Rating of the best manual wood routers for home use

The third most popular tool in a carpentry workshop after sawing and planing machines is the router. It simplifies cutting out places to connect parts, processes the edges of finished products, and partially replaces the slotter. On its basis, pantorouters, CNC machines, and large surface planers are assembled. Homemade milling tables, attachments, stands, combination with other machines make its possibilities limitless.

Types of milling cutters and their scope of application

If we talk about a hand router for wood, any experienced craftsman will tell you which one to choose. But it is also possible to study the available information on the Internet in order to understand the issue yourself. Products come in universal and specialized types. The type of equipment depends on the purpose and design.

• Submersible (aka vertical or rod)

Designed for basic manipulations with equipment, creating grooves, holes, roundings, etc. Can be used at home and for industrial purposes.

• Edging (aka edging or trimmer)

It is used for making grooves, making grooves, and cutting out small template recesses. Suitable for processing parts covered with laminate and veneer. Used in production.

Edge unit

• Rotary

Necessary for edge processing. Helps cut holes in wood, plastic, plasterboard, ceramic tiles.

• Lamellar

Used for making grooves. Incapable of any other processing.

• Additive

Refers to products with a narrow specialization, creates paired holes necessary for combining parts. Suitable for furniture production.

Important! When choosing a router, pay attention to the tasks at hand and their volume. For a home workshop, tools are needed occasionally, unlike in a production workshop.

What it is?

A milling cutter is an electric machine for milling parts , i.e. in which the rotational movement of the cutting tool and the simultaneous movement of the workpiece are combined. manual version provides for small dimensions, compact design and mobility, which makes it possible to carry out work manually anywhere.

More on the topic: Homemade machines and devices for the home workshop

Using a hand router you can do the following operations :

• profiling of workpieces, i.e. creation of a figured surface (plinth, cornice, glazing bead, etc.);
• edge processing (simple and figured);
• grinding (read: how to choose a grinder);
• production of grooves, tenons, splines and folds;
• sampling of quarters;
• cutting grooves (straight or spiral);
• carving and engraving;
• formation of figured seats;
• drilling holes, incl. complex shape;
• cutting works.

Vertical manual milling device

Equipment details are presented:

• collet clamp for securing the cutter;
• support platform;
• step depth limiter;
• grip handle;
• vertical stop;
• fine depth adjustment knob;
• speed regulator;
• housing with an electric motor;
• accidental activation key;
• knob for fine adjustment of the rip fence;
• parallel stop (PU);
• tightening lever;
• button to turn the equipment on and off;
• PU adjustment screws;
• guide rods.

Device design

What technical characteristics must be taken into account when choosing a router?

Which router is better to choose for home use? When purchasing, you need to pay attention to certain indicators. Experts advise that you initially study the power, spindle speed, stroke and additional capabilities of the device, and then choose the appropriate one.

Power

The equipment is divided into:

• light type - with a weight of 2 to 3 kg and a power of up to 750 W;
• medium - with a mass from 3 to 5 kg, intensity from 750 to 1500 W;
• heavy - up to 6 kg in weight, with a capacity of 1500 to 2300 W.

The duration of continuous operation and the permissible length and diameter of the cutter for installation depend on the indicator. When purchasing for regular use, buy equipment with an indicator of at least 1500 W.

Standard Features

Spindle speed

The quality of surface treatment depends on this technical characteristic; a small number of revolutions is used for plastic and procedures with high precision. There are three main types of device:

• slow - gives from 10 to 20 thousand revolutions per minute;
• average - 20-30 thousand units;
• fast - over 35 thousand.

Important! With a large cutter diameter, the angular speed of rotation should be less. Attempts to accelerate cause the wood to catch fire.

Cutting stroke

Important parameters include depth, which shows the functionality of the device. Household appliances deepen from 0.2 to 0.5 cm, professional ones - from 0.7 to 0.8 cm. The indicator depends on the working stroke.

Important! Some models have fine tuning of immersion depth indicators, in increments of 0.01 cm.

Additional functions

The list of secondary functionality is presented:

• constant electronics - helps maintain the number of revolutions at a constant level, required when the equipment is under increased load;
• soft start - allows for a gradual start with increasing speed, which is necessary to increase the life of the tool;
• overload protection - automatically turns on when the device heats up, can turn off the power or report a problem through an indicator.

The device can be equipped with protection against accidental startup. It looks like a button on the case; without pressing it, voltage is not supplied.

Key for blocking switching on

Which manufacturer should you prefer?

A milling cutter is chosen not only by technical characteristics. Two more factors: price and brand reputation. If there are no restrictions on the purchase amount, you should choose well-known brands with a long history. And that's why:

1. Such companies have been developing and improving their products for many decades. They have special design bureaus, testing laboratories, and a strong staff of design engineers. As a result, it is these brands that achieve the best performance in all areas: ergonomics (ease of use), efficiency and productivity.
2. Famous brands value their reputation. Only manufacturers for whom reputation does not matter can throw a batch of defective milling cutters onto the market under a new name and then disappear. There are many well-known brands, and they constantly compete fiercely with each other, which also stimulates improvement of product quality and, if possible, keeping prices to the minimum.

The two most famous brands in this area are the European (German) Bosch and the Asian (Japanese) Makita. It is quite possible that their production facilities are located in China today. But full control over quality is maintained; equipment, designs, and technologies belong to the brands.

Today, when purchasing such milling cutters, the main thing is to avoid counterfeit goods, which can also be produced in China under the brand label, but in other production facilities.

Design features that must be considered when choosing a router

How to choose the right hand router: when purchasing, pay attention to the design features.

Sole

An important part of the design is the support platform, the quality of which is a priority. Stamped or cast metal is used for the sole. In the latter case, it guarantees high-quality work. The first type is installed on household tools.

Important! You need to pay attention not only to the material of manufacture, but also to the opening size. A large-diameter cutter is not installed in a small hole.

Rod mechanism

The head of the device moves along vertical guides; performance and ease of use depend on the smoothness of movement. The immersion depth of the cutter is limited by a vertical stop equipped with a special screw.

Professional tools are equipped with an adjustment screw for fine adjustment. The quality and functionality of the device depends on the width of its range. Phased immersion is ensured by a multi-stage revolving stop - a platform with steps of different heights.

Turret stop

Equipment fastening unit

It is secured to the spindle with a collet chuck - a nut. Lightweight devices are designed for cutters with a shank from 6 to 8 mm, powerful ones - from 1 to 12 mm. A high-quality collet fixes it along the spindle axis, preventing vibration. The latter negatively affects the condition of the device and the processing of materials.

How to work?

Processing of workpieces using a manual milling cutter is carried out on a specially equipped table or holding it in your hands. It is better to mill small parts on a table where they can be securely fastened.

The most commonly used milling techniques :

1. Work with a standard parallel stop, which is always included with the machine. It provides the possibility of linear movement of the tool, which is important when processing ends, making grooves and grooves.
2. The use of a guide rail allows the device to move at an angle that can be changed.
3. When working with round workpieces and making rounded elements, milling is carried out using a compass.
4. Templates or copying rings allow you to process a workpiece according to a given pattern and duplicate parts.

Processing edges using a template

If you want to form a decorative edge of a complex configuration, it is difficult to guide the tool with your hands, arbitrarily. In this situation, you should use the principle of templates .

The easiest way is to use a ready-made sample , which is fixed on the table. If there is no sample, then a template of any shape can be made from hardboard or MDF with a thickness of 8-12 mm. In production, you can use a jigsaw.

Copying the template on the workpiece is carried out using a special cutter ( copy cutter ) equipped with a bearing. A rod stop is installed next to the cutter.

When milling, the bearing rolls the template and transfers this trajectory to the cutter. The result is an exact copy of the part . In complex and deep terrain, work is carried out in several passes.

Auxiliary devices used at work

Filigree precision during the procedure is achieved by auxiliary devices:

• parallel or side stop - used for milling along the edge of the workpiece, helps to guide the line evenly;
• guide rail - installed at any distance from the edge edge, used for processing along straight lines;
• copy sleeve - duplicates the contours of the template, creates an enlarged copy of the item;
• ruler-compass - necessary for creating radial lines, allows you to create rounded objects.

To keep the cut area clean, a pipe is used to connect to a vacuum cleaner.

Copy sleeve

Purpose

With its help, various types of carpentry and construction and finishing work are performed. This is a selection of complex and simple profiles of various configurations, a selection of fits for door and frame hinges, door locks and handles. As well as preparing complex and simple connections at the corners of frames, in the middle of furniture pieces. A separate direction is figured wood carving, cutting out arches and circles of different sizes.

The best budget router for the home workshop

The TOP wood routers include:

• Bort BOF-2100

Can be used for professional work, for materials susceptible to temperature deformation. Overheating of workpieces is prevented by low speeds - up to 8 thousand units per minute. When installing collets up to 12 mm, the engine develops sufficient speed, and a smooth start prevents loading and damage to materials, and increases the service life of the equipment.

The advantages of the device include effective removal of sawdust, low noise, low weight and immersion depth of 60 mm. The only drawback is the presence of play within the permitted errors.

• Hammer FRZ1200B

The device has comfortable rubberized handles, automatic rotation speed support, and easy-to-understand adjustment. Lightweight and reliable design allows deepening up to 55 mm. The disadvantages of the device include a one-sided stop, which causes difficulties with certain procedures.

• Kolner KER 1200V

A device with a maximum milling depth of 50 mm and the ability to use a turret mechanism. The device operates in the range of 15-30 thousand revolutions per minute, is characterized by a cast support, protection against accidental starting, and high-quality assembly.

Important! A disadvantage of the equipment is the need for breaks to prevent engine overheating.

Kolner KER 1200V

Types of cutters used

Each type of material being processed requires the use of an appropriate attachment. Externally, the cutter consists of two parts: the cutting edge (working part) and the shank. It is important to know that pliable soft woods are processed with attachments made from lightweight materials, while hard wood species require an appropriate hard cutter.

There is another classification of nozzles:

• profile - simple processing of wood products;
• cone-shaped - processing at an angle;
• rectangular - working with grooves;
• V-shaped to produce holes with a 45-degree slope;
• disk - you can create different grooves in width and depth;
• molding will help to round the edge;
• rebated for quarter milling;
• “swallow’s nest” – tenon joints;
• fillets to create details of the same name on the edges.

It is worth knowing: for a manual household router you should use bearingless attachments - this will help in processing tools in any convenient place.

The best professional hand router

The best routers for the home workshop include:

• Makita RP1801F

The device is used for turning recesses up to 70 mm in hard materials. The engine operates in optimal thermal conditions and is not subject to overload. At relatively low speeds, large-sized cutters are used, which makes it possible to process workpieces with low heat resistance.

High-quality assembly gives minimal backlash and no noticeable noise. The disadvantages of the equipment are the absence of a copy sleeve in the standard delivery package.

• BOSCH POF 1400ACE

The equipment helps to create recesses for hinges according to type, a complex type of thread with unique patterns. Fine Depth Control or adjustment system gives precise processing with an error level of 0.01 cm.

The electronic control circuit maintains the speed of the electric motor; the stability is not affected by voltage fluctuations in the power supply network.

BOSCH (POF 1400 ACE)

The copy sleeve is securely fastened using its own fastening system and does not require the use of additional tools. On the right side of the case there is a key for immediate rotation locking. The disadvantages are represented by initial problems with changing the height position; the issue is resolved spontaneously after a few weeks of operation.

• DeWALT D 26204 K

The vertical device does not generate noise, works accurately and quickly. Processing of workpieces is simplified due to uniform illumination of the working surface; speed adjustment is used for optimal rotation mode.

Vibrations are suppressed by correct balancing of the motor armature, and smooth activation increases the operating life of the tool. Long and technologically complex operations are easily performed due to the light weight of the device. Cleanliness and comfortable conditions are ensured by a productive sawdust removal system.

The only drawback of the equipment is the screw fastening for dust removal. The advantages include the large size of the cutter - up to 36 mm, a case designed for moving and storing the tool, and a three-year official warranty.

DeWALT D 26204 K

Choosing a tool with prospects for use as a milling machine

Manual models are sometimes used in stationary mode. Place the routers on the table in an inverted position, with the cutter facing up above the work table.

In stationary mode, the router remains switched on longer than in manual mode. Therefore, “motor resource” is important, the ability to work for a long time without rapid wear. The electric motor should not overheat. Large sample sizes contribute to overheating of a weak engine. Therefore, the router must be powerful enough to handle heavy loads without overheating.

The Makita 3612 C described above is suitable for these purposes . If there are no restrictions on the purchase price, you can use the professional model BOSCH GOF 1250 LCE Professional + L with an average power of 1250 W, costing more than 40 thousand rubles.

For small, rare jobs, it is better to use a budget milling cutter of medium power.

You cannot expect that a manual milling cutter with a brushed commutator motor will operate in a stationary mode in the same way as machines with asynchronous motors. But for a small sample, when manufacturing expensive products, this option is quite suitable.

Precisely selected power tools are the key to successful work. The modern market offers the widest selection of milling cutters. Knowing the criteria by which to choose, you can slowly select the right option.

Rating of the best manual wood routers in terms of price and quality in 2021

Users are wondering which table router is better, in terms of cost and quality characteristics. The following devices are included in the rating.

KRÜGER KR-1650

German equipment with a maximum processing depth of 55 mm, a power of 1650 V and the ability to quickly solve assigned tasks. The body of the device is made of durable plastic, and the gearbox is protected by a metal casing.

Important! Comfort of use is due to its compact dimensions, low weight and power cord length of 2 m.

The design of the equipment provides a special adapter designed for connecting a vacuum cleaner and subsequent removal of production waste. The rotation speed adjustment ranges from 15 to 20 thousand units, the indicators depend on the quality characteristics of the material used for processing.

The advantages of the equipment include strong fixation of the spindle, a sufficiently long power cable, a complete open-end wrench, commutator brushes and secondary cutters.

The device weighs 4.7 kg, and the package includes a user manual in Russian.

Hammer FRZ710 PREMIUM

The equipment works with collets up to 10 mm and weighs 1.75 kg. At maximum speed, slight overheating may occur, especially when processing durable workpieces. Built-in cooling prevents accidental damage to structural elements.

Hammer FRZ710 PREMIUM

The device is considered one of the best in terms of functionality and cost, has a smooth operation, good completeness and high-quality assembly. The disadvantage of the device is the lack of automatic speed control. As tasks are completed, their number begins to decrease.

ELITECH F 1800E

The equipment has a convenient tilt of the handles, easy height adjustment, and no jerking during startup. While performing tasks, the work area is effectively illuminated, and either side can be used to connect the vacuum cleaner. There are no backlashes due to the high build quality.

The equipment has a sufficient power reserve, there is a height adjustment with additional debugging for the exact position. The unit serves a long time, is reliable in operation, the standard equipment is supplemented with an 8 mm adapter. The disadvantage of the equipment is considered to be the incorrect operation of the start button in some cases and the stiff movement when moving along the guides.

To process the interior doors of a wooden house and create decorative products, you can use budget devices. Electric CNC milling machine is suitable for industrial purposes, daily use and production of large quantities of products. A preliminary acquaintance with the characteristics and capabilities of the equipment will help you choose the best option.

Ergonomics

Each manufacturer tries to arrange all the components as compactly as possible, and in such a way that it is as convenient to use the tool as possible. This works out differently for everyone. For example, Makita. Milling cutters from this manufacturer are pleasant to hold in your hands.

• centering (weight distribution) is maintained, the tool does not tip to the side, it does not need to be held with force;
• light weight;
• compact dimensions;
• depth adjustment is convenient.

As a result, working with such a tool is pleasant.

Other leading brands also have good user friendliness.

Cheap, low-quality routers can be clunky, bulky, and difficult to use.

It is better to hold the router before purchasing in a real store. By the way it fits in your hands, you can immediately assess the quality based on ergonomics. When purchasing online, you can only evaluate ergonomics by reviews.

Replacement of carbon brushes for different brands is organized differently:

• without disassembling the case, through the plug screws on the case;
• with disassembly of the housing.

The first option is much more convenient. But carbon brushes are rarely replaced. It happens that they last the entire service life of the router itself. Therefore, the replacement method is not very important.

The location of the power cord outlet and its length are important. A short cord will require an extension cord. If the lead is poorly positioned, the wire will interfere with work and there is even a risk of getting into the cutter.