The Woodworkers Router Guide

A router is a woodworking tool used to rout out an area in a piece of wood. It is able to cut grooves, edge molding, and chamfer or radius the edge of a piece of wood. It is also used for mortise and tenons, dowel joints, tongue and groove joints, box joints, and dovetails. The size and shape of the router bit and the depth relevant to the base determine the shape of cut that is created.

Consisting of a base, this houses a vertically mounted motor with a collet on the end of its shaft. The bit is mounted to the collet and is adjustable to allow protrusion through an opening in a flat sole plate, usually via adjusting the motor-mounting height. Control of the router is derived from a handle or knob on each side of the device.

Woodworkers have it easy these days with new advances in power tool technology. Wood routers are lighter and more accurate today than ten years ago. This page will review the top sellers and the latest technology providing you with information so you can compare the best wood routers.

Fixed-Base V.S. Plunge-Base
The two basic types of wood routers are plunge and fixed. With a fixed-base router, the cut depth is set before the tool is turned on. The plunge-base router has stops that allow the extent of the plunge to be gauged. In each case, the bit cuts its way in, although the bit used in a plunge base must be shaped so it bores into the wood when lowered.

Plunge routers are best for grooves, mortises, template pattern work, stopped dadoes, and through cuts. However, the drawbacks are it's top heavy and the handles are harder to adjust and maneuver. The fixed-base routers are preferred for their compact designs and ease of use.

Make sure to understand collet size as well as horsepower of a router before purchasing one. Collet size is generally ¼" to ½," while motors can range from less than 1HP to more than 1 ¾ HP. A light-duty ¼" collet with less than 1HP motor is typically for occasional use. While the ½" collet 1 ¾ HP motor is designed for everyday use of professional woodworkers.

Here is a list of the best wood routers on the market today, fixed and plunge base routers, all from top manufacturers.

Porter Cable 690LR RouterThe new lever release feature lets you make quick and easy height adjustments, especially when table mounted.

Porter Cable 690LR Router

Bosch 2-1/4 HP VS Router.Variable Speed 12 amp motor provides soft start maintains speed under load and provides overload protection.

Bosch 2-1/4 HP VS Router.

Freud FT3000 3-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge RouterBoasting a powerful 15 amp motor, Freud's newest plunge router is a heavy-duty champ - but this is no ordinary full-sized router. The FT3000VCE also features an extended spindle shaft with through the base locking system for easy, safe above-table bit changes. Plus, the height adjustment system is also accessible through the base for quick, accurate adjustments. 3-position turret stop allows you to switch between common depth settings in an instant. Soft-start motor reduces start up torque and the electronic cruise control system ensures that the speed remains constant under varying loads. With the electronic regulator sealed from dust and debris, this router will be a top performer for years to come.

Freud FT3000 3-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router

Speedmatic 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Router, Model #7518 This 3-1/4 HP variable speed router from Porter Cable has an electronic 5-speed control that ranges from 0-21,000 RMP's!

Speedmatic 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Router, Model #7518

Festool OF 1010 EQ 1-1/2 HP RouterNOTE: No International shipping on any Festool item. Items marked "Direct Ship" can only be shipped within the Continental United States. The OF 1010 is a full-featured plunge router that weighs in at only 5.9 lbs. -
the lightest router of the its kind. It packs a host of well-designed features
into a compact, ergonomic tool that you can operate with only one hand. Dust
shroud and chip catcher completely surround the bit for nearly 100% dust
extraction. The knob-style handle doubles as a rotating plunge lock for both
posts, meaning you never have to take your hand off the grips. Rotating turret
system allows you to simultaneously maintain three different depth settings
and switch between them in a fraction of a second. Depth adjustment is
simple with the integral scale and zeroing function - no measuring required.
Micro-depth adjuster will fine tune your setting to the nearest 0.001" for the
cleanest, most precise joints imaginable. Included guide rail attachment
allows you to use the router with Festool guide rails for dadoes, edge jointing
and more. Accepts 1/4" and 8mm collets (included).

Save 10% on a Dust Extractor with the purchase of this router! Choose
from the CT
Mini, CT
Midi, CT
22 or the CT
33.

Festool OF 1010 EQ 1-1/2 HP Router

Porter Cable Trim RouterExcellent for trimming laminate plus general edge and corner trimming. Model #7310. The compact and lightweight design makes for easy freehand use.

Porter Cable Trim Router

Bosch Colt Variable-Speed Palm Router KitPut power and precision in the palm of your hand!

While it may look like a laminate trimmer, this compact (7-1/2"
high) and lightweight (3.3 lbs.) router is more than shop-worthy with a 1.0
HP (max.), 5.7 amp motor - the highest rating in its class.
16,000-35,000 RPM.

Bosch Colt Variable-Speed Palm Router Kit