Q. I'm looking to get my first router, and have noticed several offered with both fixed and plunge bases. Do I need both? Which is used most often? I just plan to do a few miscellaneous home improvement projects."

A. Rob Johnstone: "If you're truly only going to do a few home improvements, go with the plunge base. You'll have more options and you can always lock it so it acts like a fixed base router."

A. Michael Dresdner: "The question is not do you need both now, but will you at some point in the future. My bet would be yes. Kits with both fixed and plunge bases are a great way to get a lot of versatility in just one router purchase. I'd definitely go that route."