chips 115mm angle grinder. XU1 brand from Bunnings, to do one job.
I figured if it failed at $20 I really didn't lose much. Opened the box and it had a spare set of brushes!
I've flogged that poor thing stupid for 8 years now, still haven't got to the second set of brushes.

I'm using Dads Makita non plunge router, haven't used them much myself, so, I bought a set with 1/2 and half round over, trimmer bit (and a nice size 45 degree bit I thought might trim up some bearing edges on drums lol). plus about 6 others bit's for less than $30, seem fine.
With whatever bit you use, disconnect your plug before changing bits. Always beware of where the power cord is as you move around.
Set you depth and do a quick check with a scrap (I found out the hard way, set one too deep and had to get out more bog).
Better to start and find out you've not taken enough than too much.
Your follower bits (with the bearings on the bottom) need something to follow, so if you get to a place where's there's no timber over the edge you'll dig in where you don't want to dig in...
Just take you time and treat it like any other power tool, potentially dangerous

Donny, looking good!
As suggested, don't try to work too fast due to your lower rev count. That pack of bits looks very similar to what I bought and they seem to go well enough...

[bitSmasher]

It can work if you have patience and work slowly, paying attention to the motor and the bit and how they sound when it's working

Same goes for any cheap tool, if you learn to hear and feel the tool in use you can prolong its lifetime dramatically.

[Tom Smit]

Very true!

[subharmonic]

Donny,

My tips are try your edges on scrap til you get some practice, take your time. Routers can eff up a clean looking cab in a hurry, done it more times than I like to admit, so preplan every maneuver. NEVER go with the bit rotation, ALWAYS push against it, that should be left to right with the wood in front of you and the router between you and the wood


Dan

[doncolga]

Donny,

My tips are try your edges on scrap til you get some practice, take your time. Routers can eff up a clean looking cab in a hurry, done it more times than I like to admit, so preplan every maneuver. NEVER go with the bit rotation, ALWAYS push against it, that should be left to right with the wood in front of you and the router between you and the wood


Dan

Thanks man. Definitely will do lots of scrap before I hit the boxes.

[thekl0wn]

When setting a depth-stop, always double check it to make sure it's tight. I've seen the effects of it in a recent build thread on here, and I've done it a few times myself on near-finished items when I was routing to flush-mount items.

This one is a personal preference, but if you use a pattern bit for anything, I like to lay the pattern down, rough trace it, and use a jig/band/scroll saw to take off the big parts, leaving 1/4-1/2" of material for the pattern bit to eat off. Makes the cuts go much smoother and reduces the chances of a kickback.

Good luck and have fun!

[doncolga]

I'm off to pick up the router. Woohoo! Which bit will I be using to make the round overs? 1/4 or 1/2 correct..either one OK?