Official Luthiers Forum!

Here's a beginner question:

Is there a router out there that's an all around solution for lutherie use?

I'm getting ready to buy one and I'd like to find (if it exists) a router that would do the job for inlay, as well as routing truss rod channels, edge binding, slotting bridges, slotting headstocks, and routing dovetails with neck blocks with the template kit over at StewMac, and anything else that might come up.

And it would be nice if it was compatible with the various accessories/jigs/add-ons available at StewMac, LMI, luthiertool.com, et al, and maybe also compatible with the Cochran precision base at Allied.

Does an all-in-one solution like that exist? I was wondering about the Porter-Cable 7310 as a possible candidate.

Or what I be better off with a Bosch Colt and just do my best adapting the various accessories/jigs/add-ons? Remember - beginner!

And is there a source with best prices?

Thanks for the replies!

Rick

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Rick

First some of the tasks you mentioned are best done on a router table and require more HP for best performance. Others require maneuverability, light weight and small foot print. You will be compromising in one form or the other, one direction or the other. So MPO is no there is no ideal router for all lutherie routing tasks.

Second you will find it far better suited to have task specific routers so that you don’t have to disassemble them from one attachment or fixture to use in a different attachment or fixture. I have a 3hp in my router table a PC 310 laminate router for flush trimming, and another PC 310 for my binding channel rig, and I use my Foredom for inlay and other light duty tasks. I really would not want to have to reset up at every task. That adds undue wear on base plates mounting thread holes and fixture mountings.

But this is just my personal opinion on this.

I agree with MP in that there is no one router which will suit all your mentioned needs. A laminate trimmer like a Colt or the PC7310 will get most of those tasks done, even the mortice and tenon (you'll want to take very shallow cuts though) but they would be to big for inlay work.

You'd also be better off making your own jigs versus buying all those jigs as they all don't support "one" brand or size of trimmer. Besides you could save a lot of money by making your own jigs of similar use and spend the money you would have on the jigs on more routers to dedicate to one specific job.

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Thanks for the replies! Looks like I'll be buying more routers in the future.

For now, do you think I could get by on my first few builds with a Bosch Colt or PC7310 and a Dremel with the StewMac precision base for the small stuff? I'm just trying to get fully up and operating and will add to the shop as I go. Thanks!

Rick

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Rick

Yes, I think you can get by with either of those two routers for your first.

You'll want to make one of the Karol/Wells precision bases for cutting rosettes and sound hole and you can also add a piece of 1/2" plywood to the bottom of the measureing arm to make an edge guide for cutting your truss rod channel. Or you can just mount the router to a piece of plywood, clamp a solid straight edge to the plywood and you have a router table with a fence to cut the truss rod channel.

Then you'll want to make some sort of fixture for cutting binding channels. You don't need to get to elaborate with it, check the archives for some good ideas, here's a binding jig from Alain Desforges that would be pretty easy to make, or you can try this one which will also work well.

Oh and the dremel you can make a base for as well for doing inlay work. Check out Mario Proulx dremel base for a simple solution.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

If you want a PC310 here's one for $159.95.
http://www.goestores.com/catalog.aspx?M ... tID=207943

Wow! Thanks very much everyone for the advice and links! This place is a veritable treasure trove for a beginner getting started and I sure appreciate being able to ask the questions and getting so much great information!

Rick

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Rick