Re: Router Suggestions

What are you going to do with your router and how much of that do you expect to do?

Makita is a workhorse. Black & Decker now comes across as home use only. DeWalt from what I've heard is middle although their price seem to me a bit pricey.

Re: Router Suggestions

initially thought I'd try out some car mods which I've read of, both in print and online. then after buying myself a woodworking and a router book (which I unfortunately didn't bring along at the moment as they were a little bit too heavy to include in my usual field bag) and browsing through some of the suggested projects, I figured, "hey maybe I might try these out too during my days off"... how much of it do I expect to do... considering my current job, I'd say if I were to use it each single day of my vacation it'd just add up to 90-120days/year.
so basically, I'm looking at a router that has enough room for me to sort of grow with the hobby and decent product support back home, be it accessories, after-sales, etc.
tia.

Re: Router Suggestions

In terms of after sales support, I'd say Makita has the best network. I've observed that the local industrial supply that I buy from gives excellent support. Black & Decker has hopefully mended its ways by now but when my first drill died it was brought to their service center and seemed to have dropped into a black hole ... never to be heard from again.

It is a good thing that your looking at your growth path. We used to sell tools and we've had customers that would ask for least expensive but with very limited capabilities, only to come back and buy a second one because the first one could not cut it. For general work I'd recommend something in the 1 to 1-1/2 HP range. For raised panels 3HP is a good thing to have. Just remember the more powerful the heavier, but also the more stable. Plunge or fixed base: a plunge router is the more versatile allowing you do both simple and complex manual cuts. The thing however is that in no time at all you'll be wanting a router table most likely you'll curse a plunge router for it being rather difficult to adjust the depth of cut. Used with a table, a fixed based router is the way to go.

Re: Router Suggestions

Say, thus your reference to "after sales support" extend to available accessories for Makita's products or it only covers servicing and warranty?
Regarding the "growth path", I guess I picked that up along the way through different interests I've had throughout the years. Plus what a colleague who's into woodworking once told me kind of stuck: "the cheapest tools are the most expensive tools" or something to that effect.
My first post regarding this matter was actually something I posted in tsikot.com and never got to polishing it before posting it here. But in-between my first post in tsikot.com and here, I have been able to read more thoroughly about the items I've posted and was really keen on those kits with the plunge and fixed bases. Honestly I'm leaning more towards the Makita rf1101kit2. Although the B&D is really tempting for its price but as I've mentioned I'm considering the "growth path". I just wonder if kits (ones which come with the motor and 2 different bases) are available in the Philippines. Any particular shops you guys can recommend? I suppose the local handyman shops in the malls might have the routers but I just find that they're too "generalized". So I prefer "specialty" shops. Not to mention, some times sales people in this often-Mall situated tools shops are just that, sales people though of course I believe even specific-tools shops may be similar too to a certain extent.
As with the router table, admittedly, yes sooner or later I might need one but for the mean time I'll probably make do with a make-shift one for the time being.
Last question for this post -- correct me if I'm wrong but, aren't plunge routers supposed to be easier to adjust when it comes to their cutting depths? tia.

Re: Router Suggestions

B2Bomber, that Makita kit looks real nice. It is both fixed base and a plunge router. With $224 price tag is looks like a good choice. No I have not seen that kit here.

Adjusting the depth on a plunge router is easy if you are pushing down on. When it is underneath a table it is very difficult. The router table will tend to lift up so you'll need someone to hold the table down.

Oh yes, I strongly recommend you build your own router table. It is not hard at all and you will not hesitate to drill holes in it when you need to. I've seen people just mount a router upside own under any surface, not bothering to use a fence, which is not a good idea. Not only does the fence give you more control but it also significantly reduces the risks of an accident.

Re: Router Suggestions

incc63, thanks for the patience. yes it does look nice. unfortunately,if based on your observation and the reply I recently got from a shop via email, it looks like that kit (or even the plunge model) may actually not be available in the Philippines. They did give me the models they've got on stock... which only comes in either one of the three base-type, fixed, plunge and d... I guess I'll probably end up buying another base...
Re: depth adjustment & "...pushing down on..." -- finally, I'm starting to see your point. So this means even if I was able to adjust it to stop at a certain depth, it doesn't necessarily mean that it might get shallower due to possible "pushing down pressure" variations along the way? I guess this is where a particular tip I've read somewhere (I can't remember whether from the books I bought or online) which says, multiple passes may at times be more advantageous, going deeper on each pass, or I got it all wrong again. 😛
Re: the table -- the book I bought did have a section on building your own table, that is why I wasn't really devoting alot of time in researching for router tables. It may actually end up as my first "furniture" (table? hehe) project.

Re: Router Suggestions

A plunge router has a spring that pushes the bit away from the workpiece. When you put it under a router table, the spring makes life difficult since as you push the router to engage the bit, the table will tend to lift. Sorry if I can explain it so well.

Its too bad you can't find the kit. Just buy two. I bought my first plunge router at HMR Pioneer for P1800. I used it (more than I should have had to) to build the 16' mast of my boat and it still works fine. My fixed base John Benzen cost P3500 and that's already expensive compared to what is available today. A tool is just a tool, what matters is really what you do with it.

It is not the accuracy that makes using a plunge difficult on a table but merely that fact that you have to push the router upward (router is inverted)

You read correctly about multiple passes. One fellow on the web even has vernier micrometer on his fence. I wouldn't go that far but yes multiple, finer and finer cuts is the way to go.

Re: Router Suggestions

update... well, it appears that the Makitas I listed aren't due for importation just yet... looks like the distributor wants to get rid of their older stocks first: 3601x's, according to one shop.
I am close to a decision already but my new choices aren't even on the list and so is the one I'm rooting for. IMO it's bang for the buck, I'm just wary of a feature I'm looking for which it doesn't have ... speed control setting...

oh and btw @lncc63 -- buy two routers? hmm.. :- maybe that is the only solution... 'coz the one I'm eyeing now doesn't seem to have a fixed base accessory... but if I do have to go down that route, buying another router for fixed base applications, I guess it'll have to wait until I could justify the cost.

Re: Router Suggestions

You won't miss not having a speed control so much. I've even gone so far as to considering that if the speed control electronics breakdown, I'll just remove it. The only time I use the speed control is when my ear are already hurting from lots of routing.

You'll definitely want another one when you stick the first one under a table and encounter the hassle of removing it when you want to do freehand routing.

Re: Router Suggestions

GOD PAHIRAPAN NAMAN MAGHANAP NG ROUTER KITS NA MODELO D2 PINAS.
WEL WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM DUDE.
ROUTER BITS NA INDUSTRIAL GRADE LIKE AMANA TOOLS NA BRAND
IS LIKE LIGHTYEARS AWAY.

MAYBE YOU GUYS ME SUGGESTION RIN SAN MAKAKAHANAP NG WOODWORKING STORE NA ONE-STOP SHOP D2 SA METRO MANILA

TNX .
MORE POWER TO PINOY HANDYMAN

Re: Router Suggestions

Good AM Marksbox20. Sa alam ko walang One-Stop-Shop for woodworking dito. Siguro ang pinaka malapit ay ang kabuoang Binondo/Manila area. Problema lang doon pang professional ang bentahan kayat kailangan alam mo yung hinahanap mo.

Re: Router Suggestions

I know the feeling MarkBox20, I ended up with a maktec, bought it from Fineline (look for Tyrone)in Alabang-Zapote, ordered flush trim and rabbet (Makita) from them too since I didn't know how to get to Mayon (Makita's local distributor). They have alot of other bits there too, you might want to check them out MarkBox20. BTW: it's kinda hard reading posts in upper case, maybe next time you could turn off your caps lock. thanks.
PS: FYI, the AEG router available there, tagged the same as the Maktec comes with speed control... opted for the maktec though.

Re: Router Suggestions

You guys will soon want more bits. If you can buy from the U.S. maybe through a relative, I recommend buying router bits from MLCS (just google for their website). I bought their 33 bit set a few years back and each bit came to about only P150 each. The bits are Made in China but the quality is good.

Re: Router Suggestions

I know the feeling MarkBox20, I ended up with a maktec, bought it from Fineline (look for Tyrone)in Alabang-Zapote, ordered flush trim and rabbet (Makita) from them too since I didn't know how to get to Mayon (Makita's local distributor). They have alot of other bits there too, you might want to check them out MarkBox20. BTW: it's kinda hard reading posts in upper case, maybe next time you could turn off your caps lock. thanks.
PS: FYI, the AEG router available there, tagged the same as the Maktec comes with speed control... opted for the maktec though.

Any updates to this thread, on what Makita or other good routers are available locally?

Am considering buying a router. Of all the Makita routers in the 36xx series, the one that seems to be in mall stores more often is the 3601B (1-3/8 hp, D-handle, 12 mm or 1/2" collet, fixed base). It seems to be an older model, but 'tried and tested', and with generally good reviews. Any comments on this model or alternatives?

According to http://www.makita.com.jp/ , Mayon Construction Supply is the 'importer' and located at 315 Dasmarinas St., Binondo, Manila, 243-1159 to 64. Were they not at this address?

You guys will soon want more bits. If you can buy from the U.S. maybe through a relative, I recommend buying router bits from MLCS (just google for their website). I bought their 33 bit set a few years back and each bit came to about only P150 each. The bits are Made in China but the quality is good.

Any recommendations on where to buy router bits locally, or what brand? Just the basic straight and roundover.