Router and jig recommendation plz

tadaska · Post by **tadaska** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:20 pm

I want to buy a router and jig for fitting my own kitchen worktops. It will be a U shape layout with a sink and hob. Most likely rounded edge 600mm wide and 38mm thick worktops. Also will be making my own grooved kitchen cabinet doors out of MDF and possibly drilling perpendicular holes in walls for some floating shelves.

Never used a router so no idea what to look for. Cheaper is better but has to be up to those tasks.

What would you guys recommend?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:06 pm

No one ever ends up with just one router as it is like having a golf bag with a selection of clubs to use for different shots. I have acquired about four over the years. In your planned job a fairly light router is good for the grooves and a bit heavier for rounding over the work tops. If you were going to do a masons mitre and cut the dog bones it really needs a bigger 2000w machine. You really have to know how to handle the big routers and I have to say that my little Bosch, which I can use one handed, is my first choice if it is not too a demanding job. A router needs to be driven and you acquire the knack of measuring feed rate, depth of cut each pass and directional deviation with use and practice.

This is an example of a 1200w router that is in the middle https://www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister ... 240v/506fx it is £50 but also remember cutters cost a bit too.

DWD

fin · Post by **fin** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:17 pm

i fit kitchens all the time. i use a makita router and mainly a unika universal jig
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-RP2301F ... 623&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unika-JIGN179P ... 146&sr=8-1

does me for the vast majority of cases.

just about the only thing i use my old trend 1002 jig for these days is if i need to rout a curved peninsular onto a breakfast bar.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TREND-TRECOMBI ... 710&sr=8-3

by all accounts hitachi routers are fairly decent. after all hire companys usually have them in their fleets. and ive also used the dewalt dw625 i think it is. which is a geet ancient design but it must be decent if its still going

fin · Post by **fin** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:18 pm

also.... in the main i use a 10mm inset on the unika jig. although it can do i tihnk its a 23mm inset also. the trend jig is 23mm only. the 10mm inset works for the more modern tighter radius worktops or square edge worktops also although you can also butt joint them if you so wish.