What small router

[Dan T]

I have a half inch Router which i purely use for kitchen worktops.  laminate and solid

I'm in the market for a smaller router for smaller detail work,cutting hinges and edge moldings etc. Also when on kitchen fits i like to run a small rebate on under side of sink cut out so clips don't foul on the units ect and thought it would save some time having a router set up just for this and not having to change cutters ect.

Ive been thinking about the 1010  is this small enough for cutting hinges ect or should i go for a palm router ?

Dan ???

 

[Alan Smith]

I've been looking at the same issue.  Still undecided, but if the 1010 is too large, the Dewalt 611 is getting good press.  Same as the PC, but adds variable speed and LED lights. My local Lowes had the fixed base unit on sale today for $119.  I think Amazon has the pack with the fixed base and the plunge base for $179 or so.  Might bridge the gap between a full size approach and a laminate trimmer.

 

[Dan1210]

Ive got the little bosch palm router for all those things youve listed, for me the festool edge trimmers are too expensive and one model only takes festool bits, the bosch has good dust extraction too, the new dewalt is getting rave reviews also and has variable speed, defo worth considering.

 

[semenza]

Ive got the little bosch palm router for all those things youve listed, for me the festool edge trimmers are too expensive and one model only takes festool bits, the bosch has good dust extraction too, the new dewalt is getting rave reviews also and has variable speed, defo worth considering.

Which model only takes Festool bits?  I don't know about UK, but in the US they all have standard collets either included or available.

Seth

 

[Dan1210]

As i understood it the ofk 500 trimmer takes specific cutters.

 

[jmbfestool]

I have the makita trimmer for doing hinges and small moulds. Its a really small router it has enough power for what your mentioned and it's cheap enough.  I would not bother with the festool small routers as mentioned they are to expensive for little jobs like this on site.

The new model has a angle base.  I have the old and new model base. 

The bad thing about the new model base is the opening at the bottom is smaller than the old base I don't know why it looks like they added more plastic to try and create better dust extraction but it ain't very good still so what I did was put a large cutter turned the trimmer on and then plunged the cutter down so the cutter cut it's own base making it a large opening. Don't worry it's all plastic so no worries!

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=makita+trimmer&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15589884716948000247&sa=X&ei=uBe_Tc7OH4yJhQfwptC2BQ&ved=0CDQQ8wIwAg#

 

[Frank Stacho]

I have Ridgid R2401 from Home Depot for $99! Works perfect! Frank

[attachimg=#]

 

[kdzito]

I have Ridgid R2401 from Home Depot for $99! Works perfect! Frank

[attachimg=#]

Ditto on the Ridgid as I use this for routing hinges and strikes with a template/bit.

Kurt

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Ive got the little bosch palm router for all those things youve listed, .... the bosch has good dust extraction too.

I have a Colt too, how are you getting dust extraction on your machine?

 

[Dan1210]

Hey kevin, i bought the bosch in a kit which had a tilt base a guide fence and the dust extraction bits, its not a great design and takes a little while to put together as you have to exchange bases, ive got it set up on a job im doing at the moment, ill try to get a decent pic tmrw.

 

[jonny round boy]

As i understood it the ofk 500 trimmer takes specific cutters.

Dan,

The OFK500 isn't available in the States, so not surprising they're unaware of it. And you're right, the only bits that fit it are made by Festool.

Having said that, I used the OFK500s a lot in an old job, and it really is superb at what it does. The bits are pricey in comparison to other standard router bits, but they last a really long time & can be sharpened when they do eventually lose their edge. It's a tool I would love to own. I don't use my tools to earn a living anymore, and can't justify the price of a new one, but I'm constantly on the lookout for good second hand ones. They don't come up very often at all, which tells you that either a; people who buy them don't want to let go of them, or b. Festool don't sell very many of them. I think it's a combination of both!

It's designed to do a limited range of jobs, namely flush trimming, chamfering, and rounding over. If you need/want a small router for doing these things & aren't bothered about doing anything else, then it truly excels. Because of that I feel it's more useful for production work. The feel and balance of the machine are perfect.

If you're wanting a general purpose small router for doing a variety of jobs, the OFK500 is not for you.

 

[tdfiver]

When I went into my local Festool shop, Ross, told me not to waste my money on the OFK500 and buy either the small Makita Trimmer or the Bosch Palm Router, as they do the same job but would cost less to run.

So I have the Bosch Palm Router, and its very good.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Dan,

I think the OF1010 would work just fine for routing for hinges, however, some of the other applications you might be looking to use it on I think would be better suited to the smaller body of something like the Bosch Colt.  It has some shortcomings like on mine, the base wasn't flat and I had to spend some time sanding it on the surface of my table saw.  Also the height setting can change as you're trying to make a fine adjustment or lock it in.

 

[Dan1210]

Kevin, here is a vid of the dust extraction cos i dont know how to upload pics the vid is crap as done on my phone whilst at work today but it shows the attachment. IMG 0693

cheers.

 

[jmbfestool]

Hey Dan you joining the video gang now aswell!

Lol

Jmb

 

[Dan1210]

ha ha no mate im not going there! only cuz i dont know how to post pics!

 

[gates559]

I have a bosch colt that has held up to a significant amount of work with no problems at all. I would definitely recommend them. I have a 1010 as well but its too big for some jobs.