When buying a plunge router...

[sandstorm33]

Originally posted by pinkmouse


I disagree completely. The more you use them, the more uses you find for them. I would say that, in fact, you can build excellent speakers with a router as your only power tool.

Now you've done it!!! If my wife reads your thread, gone is my Rockwell table saw,my Delta Radial Arm and all the rest of my woodshop that clutters Her cellar!!!And topping that she will buy the book you will write showing us how.

[sandstorm33]

Originally posted by richie00boy
In fact in the most recent pair of cabinets I made, the wood was cut by the merchant and my router was the ONLY tool I used. For edge rebating (easier joint assembly), flush trimming, hole cutting and edge rounding. Routers are ace.

You are indeed fortunate to have a merchant who will carefully cut the box pieces to precise measurement . It is doubtful that could be done over here . I have been building speakers since 1961 and have never rabbitted my edges. Also I have actually not seen a speaker covered in Formica or the like. As for holes I would not attempt that without a template or a jig . I guess it's to each his own!!!

[richie00boy]

Some merchants are accurate. Even inaccurate cuts can be sorted with a router and trimming bit though. In fact the flush trimmer is invaluable to quickly neaten up the box.

Rebated edges makes assembly so much easier as there's no sliding all over the place - try it

I don't cover my speakers in formica, paint or cloth is the usual choice.

For large holes I use a compass attachment to a fence rod, smaller ones I have a proper compass that slides in place of the fence. Both are quick and easy to use (no jig or template needed) and give great results.

Welcome to the 21st century

[jackinnj]

Originally posted by sandstorm33


Now you've done it!!! If my wife reads your thread, gone is my Rockwell table saw,my Delta Radial Arm and all the rest of my woodshop that clutters Her cellar!!!And topping that she will buy the book you will write showing us how.

You need a better router table -- with the right jigs you wind up using it all the time --

i use a porter cable on which you can go from 1/4 to 1/2 rather quickly.

btw, what fence are you using with the Rockwell Table Saw ? -- I got a Kreg last fall and it is fantastic.

[jlsem]

I recommend one of these over a hand router.

ONSRUD W-240D OVER-ARM ROUTER
Closes: 2/14/07 2:00 PM EST
Bedford, VA
Current Bid = $25

[wildswan]

Yep routers ROCK! There's pretty much nothing they can't do. Kinda like those slicers on the infomercials They can make short work of screws and pins you forgot were there

[mltaunt]

My advice:

Get a 1/2 inch model, even if you have to pick one up second hand to keep within budget.

Make sure the micro adjustments are smooth and easy to make. (check out a Porter-Cable at Home Depot for a good example.)

Get Fine Woodworking Magazines's book on router jigs and fixtures. (The one thats a compilation of home made devices that readers have sent in.) Understand the ideas in it.


Then

Mount router to a large rigid flat surface, like a 3/4" x 24" x 48" piece of plywood.

Get a 1/8" 2" x 2" x 48" piece of aluminum angle, bolt it at one end with a snug fit. Put a stop block at the other end with a fine thread screw for micro adjustment.

You can now do incredibly precise milling for almost any operation you may need in speaker building.

Note: you can get spiral cut bits a lot cheaper from a metal working supplier like Reid Tool. (ReidTool.com I think , they do small orders and take credit cards.)

Hope this helps.

[jacco vermeulen]

Here's my No1 hand router.

In 20 years, it has been used to build speakers, a yacht, all kinds of furniture and just about everything in home repair. Constructing babyroom furniture yourself is a tradition in my family, i've done my son's.
My g/f used it a month ago to make a floor hatch. (Doctor DIY enjoys music ánd big loudspeakers)
DeWALT carries accessories that fit the ELU, such as the DW6913 edge guide.
Over the years, the router has earned a multitude of the $500 base cost.
This winter it will do hard labor on a 90"x45" dinnertable, made from African wood as hard as stone.
I hate the Swiss, everything they make is so d... good.

(ps: i use both 1/4" and 1/2" collets)

[pinkmouse]

Yup, Elu/DeWalt are great tools, though made in Germany now I believe. I have a DW744 table saw that I use regularly. Comes out of the box pretty well set up, but with a little tuning and a decent blade it's good enough for cabinet work.

[Pit Hinder]

>>>great tools, though made in Germany now I believe. <<<

I'VE READ THAT MATEY!!! - Ok, next things we send across the Channel will have been made by Messerschmitt again.

So, that bit of friendly needling done with (and I hope everyone understood it as such) : that tip you gave as an aside should have been written in 6' high letters. Midrange priced machinery can give splendid results if you don't stint on blades/router bits/drills.
A good router bit can easily purge your wallet by 40-60€ (that's 25-40 Pounds, sorry but true), but you'll reduce your monthly Valium bill by more.

Cheers,
Pit