@russ

That is what’s known as a Laminate Trimmer. Do you have a plunge base for it? If yes then read on...

If you go easy on the pickup and neck socket routes you’ll be ok, but go easyish... remember that we’re typically using 1/4” shank bits and they can have a bit of flex and that machine, while excellent, isn’t beefy enough for prolonged “routing.”

If it’s the only one you’ll use to build you will need a plunge base for sure and you will get more mileage out of it if you hog out some wood first with a forstner bit

For profiling you’ll be golden.

It should last you a while but if you plan on making several guitars I would recommend getting a bigger model for the heavy lifting. 

I've managed to acquire a Bosch GKF 1/4'' router. Do you think it will be big enough and powerful enough to do all the jobs for my Bandsman build?

This is a good little router for sure but you will need a plunge function, I wholeheartedly agree with @mattbeels. 

You really need the depth of cut on the plunge, using both the short profile cutter and the longer one. 

I went with the Bosch POF 1200 AE, it’s got a really deep plunge. 

Thanks Matt and Boo. I might look for a more robust one and use this for the profiling jobs. 

Cheers,

Russ

🙂🙏🎸🎶

Bosch makes great routers and more than sufficient. I do builds with my laminate trimmer alone with jo problems. I do suggest a plunge base attachment. Believe me, you are gonna wish you got it sooner. They sell after market plunge bases at very low cost. Just gotta make sure compatability. Got mine from Amazon and fits my Makita just fine. Otherwise, hog out material first with a forstner bit to help out the router and it is perfectly fine doing that with your new Bosch. Awesome. 

Oh, make a big base plate for it using 1/4 thick acrylic. Or even hardwood will work just harder to see.

I picked up a second hand DeWalt DW621 just like Mark’s for about £80 on eBay - full working order and there is good spare part availability.

I have a Von Haus router (lots of other names) with my wide Perspex base attached - it was an open box example and it was only £40 as the new ones were about £60 at the time.

I have standardised on 1/4” router bits so that they fit all of my routers and I don’t need to swap collets on routers - just another thing to slow you down!

I have standardised on 1/4” router bits so that they fit all of my routers and I don’t need to swap collets on routers - just another thing to slow you down!

I've got one router that can take 1/2" (or 1/4") bits - but I generally only use that for the big jobs so I rarely need to change the cutter in it.  

Thinking as I type, it's probably a bit of a waste of the router, because it would handle the smaller jobs with total ease, although it's a big/heavy beastie so not really so easy to manoeuvre around a guitar body.

A decent 1/4" one is a good compromise.  

Oh, make a big base plate for it using 1/4 thick acrylic. Or even hardwood will work just harder to see.

The day I did that @clinton, my routers became a whole lot more useful! 

I should have done it years ago, and saved myself many a slip ...

Bosch makes great routers and more than sufficient. I do builds with my laminate trimmer alone with jo problems. I do suggest a plunge base attachment. Believe me, you are gonna wish you got it sooner.

Cheers Cinton. There is a plunge base with it so I'll give it a try. 

🎶🎸🙏🙂

Yeah man. That is a nice router! That is all you need.

The good thing about my DeWalt is that the on/off switch is on one of the grab handles and it latches but is easy to switch on and off - the other handle locks the depth of the cut so you always have both hands to control it.  

The good thing about my DeWalt is that the on/off switch is on one of the grab handles and it latches but is easy to switch on and off - the other handle locks the depth of the cut so you always have both hands to control it.  

I might look out for one of those DeWalt routers as it's been useful watching Mark using it......or the Green Bosch one that he uses. 

🙂🎸🎶🙏

@frocesterbill

Sounds like you got an amazing deal on that Dewalt, their tools ain’t cheap!

Not as expensive as Festool though, their tagline should be:

Tools for Rich People 😂

@frocesterbill

guess copy paste doesn’t work for usernames 🙄 

The depth gauge is good as well.

The Bosch GKF is perfectly adequate for the job. Like mentioned before, go easy, take small cuts and you'll be fine. 

Got one myself and build a Bandsman with it... 🙂 

I also have a green Bosch POF1100 and I am not too crazy about that one.... A lot of play in the construction and a safety switch in the handle, which is extremely annoying.... You (I) allways tend to push the router downwards in order to keep the switch on, resulting in an uneven routing surface (because of the play...). Never use it anymore...

And then there's my Triton JOF1000.... Very happy with that one! Takes a 1/2" collet and despite its mere 1010 watt it is a beast.... Tip: It comes with a large detachable baseplate....

The Bosch GKF is perfectly adequate for the job.

Cheers Edwin. Much appreciated advice. 

🙏🎶🎸🙂