How to Compare Wood Working Routers
When you compare wood working routers, there are several items that you need to consider. The first is how you are going to use the router. Are you going to mount it in a table? With this decision you will be moving the workpiece to the router table, so most parts will be smaller. Or are you going to move the router to the wood? This will allow you to work on larger parts or assembled projects. Further, you need to consider what style of router you want. Do you need a plunge-cut router, a fixed-base router or a trim router?
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Instructions
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Types of Routers
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A plunge router has a spring-loaded base. This allows you to safely and accurately plunge the router into the middle of a piece of work. You can use 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank router bits.
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A fixed-base router locks the router bits' depth of cut in place. You can adjust the height by raising or lowering the motor on the base. Fixed-base routers are often used in a router table and considered the easiest to use. You can use 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank router bits.
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A trim router is very light and can only use small 1/4-inch shank router bits. These routers are also referred to as palm routers or laminate routers. The trim router is very light and easy to handle.
Items to Compare
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With paper and pen, go online and compare wood working routers with the following items in mind:
Look for the horsepower that fits your needs.
Overtaxing a router by using a large-profile bit or cutting hardwoods strains the router's motor and will shorten its lifetime. A router with 1 1/2 to 2 horsepower will work for most hobbyist projects. However, for heavy-duty use, large-profile router bits and a 3-horsepower or larger router are recommended. -
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Look for variable speed control.
This will allow the router to run at a lower speed and not put a heavy strain on the motor when using larger router bits or cutting hardwoods. -
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Look for a two-stage depth adjustment. This allows the router to be quickly adjusted to the depth of cut with the first stage. Then the router depth can be dialed in for precise adjustment with the second stage.
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Compare the base plates.
See if the base plates accept collars for guide bushings. Also see if the router base plate is interchangeable with additional plates for large-profile bits. Some router plates incorporate dust collection also. Look for and compare the different attachments or jigs that come with the routers. -
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Compare collets.
The collets hold the router bits in the router. Check to see if the router comes with both 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets. Some routers only come with one or the other, and trim routers only use 1/4-inch bits.
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Tips & Warnings
Try and go to the store and test-drive the router to see how it feels in your hands.
Always wear safety glasses when using a router.
