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5th April 2018, 12:14 AM #1Novice
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 17
Router recommendations please (Also: Different wattages?!)
HI everyone, first time back in a long while! I'm taking the plunge so to speak, and looking at buying a used router. Would be used freehand at this point, not a table (don't have the room yet). My research so far seems to veer between a Hitachi TR-12 (different wattages?), Bosch GOF1300ACE (pillars move/wobble?), or a Makita 3612c (not seen any for sale) or 3620.
I have found a few for sale in good condition, so any buying advice for a first time user who is willing to watch the videos, don PPE and being careful would be appreciated please - thank you!
One thing I am also curious about: Is more wattage better? I have seen TR-12's for instance that vary between 900W and 1600W. My google-fu draws a blank here Are these different generations of the same model across the years (like say a VE to VF Commodore), or different sub models available at the same time (like a V6 or V8 model)? Should I be going for the highest wattage possible, or is more power not necessarily better? I've seen good examples of TR12's and GOF1300's that are both 1300W, should I be holding out for the 1600W or higher models?
edit: specifying used, known quirks in what I'm looking at currentlyWTB Koken sockets (and other Koken stuff), please PM me if you're interested in selling:
3/8" Metric Standard 6pt 13mm up; 3/8" Metric Deep 6pt; 1/2" Metric Deep 6pt.
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5th April 2018, 08:11 AM #2
The Hitachi TR-12 1600 watt is a fine basic single speed powerful router, they seem to go forever, it's going to roar through anything you throw at it, I have used one many times, and have seen the 1500 watt model which is later I believe and I doubt you would tell the difference of only 100 watts. I also had the smaller TR-8 800 watt which was great for small jobs.
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5th April 2018, 08:30 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Jun 2003
- Location
- Sunbury, Vic
- Age
- 85
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- 2,103
Plus one for TR12. Had mine for best part of 20 years without a problem. It is in my table so cannot see the wattage at the moment.
Tom
"It's good enough" is low aim
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5th April 2018, 02:37 PM #4Novice
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 17
Thanks everyone for your replies! The TR12 has very favourable reviews as a workhorse router. HypnoToad, I've recently seen a 1300w version, basically mint, however a while most much difference between say, a 1500w and 1600w, what about 1600w vs 1300?
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5th April 2018, 07:00 PM #5
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5th April 2018, 07:56 PM #6
It is not the ultimate wattage that is important with a hand held router, however something in the 1.5-2.0 hp range is ideal. That is 1000 - 1500 watts.
Power is important to to avoid stalling a bit, but one is not likely to use large bits anyway when using a router in the hands. That is the job of a router table. For working with hands, a good fence is important, as well as balance, especially balance.
I would be looking at a medium sized router. I have never used the Makita or Hitachi mentioned here. My medium is an old Elu MOF97, which is fantastic. This is not made any more but has been replaced by the deWalt DW621. I would strongly recommend looking around for a used one or, if you can run to the cost, buying one new. This is simply a superb router, and the deWalt is both 1/4" and 1/2", variable speed and soft start.
Regards from Perth
DerekVisit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.
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5th April 2018, 09:37 PM #7
Some of the things to look out for when buying used is does it come with things like spanners and guides.
This Makita for example https://webshop.cashconverters.com.a...12-blue-router does not look like it comes with the spanners or guides.
How ever this Hitachi https://webshop.cashconverters.com.a...0w-220v-router also includes a template guide and bits.
I have seen used routers also missing their depth gauge.
I have no association with cashconverters except as a customer.
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6th April 2018, 12:04 AM #8Novice
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 17
Thanks for that - i am looking at a model of the same wattage, which looks like it is mint. But i also know there are 1600w versions. So do i grab this one (or a similar wattage Bosch GOF1300ACE in similar condition), or wait for a more powerful version in as good a condition?
[Flips a coin, watches as it lands on its side ]WTB Koken sockets (and other Koken stuff), please PM me if you're interested in selling:
3/8" Metric Standard 6pt 13mm up; 3/8" Metric Deep 6pt; 1/2" Metric Deep 6pt.
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7th April 2018, 07:16 PM #9Novice
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 17
I will bide my time and wait for a 1600w TR12 in good nick to come up - hopefully with one careful owner, still in original box, left in a garage somewhere...! :P
Thanks everyone for your advice!WTB Koken sockets (and other Koken stuff), please PM me if you're interested in selling:
3/8" Metric Standard 6pt 13mm up; 3/8" Metric Deep 6pt; 1/2" Metric Deep 6pt.
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8th April 2018, 10:22 AM #10SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2008
- Location
- Brisbane (Macleay Is)
- Posts
- 240
There is much more to a good hand held router than raw power.
Things such as:
Soft Start No kick when you start the router
Variable speed for various sized bits and different materials
Easy access to on off switch, safety
Easy adjustment of depth/ micro adjust
Smooth plunge action.
Depth lock that does not slip
1/2 1/4 & 8mm collets
I am sure there are more
I have an Elu MOF 177 ( a very good router but no longer made), several old Dewalt 1hp and more recently Bosch routers GOF 1400CE and the newer GOF 1600CE both with interchangebale fixed & plunge bases. The new Bosch leaves the rest for dead with regard to usability. The newer routers are so much nicer to use than the old single speed monsters
Ron
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8th April 2018, 10:48 AM #11Taking a break
- Join Date
- Aug 2008
- Location
- Melbourne
- Age
- 34
- Posts
- 5,906
+1 for the TR12, they're pretty much indestructible. They've been replaced by the M12 series which are also really good
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8th April 2018, 11:11 AM #12GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Oct 2004
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia.
- Posts
- 804
You mention that you will be using the router hand held, with possibly a router table at a later date. I have the TR12 1300W unit, bought close to 30 years ago; it is a 240V unit, not 230V as has been standard for the last 18 years in this country.
Regardless, it has a real kick when switched on, whereas my much bigger (Wattage wise) Triton router, has a soft start and is a dream to use hand held in comparison. I would suggest that you give any router with a soft start option over the, almost brutal, kick start TR12 router consideration; soft start really does make a difference.
Mick.
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11th April 2018, 09:51 AM #13
Real men like that kick. But seriously I know what you mean, the only real drawback with the TR12 is it's single speed, not a problem if you are not using wide bits, I am thinking of getting the schematic for the Silicon Chip magazine speed control that is supposed to keep constant torque at lower revs and has soft start. Not like those simple light dimmer controls they sell.
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17th April 2018, 07:29 PM #14GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- melbourne australia
- Posts
- 2,585
You can buy it as a kit: https://www.jaycar.com.au/240v-10a-m...start/p/KC5526
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18th April 2018, 11:05 AM #15
Thanks very much for posting that, there is a new one out and you can buy the PCB, the reprogrammed IC and the March 2018 issue of Silicon Chip magazine and build one for less than half the JayCar price.
Full Wave, 230V Universal Motor Speed Controller - March 2018 - Silicon Chip Online
Being a cheap old you know what I thought I could buy a good used TR-12 with the speed controller and a simple single bolt top mounted lift, I could get out of it for under $200.00.