What woodworking router to buy
How does a woodworking router work
A Router is basically just a motor that can hold a small wood bit with some kind of holder that lets you control the cut. Like so many questions, the follow-up answer then always depends on what you want kind of project or work you are looking to do. This helps greatly when it comes to what woodworking router to buy. Routers can range from small laminate trimmers to the larger 3 x HP industrial routers that are best for particular tasks.
Routers have been around for so long and is so widely sold, that there are all sorts of attachments and third-party accessories which is nearly all designed to accommodate this particular machine. It is also very accurate, reliable and easy to use. a Router tip is controlled as the motor rotates in a base which can move up and down smoothly, precisely and then easily able to set the depth of a cut.
For an industrial grade type of tool, they are also not too expensive which once again depends on what your end goal or project will be. 3x HP Plunge Router is sometimes too heavy for everyday use and a Trim Router is used mostly for trimming laminates, but it can be handy for getting down tight spaces.
What woodworking router to buy
Depending on brand and quality, 1 and 1/2 HP Routers usually holds up well under everyday use, and a good quality light router is well-balanced, light and can do whatever is expected of it with no complaints. If you are in fact only looking for a router that can be used for everyday use, then a 1/1/2 HP range Router which may be fine for small scale projects, but it can quickly become under powered for heavy duty jobs requiring deeper cuts and needing 2+ HP machines. Work load+time must be considered when choosing what woodworking router to buy, as weaker powered routers can quickly overheat etc. For trimming work you require 1x HP or less Routers that are much cheaper but usually can only accept a max 8 mm bits.
When working for long periods is required, picking machines requiring half inch bits, then sticking with well-known brands will almost always get most jobs done. There are plenty of reviews around to narrow your choice of Routers and choosing the one capable of completing your projects. If stumped about choice, then select a router around the mid-ranged size, which can cover a wide area of functions, ranging from the smaller trim routers to the larger HP machines. As you progress in your woodworking skills, your next step or investment should be a router table.
Lower-end Router tables are all basically of low-quality, and it might be a better option to take some time and look at the ones available from some of the specialty woodworking stores. Key decisions always lie in what and how much you want to do. A great many practitioners in DIY have adapted a plate and lift system by adding a 3 HP Router to one dedicated table. If you want to use just one for all the tasks, you will want to consider the templates available for the different choices. Of course, that would depend on what type of job you would want to do, as this will probably be a deciding factor when choosing what woodworking router to buy.
Carpentry is the specialty of making any number of things out of wood utilizing an assortment of devices. If you’ve done any measure of DIY, you’ve probably had the opportunity to do some carpentry and have even taken it up as a leisure activity, but others have made the move from common carpentry to really beginning a business with carpentry.
Routers & Tables
Top Sellers
Pros
- Convenient: With the built in constant response circuitry, our 1617EVSPK wood Router will maintain a constant speed throughout the cut, so you get cleaner, more accurate results
- Soft-start-Reduces start-up torque
- Constant-Response Circuitry-Maintains constant speed under load
- Quick clamp system on both bases for fast tool-free conversion-Move motor from base to base with ease
- Wide base openings and 2″ sub-base openings-Accepts larger bits & provides better visibility
Cons
- Increasingly difficult to adjust the bit depth and getting the motor out of the base
- Flimsy depth stop
- Lack of attachments
- The fixed and plunge bases won’t slide easily in and off of the motor housing
Pros
- Depth adjustment ring allows for fast and easy height adjustments
- Soft start motor with full-time electronic feedback allows the motor to maintain speed during cuts
- Electronic brake slows the motor down faster after the unit is shut off
Cons
- Not for rough framing
- Powerful, but difficult to control
Pros
- The Bosch RA1181 bench top router table provides a large work surface for woodworking and routing.
- Designed to fit a variety of routers, this router table is a versatile piece of equipment that will serve as an indispensable part of any woodworking shop.
- This bench top router table includes mounting hardware, features a tall aluminum fence with adjustable MDF face plates, two out feed shims, and an aluminum router mounting plate.
- The starter pin and guard for router curved work pieces is also included, in addition to the built in cord wrap for convenient storage and portabi
Cons
- Mounting plate is rough/uneven preventing a work piece from sliding across the surface
- Countersunk leveling- and plate screws, having issues with keeping the plate tight and level.
- Not completely flat
Pros
- Variable-speed palm-grip router puts routing power and precision in the palm of your hand.
- Ergonomic palm-grip design with soft grip to make it very comfortable to hold, yet it also has ample power, making it typically easier to use than larger routers.
- It’s more than a just a laminate trimmer, as it is the ideal tool for putting round overs on deck railings, mortising for hinges, slot cutting, and much more, making it easy when choosing what woodworking router to buy.
- Also includes a self-releasing 1/4 In. collet chuck, comfortable forged bit-changing wrenches, edge guide.
Cons
- No center lines on the base, making precision setting of the side guide, harder than it should be.
- Trouble holding its depth setting at times and the base screws work loose regardless of the tightness
Pros
- Heavy duty aluminum motor housing engineered for increased durability and a great choice when deciding what woodworking router to buy.
- Shaft lock for quick and easy bit changes
- Durable flat top design for added convenience when changing bits
- Non-marring high-durability base insert for increased work piece protection
- Easy-to-read depth scales
- Uses 1/4″ shank routers bits
- Double insulated
- Some useful parts and tools could have been included.
- Router speed control sometimes moves on its own
Related Articles
What woodworking router to buy
How does a woodworking router work
A Router is basically just a motor that can hold a small wood bit with some kind of holder that lets you control the cut. Like so many questions, the follow-up answer then always depends on what you want kind of project or work you are looking to do. This helps greatly when it comes to what woodworking router to buy. Routers can range from small laminate trimmers to the larger 3 x HP industrial routers that are best for particular tasks.
Routers have been around for so long and is so widely sold, that there are all sorts of attachments and third-party accessories which is nearly all designed to accommodate this particular machine. It is also very accurate, reliable and easy to use. a Router tip is controlled as the motor rotates in a base which can move up and down smoothly, precisely and then easily able to set the depth of a cut.
For an industrial grade type of tool, they are also not too expensive which once again depends on what your end goal or project will be. 3x HP Plunge Router is sometimes too heavy for everyday use and a Trim Router is used mostly for trimming laminates, but it can be handy for getting down tight spaces.
What woodworking router to buy
Depending on brand and quality, 1 and 1/2 HP Routers usually holds up well under everyday use, and a good quality light router is well-balanced, light and can do whatever is expected of it with no complaints. If you are in fact only looking for a router that can be used for everyday use, then a 1/1/2 HP range Router which may be fine for small scale projects, but it can quickly become under powered for heavy duty jobs requiring deeper cuts and needing 2+ HP machines. Work load+time must be considered when choosing what woodworking router to buy, as weaker powered routers can quickly overheat etc. For trimming work you require 1x HP or less Routers that are much cheaper but usually can only accept a max 8 mm bits.
When working for long periods is required, picking machines requiring half inch bits, then sticking with well-known brands will almost always get most jobs done. There are plenty of reviews around to narrow your choice of Routers and choosing the one capable of completing your projects. If stumped about choice, then select a router around the mid-ranged size, which can cover a wide area of functions, ranging from the smaller trim routers to the larger HP machines. As you progress in your woodworking skills, your next step or investment should be a router table.
Lower-end Router tables are all basically of low-quality, and it might be a better option to take some time and look at the ones available from some of the specialty woodworking stores. Key decisions always lie in what and how much you want to do. A great many practitioners in DIY have adapted a plate and lift system by adding a 3 HP Router to one dedicated table. If you want to use just one for all the tasks, you will want to consider the templates available for the different choices. Of course, that would depend on what type of job you would want to do, as this will probably be a deciding factor when choosing what woodworking router to buy.
Carpentry is the specialty of making any number of things out of wood utilizing an assortment of devices. If you’ve done any measure of DIY, you’ve probably had the opportunity to do some carpentry and have even taken it up as a leisure activity, but others have made the move from common carpentry to really beginning a business with carpentry.
Routers & Tables
Top Sellers
Pros
- Convenient: With the built in constant response circuitry, our 1617EVSPK wood Router will maintain a constant speed throughout the cut, so you get cleaner, more accurate results
- Soft-start-Reduces start-up torque
- Constant-Response Circuitry-Maintains constant speed under load
- Quick clamp system on both bases for fast tool-free conversion-Move motor from base to base with ease
- Wide base openings and 2″ sub-base openings-Accepts larger bits & provides better visibility
- Increasingly difficult to adjust the bit depth and getting the motor out of the base
- Flimsy depth stop
- Lack of attachments
- The fixed and plunge bases won’t slide easily in and off of the motor housing
Pros
- Depth adjustment ring allows for fast and easy height adjustments
- Soft start motor with full-time electronic feedback allows the motor to maintain speed during cuts
- Electronic brake slows the motor down faster after the unit is shut off
Cons
- Not for rough framing
- Powerful, but difficult to control.
Pros
- The Bosch RA1181 bench top router table provides a large work surface for woodworking and routing.
- Designed to fit a variety of routers, this router table is a versatile piece of equipment that will serve as an indispensable part of any woodworking shop.
- This bench top router table includes mounting hardware, features a tall aluminum fence with adjustable MDF face plates, two out feed shims, and an aluminum router mounting plate.
- The starter pin and guard for router curved work pieces is also included, in addition to the built in cord wrap for convenient storage and portabi
Cons
- Mounting plate is rough/uneven preventing a work piece from sliding across the surface
- Countersunk leveling- and plate screws, having issues with keeping the plate tight and level.
- Not completely flat
Pros
- Variable-speed palm-grip router puts routing power and precision in the palm of your hand.
- Ergonomic palm-grip design with soft grip to make it very comfortable to hold, yet it also has ample power, making it typically easier to use than larger routers.
- It’s more than a just a laminate trimmer, as it is the ideal tool for putting round overs on deck railings, mortising for hinges, slot cutting, and much more, making it easy when choosing what woodworking router to buy.
- Also includes a self-releasing 1/4 In. collet chuck, comfortable forged bit-changing wrenches, edge guide.
Cons
- No center lines on the base, making precision setting of the side guide, harder than it should be.
- Trouble holding its depth setting at times and the base screws work loose regardless of the tightness
Pros
- Heavy duty aluminum motor housing engineered for increased durability and a great choice when deciding what woodworking router to buy.
- Shaft lock for quick and easy bit changes
- Durable flat top design for added convenience when changing bits
- Non-marring high-durability base insert for increased work piece protection
- Easy-to-read depth scales
- Uses 1/4″ shank routers bits
- Double insulated
Cons
- Some useful parts and tools could have been included.
- Router speed control sometimes moves on its own