Farmall Cub

Rebuilding a nice workbench and some shelving and thinking about buying my first Router, then ofcourse you have to have the bits and just to make sure you best get a table right. Those of you that have used a routher educate me. As for the bits: How long can you expect them to last? Some say buy the disposable type and some say quality is the way to go but big gap in space on what is quality? 1/4 versus 1/2 shank....what is best and why. Is the table really necessary for the average project? As for the Routher itself which brand you like and why?

Spend the money and purchase quality bits and router(s). There are a number of quality routers on the market as well as router functions. So no recommendation as to which brand or what provisions you want in the router.

Router stand. Make it substantial. And yes, for some projects you need a router table. I have a Ryobi 10" table saw with provisions for mounting a router under one of the table wings. The only reason I mentioned the Ryobi is that it is substantial and provides a large adjustable work area. Not necessarily a recommendation.

Router bits. I suggest purchasing a set of bits and with different sized bearings. Much cheaper than purchasing individual bits.

I have a set of quality router bits that are 10 plus years old. The cheap, throw away bits are junk.

Thanks Enguene you have "allways" been a lot of help.

You might want to do some online and possibly some in-store shopping.
Rockler is a national known woodworking shop tool store and I am fortunate to have a store nearby. Their prices are higher, but they only sell higher quality tools and bits (Not the Home Depot/Lowes/Sears/Ace Hardware junk). This place is a woodworkers dream.
http://www.rockler.com/
http://www.rockler.com/power-tools/routers
http://www.rockler.com/power-tool-accessories/router-accessories
http://www.rockler.com/woodworking-jigs/router-jigs

Along with selling stuff, they also attempt to educate with their own How-To section.
http://www.rockler.com/how-to/beginners-guide-choosing-router-bits/
http://www.rockler.com/how-to/10-tips-clean-cuts-router-bits/

As a wood shop teacher I go through several routers and bits. I have switched over to 1/2" shank bits simply because they cut better and have less chatter or vibration. I get all my bits from Eagle America online. http://www.eagleamerica.com

As for Routers, I use Porter Cable 690 series routers. They are rather inexpensive and durable. I have around 16 of them in the shop as of now in different router tables. I use routers a lot, I have 4 in a big table that is set up for making raised panel doors. I have 3.5 hp router on the panel shaping bit that works well. I find the 690 routers on sale from time to time for around $100. The reason I buy all the same is so I can switch them out from table to hand held D-Handle base easily.

I have bought a few of the routers off EBAY over the years. I was able to find them from http://www.grizzley.com for around $100 a few months ago.

Rockler wood working is good for some things, but have to watch a budget, I have found things cheaper at other places like my local Menards, Home Depot, and Lowe's stores. They are good places to start for looking.

690 Router takes both 1/4" and 1/2" bits and is what I like the most. I have used others but I think I will stick with them for awhile.

Costal tool has good deals from time to time also.

http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/pr690_system.htm

Good luck with your search. Woodworking is a great hobby.

Porter Cable is the best router I've found. Using the collets it takes 1/2 or 1/4 bits. Rockler bits are hard to beat. $ bit expensive but hold up extremely well. Grump

Thanks All