Buying a No Name Chinese Router
Asian Router Overview
This section covers routers sold by vendors that usually have no name. They come in many different styles and
sizes. There is some controversy mostly because of lack of knowledge. Buying one is somewhat of a mystery since
a lot of router purchases are first time buyers that are attracted to the price. There is couple of things to keep in
mind when considering a purchase.
Sellers
Most individuals that sell the Asian routers are either Ebay Powerseller’s of many different tools or importers. I have
not seen any yet that are router aficionados. Most do not know the first thing about power ratings or even router
types. They get these routers from reputable companies in China or Asia. Generally these routers do not come
with any type of warranty so you’re pretty much on your own if it breaks. However, if you buy a name brand router
and it breaks, the manufacture requires you to bring it to a service shop, not return it. Buying from someone who
really knows routers would make your purchase more desirable. Yes the power sellers have a lot of good feedback,
but consider the source of the feedback. Most are first time tool buyers with little knowledge.
China Specifications
Before purchasing, understand the difference in the Asian manufacturing mindset. China’s specifications are a bit
different than in the West. For example, China does not manufacture their routers with a horsepower rating. All
power is calibrated in watts. Watts to most people does not mean very much. There is two formulas that can help
you determine the horsepower of a router.
Amps = Watts/Volts
and
1 HP =746 Watts
Example:
1600 Watts router; 1600/110 volts= 14.5 Amps
and 1600/746 = 2.12 Horsepower
However HP is one thing, the real meaning of power is in the amperage rating of the motor. Generally you will not
get this either, although exceptions are present. If you look through this guide you will notice that the higher amp
motor ratings generally equate to the higher HP ratings of the big routers. Big 3 HP motors generally have an
amperage rating of 15 amps. Most people get hung up on HP and buy the most HP that they can find. The
question you should really ask yourself is what kind of routing do you plan on doing. Believe it or not, most routing
of edge forming or dado type work can easily be done on a 1½ HP motor. People buying the large 3 HP routers
generally not always have more than what they need or think they need.
Accessories
Most of the Asian routers come with a case and some other types of accessories, usually some kind of edge guide
or chip deflector. I have found that most of these accessories included are pretty much useless in my shop. A lot of
the accessories are cheaply made and tend to make the router seem like less of a bargain. If I were to purchase
any one of these routers and attach it to a router table, you already have a tool that is more advanced than most
router users. Usually the motors are more than adequate to do part time routering. Ask yourself what you’re going
to do with the router. If you’re going to use profile bits with bearings for edge work and an occasional dado here
and there, these routers will work great for you and won’t dent your wallet. If you’re doing production work where
the router is in use for longer periods of time, you might be disappointed.
Some Asian companies include collets sizes of ½, ¼ and 3/8. Most US Routers skip the 3/8 collet size. I personally
have never have had the need for a 3/8 and really don’t anticipate one.
Branding
Some power sellers are content to sell the product with no name, which is fine. Some re-brand the name with some
generic sounding company which is fine too. Some companies re-brand and build that brand up into reputable
Brand names that are recognized in major retail outlets. The truth is there are some mighty fine Asian routers out
there with those recognizable brand names and a small amount of research will get you an excellent router without
the brand name. Look carefully at the router, compare it to other similar routers with famous brand names, you may
be surprised.
If you use this guide and do a bit of research you can save considerable amounts of cash and fortify your
workshop. The comparison really does not stop with routers, as a lot of power tools are made overseas and brand
names are added later, Grizzly is a great example of this. There are several foreign routers that have outstanding
quality (festool, triton etc) that are made in Europe and are imported here to the USA. Generally you have to find a
certified distributor of these products in order to purchase these products. Finding them online can be somewhat
difficult.
This section covers routers sold by vendors that usually have no name. They come in many different styles and
sizes. There is some controversy mostly because of lack of knowledge. Buying one is somewhat of a mystery since
a lot of router purchases are first time buyers that are attracted to the price. There is couple of things to keep in
mind when considering a purchase.
Sellers
Most individuals that sell the Asian routers are either Ebay Powerseller’s of many different tools or importers. I have
not seen any yet that are router aficionados. Most do not know the first thing about power ratings or even router
types. They get these routers from reputable companies in China or Asia. Generally these routers do not come
with any type of warranty so you’re pretty much on your own if it breaks. However, if you buy a name brand router
and it breaks, the manufacture requires you to bring it to a service shop, not return it. Buying from someone who
really knows routers would make your purchase more desirable. Yes the power sellers have a lot of good feedback,
but consider the source of the feedback. Most are first time tool buyers with little knowledge.
China Specifications
Before purchasing, understand the difference in the Asian manufacturing mindset. China’s specifications are a bit
different than in the West. For example, China does not manufacture their routers with a horsepower rating. All
power is calibrated in watts. Watts to most people does not mean very much. There is two formulas that can help
you determine the horsepower of a router.
Amps = Watts/Volts
and
1 HP =746 Watts
Example:
1600 Watts router; 1600/110 volts= 14.5 Amps
and 1600/746 = 2.12 Horsepower
However HP is one thing, the real meaning of power is in the amperage rating of the motor. Generally you will not
get this either, although exceptions are present. If you look through this guide you will notice that the higher amp
motor ratings generally equate to the higher HP ratings of the big routers. Big 3 HP motors generally have an
amperage rating of 15 amps. Most people get hung up on HP and buy the most HP that they can find. The
question you should really ask yourself is what kind of routing do you plan on doing. Believe it or not, most routing
of edge forming or dado type work can easily be done on a 1½ HP motor. People buying the large 3 HP routers
generally not always have more than what they need or think they need.
Accessories
Most of the Asian routers come with a case and some other types of accessories, usually some kind of edge guide
or chip deflector. I have found that most of these accessories included are pretty much useless in my shop. A lot of
the accessories are cheaply made and tend to make the router seem like less of a bargain. If I were to purchase
any one of these routers and attach it to a router table, you already have a tool that is more advanced than most
router users. Usually the motors are more than adequate to do part time routering. Ask yourself what you’re going
to do with the router. If you’re going to use profile bits with bearings for edge work and an occasional dado here
and there, these routers will work great for you and won’t dent your wallet. If you’re doing production work where
the router is in use for longer periods of time, you might be disappointed.
Some Asian companies include collets sizes of ½, ¼ and 3/8. Most US Routers skip the 3/8 collet size. I personally
have never have had the need for a 3/8 and really don’t anticipate one.
Branding
Some power sellers are content to sell the product with no name, which is fine. Some re-brand the name with some
generic sounding company which is fine too. Some companies re-brand and build that brand up into reputable
Brand names that are recognized in major retail outlets. The truth is there are some mighty fine Asian routers out
there with those recognizable brand names and a small amount of research will get you an excellent router without
the brand name. Look carefully at the router, compare it to other similar routers with famous brand names, you may
be surprised.
If you use this guide and do a bit of research you can save considerable amounts of cash and fortify your
workshop. The comparison really does not stop with routers, as a lot of power tools are made overseas and brand
names are added later, Grizzly is a great example of this. There are several foreign routers that have outstanding
quality (festool, triton etc) that are made in Europe and are imported here to the USA. Generally you have to find a
certified distributor of these products in order to purchase these products. Finding them online can be somewhat
difficult.
2006 Copyright Protected
This article is not to be reprinted.
This article is not to be reprinted.
| Resources |
| Extra's |
| Build it Yourself |
| Top Selling Tables |
| Router Tables |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Have a Question? Call us Toll Free! 800-643-8716 |
