Mastercraft 7A Plunge Router $49.99, worth it?
 

i need a router...but since the student loan hasn't come in yet i am poor..

would this router get me buy for occasional work (mainly 1/2" MDF)?

any other suggestions?


oh, are plunge routers a lot more practical?

cheers

details:

1¼-hp, 7A variable-speed motor: 9000-27000 rpm
8-position depth stop turret for increased accuracy
Accepts bits with 1/4" shanks
Spindle lock for quick and easy bit changes
Includes cutting guide, dust chute, wrenches and case

the thing about routers is that once you start routering, you cant stop.The money you spend on bits will be HUGE! Dont settle for cheap bits.The canadian tire "box of bits" wont stay sharp for long. I use to buy those makita routers and they lasted about a year of shop abuse. My latest router is a Freud, I use it mounted to a table and it has lasted three years. Look for a router with a big motor, adjustable speed,make sure the plate is adjustable by turning a thread,(the slide type are not accurate). If you can try and get a unit that uses a half inch shaft, not quarter inch. Last time I was at princess auto they had a "beefy looking" router for $80. I was thinking of picking one up for my "back up" router.It should beok for what you described For some tips watch that nut on the Yankee workshop! He uses a Hitachi router that looks SWEET

which bits would you recommend for cutting 3/4 MDF?

the freud bits are not great, and not bad.Home depot sells them for about $35

I like the Freud bits as well, they wear extremely well (until you hit a brad nail). They are not cheap, but a great bit. I bought one of the last crappy tire deals that they had, the router and table for $99.00. It has definitely been a worthwhile investment for a cheap portable unit.

Any tools that you buy from canadian tire will be great ASIDE FROM JOBMATE.
DO NOT BUY JOBMATE.
The best part about canadian tire is the return policy.
You can return anything all the time.

you have to bea carefull with using a router with such a little motor. 1.25 HP won't like the 3/4" MDf all that much, and unless you go really slow you will burn that router up very quickly.

Mark

Cutting 3/4" MDF in one pass with any router is a bad idea.


That CanTire plunge is a decent deal. I needed a router for my Jasper circle jig and while I had to make new holes in the router foot to accommodate it, it works really well.

For the DIY/hobbyist guy who isn't using the router every day or two on 3/4" MDF, that router is great. The router I have is a $99 B&D and for how often I use it (a few times a year when I'm building something new), its perfect.

for homework yay i would go for it (not for work all day long)