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This article is from the Woodworking FAQ
Collection 4, by multiple authors.
51 Re: routers
From article <5277@june.cs.washington.edu>, by mkm@june.cs.washington.edu (Mark Murray):
> I'm in the market for a decent router. Under $100. Anyone have any
> comments on specific makes and models? Any "do not buy" comments?
This is probably not the type of answer that was requested,
but....
I think that a $100 dollar router will be a waste of
$100. I started off with a cheap-o (small Craftsman)
and although the tool performed adequately, I found out
what a tremendously useful tool a router can be.
I quickly found out that I needed something with a little
more "ooompf" and upgraded to a bigger Craftsman.
This tool also performed well, but as I gained experience with
it, I found out that if I only had a router with a 1/2 inch collet,
I could use it to make raised panels.
(The never-ending cycle of upgrading tools when you don't buy
the best you can afford.)
So, (See, I eventually answered the question) although I have
been satisfied with the many Craftsman tools that I own,
there are often better, more cost effective solutions.
(Sears does not carry a 1/2 inch collet router)
I suggest that you spend more than $100, and get a router
that is capable of doing all of the jobs that you will eventually
want to do. (For me, this would have been the cheaper solution
in the router story.)
That money can be spent on any reputable brand name (including Crafstman),
but my tendancies have been to move away from the home/hobby quality
tools, and more toward the professional and industrial
grades (Porter-Cable makes a very nice router).
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crafts, woodworking, bandsaw, biscuit joiners, dust collect, jointer, miter saw, motors, planer, router, sander, shop heat, toy safety, ammonia, antique tool, hide glue, motors, wood bending, workbench
