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I think i have reviewed most of the posts here regarding what seems to be the most popular laminate trimmers on this site:
- the Dewalt DWP611 @ ~$120
- The Ridgid R24012 @ ~ $99

A couple of decisions to make:

Pros and cons of the rigid:
- Has the micro adjust.
- No plunge base available.
- 3 yr warranty and lifetime service...
- lower price.

Pros cons of Dewalt...
- I own several other Dewalt tools and am 100% satisfied other than a power chord that has started to disintegrate.
- plunger base and clear lexan base available.
- higher price'

So a couple of questions...

I imagine i could use these for inlay/rosettes... does that make the plunge base critical? or would i be better using a dremel?

How nice is the micro adjust? does it outweight the lack of plunge base?

Are they equal in runout? Sorry if that's not the right term... shaft wobble? I do plan to get the precision collet - i assume it's available for either model. i need to check.

Thanks!

I'm not sold on the Ridgid, its kind of a pain to adjust, The Dewalt you can get a very low run out collet. Any time you can ditch a Dremel is a step forward

I've owned both within the past year and own two Ridgid's now due to the micro-adjust. I still have a Porter Cable 310 in a Cochrane base and a full-size Dewalt router.

The Dewalt and Ridgid are both great. The Dewalt has two LED's to the Ridgid's one, which was nice. The Ridgid runs hot, but the depth is easy to fine tune. You'll be happy with either. I know I'd be perfectly happy to get another Dewalt for Christmas.

If you can, go to Home Depot. They're both stocked and you'll be able to handle them in person.

I can't speak based on my own knowledge, but the Ridgid has the reputation of having excessive bearing run-out, which may not be true of the DeWalt. I guess it just depends on how accurate one wants to be.

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Waddy

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I just bought another Ridgid today. The first one seemed to run pretty straight, but I'll check the new one for run out. They do run hot, but the micro adjust works great.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

The DeWalt is actually their new classification of "compact router". It has pretty much replaced my above the table Porter Cable 890 (which is still in my table). Like it so much, I got two, plus an extra fixed base. Here's what I use it for:
Binding router jig
Headstock binding router jig (hand held)
Plunge cut for saddle slot jig (LED lights are VERY handy here)
Plunge cut for Mortise & Tenon neck jig

Still haven't modified a base for my soundhole and rosette, but when I do, it'll be the plunge base (currently use a Grizzly laminate trimmer, just for this)

As I understand from internet reviews, the Ridgid has the best depth adjustment. Not that the DeWalt is any slouch - the ring adjustment it is MILES ahead of the laminate trimmer it replaced - but that's not saying much. It is easier than the PC 890, how's that?

While the Rigid is a great trimmer for the money, I would take a 611 over it every time. It is a bit bigger and more rugged trimmer, and as been mentioned you have the option of high precision collets for the 611 which can PerciseBits through. http://precisebits.com

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Josh House

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I have a couple of the Ridgids and have had no problems with them. Yes, they can get hot to hold, but the collet is secure, and they are easy to adjust. I use one for cutting binding ledges (freehand with a bearing guided bit) and one to inlay and cut notches. I considered getting the Dewalt but the collet scared me. I've had two other armature finger style collet routers that allowed the bit to slip.

My current favorite router is the small Makita. I got it because a plunge base is available. It is a fine tool--it only lacks a light.

I don't feel extravagant with all of these routers. I leave them setup for different jobs.

I have both... I really wanted to like the ridgid, but it to runs hot and the adjustments are fiddly so it only gets used in one jig. The dewalt is the first choice for everything else except big bits which require the table mounted milwalkee.

-jd

sounds like the Dewalt wins, but i'll take a final look at those two and the Makita mentioned in a couple other threads. It will be an informed impulse buy.

Thanks for the replies...

I'd take the Dewalt. I have two of the DW611s. They're awesome! The plunge base is really nice.

We evaluated them all for our Collin's Saddle Mill and liked the Dewalt. There is also an aftermarket collet available from Precise Bits that gets you around .001" of runout which is superb for these things....

I've used the old Ridgid routers. They were kind of cheap and junky. In my experience, tools that run hot don't last long.

Hesh, Yes I had seen your post from a while ago in another thread and the precisebit collet is on my list as well.

Having only used the trimmer for the binding on my first, I am hoping to use this to do some inlay as well as for the rosette.

I see it was mentioned here that the dewalt is useful for the neck TM as well as the saddle slot. We used a full sized router for the neck and the drill press for the saddle slot so it will be nice to have something that can do several operations. Thanks for all the tips!