Router – power ratings query

Hello all,

I’m new to routing so apologies if this is a dumb question.

I’ve done some research about routers online and can’t seem to find anything that explains how you tell if one is more powerful than another.

I know on the American sites they use Horspower, but how do we compare in the UK?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers, J

Wayne is from the UK, he should chime in shortly and will be the perfect person to answer your question, what brands are you looking at?

OK great – thanks!
I’m looking at Dewalt, Einhell and AEG

Can you check amps?

I did consider amps, but this value was not given for any of the models. Some gave the input wattage but this is simply the power they draw not the actual delivered power. 

How much are you looking to spend?

I don’t know yet, I just want to know how the power is rated and how to compare brands that way. With cordless drills it was the voltage of the battery which was fairly straight forward, but there seems nothing on routers that I can find…

I was on tool stop uk, and it hit me, the higher the rpm, the more power the router will have, also look at the power input and output, Here is a popular DeWalt, this is 240v http://www.toolstop.co.uk/dewalt-d26200-1-4in-fixed-base-compact-router-240v-p14565

Ah! The input and output wattage – that sounds right!
I took a look at that link, i’m guessing the greater the power output compared to input would indicate a more efficient tool.
I wonder why other models don’t put this information on their product specs??!

Thanks for your help!
J

Jim36 wrote:

Ah! The input and output wattage – that sounds right!

I took a look at that link, i’m guessing the greater the power output compared to input would indicate a more efficient tool.

I wonder why other models don’t put this information on their product specs??!

Thanks for your help!

J

No Problem! We hope to see you around again sometime!

Without knowing the amps or HP rating, RPM should give some indication. If you’re going to fool mostly with pine or other soft woods you can get by with about anything. If you plan on working with Oak, Hickory, Maple, etc. get a beefier model.