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Tony, on UK construction sites 110V tools are a legal requirement, and as the UK mains supply is 240V a transformer is the only way to work on them. I have a number of 110V tools, (lam trimmer, router, Dremmel, blankets) that I run using a site transformer. In the Uk, with some exceptions, 110V tools tend to be better made stronger and more reliable than the 'amateur' 240V ones.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Depending on the size and power factor a transformer doesn't use much power just sitting there until there is a load applied to it. Think of power packs or small plug in trans. in your house. When you aren't using the device it's pluged in then the power it uses is that which produces the heat in it. As a matter of fact it is an inductive load and the loss of VA doesn't get read by a Watt meter in a residence. Now just keep in mind we are talking small trans. here.

I have a couple of the variable speed colts. Has anyone bought the version with all the accessories? They are very proud of the accessories (price as an indicator)but I wonder if they are worth it?

The Festool is tempting, after Hesh's advise on the ROS which I love, maybe and extra $400 is worth it????

Danny my friend I think that in this case Festool must be out of their minds............

For the price of one Festool laminate trimmer you could have 4 very nice colts and a great evening out on the town too.

This idea of dedicating routers to specific tasks is a great idea and so long as the routers do a good job, and I am sure from all the kudos here that the Colts do, more of them is perhaps better.

At the moment I can barely afford on I got £35 for xmas so will need to find another £100 and that ain't easy when your an unemployed blacksmithing student all my money at the moment is put into my college course which at the end will be unlikely to find a job in this current economic climate, so basically I want the best I don't mind saving and getting it but I don't want to have to buy another in six months when the original has reached its limit!

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Well then it's the Bosch . I would say that's your answer.

Looks like the Bosch then

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Hi John

I've had a quick look round for you and have found the following!

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+T ... 104/p13854

Freud make great machines and at only £78 + free delivery the price is good too

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/sc-5 ... immers.asp

This is a list of various machines including Dewalt

http://www.itslondon.co.uk/pd_MAK110370 ... rimmer.htm

http://www.screwfix.com/cats/102022/Pow ... rs-Planers

Again has mostly routers but also has Hitachi and Makita Trimmers

http://diytools.com/store/detail.asp?productid=66985

This is the Bosch 600 for £99 + VAT = £114

http://www.toolshopdirect.co.uk/search. ... mit=search

Heres another list with the Bosch 600 for £112 (inc VAT)

I hope this helps and I know the budgets tight so the Freud machine offers you good value for money (I'm not a Freud salesman by the way )

All the best
Dave

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To be someone must be a wonderful thing!

If you decide on the bosch then find the cheapest one you can find. The question was between the bosch and makita. If you just need the cheapest router then there is the harbor freight which might work fine for you but if you want a good quality tool then go with the bosch like several if not most suggested. Just find the best place to buy it weather it be new or used. Buy it new from somewhere that has a warrenty on it and a return policy so if you find you don't like it or have secon d thoughts about the cost then you can return it.

I'm surprised no one is mentioning the Porter Cable 310, which was for so many years the standard by which all the others were judged. As of a couple of months ago, there was a company that still had a stock of them. I don't remember their name, though.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

deleted my original post as it was of no use to the topic.

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The 310 is going for $185 now through Amazon.com. But I don't he can afford that and it isn't 220 volt.
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-310- ... 268&sr=1-1

It's always been either the bosch colt or makita for me, and I very nearly jumped in with the colt earlier, and suddenly realised when looking at the pictures that the makita had a clear plastic base and the colt didn't.

Is this a big deal as I'd imagine being able to see the workpiece as being a big advantage

John

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Here's another place for a PC310 for #159.95.
http://www.goestores.com/catalog.aspx?M ... tID=207943

I haven't used a Colt but the 310 is a nice smooth powerful and not too loud little router. The one thing I noticed about the colt is that when the clamp was tight it didn't seem too tight to me. I don't know if they are all like that or if that display model at lowes was just overworked. Even so it made me think.
Has anyone used the PC309? As far as the colt I personally would go for the PR10 over the EV?.

There was a comparison written up in the current issue of Popular Mechanics. They tested the Bosch (rated highest), Porter Cable, Makita, Craftsmen (rated Best Buy), and another one I can't recall at the moment.

Best I remember they didn't like the orter Cable because it was difficult to remove from the base for bit changes and it didn't have a soft start.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I usually don't remove mine from the base to do bit changes . The only soft start I have is in my 3 hp so I don't really care about that. I don't think the pr10 has that either. What I like about the colt is the fine heigth adjustment and I think the 1 hp is nice.