[djg]

I'm considering buying a trim router because it's difficult to do the little stuff with the only router I have, a 3-1/2 HP one. Does anyone have a preference?

 

[mrcanterbury]

I was always a porter cable guy, but I got a great deal on the bosch 1617 and loved it so I picked up a bosch colt trim router. I use it quite a bit and wonder why I didn't get one sooner.

 

[cabinetman]

I'm considering buying a trim router because it's difficult to do the little stuff with the only router I have, a 3-1/2 HP one. Does anyone have a preference?

Here is a comparo that might help you out.

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/0...t-vs-makita-vs-pc310-vs-ridgid-r2400-and-more

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[jharris2]

Consider what attachments and accessories you anticipate needing.

Some manufacturers bundle extra goodies into the router purchase.

Makita did that at one time.

The Porter Cable and Dewalts are virtually the same. If I remember correctly the Dewalt has an LED light and variable speed.

http://www.dewalt.com/tool-categories/woodworking-routers.aspx

http://www.portercable.com/Products/CategoryOverview.aspx?catPath=4272.6180.6187.6221.6233

Makita does still offer a nice kit if its in the budget and you can make use of the accessories enough to justify the added cost.

http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=RT0700CX3

I Bosch is worth considering

http://m.boschtools.com/Mobile/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=PR20EVSPK&catId=1527

Or Ridgid

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/R2401-Trim-Router/EN/index.htm

 

[Joeb41]

I love my DeWalt 611PK. It's my favorite for small jobs.

 

[jschaben]

I picked up one of these about a year ago and then picked up the plunge base last November when that came out.
http://www.cpooutlets.com/bosch-pr2....html?start=2&cgid=bosch-routers-and-trimmers

Kind of pricey but the applications can't be beat. IMO the plunge base, at around 6" in diameter, takes it out of the "trim" category but is useful non the less. In addition to the plunge base, the installer kit comes with an offset base, angle base, undercutting attachment, edge guide and roller guides... May be a few more dodads in there I've forgotten.:smile:

 

[4DThinker]

I also have the Bosch, and recommend it. The kit jschaben links to makes it an extremely versatile tool in my shop. I run one in my Shark CNC as well.

 

[ACP]

I have the Ridgid trim router and love it. It is old tech though as far as small routers go. The dewalt combo has the plunge base which would be a nice option for a small trim router.

 

[Saxe Point]

I have the Ridgid as well. It's the only router I own, but I think it's great.

 

[Gene Howe]

I have the little bosch with the plunge base, also. I really like it and would recommend it.
I've heard good things about the Trend router, too.

 

[jschaben]

I have the little bosch with the plunge base, also. I really like it and would recommend it.
I've heard good things about the Trend router, too.

Hi Gene - I had a Trend T-4 and it is a nice little machine. I sold it off after getting the Colt though, the Colt is a lot more versatile, at least for what I do. The T-4 had some advantages in that it could take guide bushings out of the box and could also handle 6mm, 1/4" and 8 mm shank bits. It is also pretty tall, maybe about 2" taller than the Colt in plunge trim.:smile:

 

[Wizard1500]

One more vote for the Bosch Colt....I have a 1617 in my table, and the little Colt for hand held.....very easy to use.....

 

[Marv]

I have the Porter Cable 7310, Porter Cable 310 and several Bosch Colt PR20EVS trim routers. The 310 is the best built trim router I have used however the Bosch Colts are my favorites for hand held light work.

 

[DMA]

I went to buy the Bosch Colt, wound up buying the Dewalt 611 package.
After looking at both side by side I thought the Dewalt was a better made machine. Example: the clip that holds things together is much stronger on the Dewalt.
But I think the light was the deciding factor.
I have read where both are great.

 

[djg]

Thanks all. Originally, I was looking for a less expensive non-plunge router than some of those listed above, But I don't like to buy junk just because it may be cheaper. As many of you know 'cheaper' usually breaks down and you wind up buying the more expensive one later any way.

This gives me a good start and something to think about.

Thanks

 

[jschaben]

Thanks all. Originally, I was looking for a less expensive non-plunge router than some of those listed above, But I don't like to buy junk just because it may be cheaper. As many of you know 'cheaper' usually breaks down and you wind up buying the more expensive one later any way.

This gives me a good start and something to think about.

Thanks

The basic Colt kit is about $115, less if you don't mind the reconditioned market:
http://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-r...html?start=15&cgid=bosch-routers-and-trimmers

Its all the other gizmos I got that ran the price up. The plunge base without the router is $100. The nice part about the Colt is that the add-ons are available so if you don't need them, don't buy them. The Makita is the only other trim router in that class, that I know of, that has so many options but you need to buy the whole kit at once. Which, in my case would have been a better deal for me as I have more $$$ invested in the Colt at this time than what the Makita would have cost. :blink: