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So I am on the market for one. I will hopefully be using it for cutting truss rod channels, purfling and binding channels and maybe some other tasks. What type of router would you go for? Plunge, laminate trimmer or a dremal style router? Can only afford one at the moment.

Thanks for any advice and opinions.

Ed.

I love my Bosch colt. Pretty versatile and works very well. Not too big but has a lot more power than my dremel which is useless for any heavy cutting.

I use the little Bosch Colts. They are relatively inexpensive. They make a plunge, tilt/bevel, offset, and standard base. The standard base w/router can be had for under $100.00. I just bought the plunge base w/router for $150.00 (it's cheaper to buy the plunge base router combo). One drawback is it's only going to run 1/4 and 1/8 shank bits. I personally don't need a bigger router for building instruments, so the small size is fine.

Best,

Michael

I have two of the Ridgid laminate trimmers and I like them quite a bit. I use them for inlay, for cutting binding and purfling channels, and general small tasks. The Ridgid is too small for me to cut an even truss rod slot---it seems light and bounces easily even with a fence. I just bought a Makita 700C with the plunge base. It seems as versatile as the little Ridgid but is heavier and has more power. But, it has no light, which is very useful for cutting inlay recesses. I recently cut a truss rod slot with it with no problems--it was easier to use than my large Bosch 1617 which I have used for truss rod slots up until now. For guitar making, the smaller router is more versatile and can do things that would be difficult with a big one. Sooner or later you will also need a big router. Some jobs just need the weight and the power (and you can put it in a router table. I thought I had a great router when I bought the Bosch 1617VS but over the years I have come not to like it. The screw threads in the base were easily stripped. The variable speed control is pretty flaky, and it is very noisy. I won't buy another. I also have a Porter Cable 310 (a small router) which I leave in a jig for cutting rosettes and soundholes. It is a reasonable tool but it is not variable speed and the router base wraps around the bit leaving very little visibility. I like a clear base and clear visibility of the work. If I were going to buy just one at this time, I would probably buy the Makita 700 kit but I haven't had it long enough to claim that it will be a lasting relationship yet. It needs a light and a clear base.

One thing that I have learned is very important to watch for is the design of the collet. Some of the cheaper routers have fingers cut into the end of the armature that the retention nut pulls together against the bit. This design is very likely to let the bit slip and destroy some workpieces. I always look for a three piece collet with an insert between the armature and the nut that tightens around the bit. Some of the cheaper routers can also have a bit of runout in the armature. That can make it almost impossible to do accurate work. If you buy one with runout (check right away when you get it home), take it back and get something else.

Have you looked at this? Don't know what you're looking to spend but it seems to have the benefits of a plunge while being small enough for rosettes/bindings etc.. I just bought one. It was more than I wanted to spend but it's a great little tool. Really well made. Would definitely recommend.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/dewalt-d2620 ... rod847127/

I saw an ad for one of these and have wanted one ever since! Anyone here have one or use one??

If only one is in the cards right now, I will echo some others here and recommend the laminate trimmer. I have the Ridgid and love it. I suppose you could rout your truss rod channels with multiple passes with it.

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I just got the new Bosch 23 router with both bases. Very nice stuff. Many new well thought out features. However for most lutherie purposes, the smaller trim routers are more appropriate due to size.
Rob

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Every Dremel I bought crapped out. I went and bought the black and Decker version of one and it's held up far longer. I love my Bosch colt and I also have have a standard Dewalt non plunge router that I have mounted in my router table. I also have a Dewalt combo kit that has a flat and plunge base. I also have a few older Ryobi plunge routers laying around that I don't use as much anymore. If I could only afford one I would go with the Bosch colt. It can handle truss rod slots. Maybe not as easy as a 3hp router but it will get the job done. It's also available with the plunge base which I don't have as the time but looks like a great option that will increase yours...Mike

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I have the colt and the Dewalt. The Dewalt is FAR better, hands down, no contest.

if i was to have only one router for guitar making it would be a pc 310 trimmer. though discontinued they are still available and the prices just keep going up.

i have, i think, 13 routers in all, and six are 310s, and i'm seriously thinking of springing for another one. can't beat it!