Laminate Trimmers Reviews

I'm a professional mill and cabinet shop in Alameda, Ca. I use the micro fence daily and move it between 6 routers in moments. I have made some additional wooden fences that allow the cutter to get closer to an edge than the OEM fence. I have also discovered by reversing the edge guide on the circle cutting attachment I can make an inside radius of less than 6". The micrometer adjustment is so easy to use and allows the user to "sneak up" on a fit and completely take the guess work out of trying to get a good fit. This is an outstanding accessory for a router and well worth the cost, this tool should be in every shop. H Demmon Four Seasons Wood Works Alameda,Ca.

This is the most accurate and easiest method of cutting circles! Not only that, just by changing the mounting bar, you can adapt it to more than one make of router, which is also true for the edge-guide itself.

Using calipers, inlay work turns out perfectly, as do many of the other wordworking techniques. Plus, the edge-guide itself is better balanced and not as heavy as some of the other edge-guides in the market place. It is so versatile, that by buying a sub-base assembly and using my Model A mounting bar, I can even use it with my laminate trimmer!

The Micro Fence may seem like a lot of money, but, believe me, it's well worth it! I think of it as an investment in fine woodworking.

I HAVE OWNED MANY ROUTERS AND LAMINATERS SINCE THEY HIT THE MARKET IN THE VERY BEGINNING. I OWN SEVERAL ROUTERS TODAY AS WELL AS A PORTER CABLE LAMINATER. THIS LAMINATER HAS PROVEN TO BE THE ABSOLUTE HANDISET TOOL IN MY BOX. CAN'T POSSIBLY DUE WITHOUT IT. i HAVE PROBLELY 7 ROUTERS, AND 5 ARE PORTACABLE. I HAVE OWNED STANLEYS, BOSCH, DEWALT, AND SEVERAL JUNKERS LIKE SEARS AND RYOBIA. NOTHING HAS BEEN BETTER TO ME THAN THE PORTER CABLE. PORTER CABLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A QUALITY TOOL, EVEN WAY BACK BEFORE THEY SOLD TO ROCKWELL AND ROCKWELL RAN THEM DOWN AND THEY CAME BACK AND BOUGHT OUT ROCKWELL. THEY IMMEADIATELY BROUGHT THE COMPANY BACK TO THE TOP WHERE THEY RIGHTFULLY BELONG. I COULD SPEND ANOTHER PAGE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT AND UNUSUAL THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS TOOL. IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO DOES DO FIND WOODWORKING, OR WANTS TO, YOU MUST GET ONE OF THESE FIND TOOLS.

GARY AUDET @ TRISTATEHOME@AOL.COM

I haven't had any problems with this laminate trimmer. I even use it to do some light-weight routing. Changing bits isn't even as hard and doesn't take as long as I previously thought it would.

I originally bought this little router for a laminating project. Being primarily a carpenter by trade, I started using the "little router" simply because it was so easy to handle. So use it I have. For all kinds of trim and template work. This Bosch Trim Router has stood up to miles of heavy use and occasional abuse. In fact I was just working with yesterday, will be next week and hopefully for some time to come.

The Hitachi is the finest laminate trimmer available period. It is Hitachi quality, always pretty darn good. Cheaper than just about any other router on the market (and it's a PROFESSIONAL tool). The Hitachi also comes with a money, time, and energy saving pin router guide built in that is fully adjustable. No more buying ball bearing router bits. It also does bevels.

i have only owned it for a couple weeks, however comparing it to my experience to the the PC 310, it is much quiter,lighter and the feel in my hand is amazing. i plan on using it as a cut out tool as well, so light weight and a solid one handed grip was essential to me.. the led lights work nicely, and I believe the description doesn't mention the soft start feature.very smooth and quiet...this makita doesn't even move in your hand when you turn it on! clear base is nice too...and this model has a bearing guide base attachment, for bits without a bearing, if you desire to use it,or you can take it off...

This little gem is worth the money! After working with other guides that were less than accurate, of sloppy craftsmanship, poor design, poor materials, or just plain usless, this unit was a very pleasant suprise. It came fully asembled and ready to install, which was a breeze (all of 5 min). Directions for installation were clear and concise, operation smooth and consistent. Craftsmanship, finish and fit of the mechanism was of a very high quality and of sturdy materials. They were even kind enough to include a laminated converson chart(fraction to decimal) Just a top notch guide all around. I placed a heavy pencil line on a scrap of wood and incremintally removed the line with each pass, 1/100th at a time. Very smooth. Give it a try, I think you will be pleased.

Amzn shipping took way too long for me to give this product a positive review- I recommend purchasing elsewhere. Many eBay sites ship same-day.

This is, so far, a great little machine.
First point to address is the sticking collet. I've got a Vintage Sears, switch in the grip, and "59" Chevy dome light bulb in the base, that freezes the bit so I just leave a 3/4" straight there 'cause I use it all the time. I suspected that the PC 310 had the same type of short single split squat angle rig as the Sears which it did but thanks to the previous review I tried, (Extra Fine Graphite Powder,)" and this thing spits the bit and collet right out for the most part. I even tightened a rusty shank bit and it popped right out. With out the graphite it stuck almost as well as the Sears. I'm gonna' try the Graphite on the old Sears to breath new life in the antique.
OK. So here's the scoop so far. I just got the thing today and the first thing that was wrong was the little push pin to align the motor was broken on the protruting tip which scared the soft aluminum motor slot. I pushed the pin out with a nail head and Channel lock pliers from the base's inside, tapped the hole with a 4 mm X.75 but only found .70 mm pitch set screw at the hardware store so ground it down to a flat point and removed the leading threads to fit the slot that I dressed with needle files and now it works better than I'd imagine new. When I get my drill press set up I'll drill and tap a hole on the opposing side of the base to have a more stable run for lowering and raising the motor. There's Nothing Made by the Hand of Man that can't stand a little improving so, "Why not?"
Anyway I'm planing on getting the 3 axis Plunge Mill from www.microfence.com to turn this little Puppy into a full fledged miniature plunge router to use the above the straight bit bearing cutter for template routing pickups on electric guitars. Look over the MicroFence stuff but have your NitroGlycerin and Oxygen mask handy, (it's only Money) but we want TOOLS more.
So far I've only done a few cuts with this miniture marvel, Oh! I've got a PC 7518, 2 - PC 690 s one with the plunge kit and an Old Makita 3600B plunge router besides the Sears. I'm not just router nuts, that's pretty much the way I approach everything. There's a logic though. The 7518 is in the Bench Dog Max lift nestled in their iron wing on my Jet Contractors saw and one of the PC 690 s will reside in the WoodPecker PRL on the Jets right side leaving one PC 690 for hand work along with all this other stuff. See, it all makes sense in the end, Huhh???
OK so here's the BIG conclusion. Everything good that's been said on the other posts is probably true, if it's got a little problem, like the broken alignment pin, it's fixable but most of all, if you're having problems with stuck bits, try the Graphite powder before sending it back or dumpin' it in your wifes garage sale. Thanks for reading this and remember to be nice to each other.

Have used this product for the last 12 years in production.
Like Lee Iacocca says " If you find a better one buy it".

I bought this kit mainly for the offset base to be able to route counter top faces close into inside corners. After looking at PC and other kits I chose the Dewalt because it included the bearing guide. The bearing guide is much better than using bearing guided router bits. The router bit's bearing will gum up with contact cement when routing glued laminate, and if the bit's bearing does not spin freely, it may burn the laminate. The bearing guide on the base turns only at the speed you advance the base, so I have not had it collect glue yet. It's adjustable in relationship to the cutting bit, so you can gap the difference between the cutter and the bearing to account for angles that are not perfect 90 degree angles, which could scalp the laminate. The unit seems powerful enough. Right after purchasing it, I had to use it to cut a sink hole in a post-formed counter top (the offset base was the only way I could think of to cut close to the attached backsplash) -- so through Formica and 3/4" particle board with a straight carbide bit and the task was done. The plastic case is OK, but I wish you could pack the bases in the case with the options (like the bearing guide) attached to the base. As it is, you must remove the bearing guide from the base or the case will not close.

I investigated all the different brands of laminate trimmers and the dewalt seems to be the one with the most accesories. Most people think that the old PC 310 is the best one, but you can't get any bases for it anymore. Since I needed the offset base for some tight spaces I went ahead with the Dewalt.
Like some other reviews the standard base wasn't square - probably off by 15 degrees - so I called dewalt and they shipped me a new one right away. This one is almost square which is close enough for me.
With the replacement base it works fine. Some people might be upset that the kit came with a machining defect - but now days with prices being so low and everything made off shore you need to expect these things to happen. I'm pleased that Dewalt made it right without any fuss. So I give it four stars.

I had this trimmer now for about 5 years and I do like it. I still haven't used the angle base but I have used the other bases. It is powerful and I sometimes use it for routing jobs where a larger router would be better. That said, I wish it came with a seaming kit. Also, dewalt tools seem to be a little on the loud side. I use power tools almost everyday and I appreciate a quieter tool. (I once brought a dewalt jigsaw only to exchange it two days later for a bosch jigsaw) That's why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5.

A nice tool which includes most everything you would want with a small router package like this. I use the offset base most, and the collet is easy to use and bits adjust easily for height. The only problem I have is that the bit chatters when used with the offset base. It has some play in it that is not a problem when using a flush trimmer bit with a bearing, but when other bits are inserted they don't cut smoothly. The other bases work very well though.

I've been using this things for about a month now. It's a wonderful little router. I can easily handle it with one hand. I am comfortable using this thing in any orientation--horizontal, vertical or upside down.

I grab this router for edge treatments, like round overs or chamfers. It has more than enough power for these jobs. I used it to round over about 50' of hickory. It did a splendid job on this very tough wood.

The bits are easy enough to change. There is a collet lock button. You press the button to prevent the collet from spinning and then you can loosen the collet with one wrench.

I purchased this tool largely on the reputation of PC - and my experience with some of their other tools. I've had it for about a year or so and have used it on a number of laminate trimming projects and as a small router with regular wood bits. In use, the product works well. It has the power I would expect from a small motor and the long cord length is nice.

It's getting to the use part that I have a beef with. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, the base adjustment is poorly designed. Trying to do fine adjustments of the bit is hit and miss. There's a knurled wheel to adjust the height and a locking know. The problem is that when the locking knob is loosened enough to move the base there's way too much play in the base. Consequently, you can't really tell where the base will end up until you tighten the locking knob.

I've also had the problem where the collet won't release the bit after use until I tap the bit a few times.

Maybe I underestimate the ease of designing a motor with a switch, but that seems like something any tool company could do. It's the stuff that bolts onto the motor that makes the difference between a great tool and one that's not so great. Unfortunately, this one falls into the latter camp.

After reading a few reviews here I thought I would comment on this tool myself. I am a proffesional comercial woodworker and have owned and bought for my company this router maybe 15 times over the years so I am very familiar with it. One thig that I keep seeing in the negitive column in everyones reviews is that it is not precise enough for some people, all I can say is keep in mind what this tool is inted for....this is a laminate trim router...there is nothing precise about that, infact it has always been kind of a joke in the industry that they put the fine adjustment knob on the router at all! If you are looking for a small precise genral pourpose woodworking router this is not what you want, if you are looking for a laminate trim router as the name implies this is a very good one, we do millons of dollars worth of work each year here and have found for the price this is a fine trim router.

The versatility of this tool is great. I have used this tool for the past 3 years from zipping out holes (accompanied by an adapter) in drywall to trimming laminate, to mortising out hinge butts. Nothing but good recommendations for this tool.