Most folks' 'standard' router is the mid-size (1-3/4 HP) Porter-Cable.
P-C offers a kit consisting of the motor, a conventional base and a
plunge base. The model number for the kit is 693PK. Should be $179,
tops. I have an older version of this kit, plus an extra base mounted
in my router table. I find the conventional base more convenient and
don't use the plunge base often. When you need a plunge base, you need
it, so get the kit.. The edge trimming guide ($25) is a good add-on.
It's sometimes bundled with he PK kit. There's an earlier version right
now on ebay for $88. Grab it!
Also very useful is a trim router, sometimes called a laminate trimmer.
It'll take 1/4" bits only, is a pretty light-duty machine and is very
convenient to handle in fine work. It does not have the power to cut a
1/2" x 1/2" rabbet in mahogany. These are very useful for edge
rounding, trimming 1/4" ply and other controlled cutting operations like
trimming excess glass from the edge of a sandwich panel.. I have a
pair, with shop-made guide shoes, which I use for cove & beading
core-cell. The most common model is the Porter-Cable #7310. For some
reason, there's a continuous stream of them (new) on Ebay. If you're
patient, you might get one for less than $70. There are a number of
accessory bases for the 7310. On rare occasions, they're very useful.

Regarding costs, the routers are just the beginning. I'm sure that i
have more money invested in bits than in my routers.

Evan Gatehouse / Diane Selkirk wrote:

Hi all,

A bit of background:

I'm building a foam/stitched E-glass/carbon fiber/epoxy bridgedeck cabin for
my 40' catamaran. I *think* I want/need a router to carve rebates in the
foam at edges where taping will occur and also in areas of high loaded
fittings where extra laminate will be applied to avoid lumps.

So now that I've justified my purchase of a router, I began to think of what
else I could use it for on this and other projects. In the next year or so
I'm going to be building the interior furniture for this cabin, and re-doing
galley cabinets, among other projects.

I can see using a router to make profiles in hardwood to trim bulkeads,
round over openings in bin-type lockers, etc. Cut openings in the new cabin
for recessed bonded in windows. The heaviest plywood on this boat is going
to be 1/4" with lots of foam/glass cabinets and seating. Wood trim would
never exceed 1"x1". Building an icebox would be easier with one to shape
the lid openings.

I'm thinking a 1-3/4 HP plunge router would be my best choice; a laminate
trimmer seems pretty underpowered for what I may try to do? I'm not and
never will be a super wood worker type of person and envision a mostly white
painted ply/composite interior with matching varnished hardwood trim to
match what is already existing on the boat. Budget is about $200+ USD

So my questions a

- what size of router is most appropriate for these jobs that I have
described?
- am I leaving out other obvious uses that may require a bigger one?
- weight is important since this tool would stay with me on the boat and
it's a catamaran where I try to keep things light - but should I consider
one of the plunge / fixed base router kits?

Thanks in advance for all your thoughts,


Evan Gatehouse
ceilydh **at** 3web **dot** net
---- rewrite my signature to send email