[sts9fan]

I am in the market for a plunge router.  I am gonna be cutting holes for speakers. What bits am I going to want to cut the holes and do the recess lip?  I got the Jasper jig now I just need to figure out how to use the thing.

Kris

[Bill Baker]

I would recommend going to Sears (or even sears.com) as they always have specials on plunge routers. All my routers are from Sears and they have been used almost on a daily basis for a couple years now and still running perfect.

 You can also check woodcraft.com as they often have very nice routers on special.

 I would look at a good 1/4" straight bit for cutting out the holes. Anything larger will take more material than needed and take longer as well. The smaller the bit, the faster the cutting.

[Napalm]

I am in the market for a plunge router.  I am gonna be cutting holes for speakers. What bits am I going to want to cut the holes and do the recess lip?  I got the Jasper jig now I just need to figure out how to use the thing.

Kris

I guess you will be cutting through thick MDF? This is the best you can get:

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=1619EVS

Nap. 

[S Clark]

I would recommend going to Sears (or even sears.com) as they always have specials on plunge routers. All my routers are from Sears and they have been used almost on a daily basis for a couple years now and still running perfect.

 You can also check woodcraft.com as they often have very nice routers on special.

 I would look at a good 1/4" straight bit for cutting out the holes. Anything larger will take more material than needed and take longer as well. The smaller the bit, the faster the cutting.

Sears, Black and Decker, Skill, all make decent saws/routers at cheap prices.  I recommend a spiral upcut 1/4" bit rather than a plain 1/4"- it cuts faster and clears the wood better.  If you choose to buy a bit more upscale Bosch, Hitachi, Porter Cable, Dewalt, Milwaukee all make professional quality tools.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I would recommend going to Sears (or even sears.com) as they always have specials on plunge routers.

I've had "old school" router from Sears in the past. You know, the black plastic crappy unit... 
A few months back I happened down the router isle at Sears and instantly fell in love with the sexy aluminum(ish) body of the new Craftsman Router. After I noticed the unit had a built in LED light shining into the "cavity" (where the bit goes) I knew this was gonna be cool. As soon as I held the solid piece in my hand, I knew it was coming home with me. Cost me about $115 and is the best router I've ever owned. It's more accurate, and less "floppy" when locked than all the rest. That list has 'only' included three different Ryobi routers (past ten years) and a couple old crappy Craftsman jobs (old school). The $100 Ryobi found at Home Depot is good for about two dozen 15" diameter driver holes before the springs holding the brushes on the motor become blue and have no tension left.

Suffice it to say, I still love the router. The LED task light is beyond orgasm.

I've never used an upcut spiral bit, but it's on my "gotta have" list, as I've heard way too many people I trust talk highly about the bit.
Also, you GOTTA have a flush trim bit. Doesn't matter what diameter. Just get one (1/2" is great).

Bob

[thunderbrick]

Suffice it to say, I still love the router. The LED task light is beyond orgasm.

Bob

I'm guessing you never held a big flatbed sander on your lap?     

[Bob in St. Louis]

Hmm...No, can't say I have.
However, I have used a 25,000RPM pneumatic die grinder that had a bad vibration. Kinda neat. 

Bob

[wushuliu]

Second spiral bit. Makes cutting speaker easier.

[Mariusz]

I would recommend going to Sears (or even sears.com) as they always have specials on plunge routers. All my routers are from Sears and they have been used almost on a daily basis for a couple years now and still running perfect.

 You can also check woodcraft.com as they often have very nice routers on special.

 I would look at a good 1/4" straight bit for cutting out the holes. Anything larger will take more material than needed and take longer as well. The smaller the bit, the faster the cutting.

Speaking of Woodcraft
here is the link to there newest offer (just got this via email)
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2080751/29891/Trend-T4-11-HP-VS-Plunge-Router.aspx?refcode=10IN06NL

Mariusz

[Mariusz]

P.S

If it is of any help, I use two routers and one trimer:
Bosch (table top - fixed) and mini trimer
and this one for handheld work



Cheers

[sts9fan]

I have a woodcraft down the street from me. It's dangerous. I guess I need to see whAt routers the Jasper jig attaches too.

[Wind Chaser]

If you're only using it to cut holes for speakers, go cheap, even used.  MDF is easy to route, but be sure to wear a mask and eye protection.

[doorman]

I guess you will be cutting through thick MDF? This is the best you can get:

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=1619EVS

Nap. 

Generally, for handheld use, you'd want something much smaller & easier to control!
Don

[JohnR]

I have a woodcraft down the street from me. It's dangerous. I guess I need to see whAt routers the Jasper jig attaches too.

That's awesome - perhaps ask for a demo of what you want to do? I have only had practical experience with one router, the DW-621, and I felt it was probably worth the money although I'm sure there are better and here in AU I wish I could have got it cheaper i.e. at a half-decent price (selection here is very limited). I hooked up a shop-vac to it and it collected not all but a good part of the dust. I'd be inclined to suggest that dust collection ability/compatibility might be fairly high on the list (i.e. budget for a shop-vac if you don't have one), and for speaker building, the jig (I got the one from Shaka Scientific in NZ). A good bit is a few bucks too.

[jtwrace]

I have a woodcraft down the street from me. It's dangerous.

+1  After seeing what my father in law did there, I tend to stay clear of that store.

[Napalm]

Generally, for handheld use, you'd want something much smaller & easier to control!
Don

It's not really that big and heavy, and they also have a 2.5 HP model, but since I suspect that it will be used to cut 3/4" MDF.... and not only cut but also some chamfering jobs.... MDF tends to bog down routers and dull the bits quickly.

Nap. 

[sts9fan]

If you're only using it to cut holes for speakers, go cheap, even used.  MDF is easy to route, but be sure to wear a mask and eye protection.

By cheap do you mean under $200 or under $100. 
Here are some I was looking at
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-KM12VC-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B0002ZZWX8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1275657841&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1275657841&sr=1-1

Honestly I have no idea what the differences are in the $100-$300 rande.  I think I want something not too big. 

[Napalm]

By cheap do you mean under $200 or under $100. 
Here are some I was looking at
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-KM12VC-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B0002ZZWX8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1275657841&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4-Horsepower-Variable-Collets/dp/B00005RHPD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1275657841&sr=1-1

Honestly I have no idea what the differences are in the $100-$300 rande.  I think I want something not too big.

Couple of differences:

- noise
- shaft/collet runout
- collet tightening method (do you need two keys or does it have a lock button?)
- compatibility and availability of accessories (templates, jigs etc.)
- depth setting mechanism (ease of use, precision, repeatability)
- serviceability (is it some disposable thing or do you have a brick and mortar service store around)

Nap.