JerryNY Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I needed a compact router or trim router for mortising some hinges and was going the get the new Dewalt one but Amazon had a decent deal on the Makita, $115 after a $20 discount and another 5% form my Amazon cash back. Not a bad package for just over $100, includes a plunge base too. As a first project with it I decided to work on a solid core pocket door I was installing and threw a Diablo bit on the Makita to mortise out a channel on the bottom to hide a guide on the bottom of the door, I hate those visible cheap plastic guides that screw on the bottom of many pocket doors' jam trim that end up scratching the door over time. I haven't had a huge amount of experience with routers but taking off a 1/8th at a time and taking my time it came out ok. I took a stainless 3/8" lag and rounded off the head with my grinder to make a simple guide and it works great, it's hidden under the door and makes the whole thing look much more polished. So far so good with my first Makita tool. The only question I have is when can I expect the Makita Girls to come over and show my how to properly handle my tools? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Not a bad deal for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Nice job jerry! That's a great idea Jimbo Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrius Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Its perfect tool and Makita girls don`t have much of time, but I think they will come in one week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnkid85 Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 I have the same little guy that I keep a round over bit in. In fact, just used it today on a quick project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 On March 30, 2016 at 1:59 AM, JerryNY said: I needed a compact router or trim router for mortising some hinges and was going the get the new Dewalt one but Amazon had a decent deal on the Makita, $115 after a $20 discount and another 5% form my Amazon cash back. Not a bad package for just over $100, includes a plunge base too. As a first project with it I decided to work on a solid core pocket door I was installing and threw a Diablo bit on the Makita to mortise out a channel on the bottom to hide a guide on the bottom of the door, I hate those visible cheap plastic guides that screw on the bottom of many pocket doors' jam trim that end up scratching the door over time. I haven't had a huge amount of experience with routers but taking off a 1/8th at a time and taking my time it came out ok. I took a stainless 3/8" lag and rounded off the head with my grinder to make a simple guide and it works great, it's hidden under the door and makes the whole thing look much more polished. So far so good with my first Makita tool. The only question I have is when can I expect the Makita Girls to come over and show my how to properly handle my tools? Nice work! Nice router, Conductor has one too. As far as my Makita girls? Sorry Jerry.....they're all mine. The German ones that come with my Festools are just too darn strict! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regopit Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 Nice work Jerry and the hidden guide is the way togo. I just really dislike pocket doors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyB Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 I'm looking to grab that router or the Colt one of these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrich1 Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 I did a mini review on this router a few months ago I really like it. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted April 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 I used it again to notch a couple of base cabinets to be able to cram a bigger sink into my corner sink installation. It helped me to get a 28" sink in the corner and only have it set back about 5" from the front counter lip which is quite a feat. Handy little router, lots of dust to clean up after though ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 That'll look nice once you get it installed, what's the counter top and faucet going to look like Jimbo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted April 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 5 minutes ago, JimboS1ice said: That'll look nice once you get it installed, what's the counter top and faucet going to look like Jimbo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Dark Soapstone counters with white quartzite island and slab backsplashes. I'm having a drain board cut into the counter in the back corner with the faucet going in a notch on the back left corner. Samples of the stones: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Dark Soapstone counters with white quartzite island and slab backsplashes. I'm having a drain board cut into the counter in the back corner with the faucet going in a notch on the back left corner. Samples of the stones: That's going to look sharp I can't wait to see it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 That's my dream kitchen counter material, maybe not that color but you can make any color work in the right situation. .. I will have to do that at some point in my life, love that stuff Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted May 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 2 hours ago, JimboS1ice said: That's going to look sharp I can't wait to see it Thanks, I hope so after all this work ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted May 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 37 minutes ago, KnarlyCarl said: That's my dream kitchen counter material, maybe not that color but you can make any color work in the right situation. .. I will have to do that at some point in my life, love that stuff Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk If you don't oil it, or put beeswax on it, the soapstone becomes more of a concrete gray color which I also like but you don't see the white veins pop in contrast . I attached a photo showing the side without any oil/wax on it. Some varieties come in greenish hues too. It's a pretty remarkable material; you can pour acid on it without worry, it won't stain, if you mark it up you can sand it down and you can even cut it with normal woodworking tools and saws. Kinda crazy. The place I sourced mine from sells diy slab kitchen kits really reasonably priced too. Because it's so easy to work with. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Yes very much an impressive material, I do have many a year ahead of me to plan this out, so many things to accomplish beforehand! Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMG Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Ahhh soapstone; wonderful top material. I produced several sets of kitchen tops for one of my customers in Florida many years ago. One trick used to bond edges was to collect some dust from sanding down the surface and add it to the epoxy to color the joint. Also used some plastic lamello biscuits in places for alignment and stability. It does wear out the tools and tooling in a hurry though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuutr Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 So the deal is back on at AcmeTool. Given your experience, would you buy the same tool or the dewalt router set for a little more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 On April 6, 2016 at 5:21 PM, MikeyB said: I'm looking to grab that router or the Colt one of these days Yeah, i'd like to hear from someone who's used both.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 If you don't oil it, or put beeswax on it, the soapstone becomes more of a concrete gray color which I also like but you don't see the white veins pop in contrast . I attached a photo showing the side without any oil/wax on it. Some varieties come in greenish hues too. It's a pretty remarkable material; you can pour acid on it without worry, it won't stain, if you mark it up you can sand it down and you can even cut it with normal woodworking tools and saws. Kinda crazy. The place I sourced mine from sells diy slab kitchen kits really reasonably priced too. Because it's so easy to work with. How often do you have to oil it, is it a one in done thing or do you have to maintain it over time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 17 hours ago, Shuutr said: So the deal is back on at AcmeTool. Given your experience, would you buy the same tool or the dewalt router set for a little more? Yeah It's a great little router. The only thing it really lacks compared to the Dewalt is an LED light. That wasn't an issue for my occasional use and if you can get it on sale it's a no brainier. It has a solid feel and weight to it and good power for its size. No disappointments at all from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 56 minutes ago, JimboS1ice said: How often do you have to oil it, is it a one in done thing or do you have to maintain it over time Just FYI the oil is purely for aesthetics, it's not like sealing stone or marble to protect them from staining. Soapstone is almost completely non-porous, you literally can pour battery acid on it and it won't do anything to it. The oil just makes it darker and brings out the contrasting veins. If you want really dark coloration you need to oil it more frequently but the longer you have it the more it builds up and the longer it lasts til needing it reapplied. A new countertop might need weekly small applications to keep it black but after a few months might only need a monthly and then longer. It takes very little time to apply so it's not a big deal. I like both the black and the more concrete gray look so I'll see what's what. Either way it's reversible over time if you want darker just add oil, if you want lighter coloration let it just be for a while. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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