OT Hand Held Router

John B. · Nov 27, 2016

I'm looking to buy a hand held router. Looking at the Porter Cable. Is this a good one or should I consider others?

I've never owned one before. It says this one has a fixed base. Is this a good thing or bad? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Router

Ozlander · Nov 27, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:27:39 11/27/16) I'm looking to buy a hand held router. Looking at the Porter Cable. Is this a good one or should I consider others?

I've never owned one before. It says this one has a fixed base. Is this a good thing or bad? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Router

Probably as good as any.
What are you planning on making with it?

Pair-a-dice farm · Nov 27, 2016

It probably is as good as any. I've got several Porter Cable power tools and all are good. What are you wanting to do with it? I've got a Rockwell that looks almost like that and I use it more than my larger router that I can use on a table. I got mine when I bought a Rockwell table saw, I had to pay 1 penny for it, that was 45 years ago. :lol:

Gordon in IN · Nov 27, 2016

You might want to consider a "plunge cut router" instead of a "fixed base" router. It will depend on what you want to do with it. The plunge cut can be used both ways by just locking the base in place to use it as a "fixed base" router. You might want to actually try/use each type to be sure which type will be best for your uses.

John B. · Nov 27, 2016

I just plan on using it to round off edges.

CH(upstate,NY) · Nov 27, 2016

Porter Cable makes a small router that comes with both a fixed and plunge base.

ditchwitch · Nov 27, 2016

The Porter Cable with a plung cut base i think youll be happier with. With a fixed base your to limited. Like to work on the inside of a piece of wood other than just the outside. I have 2 of them one a plunge cut and one fixed 3 1/2 hp mounted under my table saw flange both Porter Cable and it works great for outside work.

Adirondack case guy · Nov 27, 2016

I have had one similar to it for years with no problems. To plunge cut all you need to do is angle it in, preferably against a straight edge, not a problem.
Loren.

kevinj54 · Nov 27, 2016

(quoted from post at 19:27:39 11/27/16) I'm looking to buy a hand held router. Looking at the Porter Cable. Is this a good one or should I consider others?

I've never owned one before. It says this one has a fixed base. Is this a good thing or bad? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Router

I think you can get that still with both bases. I have 3 of those with various bases, plunge, fixed and trigger control.

Also have a Bosch which is real nice.

kevinj54 · Nov 27, 2016

Look here

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/Searc...=62304&acme_tools_brand_name=PORTER CABLE

495man · Nov 27, 2016

Go for plunge cut, I have an old Craftsman fixed base that works perfect, but every time I use it I wish it was plunge cut

jackbrit3 · Nov 27, 2016

D handle soft start Bosh gets my vote. I work in a shop and often round over for hours at a time.

macec3(TX) · Nov 27, 2016

I have a Bosch and it is a work horse.
Came with fixed base and a plunge base.
1/2" and 1/4" collets.
Soft start feature.
I don't think you will regret getting a heavy duty machine.
If you get a good router, you will probably end up doing more than just rounding off edges.

Bill in IL · Nov 27, 2016

That is a great router and i have had one for 20 years. The design is just very simple and they have 4 different bases for them. A router table base, fixed base like you have pictured, plunge base and a D handle base. I would reccomend as stated to spend the extra 50 bucks and get the kit with the fixed and plunge base for future versatility. There is also a variable speed version of this router if you think you may need that.

If all you need to do is round some corners with a quarter round bit then maybe a little 1-1/4 hp trim router is all you need. They are lighter and therefore easier to work with.

1Plowboy · Nov 27, 2016

I'm with the others who say get the one with both bases, or just a straight up plunge router. A plunge router will do everything that a fixed base will do and so much more. I use my plunge router a lot, the fixed base router has been relegated to duty on my dovetail jig which it works great for, but otherwise never comes out of the cabinet. My two cents...

cophil · Nov 27, 2016

I have 3 Porter Cable routers and 2 Festool routers. 3 of the Routers are plunge Routers. 1 of the fixed base Routers is a trim router that rarely gets used. My first pick is one of the festool plunge Routers.

omahagreg · Nov 27, 2016

That is a good router! Kinda heavy, but it powers thru a lot!

Janicholson · Nov 27, 2016

Pro quality and reliability. Get the base kit to make it more versatile. Recommended. Jim

Steve in VA · Nov 27, 2016

I have had a Craftsman for years mostly used on a router table. But, its starting to show its age so I went for DeWalt and the combo set. Basically it has a single motor head that can be inserted into the regular base, D handle, or plunge base. It also came w/ interchangeable collar for 1/4" and 1/2" arbors. I've been very happy w/ it.

Stephen Newell · Nov 27, 2016

If you are just routing trim or dado's a fixed base router will do fine. If you are routing with templates a plunge router would be better. In any case a plunge router will do either however they are bigger and more cumbersome. I have both the plunge router and fixed base routers harbor freight sells. The fixed base routers are as good as any router I've ever used but the plunge router isn't that great. The settings are difficult to get adjusted correctly.

GordoSD · Nov 27, 2016

How about this one?

fixerupper · Nov 27, 2016

I have a simple Mikita 1/4" collet router that I have used the heck out of for rounding corners etc. It is not a plunge and does not have a dial to fine adjust. To adjust depth you loosen the clamp lever and slide the base in or out. It's a little short on power with a 3/4" dadoing bit in oak though but it works. It's the router I grab 90 percent of the time. I do have a bigger half inch collet plunge router but it gathers dust on the shelf most of the time.

mj · Nov 28, 2016

(quoted from post at 17:49:08 11/27/16) You might want to consider a "plunge cut router" instead of a "fixed base" router. It will depend on what you want to do with it. The plunge cut can be used both ways by just locking the base in place to use it as a "fixed base" router. You might want to actually try/use each type to be sure which type will be best for your uses.

I'll second that! 8)

Ultradog MN · Nov 28, 2016

X2 on the Bosch.
I had a 'good' Craftsman for a long time. It got the job done but was stolen off the job site.
I bought a Bosch to replace it and wow what a difference in quality. And the 1/4,1/2" collets give you a lot more choices in router bits as the big ones aren't available in the smaller 1/4" shank. Much less vibration on a deep plunge or cut with a 1/2" shank too.
I also own Bosch jig saw and 4X24" belt sander.
They are my best power tools by far.

Leroy · Nov 28, 2016

When I bought mine years ago I went with a plunge, easy to set depth. Don't remember make. Also trim and neither is getting used any more.

OT Hand Held Router

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