For small jobs, ya can't beat the Colt. And, this is a great price. 

https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-reconditioned-bosch-pr20evsk-rt-colt-variable-speed-palm-router-kit/bshrpr20evsk-rt,default,pd.html

Cal I understand your thinking there but I would feel very awkward asking for more. Like someone giving you a present and you asking why they can't give you something else.. Lol. But you make solid point perhaps down the road I will just buy a smaller one. 

No problem Lissa.  Just trying to help you find the right tool for the job, and it goes back to my original question of the type of projects you were planning on.

I have never used one of the larger routers to actually know what the difference is.  But I have a Colt and there is a big difference there

 

On ‎6‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 7:01 AM, Ron Dudelston said:

The manager has the flexibility to give a discount if you explain your charity.

Lowe's gives a 10% veterans' discount.  Also, they have a program, My Lowe's, that allows you to register online as a veteran, and you are able to use your discount for online orders.  Do you have a good shop vac?  If so, and you plan to use a router table, you might consider some sort of dust collection built into the fence.  I have one on my shop built table, and it saves a ton of dust collection/clean up time.

I don't happen to own the Bosch 1617EVS. Been waiting for my existing router to die, but The Bosch has gotten nothing but praise from all those who own it. As for router bits, I always go with Freud carbide bits. Once you get a little familiar with the router, you may want to build your own router table to provide a larger surface and cabinet space for your bits and other accessories , and to provide dust collection.

Postal tom I do have shop vac but it's not setup for collection as of yet! But I am in process of using all those previously topic organizing workshop ideas to get everything set up. So far I have been able to free up a lot of space. Good thing as well because I was nt expecting to give a new tool a home. Goes to show there is a reason for everything. I do have veterans discount as well.

Cal as far as jobs I can only narrow it down a little and it will not be much help. For paws4vets I have made things like I said above, plaques, intarsia dog heads and like leash and collor decorative boards with their name and golden on them. I am currently working on dog banks. I have also made awards. As for myself at home I am currently remodeling so I need a router that will work for small and large projects I suppose

 

 

Sorry I'm a little late to the discussion, my advise, for what it is worth, start with the Bosch 1617EVSPK. It will give you the most versatility with the fixed and plunge bases. It is mid-level size/power and will do most of your tasks. You will get the advantage of both a 1/4" and 1/2" collet size. It will perform 90% of your tasks and you will get superior quality, longevity, and impeccable customer support.

 

Once you use this and see where it falls short in your particular activities you can adjust up or down in size as appropriate. I suspect from the activities that you have listed that a small trim type router would be your next acquisition. Something along the lines of the Bosch Colt. Another word of advise, go with variable speed for greater versatility.

 

Gene has excellent advise above. Don't think twice about buying a reconditioned tool from CPO or other reputable vendors. Most people still hesitate to buy "reconditioned" tools. However, reconditioned are sometimes better than new.

 

New tools go through a quality control spot check as they are manufactured. The frequency of the inspection depends on the manufacturers protocols. One out of, say, 100 might get inspected for compliance. Occasionally, a bad component or part slips into the mix and gets missed because the tool was not one of those inspected. These tools generally get returned and sent out for rehab. Now, when it is repaired it receives a 100% QC inspection. This ensures that the tools meets and in some cases exceeds the condition of the NEW tool. They are often found at a significantly lower price than MSRP or the prevailing new street price.

 

Hope all of the helps.

14 hours ago, It Was Al B said:

I don't happen to own the Bosch 1617EVS. Been waiting for my existing router to die, but The Bosch has gotten nothing but praise from all those who own it. As for router bits, I always go with Freud carbide bits. Once you get a little familiar with the router, you may want to build your own router table to provide a larger surface and cabinet space for your bits and other accessories , and to provide dust collection.

The router table doesn't even have to be fancy.

 

A simple and quick example;

 

http://www.startwoodworking.com/post/how-build-simple-router-table

Just a word of caution. Routers are like clamps. Once you get bitten by the routermania bug, you'll never have enough of 'em.

Norm, of NYWS says that you need one for each bit. That might be over abundant but, a router for each day of the month wouldn't be excessive.

7 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Just a word of caution. Routers are like clamps. Once you get bitten by the routermania bug, you'll never have enough of 'em.

Norm, of NYWS says that you need one for each bit. That might be over abundant but, a router for each day of the month wouldn't be excessive.

So, assuming that there are 31 days in a month, I only need another 22!

 

Hmmm! maybe a Bosch Colt or two, Trash the old Crapsman and replace it with a 1617, I always wanted to try a Triton, so the Makita M12 (which I DON'T like) can be replaced in my table. As long as I'm at it, I might as well build a more robust and better designed table to replace the RL1000 table. Wait, I just can't get rid of the RL1000, so, I'll need another router for the new table. Auggggghhhh! See what you've done Gene. How could you?

 

58 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

you'll never have enough of 'em.

 

true...

 

58 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

a router for each day of the month wouldn't be excessive.

 

why the limits???

 

40 minutes ago, schnewj said:

I only need another 22!

 

think you can get that done by the end of the week...

19 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

why the limits???

No limits. 31 is just merely a suggested starting point.

Edited June 17, 20187 yr by Gene Howe

3 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

No limits. 31 is just merely a suggested starting point.

 

I only have four but then I hardly ever use a router.

 

 

22 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

 

true...

 

 

why the limits???

 

 

think you can get that done by the end of the week...

...nope! Busier then a one armed paper hanger, and it getting uglier by the minute.

Sso I better get cracking for the other 30. Geesh guys ur killing me... Lol can't I at least get the shop organized first so I can make it messy with more tools?

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

No limits. 31 is just merely a suggested starting point.

WHEW!!!!

1 hour ago, HandyDan said:

I only have four

BLASPHEMY!!!

1 hour ago, schnewj said:

..nope! Busier then a one armed paper hanger

 

last we heard you haven't got the seven year itch...

so yur only busy..

not TOO busy...

1 hour ago, Lissa Hall said:

Sso I better get cracking for the other 30. Geesh guys ur killing me... Lol can't I at least get the shop organized first so I can make it messy with more tools? 

and we'll be watching...