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I rarely need one, and don't want to dump a lot of money here. 1/2 shaft. Any recommendations?

Our off-line truss rod channeling fixture and process is based on the use of a plunge router -- we use a Porter Cable 1 1/2 HP, powerful and manageable.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I've never needed one in all my years of building, although I do find good uses for a router table. If you do find you need a plunge router go for one of the mid-sized units. As mentioned above something in the 1.5 hp range should probably be all you need. Can't go wrong with a Porter Cable.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Here's our self centering truss rod channel fixture requires several passes, so a plunge router is the tool of choice

http://www.acousticguitarconstructionfo ... f=14&t=310

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Its what is recommended for the neck jig. I believe that PC can be configured either way as well. I do have a monster PC in my router table, but I'm not even remotely considering that

http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-690L ... nge+router

This one good for task?

What neck jig are you using?

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Luthier Tools, maybe I got the plunge part wrong. Has anybody successfully done this with a Bosch Colt, or similar?

I recently bought a DeWalt Plunge Trim Router. Nice little piece of equipment. Comes with dual bases, one plunge one not. I use it for my Luthier Tools slot head routing.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Is it this one?

http://luthiertool.com/neck%20angle.html

I have the older version of this jig and it does not require a plunge router. I use a full-size fixed-base Porter Cable. Bosh Colt and other laminate trimers would be to small (not enough power). You need to be able to cut a ⅝" deep pocket with a dovetail bit in the guitar body. I use a dovetail bit with a ½" shank. A strong router and the ½" shank bits works really well with this jig.

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

The PC 690 has a good system behind it. It can be mounted on a fixed base, plunge base , or "D" handle base. I have one that is still working after 35 + years. The new ones are Mexican made and some of them may not be as robust as the older ones.

I sold my PC 690 not too long ago. It's a beast! In a good way. It's more than up to the task. I simply sold it because I hadn't needed to use it in quite some time. The 690 is a classic.

Yeah, it's the new version of the neck jig. I'm going to go ahead and get the 690 I referenced. This is the only task I see for it. Is there a reason to go for D handles? Or is basic fixed base adequate?

Mike

I have a 690 dedicated to this jig. Lots of power and it works really well. I prefer the regular fixed base handles.

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Ok, thanks Josh. That's what I'm getting. I've used part of this jig for cutting butt wedges (way underused), but it's good too find someone who knows the jig

The D handle base incorporates a trigger switch, which can be a handy feature for some operations, but the D handle may get in the way for others.

Are these two comparable? 1/4 and 1/2 collets are important

http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-690L ... +cable+690

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4 ... pd_cp_hi_0

The Porter Cable 690 and Bosch 1617 are both great routers. I believe the Bosch has a load compensation feature that the PC doesn't have. The Bosch was my big router for years, and really has more power than needed for most guitar building applications. Great router and I never had a problem with it. I use the PC 690 with my Luthier Tool jigs (neck jig, and headstock slotting jig) because it was easier to get the different size template guides needed for these two jigs. I'm sure you can get them for the Bosch, but I was able to buy the correct guides for the Porter Cable directly from Luthier Tool when I purchased my jigs.

I now use the Bosch 1617 on my CNC machine since pickup up a DeWalt 616 a few years ago. It is 1 ¾ hp. Lots of power for guitar building application but a little smaller and lighter than the PC or Bosch. My other routers include a Hitatchi on my router table and various laminate trimmers.

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

For what it is worth, I bought the Bosch. And I do sincerely appreciate all of your comments. Josh, now that I'm in deep, any ideas with regards to templates would be appreciated. I've dealt with this issue before with the Colt.

I'd assume that you can either get the template guides from the same place you bought the router, or a good tool store that caries Bosch. They have to be online as well, I just haven't had the need to look for them.

It is a really good router and should last you for a long time. I've been using one 2 of the 1617 motors on my CNC machine for several years. Each motor has several hundred hours of constant use use running wide open (from cutting radius sanding dishes). It is not uncommon for me to run one of these for 3-4 hours straight. I replace the main bearings in the routers regularly, every 2 months or so depending on the use. Both motors are still going strong. I give them regular cleanings which helps, but have never had a problem with either motor or the need to do maintenance other than the bearings.

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Another bonus is that precision collet sets are available for this model.

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Josh, the Bosch? If so, that's good to know, though Im not sure I'd go down that path as I don't intend to use it for precision work. If the centering and runout issues are large enough to make neck M&T cutting an issue, I'm in big trouble! Any info on template guides?

Yes I'm talking about the Bosch. No the precision collets are not necessary, but a nice upgrade. Google bosch template guides and you'll find the info you need.

Double check the size(s) you need.

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=RA1125

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I have a Bosch 1617 and it's a good router. Bosch makes a quick change template guide attachment, but I prefer the standard Porter Cable template guides. I made a new base for the router to use the Porter Cable guides, but you can buy a new base that uses the Porter Cable guides for $20 or so.

I just don't like the look of those bosh templates. I like the kind that thread in