I need a new router for my Taper Shaper. Does anyone have experience with the Unique Quiet Router? How quiet is it? How powerful? How durable?
Please PM any unfavorable responses as I am a big fan of Unique Products and I don't want to knock their action in public.
Does anyone have one for sale?
I get it that Kress makes a great machine, but how loud is it? I need something QUIET!
Thanks, Robin Snyder
Robin, it is no secret and even Unique will tell you that their quiet router is mainly for inlay work.
It uses a small 1/4 rubber drive belt and can not transfer enough power to the bit for the heavy duty jobs like cutting v groves.
The Ryobi that used to come with the taper/shaper machine is fairly quiet but hard to find now as they were discontinued.
If you use a 6 tooth cutter you dont need 30,000 rpm and cutting the speed down with a router speed control will run quieter and smoother.
What I am using now on my taper/shaper is the Kress router with the 6 tooth cutter that Unique sells running on number 4 on the speed control. (Kress has a built in speed control)
Unique also has the adapter rings but one made from Maple works just as well and the wood helps absorb some of the vibration.
Harbor Freight sells a router with a built in speed control for $19 and with a few wraps of masking tape it fits the hole.
The front bearing is not as good as the Ryobi but for $19 bucks who can complain.
The Rigid Router is also a good choice but you will need to make an adapter ring. (made mine from Maple)
If your old router was the Ryobi and it stopped working it is most likely the switch. They get sawdust in them and wont work until you take it apart and clean it out. Better yet remove the switch and use an external one. If you clean out the router and oil the bearings the Ryobi will run smooth and quiet.
If you are really stuck I can send you some photos and or a wood adapter ring.
not too loud. It's better if you build a box enclosed. Cuts very well.
