Bosch vs Makita router

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I hate to disagree with all the learned folks here, but frankly, it sounds like you won't be using it a lot, so spending money on a "pro" tool would be a waste, even though it might make you feel better inside. :)

Sometimes a cheap tool is all you need, I'd look at the Bosch budget range or even the own brand stuff from your local DIY store. I've had an own brand 1/2" router, (amongst others), for about ten years, still runs with no problems, and I've done some truly nasty abuse.

Don't fall for tool snobbery, it's almost as bad as hi-fi snobbery. :D
 
I am asking myself the same question.

My first drill was something like $15 I bought from a supermarket. I used it a few times and it died. May be less than an hour of actual run time. This is not good enough.

My second drill is a Black & Decker. After 10+ years it still looks like new. It appears to be plenty good for me. A professional might kill it in a year or two, but in my life time I might not drill as many holes as a pro did in a year.

So if the motor can last 100 hours it might outlive me. The bar is really low. :D
 
I would agree not to fall for tool snobbery too. But I personally have minimum quality/feel standards that I'm sure others have. For example the ryobi cordless trim router will do as good a job as any trim router in the right hands but the Makita feels much more solid, has a better balance, feels more powerful, quieter... Sometimes there is a difference.

But whether that difference is important is down to the inividual. I used to want to spend the least and feel proud of myself for getting the same job done with my cheap tools (I use impact drivers mostly for work, jigsaw and skill saws less so) but a few years later I've changed and want things to feel more balanced and smoother working. Life's short so feeling more at one with a tool over time (because it works better) is worth more to me than say a $100 price difference.
 
The Makita M3700G I tried, the 30000rpm scream and vibration when it is taken off the wood is a little bit unnerving. I don't know if the Bosch GKF 550 would fare any better. I think the Makita RT0700C variable speed model would at least be less high pitched because we could throttle down the speed. I'm sure the cordless model is even be better.

So those are wants. As for needs, I think the RT0700C is overkill, probably the Bosch too. The models still in the running:

- Makita RT0700C, variable speed, probably the best trim router on paper I can get locally, most pricey.
- Bosch GKF 550, I like the colour, 2/3 the price of RT0700C.
- Makita MG 3700G, cheapest from a big name, 1/2 the price of RT0700C.
- Dong Cheng FF04-6, the best trim router Chinese domestic power tool industry has to offer, 1/3 the price of RT0700C.

Either of those should work. I just have to get in touch with my inner self how much poorer I want to be.
 
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...but the Makita feels much more solid, has a better balance, feels more powerful, quieter... Sometimes there is a difference.

Indeed there is, and I'm not knocking decent kit. But what are the priorities, a pro rated router that will last for ever and feel really good on the odd occasion you use it, or maybe buy a cheaper one that will do the job, and use the cash saved to buy an extra set of drivers to make speakers you'll listen to every day?
 
My 2c on the thread.

I`ve had a variety of routers all used for speaker work mostly. So here is what you want in one to make sure its up to the job:

- motor power 1200-1500W

* if its too weak, it will struggle on large particle board or plywood, will require more passes to cut through thicker front panels and may slow down when under load if no constant electronic is present
* if its too powerful you will have a challenge in front to hold and will be heavier. High power routers also suffer from electronic bloc failure if connected together with a vacuum cleaner due to voltage drop when both kick in (so more amps go through the block and some fail)

- very good extraction system
- cable to come from top and extraction to be mountable to top
- rpm setting - without it you will be limited to small bits, larger bits are dangerous and shouldbe rotated at lower rpm. With low rpm you also get much less dust
- on/off switch that stays in place and doesn`t need to be held (so locking one)

Optional

- large base opening if you planon working with large roundover/chamfer bits
- constant electronic

The few I`ve had and what I liked, disliked about them:

Hitachi MV12 - best soft start ever - absolutely no kick on starting it, very powerfull motor (1850W), good base opening. I didn`t like its weight and mostly the lack of parts in Europe. This router is notorious for electronic block failures and they`re expensive.

Hitachi M12VE - new model still in sale. Same as above but has more power, is somewhat lighter and less bulky but has the same electronic block issue and happens to get the bit stuck which I hated.

Skil 1430AA - suprisingly good tool and in my opinion ideal for a DIY-er. Has all you want even rpm setting. Dust extraction is poor and the extraction nozzle is horizontal - mine broke on the third circle. Motor is somewhat weaker but decent. This can be had here for like 80 euro and even comes with bits. I`ve tortured mine and it always kept working.

Sparky X205SE - Chinese router branded as a Sparky in Bulgaria and some other parts in Europe. Same as Titan/MacCalister/Westfalia. Powerful, rough (understand primitive) and very unreliable. Parts are very cheap, however.

DeWalt DW625E - I use it lately. Continuation of the ELU MOF177 which was award winning. In my opinion, still the best router around. Its somewhat heavier but not hard to control like the Hitachis, has a nuclear powered motor inside (literally, this stops at nothing) and lots of very well thought features. Ha fantastic dust extraction system and parallel guide and can spin any bit you want easily. But for standard speaker work I think it is still too heavy, too powerful and might be expensive to repair. Mine had one of its center holes somewhat slightly off-center.

Conclusion: If I had to buy a router for speaker work only, I would probably buy the Dw621 (sold as Dw622 in many countries). Has all you want, has plunge action, dust extraction is fantastic, is well built and has rpm control for a 1400W motor. I think these are built in Czechia or Slovakia (DeWalt use the Iskra lines there). And its not that expensive. Stay away of fixed base ones like the Bosch and Makita laminate trimmers - they`re trimmers, not routers. I have a 3709b andits good for veneer trimming and thats it.
 
That's an excellent summary and great advice for anyone looking to get a general purpose router for speaker building.

The DW621/2 is hard to beat for price and performance, but may be even a little more than necessary. The DW616 or DW618 with a plunge base, although having less power, can still handle the task in most cases.

There are other brands besides DeWalt with similar products to these that are comparable in performance and just as good for speaker building.

Also your comment about trimmers not being routers and only good for veneer trimming is right on point.
 
I've had some Bosch tools over an extended period. Years ago, they were very good but my last few purchases have shown a marked deterioration in quality; the 7 1/4" circular saw (the blue more expensive model) was such rubbish, I took it back for a refund.

Recently, my Ryobi (yeah, I know but it was a long time ago) died when I was routing speaker holes so bought another Ryobi, immediately suffered buyer's regret, took it back because it was utter rubbish and got one of these;
https://www.makita.com.sg/product/m3600g

It has performed brilliantly, is solid, heavy, powerful, and has depth control as well as depth stops. While it doesn't have a soft-start, I can live with that. Highly recommended.
 
I haven't read this whole thread, but I'll pipe in my $0.02. As many have said, trim and plunge routers serve different purposes. However, you CAN cut circles with a trimmer and you CAN trim laminate with a big plunge or fixed-base router. I've got a few and my favourite is a big 1/2" Makita 2301. If you ever want to fix it to a table and cut big roundovers or huge bevels or use any other big bits, variable speed is necessary.
 
I have decided to go for a trim router, I think it suits my needs better. I'll be lucky to build a pair of speakers every 5 years.

By looking at contractors around here, they do carry high end Bosch drills. But for cheaper stuffs it is indeed always Makita, even the hobbyist MT series. Never seen those cheaper blue Chinese Bosch though. That's saying something I think.

We have all kinds of Dewalt tools, but for some reason no router. Or so I thought, I just notice a single model is available, and on sale. The cheapest one, they just arrived on the market it seems. Nice thing about it is it has LED light, but apparently a very fragile base according to Amazon reviews. Not too big of a deal as I intend to get the third party base. Priced the same as the cheapest Makita.

I have been meaning to pull the trigger, too much diddling already. But schedule have not been forgiving lately. I can only start my work on the speakers a few weeks later and should have it before then.
 
Just got everything in.

This specialised router base for laminate trimming from China is longer than I thought. It is basically an acrylic plank bolted with a typical plastic base on one end and a handle on the other. Haven’t used it but feels stable and ergonomic.

The soft start and speed control also made it much more pleasant to hold than the basic model. It better be considering it cost 2.5x more.
 

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Just got everything in.

This specialised router base for laminate trimming from China is longer than I thought. It is basically an acrylic plank bolted with a typical plastic base on one end and a handle on the other. Haven’t used it but feels stable and ergonomic.

The soft start and speed control also made it much more pleasant to hold than the basic model. It better be considering it cost 2.5x more.

Good choices. That base should come in very handy and allow you to have much better control of the router. I have a similar one from Rockler that I use quite often with my full size routers.

Suggest you practice plenty on scrap material before making your final cuts on the project pieces.
 
I've had some Bosch tools over an extended period. Years ago, they were very good but my last few purchases have shown a marked deterioration in quality; the 7 1/4" circular saw (the blue more expensive model) was such rubbish, I took it back for a refund.

Recently, my Ryobi (yeah, I know but it was a long time ago) died when I was routing speaker holes so bought another Ryobi, immediately suffered buyer's regret, took it back because it was utter rubbish and got one of these;
https://www.makita.com.sg/product/m3600g

It has performed brilliantly, is solid, heavy, powerful, and has depth control as well as depth stops. While it doesn't have a soft-start, I can live with that. Highly recommended.

WIth Ryobi, it's a bit pick and mix. I know scenic carpentry firms that make sets for big touring shows, using a mix of NiCad old Ryobi and new Ryobi and have done for years. I still use my old Ryobi jigsaw and circular saws out on site - they do the job perfectly well even though they're years old now and bashed, just not as fast as more expensive and new tools. Used their cheapest battery trim router a while ago - did the job perfectly well! Just not as solid feeling and a bit noisier than the Makita trim router.

That's not to say all their tools are ok - never used their plunge router.

I've a feeling, like with audio, some differences are large in some people's heads whilst not so large in others - fairly subjective. Get people saying they "can't listen" to this or that for example.
 
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