3 ms·

The router instructions make no sense to me. Why plunge a router and then switch to a jigsaw to make a large circular hole in a sheet of plywood? Just move the

• falcolas 4y ago
  The router won’t cut as quickly, especially with thicker materials. You absolutely can, though.
  • bombcar 4y ago
    This is the correct answer, and router bits are quite the expensive piece of equipment; jigsaw blades are cheap. https://www.rockler.com/power-tools/routers/router-bits https://www.rockler.com/power-tools/routers/router-bits
    • avar 4y ago
      You can splurge on router bits, but I've also got a set of perfectly usable 12mm bits from AliExpress that I've even used for hardwood, and which will be just fine for any plywood. You can also spend a lot of money on drill bits if you're seeking perfection over the perfectly adequate.
      • falcolas 4y ago
        So, those router bits from Ali are likely to have a few concerns: - Lower quality metal, meaning they need to be sharpened more often. - Looser tolerances, more vibration for you/the router to compensate for, and a lower quality finish. - Consistency between blades will be low. Perfectly adequate is ok for low frequency and low expectations, but not for anyone expecting high output or high expectations.
        • bacon_waffle 4y ago
          As far as I can tell, router bits from AliExpress use the same sort of carbide as the 10-20x more expensive ones available from retail shops here in NZ, and they're cheap enough I wouldn't even consider having them sharpened. We're talking a few dollars for a straight bit, maybe low teens dollars for something fancier. Never noticed vibration issues with router bits from AliExpress, though I do use a 1/2" router and don't tend to use huge bits so it would have to be pretty far out of whack to make a difference. Same for tolerance. That said, I also wouldn't reach for a power tool as the last step to a very nice surface finish or very high precision fit.
          • eropple 4y ago
            Carbide alloy quality is probably hard to tell by eye. Also hard to tell by eye, and a little scarier, is how well they're adhered to the bit head. I also use cheap router bits on occasion, but the second one misbehaves even slightly I go ahead and buy an Amana or similarly high-end one, because obviously I've used it enough for it to be worth it.
            • bacon_waffle 4y ago
              I'm basing my statement on how the bits function in actual use; for me the cheapies are plenty adequate and the types I need are available, so far there's been no reason to consider buying high-end ones. Yes, anecdote, but I also have some not-cheapies that came with used tools, inherited from woodworker family, etc. and so don't feel like this is a case where I just don't know what I'm missing. The volumes of work I do are way too small to justify a real comparison test, basically it's hobby stuff, but pros probably aren't going to be taking router bit advice on HN anyway...
• luma 4y ago
  Add a Jasper circle jig to your plunge router and you'll have a hard time finding a better solution to cutting arbitrary sized holes in sheet goods