Need suggestion! Router and Drill press

[zero-sss]

Hello, guitar builders!
I'm a new here and I'm going to build my first guitar pretty soon.
I have built some partscasters so next guitar is going to be handcraft.
I already got some body blanks, neck blanks and parts etc...

Next, I'm thinking of getting some tools which are Router and Drill press.
I need your suggestion and recommendation.

1. Router
I looked around some shops, they have many kinds
How many HP does it need?
1-3/4HP or more?
Fixed base or Plunge Base? or both?

2. Drill Press
10in or 12in more?
I have read another thread, some members recommended 12in or more.
But I am not sure what's the difference between 10in and 12in?

I need some suggestion and opinion from members. I know that you people are awesome guitar builders!

Any suggestions and opinions are welcome, please help me.

Sorry my poor English I'm not native English speaker.

I'm a Japanese, if you guys have any question about Japanese Guitars, Tools, or need to ask Japanese Guitar shop etc... I can help, just ask me.
( I found a really good fret saw that is much better than Stewmac Japanese fret saw.)

Thank you.

[jwells393]

Router............... buy this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-6...8246051&sr=8-1

Drill Press......................Nothing smaller than a 12 in. If I were buying one I'd take a good look at this Ryobi 12 in. from Home Depot.

......

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

A word or two about drill presses. A 12 in. drill press will drill to the center of a 12 in. circle. In other words, the distance from the column to the centerline of the chuck is 6 in. With a 10 in. drill press, you cannot drill the string ferrule holes on a Telecaster body. The distance from the butt of the guitar to the string ferrule holes is greater than 5 in.

[Big Mike Simpson]

Buy the Porter Cable router... If you don't want to pay for new you can find them used on Craigslist in the tool section. I have found them for $40 to $60 (sometimes more). There are lots of good deals on used tools because the good tools last.

[mcgeorgerl]

Router....It's hard to beat the newer Craftsman (Bosch design) routers. They are so much better than the older Ryobi stuff. You can pick up a Craftsman 2HP Combo Plunge/Fixed Base set very resonably and they go on sale often.

Drill Press....I've got a 15" Craftsman and it performs quite well. The size is determined by the "throat" or distance between the chuck center and post multiplied by 2. A choice of press is often determined by available space. I bought a 15" because an 18" was too big to fit in my limited shop space. A 12" would have been too small for some of my other woodworking needs. You'll have to decide on chuck size (3/8" vs 1/2" or larger) and floor mount vs bench top. I don't see why a 10" or 12" press wouldn't work but I'd build a auxilliary table to keep the guitar body flat and stable.

[Mojotron]

I have a Ryobi 12 inch (as Jack mentioned) and it's awesome for everything from drilling holes in steel and wood to using it with my Wagner Safety Planer.

Router - I've only used DeWalts - they are expensive, but I like them. The P/C is likely all you would need.

[Tom M]

I would recommend a combo router type with both a plunge and fixed base. I have this one (Dewalt DW618PK)...
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW618PK-12-AMP-Variable-Collets/dp/B00006JKXE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1258255993&sr=1-3[/url]

The fixed base works better when using a router table, which is recommended for cutting the final body shape using a flush cut bit and a body template. A plunge router can also be used on a table, but it may requires removing the springs. The plunge base is better for cutting the pickup and control cavities, neck pocket, etc. using a template and a pattern bit. I also like this model because the plunge base allows you to attach your shop vac for dust collection (routers create an incredible amout of sawdust). There are other combo brands out there with similar features, so shop around. Some also have LED's to light up the cutting area.

I would also suggest a floor type drill press, as opposed to a benchtop. Some aren't really that much more, and they don't take up valuable bench space. I used to have a Harbor Freight 13" model that wasn't bad, and it was only about $150. If you're on a budget you can also check out Craig's List for a used drill press.

[zero-sss]

Thank you all.

I finally got what's differences between 10in and 12in Drill press!

I will buy those!

I hope I will post a new thread about my new building!

[oigun]

+1 for dewalt plunge router. Drill press you also can buy second hand the bigger the better.

[Mojotron]

Originally Posted by oigun

+1 for dewalt plunge router. Drill press you also can buy second hand the bigger the better.

Yep - I got the Dewalt DW618PK off of Amazon for $225 - best tool money I have spent. However - you can do just fine with the P/C mentioned above.

[hackworth1]

I bought a Porter Cable Belt Sander 10 years ago. It is still going strong. It is a very well-made tool. So, when I neede a router, I bought a Porter Cable Router. It is an awesome machine. It's so smooth and powerful. It is a pleasure to use. I love to hear it wind up to speed with its variable speed motor. What a fine precision instrument.

[Flynman]

I have the Ridgid Plunge Router, 13" planer and 15" drill press. So far all of them have performed as good or better than any of the craftsman or delta brands that I have had in the past. The good thing is if you are not satisfied with it.. just bring it back for a refund.

[Mojotron]

I just got a Ridgid Planer - I love it - my blanks are coming out of that thing perfectly square and pre-sanded.

The Ridgid sander that is popular here is a dream too.