On this same topic. I have a craftsman 1-1/2hp router that I want to mount in a router table to do, among other things, cove and bead strips and raised panel doors for kitchen cabinets.

The guy at the local woodworkers warehouse was selling me hard that I want a router with more horse power and 1/2 bits vs 1/4" shanks for the door bits. Does anyone have an opinion on this. The raised pannel and b&C bits are a long term (hopefully lifetime) investments and I am trying to do some cost benefit thinking.

Some assumptions I'm making

1. 1/2 bits cut smoother than 1/4" because they are stiffer and have more mass. I assume that this is more important on hardword and cuts that take out more material like the raised panel cutters than cutting a cove in 1/4" soft cedar strip.

2. 1/2 bits need a 2-3 hp moter to drive them effectivly. Conversly I assume I won't find a router that accepts 1/2" bits that doesn't have a bigger motor.

3. The woodworking warehouse guy was telling me that you can get these bits in 1/4" but then relayed horror stories of bits breaking off when over loaded. Part of me felt it was a sell job and part of me couldn't help imagining grizzley scenes of what would happen if one of these bits broke off at the kind of RPM they go at....flying metal chasing me around the shop ahhhhhhhh!!!

Things I'm confused about

1. Is a router with a plunge base easier or harder to mount in a router table. I think I have heard arguments for both sides (i.e. a plunge is easier to adjust vs you have to take off the plunge attachment to mount on a router table).

2. I have heard that a speed control is helpful. In what situations do you want to slow down a bit.

Thanks for the info. My tendency with tool purchases is to buy things better that what I need vs things that will just get by for this job. In the long term I have been glad I spent the money but it is hard to shell out this kind of dough.

Regards,

Jack