[Closed] Budget router and router table

look at trend for the router - I think they have a 'b' grade site somewhere. 1/4" will be fine unless you plan on doing worktop type stuff.

I got one of the 'cheapy' router tables from ebay and it's been ok for basic stuff but I'd probably spend more given my time again - have a look on axminster tools website - they have some decent stuff.

edit

although the trend may be a bit more than you want to spend 😳

All my routers have the table built in. It doesn't cost anything extra at all and they can be huge. In fact the table can be as big or as small as I want it to be.

Thanks wwaswas - the Trend was on my list.
It seems lower powered than most but highish quality.

I've seen it at £79.95 delivered which isn't tooooo bad, but any lower would be great.

The outlet has them at roughly the same price (C stock at £55+vat+delivery).

So that's my benchmark for the router - anyone want to offer anything else?

(apologies for posting in wrong forum)

this sort of thing for the table;

[url= http://www.pvrdirect.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=RYBART3 ]http://www.pvrdirect.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=RYBART3[/url]

you can get 'no name' stuff that's similar for less, though.

I've got this one from Axminster. Its pretty good, quite sturdy, good system of attachments.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-premier-benchtop-router-table-prod833056/?src=froogle
It doesn't come with a switch, which is essential, so add another £20 for that.

I bid on a few on ebay before purchase but good ones went for top dollar and rubbish ones are only £40 new anyway. I Picked up one of the cheap ones from lidl/[url= http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_20629.htm ]aldi[/url] for the switch (see above) and a couple of the other accessories and it's actually OK.

As for the router i've got this one for the table [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00142B980/ref=asc_df_B00142B9806058299?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B00142B980 ]Draper expert router[/url]. It comes with a fixed base and a plunge base. You can leave the fixed base in the table and eaily slide the whole motor out and pop it in the plunge base for hand use. You can also easily drop the motor out of the table to change bits which can be a right fiddle on some tables.

They can be DIYed which might be an option but I decided it wasn't cost effective if you want a decent fence and other fittings. Whatever you do make sure it has a guard and you use it.

It was Aldi offers which put the idea in my head in the first place.
But a quick check made me think they wouldn't be in-store again until Sept!

Thanks so far!

Second hand Elu from ebay, I have a 3300 bosch and wish i had bought an Elu for £30. Same for the table second hand may well get you something better than the thin steel offerings in most catalogues.

Second hand Elu from ebay

Buy a 1/2" collet machine, you can reduce down to 1/4 or 6mm shank bits but you cant go the other way 😀

Get a 1.5 - 2hp motor as well, most of them are speed controlled, but make sure its got a soft start if you ever want to do anything freehand
In a table its less important.

You can cut worktops easily with something like that.

Once you have a Router, you can make a table really easily, this can be as basic as a sheet of perpex with the router upside down in a bucket and bearing guided cutters, right up to multiple fenced, height adjustable tables that allow you to make more complex items.
Router Jigs and techniques is a very good book for homemade jigs, tables etc.
HTH
Dom

Buy a 1/2" collet machine, you can reduce down to 1/4 or 6mm shank bits but you cant go the other way

Great advice

ok - I've got a ebay saved search set up for elu.
I knew they were good, but I didn't know they went cheapish.
Thanks all!

Trend routers are rebranded Elus,also some of the ones from screwfix are.

word of caustion on the lidle ones, i have two of them and both router and table are a pain to use. i have a 110v ryobi router and it is a dream. soon as i can i plan to offload the lidle ones and buy a devent table for the ryobi.

Buy a 1/2" collet machine, you can reduce down to 1/4 or 6mm shank bits but you cant go the other way

you after a wireless router? got a BT Home Hub you could have...

I'd also recommend a used Makita 3612, 1t's a 1/2" machine so will take reduced collets to suit small tips too, 1850w so powerful enough for cutting oak worktops if need be with a nice soft start... I have a pair of them which are 10 years old now and bar a set of brushes are still a work horse, must have done close to 2000 sets of worktops between them over the years....

you after a wireless router? got a BT Home Hub you could have...

I've got an old table that you could sit it on.

I'd also recommend a used Makita 3612, 1t's a 1/2" machine so will take reduced collets to suit small tips too, 1850w so powerful enough for cutting oak worktops if need be with a nice soft start... I have a pair of them which are 10 years old now and bar a set of brushes are still a work horse, must have done close to 2000 sets of worktops between them over the years....

Thanks Blazin - there are a few on Ebay, but they seem a bit dearer and many are 110V, but I'll keep an eye out.

I'm definitely only a hobbyist though - I'll be using it for a few bits of furniture around the house and that's about it.

Just be aware.....

You can do small stuff with a Big Router, you cant profile door panels for a proper door with a 1/4" machine, or cut worktops, or do a lot of other stuff in one pass etc
A lot of the jigs available are designed for 1/2" routers with guide plates too, which a lot of the smaller ones wont fit without modification
Once you have a router and get in to it, you`ll end up buying a big one...just trying to save you some cash in the long run.

Elu liscenced their 900w router (Which is still the benchmark one, lovely to use) to trend

But there are a lot of other out there that are basically rip offs of the original Elu design, and they are far from the same thing in use.
hth
Dom

Or you could build a CNC router.....!

I would love to do this!

http://buildyourcnc.com/default.aspx

Could someone show me which is the Elu 900w router, as trend do a 1000w with 1/4" or 2000w with 1/2"

The thing I liked about the Elu was it's size so manageable.

I've never had problems with my 1/4" Perles 900w router (Trend/Elu copy) for most jobs - it sometimes needs two passes to do stuff but it's a lot lighter and more manageable than a 1/2" one for most of what I do.

Could someone show me which is the Elu 900w router

This is the elu:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELU-ROUTER-240v-900watt-guide-fence-/270890452123?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item3f1254449b

and this the rebadged dewalt
http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-317631/dewalt-dw615-110v-900w-1-4-plunge-router.html

I suppose the Trend is the T5 but that isn't a carbon copy
http://www.toolbox.co.uk/trend-variable-speed-router-15147-123078

One more point, these routers have an on/off switch rather than a trigger which makes them great for tables but you need to make sure it is off when you plug it in especially if you are holding it!

Thanks nick that is the Elu I used at uni, so what happened Dewalt bought Elu and that is basically an Elu packaged in yellow. Now trend plus others make copies it's confusing it would be nice to get a carbon copy of that Elu.

haha! When I was at uni I had set up the spindle moulder and asked the workshop guy to confirm I had set it up properly before putting ££ of sycamore up the extractor. So he comes over turns it on and starts pointing at the cutter, hand getting closer, hand getting very close (he knows what he's dong I thought) hand too close zzzzzzzzuurp! Luckily it was just a nasty cut, the woodstore guy loped off half his fingers decades earlier.

I've had a cheap router, then bought a 1/4" Trend through ebay. No cometition, the Trend is a joy to use.

While a 1/4" won't take off the material a 1/2" will, you can do additional passes.

So far nothing I've done has need a 1/2", but then I'm just home/garden DIY.

One last question is there an Elu copy with a 1/2" collet before I spend an hour on axmister/Isaac llords website!? Thanks

I believe the Dewalt DW625 is an old ELU

stumpy01 - yes, from time to time, I spend a good few hours researching CNC routers and 3d printers.
I haven't got a garage or big shed though. I do all my stuff in the kitchen or back yard.
I'd so love one though!

Thanks I'll have a look!

All my routers have the table built in. It doesn't cost anything extra at all and they can be huge. In fact the table can be as big or as small as I want it to be.

Your geekiness shines like the sun