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I'm in the market for a new laminate router. I'll be making a Wells/Karol precision base for it and imagine I will be purchasing a template kit of some sort as well. Anyone have any tips on a model I should consider? I'd appreciate your input.
Thanks,

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George :-)

The Bosch Colt is my current favorite. 1 HP, solid base, tastes great, less filling.

You might also want to check out the Dewalt DW670.

Thanks for the responses. I've never seen the Dewalt and will give it a look. I've read a couple of bad reviews about the height adjustment on the Bosch Colt. Have you found this to be a problem, Barry?

Thanks again,

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George :-)

I have bothe the colt and the Dewalt DW670. both are fine trimmers. I use the Dewalt DW670. in places where power is needed and the colt wher control is the prority. the one bad thing I can say about either is the DW670 's aluminum outer cover bets hotter than a pistol and the friction mounting base is aluminum as well and the heat from the router transfers into the base so you have to be aware of where you grab hold at.

The height control on the Bosch is probably the one thing I am not crazy about, but it works OK.

The Porter Cable 310 is nice and sturdy, if you can get it (it's discontinued, but last time I looked you could still find them here and there). Its not as many watts as the Colt, but plenty strong enough for a circle cutting jig and most tasks in guitar making. I wish I could afford more...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I have the Colt too and love it. It is plenty beefy for everything I need it for (rosettes, binding, etc). I have a 2HP Bosch in the router table for most heavy duty tasks.

I haven't tried the DeWalt or Porter Cable though...

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Don't confront me with my failures--I have not forgotten them.

I've seen a lot of folks using the Porter-Cable 7310...

Thanks, guys! Good info. I think I know what Santa's bringing me this year.

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George :-)

Tool-Plus.Com still has the PC 310, $189.00 Yikes! Seems like they get more expensive the more rare they become. Supply & demand, right.
Love the height adjustment.

René

$189!?!? I almost bought one a couple months back, they had them on sale for $89 I think .
Got the DW670 though..

I don't think you could have got it from tools -plus for $89, If I remember right, mine was around $169. ouch! back in May.
René

I spend my working days in a cabinet shop doing commercial millwork. I do a lot of laminate edge banding and face laminating for doors and cabinets. I have both a Porter Cable 7310 and a Bosch Colt under my bench. One has a straight flush trim bit in it (the PC), while the Bosch has a 15 degree bevel bit in it. They were similarly priced, around the $100 mark, and if I was going out to buy another one I'd buy the PC hands down! The Bosch is a nice little router, but in side by side work over the last year, the PC has been smoother, more powerful, and just generally easier to handle and because it has the flush trim bit in it it does the harder work to begin with as well.

Just my assessment after a full year on two trimmers (hundreds of feet of trimming)

cheers

John

Perhaps it was on a different site, but I definitely remember it being $89. This was in september I think.

Edward,
Wish I had seen that, I would love to have another one. Maybe it was a rebuilt? The tools plus price is for a new PC 310.

René

I bet it was the 7310. I've never seen the 310 below $150. If I'm wrong and you see it again, however, let us know!

Peace,
Sanaka

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...imagine there were no hypothetical situations...

Agh! I guess the 7310 and 310 are two different animals.
Sorry for the fuss folks.

Excellent input. Thanks to all for taking the time to help. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

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George :-)