Woodworking Routers Purchasing Guide

Woodworking routers have been around for well over 70 years. However, lately there has bee a marked increase in the routers designed for particular tasks, or specialty routers. The product for innovative jigs,fixtures and router accessories has also exploded, allowing the router to perform tasks formerly not possible with the traditional router. The woodworker hobbyist is now faced with a difficult task when selecting a wood router to perform a variety of different shop tasks. The good news is that while there is not a single router that can perform every possible task efficiently, there are a number of general purpose routers that are able to perform most common operations with relative effectiveness.

Wood Router Combo Sets

Most wood router combo packages are comprised of a mid-range powered router motor in the range of 2 HP, paired with both a fixed base and a plunge base. This combination will enable the woodworker to not only have the benefit of both a fixed and a plunge based handheld router, but one of the bases can be attached to a router table, further increasing its utility. While heavy milling operations with larger bits such as raised panel sets would be better suited for larger routers, these tasks can be managed on an occasional basis by simple performing several incremental operations. Similarly, detail trimming such as milling eased edges and for trimming laminates is certainly easier with a specialty trim router, a mid-powered router with a fixed based can do a n adequate job.

Milwaukee 5615-24 is our favorite combo router package. While Bosch, Porter Cable, Makita and Hitachi offer similar products, we feel that the overall build quality and steller buyer reviews make the Milwaukee the winner. Currently priced at under $135, in addition to both fixed and plunge bases, the kit includes a heavy duty carrying case, dual position dust shield, 2 Clear Polycarbonate Sub-bases, and a concentricity guage for precisely centering template guides.

Festool Router

The Festool router family consists of 4 very highly refined wood routers, each optimized for a group of specialized tasks. Festool charges 2-3 times as much for their routers than a similarly powered mass marketed brands. In spite of the premium prices, Festool has a rabid following of woodworking enthusiast that are more than willing to pay for Festool brand in exchange for the advanced engineering and precision.

Festool 574288 MFK 700 Modular Router

Festool 574266 OF 1010 EQ Plunge Router

Festool 574267 OF 1400 EQ Plunge Router

Festool 574277 OF 2200 Plunge Router
Festool has developed an interesting array of tools including circular saws, sanders, planers as well as routers. All tools fit into their “system” and are designed to connect to one of their dust extractors (a refined vacuum). Be aware, these tools are addictive!

Even if your budget cannot accommodate a Festool router, there is a wide array of serviceable routers from top manufacturers such as Makita, Porter Cable, Hitachi and Triton. Choosing the right woodworking router for your needs and budget is an easy task with a small investment of time.