Routers - what do you use?

[Go4aRyd]

In building there are so many different areas where routers are used. What size router do you use and where? Ex. to cut a rosette ring, some use a laminate trimmer, others a small router. What circle jig works for you? etc.

Kind of open ended on purpose. Just looking to get a feel what builders prefer as I look at kitting out a small workshop. Some operations where a router is likely used is:

rosette cutting
sound hole cutting
trimming back/top to flush after gluing to the sides/body
cutting the binding/purfling channels
cutting out the neck mortise from the body
(of course, inlay work - but for me a router is a bit too course for inlay).

[wrench68]

I started too small and too light. By the time I felt like I had the right tool, it was:

2 HP
fixed base
variable speed
1/2" collet capacity

[redir]

I've had a few over the years but my favorite now is the Bosch Colt. I just made a circle cutter out of plywood for it.

[Brackett Instruments]

Foredom tool, precision router base, and circle cutting jig from Stew Mac for rosettes, soundhole and inlays.

Bosch Colt for trimming the top and backs flush, binding/purfling channels, end wedges ect. I have a few that stay set up for specific tasks.

Porter Cable 7518 for neck pockets, truss rod channels ect.

[Ned Milburn]

I've got a bosch colt too. Good little router, not without its idiosyncrasies, however. I've got the variable speed version. (Some are 1 speed, AFAIK.) The vari-speed is really helpful in avoiding burning wood. (Maple likes to burn easily.)

[arie]

Hitachi KM12VC for me. the accessories kinda suck but the router itself is awesome. 2-1/4 HP, 8000 ~ 24000 rpm, and it's really smooth and quite. i use it for neck mortises and trussrod slots.

[Go4aRyd]

Thanks, great information so far. Always great to see what tool best fits a job. Keep it coming.

[Howard Klepper]

Originally Posted by Go4aRyd

rosette cutting
sound hole cutting
trimming back/top to flush after gluing to the sides/body
cutting the binding/purfling channels

laminate trimmer

cutting out the neck mortise from the body

2 hp router

Truss rod channel: 1 hp router

[martinedwards]

for rosettes and other fine work I use a dremel in a plunge router stand

for binding, truss rod slots and pickup holes in electrics I use two of the cheapest I could find on ebay.

£20 inc post was my limit.

the binding cutter stays in the one router the other one changes as I need it.