I Need A "First Router" For My Son

DerbyDad03 · 2017-10-23T17:17:36+00:00

My 30-ish son has the woodworking bug. He got a "you suck" deal on Rigid table saw and was *given* a Rockwell jointer (needs some TLC) and a 12" belt driven Craftsman Band Saw with a stack of blades. (His GF's father bought a warehouse from manufacturing company that was going out of business and these tools were found in a back room) Yeah, I know. He sucks. Anyway, he doesn't have a router and Christmas is coming. I'm torn between a full size fixed/plunge kit and a trim fixed/plunge kilt like my MLCS Rocky 30. $95 for the Rocky sounds like a no brainer but should it be his first router or should he feel the power of a full size router first? :-) If a full size is a better choice as a first router, which one should I buy? I like my Porter Cable 690 (I actually have 2) but other than a POS Craftsman which was my first, I haven't tried any other manufacturers/models. I know that a lot of it depends on what he is going to use it for, but recommendations for models and/or features of a full size version (if appropriate) would be welcome. Thanks. (Maybe I buy the full size and his siblings split the cost of the Rocky 30. Hmmmm...)

Oct 23, 2017 23 Replies

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Ed Pawlowski 8 years ago

Get him a $5 wood chisel from WalMart so he can make a groove now, make them look pretty on Dec. 26.

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DerbyDad03 8 years ago

I suggested he buy a dado set, install it in his table saw, flip the saw upside down onto the out feed table and push really hard.

I hope he remembers to use a straight edge as a guide.

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nailshooter41 8 years ago

So which router did you decide on, and why?

Robert

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DerbyDad03 8 years ago

Probably the Bosch 1617EVS fixed and plunge base kit.

I know you said that the Bosch MRC23EVSK was newer/better but he's just one of

4 kids + SWMBO. I already bought him a bunch of stuff when he got his table saw so things are getting out of balance. ;-)

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