Popular Woodworking 2003-08 № 135, страница 77
Can you buy a good plunge router for less than $125? Yup. And many of these tools are priced even less and still have lots of features. Black & Decker: nut with single V4" sleeved collet One significant difference we noticed between "entry-level" routers and higher-priced models was in the collet. None of the routers in the entry-level category offers two independent collets. The V4" collets all are designed as sleeved inserts into the V2" collet. In addition, there can be a significant difference in the quality of the collets, with some being more substantial in construction, and the collet nut is of a varying quality as well.While most of the collets, regardless of construction, performed well in our tests and would likely be fine for the entry-level woodworker, the failure of the Chicago Electric collet to adequately hold a bit in place speaks to how important this small piece of metal can be to router performance. For any beginner a plunge router is certainly on the list of necessary equipment. It's a versatile tool that can stand in for the table saw to cut rabbets, dados, grooves, mortise-and-tenon joints, splines and biscuit joints. On top of that, it's great for edge details. Plus, it's not terribly expensive. The problem most woodworkers face is choosing which router to buy. You can buy a fixed-base router, a plunge router or a kit with both. You can spend $70 or more than $250. If you've been shopping recently you've probably noticed a new crop of inexpensive routers with big-boy features, such as variable speed and 1/2" collets. Is an inexpensive router good enough? We decided to find out. Opening Bid Even if you're considering one of these bargain routers as a third router in your collection (rather than your first), there are a few things to consider. It's our opinion that a plunge router is more versatile than a fixed-base router, so if you can choose only one tool, we recommend a plunge router. That said, having both types of routers is great, which is why we also recommend two-base kits. These offer both a fixed-base and plunge-base tool with an interchangeable motor. While the kits offer flexibility, there's also a chance that they may not perform as well as a single-purpose tool, trading off versatility for solid features. Until recently the only router kits available had been for professionals. Happily, two of the new tools in this test are multi-base router kits. When considering features on a router, there are a few things we consider important, while others are just nice. First is power versus size. While power is nice, if the router is too big to be used hand-held, you've gone too far. Also, lots of power can mean jerky (and scary) starts. For these reasons we recommend a 2-horse-power (or 10-amp) router and whenever possible a soft-starting motor. Soft-start is available only on variable-speed motors. Variable-speed motors also allow you to reduce the router's speed, which is good for large-diameter bits. Another important feature is the collet. While you might decide to stock your router cabinet with only 1/4n- or 1/2"-shank bits, there's also a good chance you'll end up with a mixture. If your router will accept only one size shank, you've immediately limited your choices. Also, while 1/4n bits will likely satisfy most of your cutting needs, 1/2" bits can offer better stability in a cut, producing less vibration and reducing the possibility of "runout." Runout is basically the shaft wobbling. It can be measured as the difference between the diameter of the cutter and the actual cut it makes. One feature we like is a dust collection port, whether as an accessory or as an integral part of the machine. Also nice is the ability to use template guides (which are good for cutting patterns), and the inclusion of collet locks to let you change router bits with by David Thiel Comments or questions? Contact David at 513-531-2690, ext. 1255 or david.thiel@fwpubs.com www.popwood.com 75 |
