Im working on my first LR4 build(currently printing parts). In the meantime, Im ordering other parts that I need. I’m trying to decide on Kobalt router vs Makita rt0701c. I can get a new Kobalt locally for around $75. And a used Makita for around the same price. I am new to CNC. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
The Kobalt was discontinued, but has an ER11 collet, some of them have problems with the speed dial wandering and surfing, but only a few.
I have the Makita and was pretty happy with it as well. Now I use another router. 
There are lots of Makita clones around (Harbor Freight, Vevor, others) that will be about the same price as the used Makita you mention. There are also some ER11 makes that come in around the same price (there are some recent posts in the forum, I don’t have the link handy).
As mentioned above, the Kobalt has been discontinued, so if you are able to find one locally at the price you mentioned, it is probably a clearance item, with no warranty or service available. At one time they were being cleared out for as little as $30, so you may be able to negotiate the price down a little.
I have a Kobalt and really like it. It did the speed fluctuation at first, but after adjusting the speed dial over and over while it’s running, it doesn’t do that anymore. I really like the ER11 collet, slow start, and how quiet it is.
Carbide has theirs on sale and it comes with the ER11 collet. I’m not sure how quiet it is though.
hi, i got 2 of these for 60 each
they come with 2 extra set of brushes , standard 1/4" and 1/8" er11 collets one Collet Nut and the 2 wrenches, and a really long power cable 12-foot
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they are miles way quieter than my dewalt 611 routers, but nowhere near my watercooled spindles 
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I used a katsu makita clone. Worked great for most work, but after about 100 hours the bearings seized up. Bought one again and used it a while without issues. Recently switched to a genuine makita and there are some differences. The main one is that the makita keeps the rpm very stable. If it hits harder parts of wood it does not slow down in rpm as much as the katsu fake one did. The fake one needed more of my attention during cuts since I sometimes had to increase and decrease the speed dial to keep rpm at the desired rpm.
I think the fake ones don’t control rpm but only power input. The makita actually controls the rpm.
I use the Vevor Makita clone, and it has no issues with speed change during load changes (that I can tell). It does, however, slow down when the circuit voltage changes (I have a compressor motor on the same household circuit), but I suspect that any router would do the same thing.
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yes, but you shouldnt leave your machine unnatended, get some earphones open YT and watch your machine
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Fully agree, I would never leave the room my cnc is in when cutting. I ment it more as in I don’t have to constantly be near it to keep the rpm in check. Leaves me time to tidy up the shop or other tasks while I’m in the same space.
Ah, yes. The carbide er11 have soft start, i tested them and seem ok both but the machines are still waiting on wiring 
i need a couple of days off from work
Thanks a lot for all the advice. I found a kobalt for $50. I am going to pick it up on Monday. Does anyone have any experience with the WEN RT1460, just curious.
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Never heard of the WEN before, but looks like one of the “clones”. Should work? Just give it a try. 
Man they have all kinds of good stuff for cheap. I have their track saw and drill press. I think @Michael_Melancon has a few things as well
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I have the drill press, jointer, planer, and bandsaw….
It’s the first place I look when I’m thinking about purchasing a new tool.
Next on my list is a disc sander
It’s also where I bought my impeller to upgrade my Harbor Freight dust collector for half the price of what everyone was paying for the Rikon one
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Are they also good or just cheap? 
They do not exist in the EU somehow I think, at least I’ve never seen them.
From my experience… Both. They are great for the price point. But if its something you are going to use every day in a production shop then buy better. But for a hobby guy that might use it once a month they are perfect.
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WEN dust collectors are ok, we have one working 8-10h daily even sundays. Other tools: they are the same as Ingco, Total, vevor, Stanley etc. just clones or oem rebranded tools. They may be good, they may last but certainly not holding with abuse
If your Kobalt router gives you trouble, I have purchased two Avid Power trim routers from Amazon in the past, still use both. I don’t have any complaints with either. One now lives in My Genmitsu 4040 Pro. I will Be buying a third soon for my LR4 Build. Got my Parts kit Friday, printing the rest now.
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have fun with your build.
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