Just come across this new offer from Rutlands.

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psPromotions.cgi?promo=84

66 piece router set for £130. I'd be using it for home occasional, not professional use. This looks as though it's most router bits I'll ever need. Anybody got a set of these and if so are they any good?

I bought a set of the faithfull brand 1/4 about 30 odd bits, ok for diy,they look a good set 1/2 inch so no good for my 1/4 router.

Well, just bought a set, so will have to be on the look out for a 1/2" router now :)

Rutlands and axminster sell some good quality gear,what router do you think you will purchase.

No idea yet, haven't thought that far ahead, lol. Will have a look round here and havea chat with a few people before splashing out

if we are honest 3 routers are the ideal number small medium and big beastie

idealy a 800w lightweight for easy handleing a1200 for light 1/2" routing and 1600 plus for table mounting
what you need to remember is a router table isnt ideal in a confined space as you need twice the material length clearence to run it over the table
so a 3m length off timber will need 20ft
and routering large cumbersome objects are far better with a hand held as any deveation will reflect in the condition off the mouldings

look at ryobi as the 1150ert is a half inch even though they dont say so it is 1/2"

http://uk.ryobitools.eu/Catalogue/cutti ... 1150VN.htm

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Thanks Big-all. Think I'll have to have one for now. I checked the 1150 out, and even though it mentions 12mm collet size on the ryobi website, everywhere that has it for sale says it's for 1/4" and 3/8" router bits only. The 2100 Ryobi makes does take 1/2" though so am a bit confused Any negatives to the 2100 when using for handheld as I wont have huge amounts of space to use with a table all the time?

i have the 1150 as one off about 6 router trimmers and its definatly 1/2 inch lol

the trouble with using a large router for delicate work is the top heavy 5.5kg or so ballanced on a 21 or 42mm edge spinning round at 20.000 rpm

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Cool, ok Big-all, will get one ordered sounds like it should be more than adequate for the home DIY use I've got in mind.

The Ryobi BA has sugguested jmc67 will last you for years mate and you'll be very happy with it, ive still got 2 old ryobi's from '02 and there still going strong and ive never had any problems with them.

just remember because its a low powered 1/2 inch you need to take extra passes on bigger cutters as in the normal rules are half the cutter shank per pass
so a 1/4"at 6.35 would be say 3.2 a 1/2" 12.7mm would be 6.36
so somwhere in the middle will be 4.25

small rebates off perhaps 7x7mm can be cut in a oner because its a relativly small amout off the cutters width cutting unlike say a 3" panel cutter

also check before you buy any larger cutters if theres a minimum recomended power required[dosnt appy to the 66 set ]

other essentials for routering
non slip mat =toolstation http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+To ... 220/p85326
ptfe cutter lubricant maybe ts deffinatly s/fix probably rutlands http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Automot ... 795/p63929

and diamond slip stones for honning

and alternative bearings that increase/decrease the rebate width or remove the the little step on some cutters
http://www.rutlands.co.uk/power-tools-& ... t---1_2%22

somtimes the smaller/larger bearing within a set off cutters can be swopped giving you 2 sizes but not always

drill a small hole for the allen key between the cutters in your box then you will never loose it

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Good to know StyxSIS, and thanks again Big-all, I presumed there would be some rules of thumb regarding power to number of passes, and depth of cut etc

read the several edits to the last thread

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The router bits set arrived from Rutlands today - first impresisons, is that it looks good quality especially for the price. However I hadn't realised it's imperial only. My naivity I suppose but I'd assumed it would be metric/imperial and din't even bother checking. Not a huge problem but for cutting rebates for 18mm MDF/ply will need a different bit

whenyou say rebate do you mean a slot or a rebate around the edge??

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we are all ------------------still learning