Router Bits and Woodworking Products

Average Customer Rating: (6 reviews)
Add your own review for this product

MARVEL 40 (4/5), Feb 21, 2010

By BILLY THOMAS (Claremore OK US)

LOOKS LIKE THE ONLY ITEM OMITTED IN THIS ROUTER TOOL IS THE ABILITY TO MOUNT GUIDE BUSHINGS ON THE TOOL FOR THINGS LIKE SIGN MAKING. CONSIDER THIS ADDITION.

---

Good small router (4/5), Jan 19, 2010

By David (Bloomington IN US)

I have used this router on a few projects now, and it is exactly as advertised--an inexpensive, small router with decent power and pretty good build quality. I reach for it without hesitation, and it does the jobs I want it to do quite well. That being said, the accessories are less than spectacular, which is unfortunate since that is the only apparent advantage of this router vs. many other similarly priced units.

My plunge base arrived with one of the nuts for the set screws in the handle missing, which I didn't realize until I made a test cut. Ironically, the plunge base seems to be terrible at actually plunging! There is no easy way to lock the base when it is depressed (you must screw in the two opposing handles, which is rather difficult with the motor running), there is no plunge stop, and there is no spring to raise the router when the plunge cut is finished. As a fixed base, it is fine, but it is a plunge base in name only. The "freehand" base is terribly unstable, and did not keep the bit square with the work surface. This limits the accuracy of the circle cutting jig since it relies on this unstable base.

The one base that I do like, and the only one I use, is the clear plastic fixed base which is sufficient for use with most bits (especially bits with guide bearings), and has been stable and easily adjustable. I have not, however, had success with the included flush cutting guide, and would recommend using bearing guided bits instead of relying on the flush cutting accessory.

Overall, the router itself is quite nice when used with the fixed base and has proven to be a welcome addition to my shop, despite my disappointment with the other accessories. 4 stars for the router, 2 stars for the accessories.

---

A great specialty router ! (4/5), Jul 9, 2009

By James Thomson (Waterford Ne US)

I purchased the marvel 40 primarily for sign carving with bits ranging from 1/16" to 1/2 ". To this end, I have found that the Marvel is a surprisingly quiet, powerful router that is very easy to use. Bit changing is effortless and the spindle lock is conveniently located. The plunge base has excellent visibility of cutting area. I removed the 90 degree plate from the trimming base which allows me to cut straight grooves and letters. Now, my constructive criticism is as follows. The plunge base has no spring in it and I don't think it's safe to try to pull up from a plunge with a bit spinning at 30, 000 rpm. You can add compression springs with 1/4 inch washers to make it retract up, but there is no mechanism for remembering your depth (does not make sense for a plunge to not have a stop). Secondly, the accessories such as circle cutter, cut out base and straight edge guide are just plain flimsy, cheap and lack precision. Now, when considering you can buy a BOSCH for 10 bucks more and have the capacity to add components including template guides, it's hard to justify not purchasing a BOSH. If MLCS could make a base that can fit template guides and make real plunge cuts and have a straight edge guide that was not something you could easily bend, then I think this could rise to the level of a serious router. In any case, I have a blast with this router and find it more than accurate for free hand carving. If you're not having fun with a tool, than it's time to move on. Although I own a larger PC 890 series and a colt, which I love, I always find myself reaching for this fun tool for fine detailed carving. Jim Thomson, Waterford, NY

---

Marvel 40 (3/5), Jul 7, 2009

By Hugh Gardner (Durham NH US)

This came with a"Marvel Base Plate" of clear plastic which required that the screw holes be drilled and inleted inorder thayt it coold be screwed to the"clear cylindrical base". An included templet was supposed to help. The templet was printed poorly, was inaccurate, and the directions failed to mention that the orientation was asymetrical.
The machine is not well made, it lacks quality as to fit.

---

Marvel 40 (4/5), Jan 14, 2009

By Mike Hovanec (St. Louis Mo US)

I was very impressed with the packaging for this router. It came inside 3 seperate boxes, and the router and accessories were inside the storage case as well...almost impossible for this router to be damaged in shipment!

The router itself has plenty of power and the handle makes it easy to use. The 1/8" and 1/4" collets plus all the accessories are just what I was looking for. I would have given this router 5 stars except that the trimmer base (which I will use frequently) is made from plastic and looks like it will break if the knob is tightened too much. I know...don't tighten it too much, but many times the depth setting is critical to a project, so you want to make sure the base doesn't move. We'll see.....

I haven't had a chance to use any of the other accessories, but they look to be much sturdier than the trimmer base.

Overall I am very impressed with this kit. I needed a trim router, but wanted one that I could use for other projects as well and I think this kit will do the job.

---

Marvel 40 Trim Router (3/5), Oct 8, 2008

By Joseph Zink (East Meadow Ne US)

I like this router for what it is and the accessories that came with it, including the case. I am not a big fan of 1/8" shanked bits and the one that came with the unit broke on the first job, which was cutting a 3/16" dado in a pine board. MLCS does not list a replacement spiral bit as being available. The unit works great with 1/4" shanked bits and I have used it for sign making and panelling cutouts. I would have liked to see the plate with a hole to accept PC-style guide bushings, but had to order a separate plate for that, which is another story. Overall, this unit is well worth the price.

---

Add your own review for this product