SKIL 91030 Carbide Router Bit Set, 30-Piece | $94.72 (Reg $150) | Prime Free Shipping

Been looking for a router for home. Do I need a table to mount it on? Or can you use a router freehand for so simple things like cabinet doors and diy projects?

Good one, thanks for sharing!

rfdhearn wrote: ↑ Been looking for a router for home. Do I need a table to mount it on? Or can you use a router freehand for so simple things like cabinet doors and diy projects?

Compact routers are handy for simple things. If that's your first router, the compact one should be fine. I recommend to avoid the Ryobi one, it's good but in my experience, it has issues to keep the bit in the exact same position.
Plunge routers will give you much more flexibility, they are are usually much more powerful and you can use it for a long period of times (if required).
Plunge router can be attached to table routers, it's essential when precision is required as you can easily control depth, distance from border, ...
I have both, I would recommend to go with plunge router first for 3 reasons: it's more flexible, better dust control and price point is similar.

Price now $94.72

Back to full price.

MrMello wrote: ↑ Compact routers are handy for simple things. If that's your first router, the compact one should be fine. I recommend to avoid the Ryobi one, it's good but in my experience, it has issues to keep the bit in the exact same position.
Plunge routers will give you much more flexibility, they are are usually much more powerful and you can use it for a long period of times (if required).
Plunge router can be attached to table routers, it's essential when precision is required as you can easily control depth, distance from border, ...
I have both, I would recommend to go with plunge router first for 3 reasons: it's more flexible, better dust control and price point is similar.

Thanks for the info!

So does a plunge router need to be fixed to a table in order to use it? Or can you use it freehand?

rfdhearn wrote: ↑ Thanks for the info!

So does a plunge router need to be fixed to a table in order to use it? Or can you use it freehand?

They don't need to. Some of them come with the 2 options, fixed and plunge (check the Skil one on amazon). So I keep the fixed base attached to a DIY router table and the other one I use when required, I just switch the main body (the router itself) to the the base that I need.

MrMello wrote: ↑ They don't need to. Some of them come with the 2 options, fixed and plunge (check the Skil one on amazon). So I keep the fixed base attached to a DIY router table and the other one I use when required, I just switch the main body (the router itself) to the the base that I need.

Oh I get it now. That 14amp Skil has the two different bases depending on how you want to use it. Looks like it's $208 right now, I'll keep and eye on it.

MrMello wrote: ↑ Back to full price.

Alive again!
Now it's $92
6 in stock