Routers - "palm" vs full size

[Jakester]

Considering buying a router to further a possible project, which might involve routing out a cavity for a j pickup near the bridge of a poor, unsuspecting precision style bass.

I've seen recommendations for the best router generally, but as a first timer (intending to do LOTS of practice!!!) should I be looking to a full size router such as this:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-rp0900x-2-900w-plunge-router-240v/52281

or a 'palm size' one such as this:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gkf600-600w-palm-router-240v/68002

TBH either way it's quite a splurge for one project - afterwards it'll probably get some odd use from time to time (bookcases etc) but it's not going to be in heavy use!

[Manton Customs]

Though both would work for pickup routes I'd say full size , it'll do almost everything the palm one will do and most jobs it would do better. I had the Bosch palm one in addition to a couple of full size ones for several years and never took the palm one out the box, so sold it!

Edited July 27, 2015 by Manton Customs

[Jakester]

Cheers MC, v helpful.

[alyctes]

Personally I'd be nervous with the palm-size one. Those things don't take prisoners and I'd want both hands on it.

[Jakester]

Thanks Al, hadn't thought of that.

[Andyjr1515]

Actually, since I bought that particular palm model, I have never used my big one since. BUT pretty essential to buy also the plunge base to go with it. The only thing I don't like is the on off switch.

[Phil Starr]

You need to research which cutters you are going to use. The Makita uses 3/8 shaft and has an adaptor for 8mm. Standard shanks are 1/4 and 1/2 so you'll struggle to find blades for it. I use an old ELU now sold as DeWalt 900W. I think of my 'big' router as the 2,200W 1/2" one I have. Both of these are small enough to be easy to handle. I use the ELU for just about everything so the 900W is plenty. Beware the cheapies, they work well but guides are often quite flimsy so accurate work is more difficult and some of them kick like a mule when you start them.

As a minimum look for 900W, a plunge system with micro adjuster, A cast fence with micro adjuster is much better but you wont need that for working on guitars I wouldn't think. Check you can get a good range of blades with everything you might need readily available. That's 1/4" unless you need bigger cutters.

Screwfix may have it wrong and the Makita may come with a 1/4 collet if not and you can't get one that is out IMO. I wouldn't look at the palm one. Double check this as Axminster have it (the Makita) with a 1/4" collet. They also have this which seems too good to be true at this price [url="http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-pof-1200ae-1-4-router"]http://www.axminster...00ae-1-4-router[/url] however the Makita is likely to be more robust if it can take standard cutters. They both have the BBOT fences though but better routers seem to be over £200.

Edited July 30, 2015 by Phil Starr