Brian M. II

I just read this whole thread since I would like to get a dual bevel slider in the future, no specific timeline as its for hobby stuff. I just want to say thank you to whomever posted the Festool recondition link. I never knew about that link. Also a lot of great advice on here. Thank you.

Hi everyone, I am fairly new to the forum. I have posted a couple things and have looked for advice here as well. I thought I would introduce myself as I have started coming to the forum more frequently. I am an avid DIY, if I can build the same thing for less, or improve upon it; I will build it myself. I went to college for Electrical and Computer Engineering and currently work at a veneer mill as the industrial engineer. I work closely with the continuous improvement manager trying to always improve how we complete tasks. My degree isn’t used as much as I would like, but I got a lot of value from my degree none the less. I helped build a camp with my dad, which is where I currently reside. I wired most of it up, helped do the plumbing, and helped build the building inside and out. I have learned a lot from working on it; one thing I learned is I suck at mudding sheetrock. I have built a pole barn/ firewood storage this past year. It isn’t the prettiest building, but it helps keep my wood dry and cost me gas money to borrow a truck for the wood, 2 tarps, and a box of screws, maybe 50$ total. I am working on the bathroom vanity, on hold at the moment for raised garden beds, and will then redo the cupboards in the kitchen. As it is supposed to be deer camp, we (my wife and I) are going to build the cupboards from reclaimed pallets for a rustic look. Before we do the cupboards I plan to build a router table to help with the finishing touches. I plan to build my own house in a few years if no financial hardship falls on us and I find a piece of land that I find fits what we need/want. I like building with wood and want to get into some metal working too. I have used my dad’s mig welder for a couple small projects, used the schools arc welder when their mig was down, and have taken a class on tig welding. I enjoy working on cars as long as it isn’t my own that has broken down when I need it. I plan to tackle head gaskets in the beginning of July on my wife’s Subaru. I have a wife, 4 cats, and a bunny. My wife helps me with a lot of projects. Her brother is great a wood working and has taught me some stuff and helps me out when she can’t. I love firearms and would like to have my own shooting range one day where I teach others how to shoot effectively. I am still working on my own shooting skills and have been teaching my wife as well. I am usually working at my job, or at home on some project my wife or I have cooked up. When I am not working I am usually doing a bible study, helping at youth group, or spending time with family. I think that is just about everything about me. If anyone has questions feel free to ask. I look forward to getting to know everyone better. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Brian M. II

I bought the Milwaukee 2 1/4 HP router kit Model # 5616-24. I have only used it for 1 project and it work great. The soft start is very easy and gives plenty of time for a good hold. The router is lighter than I expected and very easy to control with one hand. I plan to make a router table for it in the future. I didn't have time to do that before this project so I through together a quick jig to hold my pieces and give me a larger area to set my base on to have a more consistent pattern. My wife held the jig and it went great. This is the most I have used a router and I would make this purchase again. I have used my dad’s older, larger router before and it this one is a lot easier to control. I had so much fun doing the project I have already found more projects when time and money permits. I want to thank everyone on this forum who helped me make a wise choice and go with something a bit larger. This router had tons of power and although I didn't get to play with many functions I like having the variable speed in case I need it and I like how the depth is set. I can’t believe I haven't bought one of these before. I also love the case. I like how the two sides fold down and how many slots there are for bits. I may do a full review after I have used it for a while on a larger array of projects.

Thank you. That is great information to have. I'm sold on buying the kit. Now I just have to save up for a little bit longer. Thank you.

Thanks Chase. You have been a huge help. I thought that would be the consensus. I think that's exactly what I will do. I plan to check my funds and just buy the kit even if I have to wait a couple weeks. I would rather spend the extra now for a good router to tackle all my jobs then find out I need a larger one later on. Thanks again to everyone who helped.

Yeah I wanted to stay below 150 but it seems to be worth the extra just to get this one to start with. This is one reason I like being a part of TIA. I now can ask the questions and get feedback on what I am looking for from others, instead of making a poor decision. I definitely think I am sold on the 2 1/4 I just am not sure if I need the plunge kit yet, or if I can buy the plunge base a month or so down the road. After I figure that out I will have a new tool to help finish up some projects.

I would like to get into doing more stuff as I plan to build my own house. I was thinking of finishing a table I started, redoing our cupboards, putting in drawers, making a gun rack, and maybe some other projects down the road. Thanks for your help. I saw the router with the kit for 250$ or without the plunge base for 180$. I wasn't sure if I could by the plunge base later or if it was worth buying it as a kit now. Thank you.

Right now I am leaning towards the 2 1/4 hp router from Milwaukee. My question is, can I buy the plunge base after so I can save a little now? I didn't see just the base for sale on HD or on the Milwaukee site. I saw some plunge bases on other sites for sale but didn't say what size router they fit. Thank you.

I don't know everything I will use the router for, but I don't want a router so big I can't do trim work.

Thanks for all the input, it has been a great help. I noticed that both PC and Milwaukee don't have a variable speed 1 3/4 HP router. Should I just get one of them, a small compact one that is variable speed, or go to 2 1/4 HP which does have variable speed. Sorry for my ignorance. I just don't know if the variable speed is super important. If it helped give a better cut I assumed all routers would have a variable speed. Thank you.

Thank you Chris. I will look into them. I plan to look at some more in person tomorrow. Is the Milwaukee one to big to use as a trim router?

Thanks for all the input. I think I am going with the dewalt and then maybe get a Milwaukee down the road to use with a table.

DR99 I saw that one. I was going to include it but I saw it didn't have a variable speed. I assumed that was something to look for. If I am wrong please correct me. I don't know enough about routers to make a well informer choice. All information is welcome. Thank you.

Yeah I planned to get some good bits. That is one reason I set my limit to 150$ ish. I know bits make a huge difference. Thats one reason I started this instead of just going with the DeWalt router. I didn't know if somone would talk me out of the DeWalt which in turn would put 50$ more towards bits. Thank you for helping me so quickly.

Thanks Chase. I am definately leaning torwards the DeWalt. I can get by without the table. I can make a table if I end up needing one. I just wanst sure if the DeWalt was worth the extra compared to the others ($50 more at HD).