Carving Router at a GOOD PRICE ! (UK)

Ian_Homer

For UK Members, I've just been into B+Q and seen a good deal on this Router.

Seems a very good price and has more features than ones 3 times the price. Of advantage to us Bonsaists, is the flexible drive and stand, which will make access far easier.

Anyone with experience of these before I upgrade mine ? Could almost afford for it to burn out after a couple of years.

If you buy one - 10% or Rep points please !!!

Have a look at the deal . . . .

Regards,
Ian.

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John Dixon

Great info for you Brits (and other Europeans). Looks like a decent tool for a good price.

Good for ya'll

John

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John Dixon

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Walter_Pall

Ian,

I have two of these. Just in case one brakes I throw it away and use the other one. They do exactly the same job as Dremel and others, only for one third the price. The bits that I use on them are very expensive. I use some which cost US$ 25 and more. It's the bits that do the job, not the machine.

Well It's the man (woman) who holds the machine with the bits. Like pictures are not made by cameras, they are made by lenses. Well, by a person holding the lenses at somethuing.

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Walter Pall

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Ian_Homer

Hi John,

Seems to be.

What sort of price for these in the U.S. ?

You are traditionally far cheaper on these goods - but stiff competition on the internet has really driven down costs of "tools" here in the U.K.
You certainly seem to get more for your money these days.

Fuel keeps going up tho.


Best wishes,
Ian.

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Ian_Homer

Thanks Walter,

I might just buy two.

Need to tidy-up that Hawthorn.

Regards,
Ian.

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heymikey(deceased)

heyIan; Please keep in mind this is a small, low-powered (140 w) device which probably uses 1/8-inch dia. bits. The larger "die grinders" with 1/4-inch collets have 3-4 times as much power (or more) and are better suited for large jobs. Plus some of the large units have adapters to take the small diameter bits so they can still do fine work.

John Dixon

Ian,

The only similar tool I have is made by Dremel. It is a variable speed 5000-35,000 rpm that sells for about $65.00 in kit form. I added the flexible shaft to it later for about another $40. Of course, the bits add tremendously to the price, but once you use them, you wonder how you did without them. I just looked at the Lowe's Home Improvement web-site (a big store-chain in my area), and they have the Dremel kit w/ the flexible shaft extension for $97 USD. Pretty good, reliable, long-lasting tool set. Wrong current for you though, sorry (probably worth the price of the converter though). Home-Depot carries a very similar tool made by Ryobi, which is slightly less-expensive.

I have used a battery-powered [rechargeable] Dremel (cordless) that is a two-speed version and more appealing for light work. It is very reasonably priced (less than $40) and I find it is my most used power tool. It can do everything the corded Dremel does within the limits of it's two speeds, and has that attribute of no cord. The battery lasts for about an hour of use. I really enjoy using it with the sanding discs I obtained from Jim Doyle (thanks again Walter ). I just wore the battery out I think, because it won't work on the higher speed setting. Oh well, it is economical enough to replace.

Now I just need a Dremel-sized version on the "Ninja" bit. Anybody seen one of those? Around $125 for the 1/4" die-grinder version, ouch!!! Just the bit, mind you. I haven't "bit" that bullet yet. One day, I'll find one a little more reasonable...maybe.

John

EDIT: I saw the post from heymikey. I use my die-grinder for the bigger, more involved carving, but the 1/8" colletted stuff for the Dremel works great when it gets to the intermediate and detailed work. I find that the 1/4" grinders get a bit unwieldy for that work because of their bulk, but the Dremel's size limits it from the bigger work. I have both, and use them appropriately for the task at hand. Guess what else I use? a small knife made by Cold Steel called a "Ready-Edge". a great "manual" tool for carving.

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John Dixon

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Ian_Homer

Thanks HeyMikey & John,

I appreciate your thoughts on the 1/8th and 1/4 factor. I have a large Dremel myself, so I can cope with the heavy stuff. It is my smaller router that has a bearing problem to the spindle, perhaps due to too much pressure. Its this one I want to replace. I have never used a flexible drive before - so fancy the ease of use that will come with it. Guess the worst you can do with this cheaper alternative is wear out the "flexi" first!

I will use the appropriate tools to suit the ocassion and rely more on the tool doing the cutting, rather than the machine.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,
Ian.

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John Dixon

Ian,

The flex-shaft is nice, but it can also tick you off. It's just long enough to give you some maneuvering room, but so short the %&^$#@ motor assembly will continuously fall off the bench if you get too involved. Of course, some marketing expert came up with a mount for it, but it gets to the point that you end up with too permanent a spot where flexibility is the goal. Just FYI, it's still worthwhile. You will do a little "cussing" though.

The low power of the "rotary tools" (what we call the Dremel type tools) is actually not a shortcoming in my book. When it comes to carving, we need to take our time. I guess that's why I limit my use of the die grinder to the more coarse work.

John

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.