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My wonderful wife gave me a $150 gift certificate to Woodcraft. They are having a sale this weekend and I thought I could maximize the gift. I could use another laminate trimmer. I thought maybe I should get one with a plunge base. Here are three models. Any recommendations? Help me out guys/ or gals…

Bosch
http://www.woodcraft.com/category/PT116 ... rand=Bosch

DeWalt
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/848065 ... 611PK.aspx

Porter-Cable
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/847926 ... e-Kit.aspx

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Not much help -- but I think the Rigid has them all beat, I think in comparison, all their adjustment devices are clumsy to use -- $.02

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Bosch depth adjustment is terrible, but the variable speed option is great to have.
Don't know about the others.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

The Bosch is what I have, and like Dan, I'm not excited about the depth adjustment. Just by 2 cents.

I have each of those, actually 3 of the PC. 3 because whenI bought the first it was really the only choice.
I hate to say this, because Normally I find Dewalt tools to be inferior, but that is my choice from your list.
All that being said I would likely buy the Festool should I ever need to add to my router collection.
( sorry Dewalt).

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

DeWalt and PC are basically the same. I got the DeWalt.

Then, I got another one just to use the non-plunge base for headstock binding.

Want to get another one to replace my Laminate Trimmer in my binding jig.

Just in case you hadn't thought about it there is also the Makita with adjustable speed, and although I'm not wild about the depth adjustment on the fixed base, the plunge base does have fine adjustment http://www.amazon.com/Makita-RT0701CX7-1-1-Compact-Router/dp/B00HAQMHEO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1437738055&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=Makita+RT07+plunge+base&pebp=1437738062520&perid=16Z5D7HG8MBV7EZ3XVDT
I have one on my Wells-Karol, and just set the depth by shimming under the base for rosette work.
But I must admit, if I could have sourced the Rigid in this country it would have been my first choice, but I don't think you can get a plunge base for it.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

+1 on the Rigid. Can't believe I'm saying that, but a friend has two and I'm finding myself waiting to use his for binding channels and what-nots. Rigid is usually OK, not great. Not sure how they did so well on this trimmer. Smooth, powerful, well balanced, with good depth adjustment. Who knew?

If I were you, I'd save up some more then buy the Micro Fence Plunge Base and a PC or Bosch router that fits it.

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

For the Collins Saddle Mill that we produce and sell we did an extensive evaluation of many of the laminate trimmers out there.

Unfortunately we had been spoiled by the best-in-class PC-310 that is no longer in production so our expectations were pretty high.

The Rigid from data that we received from a reliable Luthier who had purchased several of them, checked the run out and then took them all back was that the Rigid is the most sloppy choice with the most runout.

For one reason or another the Dewalt was the winner and what we now include with our Collins Saddle mill. We also modify the router with an expensive, aftermarket collet that dials it in even further.

I've yet to find a plunge base that is worth a crap though but we don't use the bases that come with the routers anyway because the entire Collins Saddle Mill is a plunge base in and of itself for the intended purpose.

The Dewalt also has a soft-start and is pretty quiet as well. No complaints.

I went through the exercise of evaluating routers for my cnc, and the nod went to the dewalt. With a precisebits collet, the TIR runout was under a thousandth if my memory serves. Anyway it was a third of what the several Bosch's I had measured. Quiet, smooth, and precise,
Mike

I bought one of the DeWalt trim router kits with both bases when I bought my headstock jig from Luthiertool.com. The plunge base has lots of options and adjustments, with good stops, and I like it very much for what I'm using it for. It's the only plunge base I have, so I can't really compare.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I prefer hand tools here.

In this case, I use my pinky nail and really dig into whatever I'm carving with a bit of a curved angle of attack, followed by a scoop. The technique works best on softwoods, but either way, I don't have to worry about runout or the danger of a bit coming loose.

My advice is to that the $150 and invest in some acrylic nails.

Consider getting a Bosch Colt or a used PC 310 and the Bishop Cochran base. It's the Cadillac.

http://www.bishopcochran.com

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Pinkies aside, this is my setup, too.

+ 1 on the Dewalt

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guitarsbygiltzow.com

I vote for the Dewalt 611 pk. About six months ago I decided to buy a trim router. As far as I can tell, the dewalt and the porter cable are identical. The only difference I noted is that the Dewalt has the led's on the underside and the PC does not.

I really like the router, great plunge base. Good depth adjustments. I looked at Bosch and wasn't impressed. I have 2 of their 1617's but for trim routers, at the moment, Dewalt is the best at that price point.

Used to love the Bosch Colt, now I use the Dewalt on my binding jig. Still have a few colts. I think if you will compare the collet depth (colt) to the DeWalt, you will get an idea of what bothers me. The new Dewalt 611 has led lighted work area, and great depth control. You can also get a plunge base for it. I have that bigger Bosch mentioned above with plunge for doing neck stuff. I have a colt in a Bishop Cocheran jig... love that for rosettes. I don't worry too much about collet depth there since I use small bits. Plus I have a Precise Bits collet on it. Gonna get one of those for the dewalt.

For those on a budget, CL can be a source for used lam routers , listen for the squeal of a worn out bearing . I picked up a used PC 7310 lam kit . with all the sub bases, bearing guides, bells /whistles, rtr bits etc for$60. last niight.