Will This Router Do?

[ontime1269]

I was just wondering if this Dewalt Compact Router would be fine for the routing required in BFM designs? I can pick it up for pretty cheap at the pawn shop I bought my other tools at. Thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D26670K-He ... B000HX140U

[SoundInMotionDJ]

That is a laminate trimmer...and is probably OK for cutting out driver holes in the baffle. But, this would not be up to the task of running a 1/2" roundover bit for the cabinet edges. I would pass and hold out for a better model.

[PaulNYC]

I bought a Factory-Reconditioned Ryobi ZRTR45K at amazon and it did fine with my round-over bits. I only did one cabinet so far however.

-Paul

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

For free-handing you need around 2HP, and be sure it has a 1/2" collet. For a bench 3HP is better, but those are too heavy for free-hand.

[bzb]

The laminate trim router will probably get the job done, but really poorly. The base isn't big enough to help a novice, and the motor just isn't strong enough to really rip through the wood effectively. Get the right tool for the job.

1/2" collets/bits are far better for a variety of reasons, but 1/4" is acceptable for most work you'd need to do on these cabs. Just go slower and take multiple shallow passes.

I did all the roundover work on my T39s with a Craftsman 2HP with 1/4" bits. I'm too lazy to take the good PC one out of my router table

If your budget is really $180-200 for a router, go pick up the Porter Cable kit that's at Home Depot or Lowes. They're right around that price and will come with a fixed and plunge base that you can switch out. Bits will be another $50 or so for cheapies (again, acceptable for this job). Benefit of getting a 1/2" version is that most will ALSO accept 1/4" bits with a collet switchout. But you can't use 1/2" ones in a 1/4" model...

Edit: actually, here it is at Amazon for $199:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006411C/ref ... B00006411C

[gilscales]

I was just wondering if this Dewalt Compact Router would be fine for the routing required in BFM designs? I can pick it up for pretty cheap at the pawn shop I bought my other tools at. Thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D26670K-He ... B000HX140U

I really like this one and it is a great price, I like the one hand operation of it to
http://www.toolmarts.com/milwaukee_5615-24.html

[ontime1269]

Thanks guys for the info. I'm glad I asked. I almost bought that Dewalt but something told me to ask someone else before buying it. The pawn shop had a few more of the regular sized ones. I'll go check them out in the morning and see if they are up to par.

Another question. When in the building process do you round the edges of the cabs? Thanks.

[David Carter]

Another question. When in the building process do you round the edges of the cabs? Thanks.

After the cab is completely assembled. Before painting, carpeting, etc.

[bzb]

That Milwaukee deal is pretty good, I like all my Milwaukee battery tools.

Pawn shops are a good spot for finding tools right now, but it helps when you know what you're looking for, and what you're looking at when you find em.

I picked up a Porter Cable 557 plate/biscuit jointer for $60 at a pawn shop about 2 years ago. It was practically brand new, and the guys there didn't really know what they had - they marked it for $99 and I offered them $60 cash.

But again, you need to know what you're looking at.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I picked up a Porter Cable 557 plate/biscuit jointer for $60 at a pawn shop about 2 years ago. It was practically brand new, and the guys there didn't really know what they had -.

They knew. Pawn shops have appraisal networks that will give them a value for anything. That's why you don't see '59 Les Pauls in a pawn shop for $100.
If they gave it to you for $60 they got it for $30.

[bzb]

Ah, that makes sense. They get real secretive with the computer when I make offers on most things.

I figured it had been sitting there for a while and they just wanted to get rid of one of them, since they had two others and they didn't haggle with me at all when I offered $60. The other two were in much more "used" condition and they wanted the same for any of them. So I just cherry picked the nicest one - the smaller blade had never even been installed as far as I could tell.

Crazy that they sell for $200-300 brand new, though. I've definitely gotten my $60 bucks worth out of it.

It's weird, though, a lot of the DJ equipment they have is marked up to ridiculous asking prices. Things like $500 for a Technics SL1200 that was in rough condition. Old tube TVs they mark for $200, a scuffed up 90's dirt bike marked at $3500... stupid stuff like that. Their power tools are generally marked at rather reasonable used prices.

[dave d]

I really like this one and it is a great price, I like the one hand operation of it to
http://www.toolmarts.com/milwaukee_5615-24.html

Thanks for that link! I just ordered one; the 40 reviews on Amazon gave it 5/5 stars which ultimately led me to purchasing it.

[gilscales]

I really like this one and it is a great price, I like the one hand operation of it to
http://www.toolmarts.com/milwaukee_5615-24.html

Thanks for that link! I just ordered one; the 40 reviews on Amazon gave it 5/5 stars which ultimately led me to purchasing it.

I own a 1 1/2 hp, 1 hp and a 3 hp porter cable, have had them for 15 years and they have worked well but the millwaukee is my new favorite with it's one handed operation and it's easy adjustable features, I also own a dozen different millwaukee battery tools and after 2 years the V28 batteries went bad and they replaced all 3 of them for free and they are $130 each onlline, great warranty!

[ChrisDowning]

I've used a 1/4" shafted 1/2" radius round router that cost about $40 new - it's never used for anything else. But I had to go real slowly and carefully. That's a pretty big bit to drive so mind how you go. If you are making lots of cabs its just not up to the job - but a couple every 6 months should be OK - just go slow. Don't let the tool labour and overheat. Anyway you should be super careful with routers anyway - they scare the hell out of me - never look forwards to doing that job - and I've been a full time carpenter in my time. Socking great router bits revolving at 1000's of revs, uncovered and ready to gouge yer leg (if you are lucky enough for it to be only that!) needs careful handling.

[bzb]

There's nothing wrong with making multiple shallow passes when using a router. The issue comes with the profiles matching up perfectly when manually setting the depth.

However, I found that when it comes to most of the edges of the Titans, there's so little material that's getting cut away that a 1/4" bit does just fine with a rather cheap router. Just have to make sure to cut on the right edge to avoid chipout!