Need a compact Router

 

Hi everyone,

I was hoping I could get your help. I am looking for a good compact router. The 4 that caught my eye are as follows, DeWalt DWP611, Bosch PR20EVSK, Makita RT0701C, and the Ridgid R24012. I don’t know much about routers and have only used one occasionally. The one I used was large and my dad’s; I can use it when I need a larger one, so I would rather get a compact one for myself. I like making my own stuff, and a router is a tool I am looking to get soon to help finish up some projects I have. I won’t be using it all the time but I want one that will last and be versatile. The things I noticed are the DeWalt and Ridgid have a nice clear base with LEDs for visibility. The DeWalt has a plunge depth of 1.5”, the Bosch is around 1”, the Makita is 1.375”, and I couldn’t find the Ridgid maximum plunge depth. The DeWalt has a speed of 16,000-27,000 rpm, the Bosch is 16,000-35,000 rpm, the Makita is 10,000-30,000 rpm, and the Ridgid is 20,000-30,000 rpm.

 

Since I don’t know much about routers, and you don’t know what you don’t know, I am looking for help from the TIA community. What is everyone’s opinion and more importantly why? What else should I compare before buying? Thank you.

The DeWalt and Bosch both have very good reviews, TIA has reviews on both of them back somewhere. THe bosch is the fastest and will give a lets say “faster cut”, but dewalt gives more plunge, whats your price range?

Hi Brian,  I have the Dewalt DWP611 and I love it!  I have used it for everything.  It has great power.  Nothing stops it.  The only negative I have is it doesn’t fit router tables.  I made my own and it’s ok but not as good as a professional table.  All in all I love the Dewalt Dwp611.  

Thank you both for your quick responses. I thought one or both of you would be the first to respond. I would like to stay below 150$ and trying to stick with HD unless I can save a lot somewhere else, gift cards and store credit card. I didn’t like reading that it doesn’t fit router tables. Although I planned to make my own, sometimes it’s hard to make something as good as you can buy for the same price and convenience. I also wanted to try and router out an 80% lower receiver which requires a depth of 1.250”, however, that isn’t a must. How does the speed play in, sorry for my ignorance, is it something that means saving a lot of time or does it help with the finished look? Thank you both for your help.

I do not know to much about routers, but the way i think about it, a faster blade or bit will give a smooth cut, vs. a slower blade giving a more rough cut. Now im not sure if the Bosch fits in a router table, but if i were you, i would probobly go with the dewalt, has a great reputation, fast, and largest plunge cut, but does not fit in a router table, could you get by without that feature?

Thanks Chase. I am definately leaning torwards the DeWalt. I can get by without the table. I can make a table if I end up needing one. I just wanst sure if the DeWalt was worth the extra compared to the others ($50 more at HD).

Brian M. II wrote:

Thanks Chase. I am definately leaning torwards the DeWalt. I can get by without the table. I can make a table if I end up needing one. I just wanst sure if the DeWalt was worth the extra compared to the others ($50 more at HD).

From what i have heard and seen,my opinion is that its is a good, solid router, that gets the job done well. I would suggest in a good set of router bits, as cheap ones will dull very fast.

Yeah I planned to get some good bits. That is one reason I set my limit to 150$ ish. I know bits make a huge difference. Thats one reason I started this instead of just going with the DeWalt router. I didn’t know if somone would talk me out of the DeWalt which in turn would put 50$ more towards bits. Thank you for helping me so quickly. 

Don’t forget about Porter Cable either they have this model too. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Cable-1-1-4-HP-Compact-Router-with-Plunge-Base-and-Bag-450PK/203054726#specifications

DR99  I saw that one. I was going to include it but I saw it didn’t have a variable speed. I assumed that was something to look for. If I am wrong please correct me. I don’t know enough about routers to make a well informer choice. All information is welcome. Thank you.

Wow, would assume it would have had variable speed I didn’t really bother too check

DR99 wrote:

Wow, would assume it would have had variable speed I didn’t really bother too check

I though it was a give in that routers have varible speed…..

Looking at them side-by-side, the DWP611 and Porter Cable 450 look identical except for the variable speed control on the DeWALT version (and yellow vs red trim color… 😀 ). Seems like you might as well get the DeWALT as it’s only a few dollars more. I almost bought that PC router but I think I’ll go for the DWP611 now too. I do plan on eventually getting a separate, larger router to mount in a table though rather than trying to use a compact for that job.

If i were to be in the market for a higher hp router, i would go with the Milwaukee Body grip router hands down. A true back to basics, tough, get the job done router.

Thanks for all the input. I think I am going with the dewalt and then maybe get a Milwaukee down the road to use with a table.

Hi Brian, I have a Milwaukee 1-3/4 HP Router mounted to my table and a 1-1/2 HP PC that is use out of the table. Both are really good performers. I had a Ridgid compact and sold it. The Ridgid was a great quality tool but to be quite honest, underpowered for big projects like table tops etc (which it is clearly not designed for). Maybe getting a bigger one may save you money in the long run and the price is negligible when you really look at it plus the ability to use half inch bits is always a plus!

Thank you Chris. I will look into them. I plan to look at some more in person tomorrow. Is the Milwaukee one to big to use as a trim router?

Brian M. II wrote:

Thank you Chris. I will look into them. I plan to look at some more in person tomorrow. Is the Milwaukee one to big to use as a trim router?

If you were to get the 1 3/4 hp, i would say no its not to big but thats my opinion, it has the body grip which really makes the router feel like its part of your hand. doing this will save you money in the long run, and you can get into some thick stuff with that Milwaukee, also has the plunge and speed you need, also has the router table option.  

The Milwaukee router has two bases, a body grip case which is small (larger than a trim but pretty compact) and a plunge base. I use it for pretty much everything. I just bought the 1-3/4 PC and truthfully haven’t used it yet but it is a great size for such a powerful tool. Both have soft start motors so they don’t jump around on you. I guess all I’m saying Brian, is spending $99 on a compact router (Ridgid) when you can get a PC for maybe $129 really isn’t too much when you can use that,larger router to do trim and add those 1/2″ bits to do cabinetry is a good buy. But…if all you are going to do is trim work the I would flatly recommend the Ridgid. It’s an awesome tool and you can get them on CPORIDGID for a great price in reconditioned shape which in my experience is the same as brand new. The warranty is normally a year but you cannot tell the difference.

Thanks for all the input, it has been a great help. I noticed that both PC and Milwaukee don’t have a variable speed 1 3/4 HP router. Should I just get one of them, a small compact one that is variable speed, or go to 2 1/4 HP which does have variable speed. Sorry for my ignorance. I just don’t know if the variable speed is super important. If it helped give a better cut I assumed all routers would have a variable speed. Thank you.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/corded/5616-20 This is the only Milwaukee router with variable speed.

Brian M. II wrote:

Thanks for all the input, it has been a great help. I noticed that both PC and Milwaukee don’t have a variable speed 1 3/4 HP router. Should I just get one of them, a small compact one that is variable speed, or go to 2 1/4 HP which does have variable speed. Sorry for my ignorance. I just don’t know if the variable speed is super important. If it helped give a better cut I assumed all routers would have a variable speed. Thank you.

Will you just be doing trim, nothing else? Or could you use a higher hp router for bigger things?

I don’t know everything I will use the router for, but I don’t want a router so big I can’t do trim work.

Right now I am leaning towards the 2 1/4 hp router from Milwaukee. My question is, can I buy the plunge base after so I can save a little now? I didn’t see just the base for sale on HD or on the Milwaukee site. I saw some plunge bases on other sites for sale but didn’t say what size router they fit. Thank you.

Brian, the kit I bought for my Milwaukee included both bases. The tools is American made and is a really solid powerful tool. It will cover pretty much everything I need. My PC is pretty compact and will do all the things I want too. I guess you really just need to weigh in on what you are going to use the tool for or potentially COULD use it for. A small laminate trimmer will do light routing but….

I would like to get into doing more stuff as I plan to build my own house. I was thinking of finishing a table I started, redoing our cupboards, putting in drawers, making a gun rack, and maybe some other projects down the road. Thanks for your help. I saw the router with the kit for 250$ or without the plunge base for 180$. I wasn’t sure if I could by the plunge base later or if it was worth buying it as a kit now. Thank you.

Yeah i know your budget was 150, but getting the 2 1/4 Milwaukee would be your best bet, and would cover any routing job you need.

Yeah I wanted to stay below 150 but it seems to be worth the extra just to get this one to start with. This is one reason I like being a  part of TIA. I now can ask the questions and get feedback on what I am looking for from others, instead of making a poor decision. I definitely think  I am sold on the 2 1/4 I just am not sure if I need the plunge kit yet, or if I can buy the plunge base a month or so down the road. After I figure that out I will have a new tool to help finish up some projects. 

Brian M. II wrote:

Yeah I wanted to stay below 150 but it seems to be worth the extra just to get this one to start with. This is one reason I like being a  part of TIA. I now can ask the questions and get feedback on what I am looking for from others, instead of making a poor decision. I definitely think  I am sold on the 2 1/4 I just am not sure if I need the plunge kit yet, or if I can buy the plunge base a month or so down the road. After I figure that out I will have a new tool to help finish up some projects. 

I think it may be easier to get the kit now, it may be hard to find just the base later, becasue they only sell this router in home depot, and if you do find one, the price may be pretty high for just a base.

Thanks Chase. You have been a huge help. I thought that would be the consensus. I think that’s exactly what I will do. I plan to check my funds and just buy the kit even if I have to wait a couple weeks. I would rather spend the extra now for a good router to tackle all my jobs then find out I need a larger one later on. Thanks again to everyone who helped.

No problem. Keep us updated when you buy it.

From  Milwaukee’, service center web page you can save $70. if you buy the kit

 

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE 48-10-5600 PLUNGE BASE $154.00

regopit wrote:

 

From  Milwaukee’, service center web page you can save $70. if you buy the kit

 

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE 48-10-5600 PLUNGE BASE $154.00

 

Thanks, thats what i thought, the price would be jacked up!

Thank you. That is great information to have. I’m sold on buying the kit. Now I just have to save up for a little bit longer. Thank you.

Brian M. II wrote:

Thank you. That is great information to have. I’m sold on buying the kit. Now I just have to save up for a little bit longer. Thank you.

 

Looking forward to your impressions of the kit once you get it!

Bosch Colt!!! for a Compact router…its the only one. i have the dewalt 618 i love it but if your looking for something that is not too expensive, and still has a plunge base accessory. get the bosch colt.

Dewaltfan85 wrote:

Bosch Colt!!! for a Compact router…its the only one. i have the dewalt 618 i love it but if your looking for something that is not too expensive, and still has a plunge base accessory. get the bosch colt.

Welcome to the forum!

100% with conductor

I bought the Milwaukee 2 1/4 HP router kit Model # 5616-24. I have only used it for 1 project and it work great. The soft start is very easy and gives plenty of time for a good hold. The router is lighter than I expected and very easy to control with one hand. I plan to make a router table for it in the future. I didn’t have time to do that before this project so I through together a quick jig to hold my pieces and give me a larger area to set my base on to have a more consistent pattern. My wife held the jig and it went great. This is the most I have used a router and I would make this purchase again. I have used my dad’s older, larger router before and it this one is a lot easier to control. I had so much fun doing the project I have already found more projects when time and money permits. I want to thank everyone on this forum who helped me make a wise choice and go with something a bit larger. This router had tons of power and although I didn’t get to play with many functions I like having the variable speed in case I need it and I like how the depth is set. I can’t believe I haven’t bought one of these before. I also love the case. I like how the two sides fold down and how many slots there are for bits. I may do a full review after I have used it for a while on a larger array of projects.

Good for you Brian! I think your going to get many years out of that router and I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy with going with a slightly larger router!

Congratulations Brian! Like Chris mentioned, you will use it for years.

When in doubt, go bigger! Good choice Brian

Glad to here you bought it!! Keep us updated as i may buy one soon!