Makita laminate trimmer

[Dangermouse]

I'm in the market for a laminate trimmer, for edging work and routing in the occasional lock reciever, I'd love to get another festool but it doesn't warrant the cost, so ive been looking at a Makita RT0700cx4, has anyone got/ used one of these, are they any good, worth the money ?

 

[Wuffles]

Why don't you use your of1010? Just get the angle arm adaptor (which probably costs more than a Makita laminate trimmer, but you know, have to suggest it).

 

[nickao]

I suggest the DeWalt 611 I love it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0048EFUV8/ref=sr_ph_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ie=UTF8&qid=1438196485&sr=sr-1&keywords=dewalt+611

If you can afford it get the plunge version, the dust collection a good as the Festools:

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWP611PK-Torque-Variable-Compact/dp/B0049ZFUK2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438196602&sr=8-2&keywords=dewalt+611

I have one of these on one of my mini cnc and it is just unbelievable how much abuse it can take. And it has little run out to where it can cut inlay parts to within .003  easily.

As a laminate trimmer it works great as well.

On amazon I purchased a few when they went to 99.99 and the plunge 149.99. Even at full price well worth it, I guarantee it. They blow my  Bosch colt away. Definitely the best 100.00 I have spent in a long while. Other than the OF2200 it's the only other router I use anymore.

This may be controversial, but I prefer this router over the OF1010, especially for laminates. I never did like Festools MFK dedicated laminate router myself. The 611 is small enough to zip along plywood on edge sideways, but powerful enough  to use as a plunge for many other operations. The OF1010 is just not a great router to use for laminate trimming in my opinion. The OF1010 is just not the right shape for me personally. Factor in cost the the DeWalt 611 is a no brainer.

If you do go Makita, which is nice, I would go with the kit. It has everything you will ever need for laminates. The 3 bases work well. My brother has the kit and had an issue with the button on the plunge base, that may not effect you. I am not sure if it's a design flaw or just his. The Makitas power is there and it cuts cleanly for sure with to little to no vibration. I still prefer the DeWalt for cutting things other than laminate trimming though. You can't go wrong with the Makita. The Makita itself is actually a bit cheaper than the DeWalt in the US at retail 99.99 for the single router:

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-RT0701CX3-1-1-Compact-Router/dp/B00FYUMOIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438197274&sr=8-1&keywords=Makita+RT0700cx4

Single Makita:

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-RT0701CX3-1-1-Compact-Router/dp/B00FYUMOIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438197274&sr=8-1&keywords=Makita+RT0700cx4

 

[Wuffles]

I'm not sure it makes any difference to your extensive reply, but he's based in the UK, the prices and links will no doubt be different over here.

 

[nickao]

Yes you are right, but he can still read the specs and reviews and search for the tool and if he has availability.

This is a US forum, I just dont have the time to seek out the UK links like someone over there can. No doubt someone else can benefit  from my use of the tools though.

Here is the same router, about the same price called something different on amazon UK.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dewalt-4-inch-Combination-Plunge-Router/dp/B004ISVITW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438201211&sr=8-2&keywords=DeWalt+router

 

[Wuffles]

Yes, I get that, but I'm not sure Dewalt sell the 611 in this Country (any more), they may have once or not yet, suppose it depends on how old/new the machine is. Caveat, I'm always wrong about this stuff, I expect everyone sells it here but I can't find it.

[member=41542]Dangermouse[/member], the edge trimming gizmos you'd need for an OF1010 are listed in the blog below from [member=1146]Brice Burrell[/member] (and [member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member] has done a video about them too). Depends on how much use you'll have for a trimmer I guess.

http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/festools-edge-routing-accessories.html

 

[nickao]

Yeah I dont see the little LED on it either it appears close, but not identical to the 611. It may be the DEWALT DWE6000.

Oh well my answer still proves true to anyone else(well USA) looking for a little router.

He can't go wrong with that Makita set up if he can get the same one we have here.

Wait this sure looks like it, if not it certainly is going to work just as well. Dual LED and everything. Unless DeWalt UK is outdated. I do think the one I listed to on the UK Amazon is going to operate the same as my 611 looking at the specs, even if it's not identical:

http://www.dewalt.co.uk/powertools/productdetails/catno/D26203/

Not sure why  the 611 is discontinued over there, I have had no issues.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

We have three of those Makitas in the workshop. They are pretty silent and work well. I switched to a wider base on my machine though I no longer have it. I run a Festool OFK500 and find it better for me.

You can't beat the Makita when it comes to bang for the buck.

I have long term experience with Bosch GFK600 which is a noisy little screecher with a fixed RPM and a kickstart. I prefer the Makita.
I also have experience with Virutex laminat trimmer and I would rank them:

Virutex; silent, good build but too long body couple to a small base and topples over easily. With wider base a solid machine. We have one in the shop. 
Bosch GFK600; noisy but powerful. Fixed RPM. Great balance on smaller stock. It can be fitted with plunge base and other bits and pieces but the lack of variable RPM and starting kick makes it awkward in use. 
Makita (the one you are asking about): decent build, benefits from switching to a slightly larger base and has variable speed. Silent and works well. A good allrounder but not so powerful for other routing tasks.
OFK500: limited compared to the Makita and expensive router bits but superb ergonomics. I use it a lot. If I was in the market for another one I would probably get the Makita again though. Does perform well and is quite cheap.

 

[Dangermouse]

Mmm, thinking about what I'm would actually use it for I don't think using my 1010 would be time effective, as id be constantly changing between a normal cutter and a guided laminate trim cutter, plus as most ot the clinical work tops we fit/ alter generally have a deep 90 degree up stand at the back, bull nosed down stand on the front edgesi don't think it'd fit into the corners, and when fitting acrovyn wall cladding, using a small trim router is ideal for cutting out for electrical points.
I'll have another look but at the moment the Makita looks spot on for my needs

 

[Wuffles]

Mmm, thinking about what I'm would actually use it for I don't think using my 1010 would be time effective, as id be constantly changing between a normal cutter and a guided laminate trim cutter, plus as most ot the clinical work tops we fit/ alter generally have a deep 90 degree up stand at the back, bull nosed down stand on the front edgesi don't think it'd fit into the corners, and when fitting acrovyn wall cladding, using a small trim router is ideal for cutting out for electrical points.
I'll have another look but at the moment the Makita looks spot on for my needs

No worries, just letting you know the option existed.

 

[Dangermouse]

cheers for the info guys  [smile]

 

[joiner1970]

I've had the makita for a couple of years now. Very good little router. The motor is really solid and well made

 

[Brent Taylor]

I have had this router for a few years, bought the full kit to replace my trim routers since one seized up due to the salt air and age. Liked it so much I bought a second for doing dovetail and key hole type work.  I keep one fixed base in a small router table and the tilt base is great to have when you need to have it, it's very handy.

 

[Stone Message]

I am not sure if the OP could go as far as the OF1010 which, with the angle arm and edging plate, makes a superb trimmer. Here are the links to the two videos:

Part 1:



Part 2:



And remember that this is a very sweet router with collets up to 8 mm.

I saw some discussion of the Dewalt 611. I have the X-Carve small CNC and I wanted to put the 611 in it. But that machine is not available in the UK or rather not available by name. I did some research and found that the Dewalt UK range of small routers (26200, 26203 and 26204) all share the same motor unit which is a 220-240v version of the 611.

Dewalt in the UK have kindly supplied a 26204 for me to fit in the X-Carve so that I can do some video work of the CNC with a more powerful spindle unit than the one supplied by Inventables. Yesterday I took delivery of the X-Carve mount, designed for the Dewalt 611, and into which the 26204 fits perfectly.

I thought it a good idea to make a video about the Dewalt 262xx series before permanently mounting the router in the CNC. I have been working on this for the last 8 days and the video will be uploaded within the next 24 hours. I will create a new thread, in the "Other Tool Review" area when it is live. I can confirm that the Dewalt is an excellent small router with very good dust collection.

Peter

 

[Wuffles]

I am not sure if the OP could go as far as the OF1010 which, with the angle arm and edging plate, makes a superb trimmer. Here are the links to the two videos:

Part 1:



Part 2:



And remember that this is a very sweet router with collets up to 8 mm.

I saw some discussion of the Dewalt 611. I have the X-Carve small CNC and I wanted to put the 611 in it. But that machine is not available in the UK or rather not available by name. I did some research and found that the Dewalt UK range of small routers (26200, 26203 and 26204) all share the same motor unit which is a 220-240v version of the 611.

Dewalt in the UK have kindly supplied a 26204 for me to fit in the X-Carve so that I can do some video work of the CNC with a more powerful spindle unit than the one supplied by Inventables. Yesterday I took delivery of the X-Carve mount, designed for the Dewalt 611, and into which the 26204 fits perfectly.

I thought it a good idea to make a video about the Dewalt 262xx series before permanently mounting the router in the CNC. I have been working on this for the last 8 days and the video will be uploaded within the next 24 hours. I will create a new thread, in the "Other Tool Review" area when it is live. I can confirm that the Dewalt is an excellent small router with very good dust collection.

Peter

Peter, he already has the OF1010, it's why I suggested it, keep up chap  [smile]

 

[Kev]

I had a little metal body Makita trimmer years ago ... probably one of the very few tools I wished I'd never let go [sad]

It just did it's one job very, very well.

 

[Stone Message]

The Dewalt video is on YouTube and here is a link to the FOG thread:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tool-reviews/dewalt-d2604-router-(same-as-the-611)/msg408826/?topicseen#msg408826

Peter