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Can anyone advice me on a choice of router please. I have 40mm laminate kitchen worktop to cut which will need 2 male and 2 female mitres to be cut out. Although I have a fair bit of experience with a 1/4" router on more detailed work, I've never cut these joints before and am after a suitable 1/2" router for the job. I don't want to spend a fortune on a top of the range model, but can stretch to around the £100 mark. I won't be using it regularly, but have wanted one for a while now.
Now I have a worktop jig, clamps etc (and plenty of confidence ) but need a router up for the job. I've looked at screwfix's range and noticed they sell a Erbauer ERB210C 2100W model for £99.99 which has great reviews and is very powerful, although quite heavy, but it does come supplied with a 30mm guide bush, which seems quite rare with "cheaper" routers. Also both 1/4" & 1/2" compatible. Has anyone used this router before and do you recommend it. Also B&Q JCB 1500W for £99.99? Any good.
So for my price range, any good suggestions for the task at hand, which preferably comes with a 30mm guide bush? If not, can I buy it seperately for that model?
One more thing and sorry to waffle people, but based on the 4 cuts I need to make, how many cutting bits should I buy? I was going to get a kitchen fitter pack from screwfix which have 2 straight bits in it, but will they stay sharp enough through the 40mm worktop?
Any advice and suggestions much appreciated. I have just joined the forum and was really pleased to see there is a seperate kitchen fitting section.

you get what you payfor and if i had £100 to but a router id be looking for a quallity/trade rated second hand unit

for cutters it depends on quality and user experiance, my first few tops i ever did i was using 1 cutter per join now i can get 3 out of a cutter

Thanks. There's a 2nd hand Elu 1800W router on ebay. Are they a good make at all?

Why do you not get a chippy to do it for you. If you are doing a masons mitre, and the clamp housings then you will need a template as well so you are looking at £250 for the kit. A chippy would have all the gear and charge about £120.

DWD

I've got a template

Elu is a good make IMHO.

As long as it is 1/2", with 30mm guide bush and at least 1500w (or there abouts).

Router bits? I have used all sorts, cheap and not so cheap. Toolstation do a 1/2"x50mm bit for around £4.00 - will normally cut two joints (2 male & 2 female) if you're lucky before you need to chuck it. I tend to cut all joints first, when the bit is sharper, leaving bolt cut-outs til last (it's not so bad if the bit is blunt for these cuts).

Steve

fitters world are good value and good quality
http://kitchenfitterstools.co.uk/index. ... hbqtfr6s30

another vote for these guys top quality stuff

Thanks for your help guys

Sorry I can't help with recommending a cheaper Router but the Elu would be a good one to have a look at.

When you come to buying router bits, I would say its worth paying the extra on good ones. I use Trend 1/2" long straight bits, can get them to last 3 or 4 joints if used carefully but the quality of cut is great right until the end of its life.

The outer 4-5mm of most worktops is a lot more dense than the middle, cut just this bit first when you use the jig as you could burn out the bit quicker cutting more at once. The middle could be cut 8-10mm at a time.

I've just finished fitting kitchens into 18 new build flats so I've had enough of worktops for a while

ive just bought a makita router from itslondon.com

pretty cool machine. all singin and dancin... electric brake. led lights. variable speed. etc etc etc.

only thing not mentioned in the its catalougue is standard guide bushes are too small lol