(Bosch) Trim Routers Capabilities

[bott]

All this other router talk has me thinking…

I am looking for a router to put even beads on interior pieces of wood/trim for my boat. I live aboard my boat (34’) so space is a consideration, and the scope of projects that this tool would be used for would be equally limited (i.e.- I don’t have separate shop space so the scope of my projects are limited as well).

I am considering purchasing a Bosch trim router, vs. a “real” router. What capabilities would I be giving up with getting the lower powered (and smaller, cheaper) option?

http://66.77.255.87/Images/BOSCHTOOLS/1617EVS_B/WEB_PD/1617EVS_B_pd.jpg vs. http://66.77.255.87/Images/BOSCHTOOLS/PR20EVSK_Main_B/WEB_PD/PR20EVSK_main_pd.jpg

Ready.... DEBATE!

[Rick Starr]

Got one.

Like it.

I don't ask much of it, though. It's real-wood-cutting duties are confined mostly to hinge mortises, which it's quite good at. It might cut real profiles, if they were small and you made several passes. I wouldn't be in a hurry and I'd keep the bits super sharp, lest the burned wood get out of hand.

[Bob Cleek]

You could do edge rounding with the smaller machine, up to maybe a half inch radius, if you took it in a couple of passes. I wouldn't go that route, though. The laminate trimmer is a specialized tool, really. Go for the standard router. I sure wouldn't want to do routing on a boat while I was living aboard, though. They create a huge amount of sawdust and shavings that they fling all over the place.

[JimConlin]

I have a couple of Porter-Cable trim routers and they get used a lot for various edge treatments. It's a very useful tool.
There's a steady stream of 'em on EBay for $65-70.

[Tom Lathrop]

I have the Porter Cable because when I bought it, it was the only one with a vertical adjustment that worked well. I use is for a lot of small work because it can be handled with one hand. Sometimes hold the piece in one hand and the router in the other, only with guide bearings of course. I bought the kit with variable angle base and offset base but don't find much use for them. Kitchen installers would.

All that I know of will only do roundovers up to 1/4" because the base opening is restricted to no more than that. They are not powerful enough for more. Bob may have one that does 1/2" but I have never seen one.

Would not be good as an only router but will allow you to have a really big one for heavy work. Otherwise you need a medium size router that will do almost everything as a compromise. Handling one of the big routers freehand can be a real chore. Lots of people have four routers, one trim for small stuff, A medium fixed base D handle, a big 3hp plunge unit and one mounted under a table. It's not extravagance is you use them.

[kc8pql]

You may want to take a look at the old standby PC 100. They've been around for years in one form or another. It's small as routers go these days, but it's a real router that will handle reasonably sized bits. I've got two, one about 40 years old and one maybe 15. I use them all the time for light to medium work.

http://www.toolbarn.com/images//portercable/100.jpg

[JimConlin]

BTW-
When looking for these on EBay, they're called 'laminate trimmer' in those parts.

[Bob Cleek]

If it will handle a half inch roundover bit, I expect it will do it in at least a couple of passes. If it won't handle a half incher, yer SOL. Buy a real medium size router and you'll be happier. If SWMBO is likely to complain about the price, make her a chopping board with rounded edges and she'll think it was worth the price!

[bott]

If SWMBO is likely to complain about the price, make her a chopping board with rounded edges and she'll think it was worth the price!

Ha!

My SWMBO, as it were, is currently in a wooden boat building/marine carpendry program... I'm more concerned with her stealing my tools!
:D

Thanks for all the info!

[kc8pql]

I am considering purchasing a Bosch trim router, vs. a “real” router. What capabilities would I be giving up with getting the lower powered (and smaller, cheaper) option?

To get back to the original question, you'd be much better off with a real router of some sort. Trim routers, properly called laminate trimmers as has been pointed out, are designed to flush cut the overhang on plastic countertop laminate. That's not a very demanding job. The fact that you can use small bits for simple shaping doesn't make it a good choice. It will be under powered and, with anything but the smallest profiles, produce inferior results.

[Nicholas Carey]

To get back to the original question, you'd be much better off with a real router of some sort. Trim routers, properly called laminate trimmers as has been pointed out, are designed to flush cut the overhang on plastic countertop laminate. That's not a very demanding job. The fact that you can use small bits for simple shaping doesn't make it a good choice. It will be under powered and, with anything but the smallest profiles, produce inferior results.Calling the new Bosch Colt a "trim router" is a misnomer. It's actually a quite capable 1hp (5.7 Amp) router that happens to perform well as a trim router due to its form factor.

http://66.77.255.87/Images/BOSCHTOOLS/PR20EVSK_Main_B/WEB_LG/PR20EVSK_main_lg.jpg

what it buys you as a general purpose router is that it is both small and light as well as fairly powerful. It's no honking big 3-1/2 hp Milwaukee or Porter-Cable Speedmatic, but it doesn't try to be.

Compare it to the veneral P-C model 100:

P-C 100: 22,000 RPM, 1/4-in collet, 6.5 Amps, 6.75 pounds. Street price...$150-$180
Bosch Colt: 16-35,000 RPM, 1/4-in collet, 5.7 Amps, 3.3 pounds. base Street price...$100-$120For the price of the P-C 100 ($175), you can get the Bosch Colt installer's kit (router, 4 different bases, edge guide, etc., etc., etc.). What's not to like?

For many, if not most, tasks for which you'd use a router freehand, the Bosch Colt works quite well. The fact you can drive it one-handed is a plus. So is the small base, which means you can fairly easily run it down the narrow edge of a board without worrying [too much :D] about it tipping on you.

I believe Bosch developed it after they noticed a lot of people were using laminate trim routers, not for trimming laminates, but as general purpose routers becasue they are small, compact and light.

[Paul Girouard]

My .02 cents the older Bosch trim routers the bases tended / could slip , resulting in botched work . They also could get bent if dropped , my old boss was known the place tools on the very edge of the bench , so close infact when I'd try to , for fun , balance the same tool in the same spot it was seldom I could acheive balance, as a result of this "gift / affliction " :rolleyes: he had all but one of the four bosch trim routers the shop had bent bases. This of course is not the tools fault.

I can't speak to the newer ones, don't own one , the old fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me deal.

I have a small Makita , 15 years or so old , it has a 1/8 " radius bit in it, I hardly ever adjust the base I just eave it set, ready to go.

I have a Dewalt trim router set up fpr P.Lam . work ," bullet " flush trimmer bit / with the offset base , it does have a couple of other bases but I do not recall ever using them.

A 1/4" shank collet / bit set up , IMO , is only useful on bits 3/8" and smaller .

If you run larger bits , say 1/2" and up in size , chamfer / radius , etc , the cut will be inferior .

Bigger bits need 1/2" shanks / collet set up for smooth / effiecent cutting . Again IMO , with years of OTJ experience , to back that opinion up.

So if your needs are small bits / profiles , always, then a trim router will serve you well .

[kc8pql]

Bosch Colt: 16-35,000 RPM, 1/4-in collet, 5.7 Amps, 3.3 pounds. base Street price...$100-$120Yes, if you already have a router or two it could be a good addition. I'd not seen the specs before. I may be interested myself. It wouldn't be my only router though.

http://i10.tinypic.com/4hc6o8m.jpg

If it's the only one you have I'd bet it wouldn't be long before you're out looking for something bigger. I suggested the PC because it's a small router that would help with his onboard storage problem but is big enough to do general routing work. It's not the least expensive option but it can last for decades if you change the brushes now and then.

My laminate trimmer comment was directed at, well, laminate trimmers as that's what most of the posts are about.

[Hughman]

Living aboard a boat is hard on tools- salt water ruins things electrical when you're not looking.

I'd buy yard sale routers for $10. and throw it in the fo'c'sle tool bin, and consider it a throw away. spending a hunnert bucks on something only to have it s#!t the bed in two months is a drag, IMHO.

I'd use it on deck, too, Bob has a point. wait till all that stuff clogs your bilge pump and limber holes when you're in a seaway, and it could ruin your day....