Written by Tom Scalishi | posted on December 9, 2020 at 10:12 AM

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Experienced DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists know the impact of wood planers on the quality of finished products. From simple rounded corners to fancy ogee edges, the best wood routers take results to the next level.

When choosing the best wood router for your project, consider some important features of the various models. Most wood routers have adjustable speeds, but make sure that the RPM range is suitable for your needs. Some DIY craftsmen may need a fixed base router to create smooth edges, while another may prefer a plug-in base model that can engrave grooves and mortises on the workpiece.

The quality of the tool is most important, but just looking at the outside of a fancy box does not reveal much. This guide will help you decide the wood router that best suits your needs by describing several top products in different categories.

Those looking for new routers for their DIY projects may have noticed that there are a large number of different styles to choose from. DIYers must choose between a fixed base or a plug-in router, and some combination kits are also provided. Learn about each type to choose the best type.

The fixed base router is the most basic model. Although they are said to have a "fixed" base, they are still adjustable. By loosening the collar and twisting the dial, you can adjust the depth of the drill. They are easy to set up and use on the edge of the board, but it is challenging to start safely in the work site (middle).

The plug-in router has a spring-loaded base that allows the user to lower the rotary router bit into the workpiece. Its depth gauge allows you to adjust it to prevent it from getting too deep. The plug-in router is very suitable for the details of the cutting board field. They are also suitable for edge analysis, but they can be more picky when trying to create a completely consistent profile.

Alternatively, a router kit is provided, which allows you to swap the base, providing both fixed base and plug-in base functions in the same kit. Most of these combination kits are easy to switch, although they may be more expensive. Users don't have to store two separate routers, but swapping the base will slow down the workflow.

In addition to different styles of routers, please keep in mind some additional considerations. Read on to find a list of some specifications, capabilities, and features to keep an eye on when buying the best wood planer that meets your needs. Some of these points may be more important than others, so weigh their importance when choosing a router.

Among the different types of routers available, the specific project and intended use determine which router model is most suitable.

If you are looking for a good general router, please stick to the fixed base model. These models are easy to set up, and users can build fixtures that allow them to be used in different situations. Install them on the router table to provide some additional functions.

Users who like to make tenon-and-mortise joinery or wooden frames may want to consider using a plug-in router. However, they are unlikely to be compatible with router tables.

Another consideration is the handheld routers, which are available in fixed and plug-in models, but they are smaller, lighter, and easier to use with one hand. They are usually less powerful, so please keep this in mind.

In a router, the horsepower of the tool helps determine its ability to handle large router bits and dense materials. Although users can use any router to make multiple traversals to traverse the edge, using a router that can complete all operations at once can help save time. This is especially important when using a plug-in router: inserting a little bit into the area of ​​the board creates more friction and resistance, not just dragging it over the edge.

Most of the best wood routers are rated between 1.25 and 1.75 horsepower, while some true hot rod versions have more than 2 horsepower. In most cases, the lower range works well, but a 2 horsepower router can shorten the work for dense materials.

One of the challenges in creating a perfect edge profile is choosing the right speed to get the job done quickly without burning wood. There is no magic speed because the density of the plates (even the plates of the same species) is different. This boils down to experience and correct contact.

The good news is that most routers have adjustable speeds that can be adjusted until the right speed is found. They usually have small dials to help choose their speed. For the feasible range, look for routers with speeds between 9,000 and 20,000 RPM.

Note that some routers have speed sensors that can monitor the rotation speed and adjust accordingly to maintain the ideal speed. For example, if you use a router at a speed of 10,000 RPM, but encounter a particularly dense wood section, the router may slow down and cause inconsistent results. Using these speed sensors, the router will increase its power output to compensate for the increase in density, so that the drill bit runs at a prescribed speed.

Routers are powerful tools, and users need to hold them securely to ensure proper control. In addition, a comfortable grip helps users maintain consistent contact with the router, which helps ensure safe operation.

Fixed base routers and plug-in routers usually have two handles to provide better control. Depending on the manufacturer, they can be made of rubber or wood. Some models even have handle-mounted switches, making them very easy to use.

The palm router fits the hand, so the body basically becomes the handle. Most have rubber moldings and contours to ensure comfortable use. It is important to find a model with these features to ensure that your hands remain comfortable and maintain a good grip.

The router generates a lot of dust. The high-speed cutting process removed tiny pieces of wood and flew them into the air, causing chaos at the end of a long project. To avoid prolonged cleaning, look for a router with a dust collection port that connects to a store vacuum cleaner or dust collection system.

Some router brands have better dust collectors than others; high-end models usually work best. These brands are popular with professionals working in custom carpentry workshops, which must carry out effective dust collection.

Also consider the size of bits that the router can handle. Two common sizes are ¼ inch and ½ inch.

Likewise, choosing the router with the best chuck size has a lot to do with its intended use. Smaller (1/4 inch) chucks are suitable for light jobs such as edge profiling in doors and milling hinge mortises. However, it may not be suitable for heavy work.

For heavy work such as wood structures or dense hardwood, a ½ inch chuck is more suitable. These drill bits are stronger and the increased surface area ensures that they will not slip.

Before spending money on the wrong router, consult the preferred list. This guide will point you in the right direction when choosing the best wood router for your project and budget.

If you are looking for a comprehensive router with quality, price and functionality, then the DEWALT fixed base router may be very useful. The router has a single-speed, 1 ¾ horsepower, 11-amp motor with a speed of 24,500 RPM. With a cam lock for coarse adjustment, you can easily dial the depth of the drill bit, and the fine adjustment ring can make it accurate to 1/64 inch. The top of the motor is flat, so it can be placed upside down on the table for the user to make depth adjustments.

In order to easily replace the drill bit, two motor latches can release the base. Another great feature is the transparent Lexan base plate, which allows easy viewing of workpieces and drill bits. However, users cannot adjust the speed, but because it does a good job in many other aspects, it is still the best universal router.

This PORTER-CABLE router can handle a wide range of tasks. It can cut tabletop laminates to form, and can also cut profiles of materials such as pine, poplar, and cedar. It has a 5.6 amp motor that rotates at 35,000 rpm, but it is not adjustable. It has a quick-release motor clamp that allows users to make large adjustments quickly, and a fine-tuning ring to fine-tune the cutting depth. The quick release fixture also allows the user to remove the motor and replace the drill bit without having to use a wrench through the base.

The thick transparent plastic base is stable and easy to see through, making it easier to trim accurately than some other routers. The single-speed motor limits the performance of this router, but at this price point, users can still get a lot of performance from a small router.

Anyone who has encountered a rope barrier when routing the edges of a workpiece knows that it can produce inconsistent contours. This DEWALT cordless router avoids this situation by allowing users to run unrestricted along the edge. A battery with a maximum of 20V provides power to the motor and its speed is between 16,000 and 25,500 RPM. The dial on the top of the motor can adjust the speed. It uses soft-start technology to prevent the router from jumping. It also uses electronic feedback to monitor the speed of the drill bit while wiring, and adjust the output if the drill bit starts to slow down, which helps produce consistent results.

The quick release allows macro adjustments, and the fine adjustment ring helps to fine-tune the cutting depth. Please note that this is a tool purchase only, users must purchase batteries separately.

Among the handheld router models, Makita is the final choice. It has a powerful motor and some impressive features. The 1 ¼ horsepower, 6.5 ampere motor can adjust the speed between 10,000 and 30,000 RPM via the dial on the top of the tool. With quick release base and rack-and-pinion adjustment knob, the depth is easy to adjust.

The router weighs less than 4 pounds, which can be a problem for some handheld routers because they tend to jump when starting up. However, this is not a problem for Makita. It adopts slow start technology, which can start safely and easily regardless of the weight of the router and the size of the drill bit installed. The base can also be easily separated from the motor for position changes-this is a key feature of handheld routers with small bases that are difficult to insert a wrench into.

Plug-in routers can increase functionality and workflow, because this tool can help users handle a lot of work. Whether you are making custom grooved trim or furniture joinery, Bosch routers can help users achieve incredible results. The speed adjustment range of this 15 amp router is 10,000 to 25,000 RPM. For softer materials (such as pine) and hardwoods (such as oak and maple), dial in at just the right speed. The user can adjust the speed through the dial on the top of the motor.

Bosch's handle trigger helps users operate the router as accurately as possible with one hand. In addition, this electronic router uses soft-start technology to reduce the initial torque during startup. This prevents the router from jumping in the user's hands, especially when using a larger router bit.

Whether it is making plywood countertops, cutting some mortises or rounding edges, this variable speed router from Bosch can do the job. For handheld routers, a 1 ¼ horsepower, 7.0 amp motor is heavy-duty. The user can adjust the speed from 16,000 to 35,000 RPM by turning the dial. The rubber handle is comfortable and allows the user to control Colt with one hand. In addition, Colt has slow-start technology, which is very important in handheld routers, because if there are large blocks or heavy objects in the chuck, they may jump when opened.

The adjustable base allows quick macro adjustments as well as fine adjustments. Swap the motor into the plug-in router base for maximum flexibility. The clear base allows users to easily see the workpiece and the drill bit.

With all this knowledge about the best wood routers and available models, you are ready to shop. However, some people may still have some questions about how the router works and how to choose the best router. The following is a collection of the most frequently asked questions about Timber routers.

Fixed base routers are suitable for most projects. However, if you want to make complex joinery products, look for a push-down router.

It depends on the project. It is absolutely fine to use a ¼-inch chuck router for light-duty wiring, while heavy-duty work requires a ½-inch chuck.

Torque is much more important than RPM. Your router needs speed (RPM) to work effectively, and adjustable (and maintainable) speed is more important than starting power (torque). In fact, routers with too much torque can be very dangerous, so manufacturers are unlikely to use motors with too much torque.

Plug-in routers are wooden routers, so there is no real difference. However, there is a difference between a fixed base router and a plug-in router: the plug-in router has a spring-loaded base that allows you to safely lower the drill bit to the center of the board. For routers with fixed bases, this is much more difficult, although this type of router can more easily set and cut edge contours.

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