Routers Reviews

The greatest inventions are alwsys the simple ones. This tool does a better job at $25 than expensive mortise and tenon makers costing hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars. The basic idea is brilliant and works great. Just be sure to really clamp the jig down hard.

The only improvement that I can imagine is a way to clamp the jig on varied pieces. For 3/4" stock the current setup can't be beat. To use it on other thicknesses is not as simple and easy.

This thing just flat out works.

Four legs with twenty-four mortises. That's my count on the Mission buffet I'm building. To complete this project in a reasonable amount of time, the BeadLOCK Kit has been a timesaver. After only one practice cut, I went to work. Excellent results when you follow the instructions. Suggest users not clamp the tool using the Irvin-style squeeze clamps. Not strong enough and the drill guide can and will move. C-clamp or a vise is recommended to prevent massive headaches. Prices vary so shop for the best deal. Simple idea that really does work as advertised.

I have used a variety of different mortaise and tenon cutters and systems including chain mortisers, mortaiseur a bedan in France that cost $40,000, and mortaise cutters on drill presses. This is the best and simplest system I have ever seen for cutting and placing floating tenons. From the first joint I made that only took five minutes the joint was tight and straight. It is absolutely the most accurate mortaise and tenon system I have ever seen and also the fastest. I encourage all woodworkers to try this system as it is a major breakthrough tool.

Unlike DeWalt, Milwaukee used the same design of their electric saw to build a cordless. The early model had less than spectacular quick-change clamp but that was remedied quite nicely.

Just want to say that it's great Milwaukee offers the "tool only" so we don't have to keep purchasing batteries and chargers. I've purchased 2 milwaukee cordless tools with 2 batteries and a charger each, and then was able to purchase this saw and a work light without those items. So now I have a bettery for each tool and a backup charger, and they all fit in one case....beautiful!!!

P.S....I've had the 18 volt drill, circle saw, sawzall and light for well over a year now and use them heavily , no problems, excellent tools.

I'm a concrete and masonry contractor and my guys use this tool for everything from cutting forms to cutting roots in their way. Exceptional performance, we usually use up two batteries in a day, but the fast charge can usually keep up. Almost indistructable, have seen it droped from over 8 ft. from scaffolding and just bounce. The keyless chuck is fantastic. I have had too many tools with keys or allen wrenches sit in the truck unused for the want of a key. Have had the tool for over two years and am still using the original batteries but, this morning the battery charger gave up the ghost. I guess thats what you get for leaving it out in the rain a half of douzen times, more or less. I do not buy cheap tools, I feel that my employees deserve the best to make them the best. If I only had enough money to buy one tool this would be it.

When I recieved my "Router Workshop" I had to put it together. Well that took about 15 min. time. The kit includes everything you need to start making projects, it also includes two projects to work on (wood included). The projects are basic with the parts supplied.

The router table is well thought out. The system, and thats the proper term to use, is best for someone who has only a router because it is designed to work only with the components that are made by Oak Park Enterprises. Example: The router base plates are 11" X 11" and fit into the router table, other base plates are 9"X12" etc. and dont fit. The base plate comes with a 1 1/2" center hole, so if you have brass of other metel guide rings they won't fit, You have to use the Oak Park guide rings and so on.

Some of the other things they sell come in "system" form, so once your in, your in!

With all that they sell books, video tapes of shows that were or are on P.B.S. that provide information to get you through the projects,

I am having lots of fun and making projects I didn't think I could. Now if I could only find a place to put my finished projects?

This router table is a keeper.

Received the Router Workshop and within 20 minutes was into my first project. Literally assembles in a snap. Only complaint - cutout in the fence limits you to the straight bit that comes with the package. An additional fence with a larger cutout to accomodate a wider variety of bits would have been helpful.

I have owned an Oak Park Router Workshop for about three years now and it's one of the best setups I have ever used. The ease of setting up and tearing down takes very little time. There also is a good line of accessories that can be added to the basic unit for almost any routing job. I am very satisfied with my purchase of this unit. The instruction vidios are also very helpful.

This router is perfect for use of dovetail and other small bits. It uses a 1/4" collet. Compared to other models, it is light in weight and easy to use. It uses the #1001 base which is inter-changeable with the model 690. Has plenty of power for its size. If you don't like to change collets, and can afford to purchase an extra router, this model will certainly do the trick.

I have owned a model 100 for 30 years. (back when it was Rockwell). The router was used to finish edges on tables and doors and a quite a lot of countertop laminate work. Today it is used mostly for cutting dovetails and has held up very well. The only parts that have been replaced was the collet and the power switch and this was over 10 years ago.

Many people will see 7/8 horse and write it off immediately. I have a monster 3 1/4 horse router that is great on a router table, however it is heavy, awkward, and inaccurate when used free hand. As a Carpenter, I will end up using this tool far more because of its size and weight for day to day use. You can use it for edging and laminate trimming and because of the full size base its great for all around use. It has plenty of power for nearly all applications. And also something else you don't see these days, its made of metal.

When you first receive this kit, you'll think to yourself "How much for this?" Looking at the contents and the materials you would think $15. However, use it once and you'll be convinced it's worth every cent you paid. This is one of those tools that just plain works well from your first try. It truly makes inlays a piece of cake.

When you recieve this kit, you'll say "How over-priced is this?" It's truly about a $15 kit. (Higher end materials would help to justify the price.) HOWEVER, from the first time you use it, you'll be hooked. All of a sudden the price paid seems somewhat insignificant. It's no brainer inlaying. Help, I can't stop... I just inlayed the dog...

This device is so simple in its construction, but so exacting in its results. For doing inlays, it couldn't be easier. Short and sweet-The bushing that rides on the template is designed to compensate for the width of the bit, so your inlay, and the pocket have an exact matching edge. Here is how you do it.
1. You make up a template out of 1/4 plywood, or whatever your template preference material is, using your scroll, jig, sabre or whatever saw, then sand using a drum sanding attachment on your drill press, or a dedicated station, or by finely hand sanding, to get a perfect edge, in whatever size, shape, you want.
2. Install the included 1/8" upward spiral bit in your router. (By the way upward spiral bits leave a perfect wall in the pocket, as well as a perfectly smooth bottom.)
3.Install the template guide, AND install the offset ring that comes with this kit, over the nipple on the template guide. (Porter Cable template guides are the standard in the industry, which means that most routers accept them. If they don't, they usually supply an adapter so they can. Check with the description, or information from the manufacturer of your router to be sure.) This ring compensates for the width of the 1/8" bit perfectly, so when the pocket is made on this pass, it will mate up perfectly with your inlay.
4. Set the depth of the plunge, or preset your fixed base router, to the depth of your intended inlay, let's use 1/4" in this example, and rout away to create the valley for your template.
5. Now pick up the wood that you are going to be using to inlay into the project. Take the collar off, and using the same template, you rout out your inlay. It is a good idea to set the router a little deeper than your intended inlay so you can make the inlay a little thicker, to give you room for sanding. Then, take your freshly routed inlay over to the band saw, or table saw and run it through, and out comes a 1/4" deep or a little more, inlay. If you can get a perfect face, without saw marks, you can drop it right into the inlay. If not, then you cut it a little bit oversized, and board sand the inlay to the correct depth. It is best to place the original flat side of the inlay down into the pocket, leaving the wood with the saw marks a little proud (sticking up above the plane) then when the glue cures, you board sand the entire project flush.
In addition, exotic inlays are available, which enable you to use very expensive woods. These are usually very thin, and pre-sanded, so you will have to adjust the depth of the valley for the inlay.
Anyhow, pertaining to this kit, it is a lot of capacity, coming out of such a little tool set. After you do your first one, you will be hooked. A good idea is to try one out, on scrap first, just to get down, the niceities, of glue edging etc. Inlays definitely take your work to the next level. This kit has got to be the top of the heap, when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck. Highly recommended.

Having been a long time woodworker and used routers only as hand held, I made the jump to a Table top router.
As most woodworkers know changing bits can be cumbersome.
with the Rousseau its EZ. Another item is getting the correct depth is like pulling teeth without novocaine. This lift takes that out of the equation. I would recommend this to any novice or hardcore woodwork, it saves time and knuckles.

The router lifter did everything I could ask for and more. Ran 2,200 lineal feet of stock through the unit without any problems. Well worth the cost. A great addition to my collection.

What it is: This is a JessEm Rout-R-Lift FX router lift, bolted to a much thickened phenolic Rousseau mounting plate. It appears to made of machined aluminum and/or alloy, possibly with some steel, most of which has a anodized finish. The tolerances are very tight and it operates very smoothly. This device fits in all Rousseau and the Bosch RA1200 router tables.

What it does: It allows for extreme precise height adjustment. Using a hex bolt atop simply turn to the right to raise or left to lower. It is that simple, no need to loosen something first or tighten after. One full turn equals 1/16" with numbers at 1/64" intervals and marks at every 1/512" in between. It lifts full up in around 30-40 turns for easy above the table bit changes.

Assembly: I was able to unlatch the quick-release cam lock level, drop in the router motor and latch with out adjusting anything right out of the box. A 7/16" bolt is used to tighten or loosen the tension if needed.

Was it worth it: The speed and accuracy of adjusting bit height is incredible. As is, removing and installing the router motor off the lift, which has no effect on previous setting. This allows for true one router motor for all bases. 5 stars.

This is just as advertised. Great instructions, Sturdy and adaptable to my needs.

although i rated it 5 i had to return for a non drilled benchdog becouse of fit.

Seems silly to write a review on a box, but this is such a cool one, I have to. An afterthought purchase to make the amount of the order go over [price], it turned out to be the next best thing to the router that it fits, plus it holds about a gazillion router bits and all the odds and ends for the machine. Buy it -- it's worth every penny and more.

I was very happy with everything about my new Bosch 1617EVS router except the fact that it didn't come with a case. (My workshop doubles as my garage, so everything has to get put away every so often, so my wife can park her car in the "garage.") Originally, I wasn't happy about having to pay extra for this case, but when the item arrived, I got over the initial sticker shock.

The case is very solidly built and wide enough that it won't tip over if you hit it with something. (That's a problem with a lot of the other plastic tool cases I have.) Inside, it has space for the router as well as collet wrenches and a number of 1/2" and 1/4" bits.

Interestingly, the case holds the router upside down -- but since that's how my routers spend most of their time when they're not in the cases, I guess they're used to it.

If you have a 1617 or 1618 router and need to transport it or just want to keep it out of harm's way, you can't do better than this attractive, sturdy, and functional case.

What review Feeser said. All true. Hope it is available again for those that don't have one. Just a whole lot better under a router table, not really necessary if you use your router freehand only.

This knob is as much an extension of your existing adjusting knob as it is an increase in the overall size of the turning head. It snaps into your existing knob. Simply put, it makes it easier to make depth adjustments. First of all it is easier to find when under the table, and secondly it makes adjusting a little easier with such a large knob.
Not much else to say other than that. Highly recommended for your Bosch 1617 or 1618 series router.

Ordered this jig about two weeks ago. When it came, it was missing all the accessories (shank carbide-tipped dovetail bit #43776PC, template guide #42040, lock nut #42237 and T-handle hex wrench). Called Amazon and had them replace it. Today got the new unit and what do you know, it is missing again. Called PC and had them ship accessories to me separately (they confirmed that those accessories should be included). Now more waiting... But then again, what do you expect from a company that gets bought by Black&Decker. Besides, when the bit goes bad, I have no idea where to get a new one (17/32 7 degrees). Web search didn't produce any results. I guess PC chose those dimension so you could buy it only from them, but they forgot to actually distribute it. If you are going to buy it call Porter Cable first and have them ship the accessories to you.

Since I own the P-C 4212, I will only comment here on the features that it shares with the 4210 jig.

I purchased this jig primarily to help me make drawers quickly and accurately. Before buying it I was worried that the jig would be too fussy or time consuming to set up properly, or that it might not make good joints. After reading lots of reviews I decided to take the plunge and I am happy to say that my fears were mostly unwarranted. So far the performance of this jig has been excellent. The manual is well written and the instructions are easy to follow and precise. By taking my time and following the steps to the letter, I made near perfect half-blind dovetails on my first try. With a bit of troubleshooting and tweaking (which are explained in the manual), I soon had great looking joints coming from this thing.

One word of advice, every cut made with this jig must be backed up or you will get some serious blowout from the router bit exiting the rear of the board. In a normal operation such as making half blind dovetails, the pin board and the tail board are clamped together in the jig to provide this support, but remember that since they are offset, the last "tail" cut is not backed and will blowout if you don't add a scrap board to back it up. Also, don't forget to go to the P-C website and download the advanced joint manual. It really explains all of the fancier joints you can accomplish with this jig.

Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase, both from a performance and value-for-the-dollar standpoint.

I don't make a lot of dovetails. I have an Incra jig but i find the process tedious. I wanted a way to quickly and efficiently make half blind dt's for drawers. The learning curve on the PC is about 30 minutes. You can then probably put the instruction book away. There is an issue with the quality and unusual size of the Porter Cable bit. Whiteside has replacement bits and Freud will have them in March. Glad I bought it and would do it again