Composite Deck __ Router_Laminate Trimmer_Rotozip??

[doubtingtom]

Now that my (3) composite decks are in, and trim coming along, I have lots of 'raw' edges (from cut pieces) that I would like to round off like the factory originals. These are mostly lots of short sections (6" to 24"), but a few long rip pieces (10' to 15'). I will not have much use for a Router after this specific project, but want to do a nice job on it now. I saw the Ridgid Laminate Trimmer at HD this morning and wonder if it can handle this as well as a standard Router? If not, I could go with a Ryobi Router and keep the cost in line OR I could also get a Rotozip and router tool for similar cost. The Rotozip may have more usefulness for other later jobs, but may be a bit 'lightweight' for this composite edge routing?
The ChoiceDek composite is 50/50 plastic and wood fiber so it is fairly soft .... BUT cannot handle lots of friction heating or it gets soft and can clog saw blades, drills, etc.

I hope there are some solid experiences out there to guide me AWAY from bad choices and TO the best choice. The composite pieces ar either 1 1/4" or 5/8" thick.

P.S. .... just saw review on Woodworker.com by Tom Hintz re. the Ridgid H.D. Laminate Trimmer and it sounds darn good ...

Thanks,
Tom B

[Newman]

I have worked with the Weyerhaeuser and Trex composite decking a few times. It cuts and routes very easily. Just about any router will do the job. I would just use a rotozip if you already have one. Just buy a good carbide 1/4" round over router bit.

[Newman]

If you want a really nice trim router, check out the Bosch Colt. I have one and it's excellent.

[erngum]

I second the Bosch Colt. I use mine for most tasks where I don't need a plunge router. It's very powerful and will probably handle most things. I've never worked w/composite deck material though.

Ern

[doubtingtom]

Thank-you much! This is most reassuring and I will revisit HD and Lowes (Bosch Colt) this morning. I worry that the Rotozip may not be up to the fairly large number of running feet of edge to be routed, but maybe I just need to give it a shot.
Thanks for the specific router bit advice. (I assume your are referring to 1/4" radius, not just collet size).

Regards,
Tom B

[doubtingtom]

I read over the Bosch website info re. the Colt router and it seems to be targeted much more broadly than the Ridgid R2400 Laminate Trimmer. Is this also true in practice, or is the Ridgid much the same? Is the main difference the many accessory parts for the Bosch to make it more of a 'mini' general router?
Sorry for the complete router ignorance!

Tom B

[Newman]

Tom,
yes I was referring to 1/4" radius.
Go to Home Depot and check out the Ridgid and the Bosch. I think you'll find the Bosch is a much better built unit. Check out the base, the body clamp, and the micro adjustment on the Bosch.

[Velosapien]

I'd also recommend the Bosch Colt. It's better built and has accessories you can actually buy for it.

[doubtingtom]

Such strong support for the Bosch Colt !! .... I can't conclude that the other solutions are as good (even though they may do this specific job). I accept the recommendations and will check out the related items I need for the deck finishing job first thing in the a.m..

Many thanks for helping me avoid a 'lesser' choice.

P.S ?? There sure are a few grumpy souls on Amazon.com re. their experiences ... very early failures, tool release button, etc. I'm sure this will always be the case with any tool purchased in high volume so these low ratings may not be representative of the majority of users. .... I hope! .......

Tom B

[Velosapien]

I can't say I've had real problems with mine. However, like the reviews say, the spindle lock actually does not work very well. It tends to slip off and is difficult if not almost impossible to properly tighten the bits which seems to be what is mainly complained about. Even if it locked better the base is too small to get a good grip to tighten. Save yourself the trouble and just use two wrenches to tighten and loosen the collet.

There are other good palm routers out there but the main drawback to most is they have no variable speed. These things are quite handy so variable speed function makes them very versatile for a large number of jobs. The Ridgid is I think the only other one with variable speed but its djustment system is plastic and has recieved some poor feedback on it breaking. It also lacks good fine adjustment.

[woodenstickers]

Any reason you are not going for a full size router, Tom? I have the PC laminate trimmer and just bought the Ridgid laminate trimmer this past week. I use them for trimmin' laminate, of all things.:D I would not recommend the Porter Cable. I hate the way the base changes, the case sucks, the power is good but the table(?) on the base is not perfectly square to the motor. I have used the DeWalt and wish I went with that set or the Bosch set with all three bases. I haven't used the Ridgid yet, but so far I like the size and way it feels in the hand.

Back to my original question though, if I had to shell out for a mini router/laminate trimmer for the job you describe I'd probably just go for a full sized router instead. As versatile as the lil guys can be, there are some things you may want to do in the future that will be limited by the 1/4 collet and the small motor. It seems as though you are setting up a shop of sorts, and IMHO a "real" router would be a good first choice, a mini trimmer would be good as a second router later on perhaps.

PS Once again, I know several guys who use the ryobi and one who even uses the Harbor Freight $20 laminate trimmers, and they have not complained.

[doubtingtom]

Any reason you are not going for a full size router, Tom? ....<edit> ...........
Back to my original question though, if I had to shell out for a mini router/laminate trimmer for the job you describe I'd probably just go for a full sized router instead. As versatile as the lil guys can be, there are some things you may want to do in the future that will be limited by the 1/4 collet and the small motor. It seems as though you are setting up a shop of sorts, and IMHO a "real" router would be a good first choice, a mini trimmer would be good as a second router later on perhaps.
PS Once again, I know several guys who use the ryobi and one who even uses the Harbor Freight $20 laminate trimmers, and they have not complained.

No solid reason why I have not jumped on a full-size router .... just total inexperience. Also, I was wondering what I would do with several short stairways on my 3 decks and the 'tight' quarters at the back of each step.
I do not insist on smoothing the edges all the way back, and perhaps I get so close with a standard router, vs smaller versions, that the effect is minimal. I probably could not justify the jump to a full size kit (~$200.) but the Ryobi is a very acceptable starting point. I was expecting to spend up to $120. (with a couple bits) in any case.

Thanks,
Tom B

[Wagon Man]

(Update: 10/29 1PM PST. Just got an e-mail from the company below. My order has shipped out today. Wooo hooooo!)

Tom, if you are not in a real rush, there is a combo deal goin on : for $149 you get a Bosch 1587AVSK jigsaw PLUS a Colt PR10 Router. They are NOT the highest model in the line up but the price is right, ~$50 savings if bought seperately.

I have ordered it ~3 weeks ago & it is still on "back order". As of Friday last week, estimated ship date is "next week". I did contact Bosch directly, they have confimed that the deal is legit and that they ARE really behind in the demand ....

Here's the link for detail: http://www.internationaltool.com/woodworking/tools/boswwck2.html

Happy shopping.


Such strong support for the Bosch Colt !! .... I can't conclude that the other solutions are as good (even though they may do this specific job). I accept the recommendations and will check out the related items I need for the deck finishing job first thing in the a.m..

Many thanks for helping me avoid a 'lesser' choice.

P.S ?? There sure are a few grumpy souls on Amazon.com re. their experiences ... very early failures, tool release button, etc. I'm sure this will always be the case with any tool purchased in high volume so these low ratings may not be representative of the majority of users. .... I hope! .......

Tom B

[erngum]

Tom,
Yes the shaft lock on the Colt is useless. If you get the Colt, be sure to pick up a cheap 10mm open end wrench(or more for spares). There are two notches on the threaded shaft to allow the use of a second wrench for bit changes. The slots require a wrench that is 3.5mm thick or less. I could not find a stamped steel wrench, so I just bought a regular 10mm open end wrench and used a hand grinder to bring the thickness to 3.5mm (you can just grind slowly and test fit the wrench).

If you do not have an angle grinder, borrow one or stop by any shop (auto, machine, etc.) and ask them to grind it down to 3.5mm thickness. I promise you 3.5mm thick will fit. I just now double checked mine with calipers and it is a perfect fit at 3.5mm.

Ern

[Newman]

You can pick up a thin Park open end wrench from any bicycle shop.

[Mr. Concrete]

You can pick up a thin Park open end wrench from any bicycle shop.

My thought as well. They have a lot of sizes and make good tools.

[doubtingtom]

I'm always impressed ... and a bit amused ... that major (and very competent) companies continuously make design and production errors .. like this one ... and very creative consumers come up with amazing solutions to rectify them.
Great work gentlemen !! .. as usual.

If I go with the Bosch Colt, I will head for the bicycle shop on the way home ! :D

Tom B

[Velosapien]

Yep, you'll need a bicycle cone wrench. Fortunately I already have a set of them in my bike tools. If you can't find one you can just grind down an open end wrench as discussed.

[Newman]

Yep, you'll need a bicycle cone wrench. Fortunately I already have a set of them in my bike tools. If you can't find one you can just grind down an open end wrench as discussed.

If you decide to grind down a wrench, make sure it's a Craftsman and not a nice Snap-on! :p

[jkl]

I had to laugh at the Amazon reviewer who said he chucked his in the trash after his first try because the height adjuster slipped. RTFM!! There's a very simple step to make it all tight and secure, complete with little icons on the side of the router that make it very clear. I've used mine (haven't had it long) to rout recesses for hinges in vinyl door jambs, and it was a real pleasure to use -- easy visibility of the work, comfortable to hold and maneuver, and no nasty jolts at start up.

[woodenstickers]

Just tried out my Ridgid laminate trimmer today. Very nice. Soft start, long cord, easily adjustable. The only downside I can see is that it seems a little frail in adjusting thumb wheel, but unless it breaks who cares? The reviews I read about the base slipping during use was either a problem that got fixed in production, a few vocal lemon receivers or operator error. Mine seems strong.

I got mine new for around $60 on ebay, but I would pay the $100 for this tool and feel good about it. I have not had the pleasure of using the bosch, but I kinda like the ridgid more than my porter cable already--I just wish it had more base options like the bosch, PC, DeWalt and others.

[doubtingtom]

I asked Ridgid by e-mail if they had plans to add accessory items similar to Bosch Colt and they responded that there are no such plans. That leaves my choices as Bosch Colt, RotoZip RZ20-Kit, or fullsize Ryobi router. RotoZip is the highest cost @ $149. due to inclusion of several expensive accessories. Bosch Colt @ Lowes for $119., and Ryobi is good buy @ ~$90. Seems like my local store has one at lower cost.

Thanks for many helpful comments.

Tom B

[Newman]

http://bosch.cpotools.com/routers/palm_routers/pr20evsk-rt.html

[Mr. Concrete]

Personaly I would go with the roto-zip. With all the gizmos they have you can use them in so many ways. Works well with wood and plastic to metal and tile.

[doubtingtom]

Rotozip is surely the versatile tool of the three .... since I have no clear plans for multiple Router jobs in future. RotoZip have been clever in configuring their kits to make it very hard to choose anything but the 'better' ones ... given the pricey accessories already included.

I still have lots of trim work to finish before this final edge rounding is required. The Christmas special deals may steer this decision since none of the tools are a bad alternative.

Tom B

[Wagon Man]

In case you have missed my post #13 above ... for $150 you get a Colt router AND a Bosch Jigsaw. For the price (and if you can use a jigsaw) it is a sweet deal.

Rotozip is surely the versatile tool of the three .... since I have no clear plans for multiple Router jobs in future. RotoZip have been clever in configuring their kits to make it very hard to choose anything but the 'better' ones ... given the pricey accessories already included.

I still have lots of trim work to finish before this final edge rounding is required. The Christmas special deals may steer this decision since none of the tools are a bad alternative.

Tom B

[doubtingtom]

Hey .. thanks for that link! I did look at it and have not ruled it out. Timeframe is not an issue, but I did just add a Bosch 1590EVSK a few months back. It might be 'convenient' to keep a general purpose wood blade in one and metal in the other ;)

Regards,
Tom B

[Wagon Man]

Received the shipment today ... while the jigsaw comes in a retail box, but surpise to find that the router does not come with a case or even a bag..... not that they false advertize -- it was never mentioned ... but would be nice if they at least provide "something" for storage ....

Oh well ....


(Update: 10/29 1PM PST. Just got an e-mail from the company below. My order has shipped out today. Wooo hooooo!)

Tom, if you are not in a real rush, there is a combo deal goin on : for $149 you get a Bosch 1587AVSK jigsaw PLUS a Colt PR10 Router. They are NOT the highest model in the line up but the price is right, ~$50 savings if bought seperately.

I have ordered it ~3 weeks ago & it is still on "back order". As of Friday last week, estimated ship date is "next week". I did contact Bosch directly, they have confimed that the deal is legit and that they ARE really behind in the demand ....

Here's the link for detail: http://www.internationaltool.com/woodworking/tools/boswwck2.html

Happy shopping.