Trim router recommendations?

[tjbnwi]

Tom, do you have a pic of this setup? I had ruled the festool out but now I'm intrigued.

A video I did awhile back;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vDyS...e_gdata_player

Tom

[vanderpooch]

Tom,

That is a pretty compelling video...

- Kit

[tjbnwi]

I do a lot of "off book" things with my Festools. I'll have to do a video of cutting grooves in the bottom of a door with the Domino, faster easier and more accurate than a router. Sillyest video I have up there is how to wrap the hose and cord on a CT Mini. Can't believe people struggle so much with it. It is so easy.

Tom

[Lavrans]

A video I did awhile back;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vDyS...e_gdata_player

Tom

Yeah- it works like that. I actually prefer using an offset base on a regular trim rounter because it puts the bit out where it's more visible, and also you can get into corners with it. Kinda nice.

For center-panel type work, the Fes works well.

[Phil Pritchard]

I did just pick up the Festool, and that's a fantastic trim router... but, it's a little big and, also weirdly, the bases aren't as versatile when it comes to being willing to take them apart and modify to do specialty jigs...

On the other hand there aren't many routers with a horizontal base for lipping (although Virutex do a tilter, the FR292 now being replaced by the FR1292 - same base, different motor) - I use my old Holz-Her 2360 (the Festool's daddy, same bases, different motor) to trim 2 and 3mm ABS/PVC/solid wood lipping then a Colt (GKF600) to round over or chamfer. Good combination, although I'm still unimpressed by the depth adjustment on the Colt. For the heavier stuff, though, I have a Virutex lipping planer - not a subtle tool, but very fast

The router I'm looking for needs to be a good all around one that I can easily setup and can handle a variety of tasks. Cost is just a tie breaker for me.

In that case it's maybe a toss-up between the Colt, DW and Makita - but take a look at what Virutex do - different can be better (although saying that I don't know what the Virutex price point is like in the USA).

[Kent Brobeck]

I do a lot of "off book" things with my Festools. I'll have to do a video of cutting grooves in the bottom of a door with the Domino, faster easier and more accurate than a router. Sillyest video I have up there is how to wrap the hose and cord on a CT Mini. Can't believe people struggle so much with it. It is so easy.

Tom

Tom, I'd like to see that video of grooving a door with a Domino. I've never considered the Domino to be a production tool.

[ericbuggeln.]

Tom, wrapping the cord on a CT22 is an art

Kent and Darrel, I looked at that Dewalt. It has some very nice features, Eric

[joseph]

I think Kents comment about Dewalt surprised me .I do own a large varity of brands and I am generally a one man shop . I only own one ryobi /20yr old 3 hp router ,that i see as an excellent purchase .But the dewalts haven;t been all that dependable .The trim [dewalt] router is under the bench ,cannot keep bearings in it -I to much $ and time into trying to repair it .but it had 1hp,it was small and with the shop made off set base it was handy .Point is not so sure I would brag about dewalt dependability as a brand .
Next routers tend to go through bearings .There most likely part to go .If you were going to use this router as a go to general purpase tool ,then the hp is important .Odds are though you will chuck up a bit that is to big at some point and cross your fingers . Bearing would be important then .That would be a reason to consider a festool with the amount of bearings they put in there routers[assuming that the trim router gets double bearings like the bigger ones] .Is that colt a china tool with cheap bearings?,I have an older bosch-that router is so smooth .I would think if the colt was european made it would be a good choice .On that note the dewalt trim router did have very good bearings in it .

[joseph]

In no way am i sujesting that ryobi is a better tool company then dewalt .Do not want to stir that up .
I was up in the shop ,i have several of these laminent trimmers dedicated to different small bits .I have a craftsmen lament trimer .cost me 10$ ,it is a ryobi look alike .Now i am not saying it is good .But i bought new bearings for it recently ,I asked for the best quality ,That little router is by far better then it was new.The bearing quality really makes a difference .

[Lavrans]

In that case it's maybe a toss-up between the Colt, DW and Makita - but take a look at what Virutex do - different can be better (although saying that I don't know what the Virutex price point is like in the USA).

The Virutex is a great tool. I've used it. I just don't have enough use for it- hence why I got the Fes instead- the Virutex is about $675 here, the Fes was right around $500 I think.

I think what the OP wants is the DW or Makita. I think they're both better than the Colt or the old PC. Unless he's already got a PC or a Colt. I'm a big fan of keeping to the same make and model as much as possible- it's a pain trying to find the right collet wrench when you've got 3 different sizes around- yes, I do. Do as I say, I've already proved that what I do is inefficient and annoying ;)

[tjbnwi1]

Lavs,

have an older PC that I made the offset base for. It works well, except for planing out window jambs, a little unruly using it horizontal. The 700 is easier to control.

Eric,

I can't believe how many supposedly smart people have so many problems with the simple task of rolling/coiling up a cord or hose. There is nothing to coiling the cord on the CT's.

Tom

[ericbuggeln.]

Tom, I hear you, but it did take me a minute to figure it out, plus you have to roll it perfectly to get it to sit right. I'm really good at it now, Eric