Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

[Aardnsword]

Ready to commit some resources to build boxes better and faster. A great day it will be when I can give my jig saw a decent burial! But first a router must be secured. How much router do I really need for use with 1" MDF? Going a little slow and careful is fine, and it seems like compactness must be helpfull, however, I am looking for my one and only.. Accuracy and ease of use being most important, I am looking for first hand advice on the power and features needed. Value is always good so are there brands to consider if buying used? Also, any thoughts about biscuit cutters?

[philiparcario]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

I like my bosch here are a few links

http://www.tylertool.com/routers-and-laminate-trimmers/routers-and-laminate-trimmers,default,sc.html?prefn1=brand&prefv1=Bosch&ref=googaw&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CP2e0uu_ma8CFcJM4AodiQtgyg&keyword=bosch+router

http://www.cpotools.com/bosch-reconditioned-routers/bosch-reconditioned-routers,default,sc.html?ref=googaw&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CI3E7fu_ma8CFcjb4Aodqy9_-Q&keyword=bosch+router

I got this on sale

http://www.cpotools.com/factory-reconditioned-bosch-1617evspk-rt-2-25-hp-combination-plunge-and-fixed-base-router-pack/bshr1617evspk-rt,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=bosch-reconditioned-routers

along with this

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=365-250

and this

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=365-255

I use a bigger collet for deeper cuts.

3/8 not 1/4 for any deep plunge baffle.

good bits are very important.

[icor1031]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Note, you might not need the smaller circle jig if you get the larger one. It cuts pretty small holes, the jig's ranges overlap.

[ani_101]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Note, you might not need the smaller circle jig if you get the larger one. It cuts pretty small holes, the jig's ranges overlap.

The larger one cuts 2 1/4 as the smallest circle and the smaller one cuts 1" as the smallest. How do you cut the small tweeter holes?

Also, for the router is 2 1/4 Hp necessary - how good or bad are the compact ones say 1.25 Hp? Are they any use? 1.25, 1.75, 2, 2.25 HP?

[icor1031]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Ani, with a cheaper solution - (if he has to do smaller tweeters) those up-to 2" bits/chucks(??????) that you can put on your hand drill.

Actually, he'll still need to flush mount - so that won't help.
Forget me.

[bking]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Bosch, Porter Cable, Hitachi, and DeWalt are the brands to consider. I wouldn't buy one without dust control, 1/2" collet, or a plunge base. I have this DeWalt, as well as two Porter Cables and a Makita, and I use 'em all.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW621-2-Horsepower-Plunge-Router/dp/B00005S7TD

[timk]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Buy one that comes with a fixed and plunge base. Offhand, I know PC and Dewalt make them, and there are probably others. As mentioned, get one with a 1/2" collet, and I'd also opt for variable speed.

[Aardnsword]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Thanks guys- lots o great info already! About circle jigs,- my infatuation with the Heil AMT appliance makes the small holes very rarely needed. I would think that 90% will be 5 to 7 inches. It seems to me that a homemade jig could fairly easily be fashioned that would perform as well as the jasper types? Any tips on use of these jigs or tricks of your own designs?

[kaidomac]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

The larger one cuts 2 1/4 as the smallest circle and the smaller one cuts 1" as the smallest. How do you cut the small tweeter holes?

I'm doing a lot of projects with the 3" Aura NS3 full-range drivers right now. I bought a bunch of el-cheapo terminal cups as well, which mount nicely in a 2" hole. Initially I tried out some hole saws, but they like to burn up MDF and chew through it. I switched to Forstner bits (they sell them at Home Depot under a lot of different brand names - Porter Cable etc.), which is like a combination of a circular drill & hole cutter:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit#Forstner_bits

They are not very cheap (the least expensive 2" bit I could find was $13, all the way up to $50-$100), but they work wonders for drilling really accurate holes easily. I used them on a drill press with some clamps to hold the wood pieces down. They sell them in sets if you want a lot of different hole sizes. Super awesome tool if you are going to be doing the same size holes a lot.

[bkeane1259]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Buy one that comes with a fixed and plunge base. Offhand, I know PC and Dewalt make them, and there are probably others. As mentioned, get one with a 1/2" collet, and I'd also opt for variable speed.

+1

I also have the Bosch -- got mine from Amazon and I believe the price is a bit cheaper now....go figure.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B00005RHPD

[Dabspok]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

I bought one of these on sale awhile back. Super investment.

http://www.amazon.com/JessEm-02304-Rout-R-Lift-4-Inch-Milwaukee/dp/B00092CPUM

Is this the tool porn thread?

[Aardnsword]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

No doubt Dabs, that Jessem glossy was winkin right at me! Probably wear a guy out tryin to put a hurt on that babe.. I have used the Forstner bits, they run true compared to a hole saw With a drill press I'll bet one could countersink starting with the larger bit then switch to the hole size.

[greywarden]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

I bought a Skil brand table top drill press when I got my income tax returns back this year. Soon I'll buy a big boy router, probably the Bosch with the wood handles. And then a really nice table saw.

[fastbike1]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

Yes you can. You do want a drill press because the guide point is fairly large on the larger bits, which will allow the smaller guide point to wander.

If you have any Dayton ND20 work to do, a 45mm Forstner is perfect for the flange.

I have used the Forstner bits, they run true compared to a hole saw With a drill press I'll bet one could countersink starting with the larger bit then switch to the hole size.

[jinjuku]

Re: Serious cabinets=Serious tools?

The larger one cuts 2 1/4 as the smallest circle and the smaller one cuts 1" as the smallest. How do you cut the small tweeter holes?

Also, for the router is 2 1/4 Hp necessary - how good or bad are the compact ones say 1.25 Hp? Are they any use? 1.25, 1.75, 2, 2.25 HP?

I have 4 routers. Freud, Hitachi, and two Craftsmen. I use the Craftsmen for the edge work since you don't need that much power. I use the Freud and Hitachi for the heavier cuts.

The higher HP units are great to work with. Much better than the 1.25 stuff. They also tend to have a nicer feature set. If I was budget restricted I would look at the Hitachi (comes with both fixed and plunge bases).