Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Craig Cox on October 16, 2010 at 5:10pm

I inherited an old Sears router, along with a table saw and drill press, from my father-in-law when he passed away. I stayed away from the router for a long time b/c it just scared me! But, I've used it for the last few necks and I'm a convert. I use it upside down in a router table, with a good carbide bit, to round neck edges and remove the big notch under the lid. Goes through maple like butter, and I'm on to the rest of my project rather than spending hours filing by hand. Nothing against folks that want to use just hand tools, but for me, the judicious use of good power tools makes my projects easier and better.

Regarding the two choices, buy the Bosch if you can afford it. It will be vastly superior to the piece of Chinese garbage Harbor Fright is hawking. Buy good quality tools when you can. They'll pay you back again and again.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Bliss on October 16, 2010 at 6:23pm

Diane,
I'd agree with the comments thus far, you can do a lot without, but it sure can speed up the process properly used. Seeing that you build a lot, you could probably put one to good use.
As far as the choice goes, I would avoid the cheap router, you will find them frustrating to use. Things like the depth control setting on the Bosch unit will be more precise and easier to get consistent results from. And you will likely get a lifetime of use out of it.
However, the real benefit to using a router, or many other such tools, comes with learning to make various jigs and guides to take advantage of its versatality. And practice. You might be surprised at the innovative things you can do with one. Get a couple good books specifically for the router. I can recommend "Tools and Jigs" and "Router Table secrets" by Woodsmith for starters. Browse them for ideas and insight into the possibilitys.
Get a few accessories and bits accumulated and I bet it becomes a new friend. A plunge adapter would be nice, if available. It allows you to start the router and move the bit down onto the work to a set depth. Also, building a basic router table nicely expands the possibilities.
Hope that helps!
Mark

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Permalink Reply by rockcity on October 17, 2010 at 3:26am

There is a Bosch palm router on ebay right now for $86 including shipping. Not a bad price

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on October 17, 2010 at 5:02am

Do you really need a router.... no, but they are sure nice to have. I would take the time to make a router table for it though or buy one. I made my table, using an old cabinet I got at a yard sale, with a hinged top for access to the router. I feel a router table makes it a lot safer to use and helps with containing the dust. Routers are messy. I hook the dust collector up to mine.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on October 17, 2010 at 6:18am

A router is one of those things that I can't live with now that I have it. If you want to put a truss rod in a solid hunk of wood, you need one. Otherwise, with CBGs, you can get away without having one.

On the other hand, I use mine to:

- Route a truss rod slot.
- With a pattern bit, I true the sides of my necks up using the fingerboard as a template.
- Pickup pockets.
- Neck pockets.

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Permalink Reply by Ukecansam on October 17, 2010 at 11:46pm

What size bit do you use? I have a 1X2 inch piece of wood from my nect I want to use a router for the back.

L.J. said:

I use a router for rounding my necks and making my boxtop/neck cutouts. Ot5hyer than that I dont need one but the time and strain it saves me rounding necks I couldnt give it up.

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Permalink Reply by crissy b on October 18, 2010 at 8:50am

Hi Ive never used one always do my necks with an old spoke shave and work by the way it feels to the touch I have thought about using electrik tools but it feels better using old hand tools mind you I use a lot of oak and that soon blunts them But to me these wonderfull instruments are so very tactile i have to feel what ime doing :)

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on October 18, 2010 at 11:09am

What do any of us really need other than a good knife and a sharpening stone? The same can be said of a router. What can’t be done with a router? Just be careful – like any new addiction you can waste tons of time and money building router jigs to do just about anything and cutting MDF patterns for just about everything. The only real cure is to make each build different in order to avoid this temptation.

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Permalink Reply by beStillroy on October 18, 2010 at 1:00pm

Got 1 or something real "similar"
Low Torque Start
Appropriate HorsePower
good TOOL

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Permalink Reply by beStillroy on October 18, 2010 at 1:02pm

easy to freehand "rough ins" on headstocks etc.
"nibble AWAY"

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Permalink Reply by beStillroy on October 18, 2010 at 1:03pm

beStillroy said:

easy to freehand "rough ins" on headstocks etc.
"nibble AWAY"

perfect for "PUP Pocket"

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Permalink Reply by Ukecansam on October 18, 2010 at 11:06pm

Thanks everyone for there advice and comments. This will be my first build and I am going to use a file and a knife. I will post the finished product. Thanks again for your help.

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