Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site midas.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!teklds!midas!daves From: daves@midas.UUCP (Dave Suryan) Newsgroups: net.rec.wood Subject: Re: most valuable tools & other matters Message-ID: <34@midas.UUCP> Date: Fri, 8-Nov-85 14:42:52 EST Article-I.D.: midas.34 Posted: Fri Nov 8 14:42:52 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 10-Nov-85 09:27:28 EST References: <828@rlgvax.UUCP> Reply-To: daves@midas.UUCP (Dave Suryan) Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 38 Summary: As far as routers go, don't buy Sears. Up to about a year ago I used a Sears 1hp router, until the commutator flew apart. The same problem occured on my Dad's Sears router about a year before mine failed. Other woodworkers I've talked with said Sears routers don't hold up. Furthermore, the depth adjustment was sloppy and it was hard to do accurate work without a lot of fussing. I bought a Porter-Cable router to replace it, but the first time I powered it up the bearings squeeled. I took it back. I figure their quality control is poor. I wanted to be sure and buy a quality router so I purchased (a Milwaukee 5660). It's built real solid and it's easy to get accurate work from it. It looks extra heavy duty, (it will probably outlast me). Unfortunately, it's also quite expensive $180+ by mail order now. My second choice would be the Makita 1 3/8 Hp model for about $130. There was an article in WOOD magazine about a year ago that did a pretty good comparison on routers. It would be worth reading before you buy. As far as table vs band saws (I have both with a Shopsmith) I'd definitely go with the table saw first. I use it more than the band saw by far. Just consider how you would cross cut a four foot peice of wood in half with a band saw. You would have to have a 2 foot throat on the band saw. -- --------------------------------------- UUCP: tektronix!midas!daves USMAIL: David Suryan Tektronix, Inc., PO Box 4600 MS 94-442 Beaverton, Oregon 97075 PHONE: 503-629-1157