Best budget wood router

The wood router is vital among woodworking tools since it adds decorative detail that enhances and defines the last appearance of one's woodworking project. Used correctly, this tool is always to the woodworker just what a fine paintbrush is always to an artist. It's all in the details. The router is just a versatile woodworking tool that can be utilized for many different tasks including rabbeting and making dado grooves.

There are four, basic kinds of Best budget wood router available on the market today: laminate trimmers, lightweight or low-powered routers in the 7/8 to 1 1/2 HP range, medium-powered routers in usually the one and three-quarters to two and one-quarter HP range and high-powered routers in the 3-4 HP range. Each has its use and I have owned all of them at the same time. The laminate trimmers do what their name implies along with other light-weight tasks such as for instance making hinge mortises. They're only ideal for small router bits but they're easily maneuverable and fit nicely right in your palm.

I'd like to make a few observations about routers. First, It is best to consider using only high-quality carbide-tipped router bits in these woodworking tools whenever possible. They could be re-sharpened often times and they usually don't burn up and bunch if they are kept sharp. High-speed steel bits don't go far, they're not worth sharpening and they dull quickly, burning your work piece as they soon bunch and turn black from burning. Sometimes, however, the bit profile you'll need may only be available in a high speed steel bit: This is actually the exception as opposed to the rule.

Second, as hand-held power woodworking tools, heavy and/or top-heavy routers are hard to manage. Not only will you be fighting them day, they often tip easily which could often ruin a cut or leave an incomplete cut. If your smaller, low-profile wood router would have spun that bit, then that's the tool you ought to have been using. On the other hand, an under-powered wood router won't execute a good job and may not even be safe. Also, make sure you check the weight of any wood router perhaps you are considering, when it is to be hand-held. Heavy woodworking tools are tiring and clumsy to make use of all day long long. A pound or two less will make a large difference.

Third, consider the manner in which you is likely to be hanging onto the wood router whilst it is cutting. Will be the handles comfortable enough for continuous use? Do the design and material of the handles allow you to control the wood router properly? A few of these woodworking tools are also available with "D" handles (at extra cost) that might give you better control and feel. One wood router from Milwaukee even provides a padded grip around the surface of the router base. One hand goes on the rubber grip while the other goes on a traditional knob.

Fourth, if your wood router is in the 2 1/4 HP range, you will require it to have a variable speed feature, especially if you are planning on using large bits like raised panel bits. You will have to run these large bits somewhat slower. They will stay cooler and cut better at less speed. On the other hand, you can get smoother cuts with small components of you keep carefully the speed high. No matter what RPM you select, you will require your wood router to have the ability to maintain that speed constantly, no matter how hard you push it. Electronic speed control allows your wood router to compensate for heavy loads by automatically adding a sufficient level of extra power to help keep your wood router spinning at the same speed it absolutely was before the cut began.

Fifth, (and this is a safety consideration) try to purchase a wood router that has "soft" start-up. This would not be described as a needed feature in stationary woodworking tools but is an essential safety device in a hand-held wood router. Historically, routers have experienced only 1 speed (high) and once you turn them on, they spin up quickly. The gyroscopic force of that could flip a spinning wood router right out of your hands. A soft start-up power tool gradually increases its speed from zero to full, thus eliminating the majority of the gyroscopic effect.