The Best Routers And Bits From Lowe's

Episode #754 Today, we're taking a little trip to Lowe's to go over what they have to offer for freehand carving signs. We go over the good, the bad and everything in between!
Router Bit Depth Gauge - make-a-wood-si...
Base Plates - makeawoodsign....
Router Bits - makeawoodsign....
Dewalt Router - amzn.to/3V6hM5C
Milwaukee Router - amzn.to/3RIb02O
DeWalt Disc Sander - amzn.to/3e4aUVL
DeWalt Random Orbital Sander - amzn.to/3Cyo7PM
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Check these out and let me know if I can answer any questions for you.
If you don't know where to start, Here's our Small Beginners Sign Carving Kit
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My favorite router bit, www.makeawoods...
My Dewalt DWP611 base plate www.makeawoods...
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[@acek100]

i have the craftsman compact battery router and its a beast. its been through alot of action and has held up with not issues. I highly recommend craftsman

[@oldave100]

The little Craftsman router is pretty freakin awesome! Especially for the price!

[@joemcgraw6288]

Thank you very much Eric and Ryan for checking that stuff out and doing the foot work for us.

[@oldave100]

Thank you Joe, happy to help ❤

[@ellinghoem1700]

Another outstanding tutorial for us novice sign carvers. You guys rock!

[@oldave100]

😂😂 Thanks, Elling!

[@davidmahoy4478]

Again you have helped me with more knowledge about router’s and also bits. I agree that Lowe’s does not have all bits needed for sign making, I like to go to Rocklers for a good bit selection.

[@oldave100]

I agree. You can always check out the bits we have on the website as well makeawoodsign.com/collections/router-bits

[@timlist4173]

Great Video. This past Christmas season, I saw Home Depot had a sale where if you purchase the 4ah and 6ah battery set (With Charger) for $199.00, you get a free tool, so I selected the DCW600B Router. Thought it was a good deal.

[@oldave100]

It was a great deal! And that's an awesome router. You chose wisely😎😎😎

[@tomstone2322]

Great info, once I get going will get a backup router. Bits I would much rather support you guys and your bits are made for carving. Appreciate all you do!

[@oldave100]

Thank you Tom ❤

[@SawdustmakerLori]

I always enjoy your field trips to the stores. Thanks for the tips on routers and bits at Lowes!

[@oldave100]

Thanks, Lori! We'll be doing more soon

[@JohnClark-tt2bl]

I have that Skil router. The actual router itself is great, i like the digital speed control because you know the actual speed it's turning at. The plunge base is terrible though. Mine gets stuck a lot, have to smack it to make it pop back up. Went and bought a new one to check the base, and the brand new one also stuck. So if you only need the fixed base, it's fine.

[@oldave100]

Honestly, we never use the plunge base so for us that's not a big deal.

[@cliftonshultz2253]

GREAT Job you guys!

[@oldave100]

Thanks, buddy!

[@greenbuoy40]

You are so right! I love my battery dewalt, I asked you about getting one and you told me I’d love it, I switched over from the dewalt plunge router kit, I have yet to even use the plunge feature so it’s a waste at least for me the funny part is when the battery dies it scare the crap out of me lol. Love this video

[@oldave100]

Thank you, Happy you like the Dewalt DCW600. Yeah it comes to a very abrupt stop when the battery dies 😂

[@Mike-ou5ps]

Howdy Mr. Eric and Mr. Ryan... This is what I like about yalls videos, you actually go to the store that we all have access to and talk about the materials yall actually use in your carving videos. I like that. And yeap, you're correct, Be it Lowe's or Depot, neither have bits that are "specifically" for carving, though they DO have a "V" groove bit (maybe that Lowe's on that day was out of them) but it's a standard V groove bit, short stubby, maybe a 60° but it's not long so if your cutting deep, 3/16" or greater, your gonna lose detail cause the groove is going to be wide. This is another reason I use a Dremel. These stores DO carry carving bits for the Dremel and a host of different types too. And now Ryobi has gotten in on the action with carving bits too. To me, I very much prefer looking at the bit I'm going to get in person than to order Online....unless I already know full well what that bit is and does, then I'll order it instead of going to the store. And hey....There's a business opportunity for ya Mr. Eric....Introduce your own line of bits, call them Rohten Bits and work out a deal with Lowes/Depot to carry your line of bits in their stores. I'm sure you could find a manufacturer that could mass produce a quality bit to your specifications and add your own branding name to it. Anyways, just a thought. Good video. 👍

[@oldave100]

Thank you Mike, I appreciate all the feed back and kind words. We don't have our own brand of bits, but we have the next best thing. Here's a link to our router bits page on our website. makeawoodsign.com/collections/router-bits Thanks again for all the support

[@snoredizzle3242]

Another great video, so addicted 😂😊

[@oldave100]

😂😂😂

[@millspaugh2000]

Great information thanks for the video 😊

[@oldave100]

Thank you for watching ❤

[@dentonjordan6992]

Good info on the Lowes bits and routers…. Field trip!!

[@oldave100]

Thank you Denton ❤ More field trips coming soon

[@mariovasquez6954]

Thank you for this video Very informative

[@oldave100]

Thank you Mario ❤

[@carvedsignsbradleyalan7785]

Trust me, their Amana bits are great.

[@oldave100]

Thanks so much ❤

[@mr.knownothing]

I absolutely LOVE my cordless DEWALT router!!

[@oldave100]

ME TOO ❤

[@susanwoodcarver]

Excellent information and delightful as always. Thanks guys! Hugs☺️❤️

[@oldave100]

Thank you Miss Sue ❤

[@PopsCustomSignsLLC]

Another great video with excellent tips and advise! The only time I use a down-cut bit is in my router table. In that instance, your work piece is inverted so the chips are being forced out.....same as the up-cut when carving the face of a board. Honestly though, I can't remember the last time I actually used my down-cut bit. 🙂

[@oldave100]

Hi Frank, I agree 100%. I would use a down cut on a router table to push the dust away from the motor. The exception to this would be the onsrud inverted router. The reason is the great vacuum channel system it has. The upcut works perfectly for that.

[@greggordon6215]

Thanks guys!

[@oldave100]

Thank you Greg ❤

[@rickdrown8702]

Eric, I sent a picture of the newest cordless just made the shelf. Craftsman brushless 20V. The deal for Feb is Buy the duel battery 4.0 w/ charger $149.99 and get the router free, $99 value. I'm liking the router so far. I am going to check with you on a base plate for it.

[@oldave100]

Hi Rick, sounds like a great deal. If you sent it to me I didn't get it. Can you send me that picture again? [e-mail]. Thanks so much ❤

[@TuanTran-cs7ht]

Very honest opinions and informative answers. I agree 100%. Thank you.

[@oldave100]

Thanks so much ❤

[@ademanse3922]

Yet another brill detailed video 👍😉

[@oldave100]

Thank you Ade ❤

[@Douglas.Designs]

I have the Skil router with the dual base system. I have it mounted in a table with fixed base but I do use it off the table. I love the router. It has a soft start, does both bit sizes and has a digital speed display and adjustments, right on top of the unit.

[@oldave100]

Arron, Thank you for watching and for the feedback. May have to consider adding a Skill to our collection....

[@JohnClark-tt2bl]

I've got the same router set. I don't get a ton of benefit from the plunge base, except that it does have a slightly larger bottom plate, so that sometimes comes in handy.

[@ozzie8821]

Thank you guys 👍👍👍👍🍺😎

[@oldave100]

Our pleasure, buddy!,

[@redneckmafi]

How many tribes fam thinks Eric left with another router lol great info guys loved it

[@oldave100]

Not this trip, but soon....😂

[@jacobserrano1709]

I been wanting to get the skill router thank you for all your tip guys I really appreciate it I have learned a lot from you keep up the good work

[@oldave100]

Thank you my friend ❤

[@midstaterustics4507]

As far as a corded router, the Dewalt DWP611 is the workhorse. As far as battery operated I prefer the Milwaukee as I am on that platform with other tools and I feel it is stiff competition for the Dewalt.

[@oldave100]

I agree the Milwaukee is a match as far as power and performance to the Dewalt. I'm just a big fan of the depth adjustment on the dewalt as compared to the rack and pinion on the Milwaukee. .

[@tomcole6363]

I have the DeWalt DWP611. I'm on my 3rd unit in the last 7 months. They work for about 3 months and then just quit. DeWalt has been great about replacing them, but hassle to get return authorization and the waiting for replacement. Bought at Lowes and they have basically washed there hands on the problem. Won't pay the higher price to get any DeWalt equipment. Also, I probably only average using unit 2 hours per week.

[@oldave100]

Sorry for the Dewalt issues. I've had really good luck with all of mine.

[@cedaroakfarm8596]

The sound was a bit low making it hard to hear but a good video, remember to mention at Lowe's or Home Depot, veterans get a 10% discount. Good video.

[@oldave100]

Thanks buddy! We forgot about that, we'll definitely mention it on the next video we do there!

[@Griffinwoodworks]

I went after Christmas to buy the fixed base Bosch for $200 and found the dual base for that price. The only complaint I have about it is lack of a led light and a spindle lock. It’s definitely a beast. She’s a big girl and likes to eat like one lol.

[@oldave100]

😂😂We've heard good things about it, might just have to buy one!

[@michellebooth3588]

I need a large router and would like an extra palm router. I'm saving up for the dewalt ones.

[@oldave100]

They're my favorites. Thank you Miss Michelle ❤

[@davidmunozmunoz6813]

I think lowes has the craftman router.

[@oldave100]

We didn't see it in our Lowes...

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍Thanks

[@oldave100]

❤

[@barnworks5580]

I noticed the router is variable speed. Do you mention the recommended speeds for your bits in one of your videos?

[@oldave100]

Unless we're surfacing a board or cutting a different material than wood, we keep the router at top speed.

[@traceydetwiler9552]

Good video what about the Milwaukee routes

[@midstaterustics4507]

Milwaukee is my go to as I have been on the M18 platform for years now. As far as I am concerned they are just as good as the Dewalt

[@oldave100]

Thank you my friend ❤

[@inspectr1949]

Dilemma, HD and Lowes are great for home improvement needs but not woodworking or woodturning unfortunately the nearest Woodcraft or Rockler is 2 1/2 hours away in another State while the box stores are a mere 30 minutes.

[@oldave100]

Man, that's rough, buddy! But, there's always Amazon, and good ol makeawoodsign.com 😀😀

[@inspectr1949]

@@oldave100 Nothing like seeing what your paying for though.

[@oldave100]

That's true 👍👍

[@inspectr1949]

@@oldave100 I'm envious as you're making a living doing what you like and after 65+ years of woodworking i'm still trying to figure that part out.

[@oldave100]

It's never too late, buddy.

[@JoseHernandez-mj6ne]

Hey guys, hope your doing well. I didn’t hear you guys talk about a the Milwaukee palm router and do you have the base plate for it. I was thinking of getting a second router so I won’t have to change bits.

[@oldave100]

Thank you Jose, I love the Milwaukee cordless router, my 2nd favorite. Yes we have a baseplate for it. Here's the link makeawoodsign.com/products/acrylic-router-base-plate-for-milwaukee-m18-fuel-cordless-compact-palm-router-model-2723-20?_pos=1&_psq=Milwa&_ss=e&_v=1.0

[@JoseHernandez-mj6ne]

Thank you guys

[@robbiewilliamson357]

The dewalt is your favorite?? Get your hands on a 574689!!

[@oldave100]

I'm not a fan of plunge routers for freehand carving signs.

[@robbiewilliamson357]

@@oldave100 MFK 700?

[@oldave100]

Never used one

[@robbiewilliamson357]

@@oldave100 i have never used a dewalt router now that i think of it. And i was only being facetious: i don’t personally own anything festool. I have used both of the models i mentioned, but i haven’t used a wide enough variety of any router brands to give a legitimate opinion. I actually just bought the first router i’ve ever owned personally just yesterday. It is a compact fixed base Skil and I didn’t do much research. Wasn’t actually even planning on getting one but it was on sale for $70 so i grabbed it. I also got a Bosch planer. Last but not least: i have another little plan in the works.. so i do granite countertops. Have been for over a decade now. The company that i work for actually started (by company I mean man) building custom cabinets. There are a lot of old tools laying around from those days. A while back one of the routers (very old porter cable) got knocked off of a shelf and the chassis (for lack of a better word) busted.. i looked but couldn’t find parts for it. That thing is a hoss and i hated to see it go to waste so i got to thinking… i have a 16’ enclosed trailer that i recently put a row of base cabinets in (nose of trailer) and then put some 2cm quartz tops on to serve as a little work bench. Im going to cut a hole in it the size of the base of that router and build a way to mount that router upside down flush with my countertops! Sorry for the rant. I appreciate the content, boss man.. have a good work week ✌🏻

[@oldave100]

Thank you Robbie. I know Festool makes great products. I just haven't pulled the trigger on any of them, maybe someday when my budget allows. There are some that won't buy anything else. I certainly understand that. That being said there are lots of great tools out there. I'd love to have them all 😀 Thanks so much for watching and your feedback and if you have any questions about freehand sign making feel free to email me directly, [e-mail]. Have a great week

[@acek100]

kobalt routers suck

[@oldave100]

😂😂 I wouldn't say they suck. We use ours all the times and just keeps going. But it's definitely not my favorite one.