What's the best woodworking router?

Question

i'm going to be making my own picture frames and i'm just starting to research routers, i don't know much about them, so if anyone could help or give me some suggestions of a good one to buy. thanks.

Answer 1

i'm an 11 year carpenter,4 of those doing cabinetry and trim. i personally use the makita plunge kit. my first router was a craftsman and while it worked o.k. for rough projects, it didn't cut it for the precision required to cut the rails and stiles for doors or the hp. needed to spin the larger panel raising bits. if you have the means, then i suggest you skip the intro level machines and go right to the professional router. you'll spend about $200.00-$275.00 but you get what you pay for and you'll be much happier with the ease of use and results of your projects.

as far as what brand or model, as i said, i have a makita.while i've been very happy with it's performance, that doesn't mean that i'm endorsing it. porter cable makes a great machine for the same price range. i would stay away from dewalt (low power and awkward to use).

if you want super high-end results then check out fein. a fine tool, but you pay for it. around $600.00 for comparable hp..

good luck and have fun. you'll wonder how you went so long without one.  

Answer 2

I have been using Porter Cable power tools, almost exclusively, for about twenty-five years. My #690 router from Porter Cable is still going strong 20 years later. I like this size, it's pretty good for most all around work and is decently powered. It's small enough to be handled deftly. I have a couple of other routers that are more special purpose, like big plunge routers and stuff, and you probably don't need them.

I love my Porter Cable and I would highly recommend it for general moulding and shaping, like making picture frame mouldings. I have a table set up to use it like a shaper and it's been a great tool. Check it out: http://www.tools-plus.com/porter-cable-6... and use it as your benchmark to evaluate other routers for this kind of work.

Whatever router you choose, make sure you get one that has both 1/4" and 1/2" collets, as you'll probably find you need both eventually. Also, if you choose a well-established one like the Porter Cable, there will be plenty of accessories for it, like edge guides and different bases. I find those kind of things useful too. If you're really handy and are a budding tinkerer/inventor, you'll doubtless make your own jigs for various jobs too!

Answer 3

Get the New Yankee Workshop router video, then look at Porter Cable.

Answer 4

Could be missing the boat, but making picture frames takes more than a router.

Before you can start rabbeting & cutting the frame profiles w/ the router

You have to be able to cut your stock to length & width as well as miter & join the corners.

Right there you need a saw to rip the wood & a mitersaw , really good miterbox or picture frame shear.

The router geek shows always seem to have plenty of wood already cut to size & never a saw in sight.

You can do the rest on a router table.

Basically you are using the router as a small shaper which might be better all around for your use.

Top end routers are nice toys but might be overkill for your purpose & still be limited for anything but basic (small) details.

If you already have the basic tools for cutting ,a router & table  in the Porter Cable   range would be nice , but not a necessity.

Good bits are where you need to put your money.

Best regards

Answer 5

The best?  A CNC router.  Got $50K?    Best portable, Festool, http://www.amazon.com/Festool-OF1400-Plu... about $450.  

For about half that, a Bosch, Makita, DeWalt, or Porter-Cable.  All are similar enough to have differences that might appeal to you, or not.