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The bit got stuck cutting peghead slots and my Rigid laminate trimmer sparked, smoked and quit. I've seen a lot of good discussion on the Bosch Colt. Is that the best option for replacement? One feature I liked on the Rigid was the soft start.

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Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Bosh colt has soft start. I have 3 of them. They are great. Don't bother with the variable speed as you generally will never use it. Save the money and get the single speed.

Or check out the factory reconditioned selling on Amazon. I have a factory reconditioned Bosch 1617 and it was as new when I got it and 1/2 the price. Works perfectly.

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Rod, I see Amazon has one for sale around $89.00. Looks like a good deal. Are there different models of Colts?

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I think Amazon offers different options that come with the colt. I changed the link in my first post to the single speed colt at $68.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"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

I'll call Rigid tomorrow and see what they can do for me. Thanks

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

My Colt is variable speed. I believe there's only two models. Single speed and variable speed. Both are soft start. (I think)

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Ricardo,
I also have the variable-speed Colt and it work's just fine for anything - from routing the truss-rod channel to routing the binding ledge. I bought the "installer kit" on sale, which comes with a couple of additional attachments like the straight edge guide (don't know if that's included in the regular kit...it's definitely very useful).
I mostly bought the kit because in addition to the fixed base, it also comes with a tilt base ( see http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-PR005-Tilt-Base-Routers/dp/B000FF5I66). I thought a tilt base would be a cool way to overcome the problem with the arch in the top and back while routing the binding ledge. Unfortunately the tilt base of the Colt is designed in such a way that the router bit with bearings from LMII doesn't fit through the slot of the base.
Money well spent

With some modifications I could probably make it work... it should actually be pretty easy... maybe some day I'll try.

best, Christian

Another vote for the Bosch Colt. I have 2, one I bought as a reconditioned unit. Both work great. I never change the speed setting so I would probably go for the single speed if it is significantly cheaper.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Though not a professional grade tool i use a ryobi cordless laminate trimmer. It has some power for being cordless and it's great not have a cord to get in your way. I have a few other ryobi tools in my shop and never had issues with them. By the way rigid tools are made by the same company that makes ryobi and milwaukee. TTI (Techtronic Industries)