The Only Routers That Have Ever Existed
The first woodworking-specific power tool I ever bought was a router—the Bosch 1617 set with both a plunge and fixed base. I had a commission (my first!) that called for some large panels to be flattened and thicknessed—something I couldn’t do with my hand planes at the time (other than drills, I used hand tools for everything, including ripping 20+ 72” strips of maple with a handsaw). So I built a planer sled and flattened everything I could find—those panels, some slabs, whatever.
In the 10 years since, I’ve accumulated a modest collection of routers. Some are great and I use almost daily; others not so much. Here’s my opinions on each, not having experience with other models or styles outside of these, in the order that I bought them (and then ranked by my preference at the end):
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This being the first set I bought, I’ve probably used this the most—and in the most ways. It was the only router I had for close to 4 years, and it was versatile enough to be used in a homemade router table, as a plunge router for joinery, in the fixed base for edge treatments, in the previously mentioned router sled, and it’s done everything adequately. The system for using bushings (very important when it comes to template routing) is ok, but hasn’t ever felt smooth. Switching the motor out to the other base is always a bit of a struggle as well (maybe paste wax would help). The thing I’ve used this for most in recent years is in my spline jig—with a dovetail bit and a 5/8” bushing. For that, it’s been excellent. Otherwise, it’s not my first choice for doing general routing tasks.
2. Dewalt DWP611 Compact Router
Spoiler—this is my favorite router. I use this on almost every project; it’s what I grab to start 90% of my template work. If I need to do some inlays, it’s getting used. It’s corded, so that’s a bit of an annoyance, but the tradeoff with cordless tools is a lot of top weight. This as-is just feels right to me. It has an LED light that comes on in the base, which is nice to see what you’re doing a little better (the clear plastic base helps too).
Dewalt sells a similar model to this in a set—with both a plunge and fixed base; I’ve never tried that set, but have heard good things. It may even replace the utility of the Bosch set above. This doesn’t do plunging very well (it’s possible, just not in the 90 degree downward entry that a true plunge base would). For template work, edge work and any other fixed base tasks, this is the best I own. Buy one without hesitation if you’re looking to do that type of work, and don’t mind the cord.
3. Porter Cable 8902 Fixed base Router (discontinued)
Not much to say about this one. I bought it because I didn’t want to switch bits so much in my larger router. It works fine, the mechanism for raising and lowering the bit works much better than the Bosch. It’s also a bit top heavy (which is just a thing with larger routers, unless you make an unwieldy, large custom base plate). I think I just don’t like this style of router; it’s necessary for larger diameter bits that won’t fit in the Dewalt, but I just don’t ever reach for this as my first choice.
4. Makita XTR01Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Compact Router
I own Makita cordless drills, so when I had the bright idea that a cordless router would be handy, this was my default choice. And it’s OK! The batteries I use are 4.0 Ah, so they’re a bit heavy but I’ve adjusted. The base that comes with this is absolute junk (sorry Makita)—it’s tiny, exacerbating the top heavy problem when running it along an edge. I quickly switched the base out for a Veritas compact router base plate from Lee Valley (link), and it’s great. I have two of these, because one holds the same 1/8” round over bit in it at all times. That’s my go-to for a lot of unseen (and some seen) parts that need a generous edge break. For that, it excels—it’s always on stand-by, you never need to find a plug or extension cord. Zip zip, the edge is rounded. I got the second thinking I’d want to use more of a variety of bits for other jobs; in reality, all the small router jobs are taken by the Dewalt, but it’s nice to have a second on hand with an 1/8” height template bit for cleaning up the bottom of dados, for instance. Recommend as a luxury router, but if it were your only router you’d get annoyed with the weight and it dying in the middle of a cut if you don’t plan ahead with batteries.
5. Festool OF 1400 EQ plunge router
When I bought this router, I was expecting it to replace the Bosch in most uses, and it largely has. It’s a different style of handle, which if I go awhile without using always feels awkward. But the adjustments work very well; the bushing setup is smooth and feels solid; and the fence/guide system that was included with mine is nice to have. The dust collection—something almost non-existent on the other routers (without additional accessories, which I never use or don’t fit my Festool vac hose correctly)—actually works great for smaller bits. One recommendation—don’t use a 3/4” radius round over bit and then “unplunge.” I’m on plastic-dust-hood-thing #2 because of that spectacular series of events.
I recommend this for an all-around router, especially if you’re bought-in on the Festool vac and other accessories. Having one router that catches some of its own dust is a very nice feature.
6. PantoRouter
Full disclosure—PR provided me this machine several years ago in exchange for showing it in use when I use it. Purchases made using my affiliate code (“THIELE100” gives you $100 off the purchase of a PantoRouter machine) earn me a commission.
This is a luxury purchase type of machine, unless you’re doing some production work (which I do)—in which case it saves so much time, and sometimes feels like magic. It doesn’t completely replace the Festool domino for me, but it does do some of the same things better—namely I’ve stopped using slip tenons on smaller bases, and switched to true mortise and tenons with the PantoRouter.
It’s imperfect—there’s a learning curve to each type of joint; joints can fit inconsistently if you change small variables along the way; and there’s a lot of opportunity for user error. Much like the Domino, you can screw up a piece of a project pretty quickly if you’re not labeling parts correctly or paying attention. The other side of that, though, is when you do get the hang of it, and work out your setup, you can produce a lot of the same joint in a very short time. Processes that, using tradition tools (even tablesaw jigs), would take a full day might take an hour on the Pantorouter.
If you’re debating between a Festool Domino and a Pantorouter, it mostly depends on the type of work you’re doing. The Domino does one thing very well. The PR does a dozen or more things. I had the Domino XL first, and still use it for all of my bed joinery, and wouldn’t try to do any of that on the PR. But for table base joinery, box joints, machine dovetails (haven’t tried but it’s possible), and a list of other expandable options, it’s great.
7. Porter Cable 3HP router motor (in an Incra router lift, in a router table)
This works great, except for the weirdness due to being sort of broken (my fault?). It’s a powerful motor for anything I’d need to do on the router table. This specific unit (unsure the exact model/too lazy to go look, but bought new from Rockler around 2017) now has a broken speed switch, so it’s tougher to change speeds (not impossible, just tougher/ornery). Also it has a slow start—something it didn’t used to have. Slow start—as in, I flip the switch on, and it hums itself a tune for 2 seconds, then starts to spin. Concerning? Sort of, sure. It’s done that for 4 of the 6 years I’ve had it, and it’s still humming along. I recommend this type of lift though, a really nice lift makes the router table very functional. There might be better ones than this now—I’ve seen the Woodpecker version, which I believe has a rapid raise feature that could be nice. I’ve never used it, though.
I recommend the general idea of a larger motor in a router lift for your router table, whether it’s this one or another less-musical model.
8. Shaper Origin
The Shaper is a complete novelty to me at this point. I love using it, it feels like playing a woodworking video game. It hasn’t worked its way into a production shop use for me yet, though. It’s a handheld CNC router—basically the user guides the machine based on a screen’s directions, and the router itself micro adjusts to stay on course. The fact that it works well (most of the time) is amazing. It isn’t as nice as a full size CNC (which does the moving for you), and it’s not as user guided as a typical router (which only cuts where you move it to). It fills an in-between area where you can get extremely precise results. You can do joinery with it (I’ve never tried), inlays (my main use so far), templates (works great), etc.
It solves a problem for me on the rare occasion that I need something non-square, exactly a certain dimension. You can design on the screen itself (makes basic shapes), or import files from a CAD program. I love to use it, but you’re only buying this if you have a specific use in mind, or you can afford to spend the money on a fun tool and figure it out from there. I’m glad it exists, and hoping to learn how to use it more effectively.
My “definitive” router ranking (excluding the PantoRouter, as it’s its own thing):
Festool OF 1400 plunge router
Porter Cable 3hp router table set up
Porter Cable 8902 Fixed base