corded palm router

[lardy1]

My budget allows the Bosch 1.25 HP, the Makita and the Dewalt. Am I overlooking others? I thought I was going to go with Makita even though I have a lot of Bosch but the reviews aren't so great. Neither are the Bosch, for that matter.

Not interested in debating corded vs. cordless.

Appreciate input from actual users. TYVM.

 

[mike93lx]

I have the Dewalt and like it alot. The depth adjustment collar is pretty great.

I'd buy it again

 

[cgrutt]

Recently bought the Bosch it works fine for what it is but wasn't using it for anything heavy. I have an older Bosch laminate trimmer that I would have used instead but needed it at a job site. I think any of those will work fine.

 

[lardy1]

I have the Dewalt and like it alot. The depth adjustment collar is pretty great.

I'd buy it again

That's interesting because some reviews are critical of both Bosch and Makita's micro-adjustment. I am leery of online reviews because we don't know the persons skills, knowledge, budget, etc. and people tend to defend their decisions for reviews. I appreciate the input.

 

[strutaeng]

I bought the Ridgid and don't recommend it. The depth adjustment mechanism slips due to vibrations. You have to tighten the clamping bolt more and then that causes the device to not release the motor if you need to, so you need to untighten the bolt every time the motor slides out. It's simply annoying.

And the cable will start to fray at the rubber boot, just like pretty much all the other Ridgid power tools I've bought. I've got the mastic electrical tape wrapped on mine, with regular 3M tape over it. I've since stopped buying Ridgid handheld power tools because of this.

Stick with DeWalt or Bosch would be my recommendation.

 

[mike93lx]

That's interesting because some reviews are critical of both Bosch and Makita's micro-adjustment. I am leery of online reviews because we don't know the persons skills, knowledge, budget, etc. and people tend to defend their decisions for reviews. I appreciate the input.

Typical router micro adjusts ****. The dewalt is unique, as far as I know.

I've used mine with up to 3/4 roundovers. Seems to have plenty of power for me. I'd pull out a full size router if I needed to do really heavy flush cutting, like in hardwood.

 

[lardy1]

This will be used for small bits and laminate trimming. I already have a Bosch dedicated to me router table and my old PC from the late 80's that is an extension of me after all these years.

I have an old Betterly laminate trim router that I use now but the switch is starting to fail and there are no handles on it. It's basically an antique but works excellent. I just want something easier to adjust and change bits. Soft start wasn't even a dream when that Betterly was built.

 

[acer66]

Not an actual user I just have read through many reviews.

What makes the Bosch Colt unique is the tilt base.

If that is any use to you is a different story.

 

[neophyte]

Most off the shelf router accessories from the actual router manufacturer are wanting to a more or less extent.
Even Festool can be annoying lacking sometimes.
You best bet is to figure out which router motor has the more preferable combination of power and ergonomics, and then make check whether you can get aftermarket collets in smaller sizes like 1/8” and larger sizes like 8mm, since these might be useful or needed in some instances, if not most.
This is a company that makes aftermarket collets inna wide variety of sizes.

Router Collets - Elaire Corp

Adapters will reduce all router collets.

elairecorp.com

The other thing is to check that Microfence makes a base that will fit the motor if you might need high precision in the future.

Plunge Bases – Micro Fence

Plunge Base category.

microfence.com

As far as the trimmers you mentioned go.
Dewalt gas various models, some with plastic motor housings (I would avoid these), and others with machined metal housing that screw into the base like an old Porter Cable 690 adjustment (this system annoys me, but dome people liked it), and then the models based on old Elu designs (I think) were the base attaches to a collar on the end of the motor. ( sometimes there are inaccuracies in this system due to poor machining).
The Bosch Colt has a good reputation, but still has a lot of plastic.
The metal based Makita trimmer routers have a fully machined round motor housing, (the RT0701C). Aftermarket Collets are available in a wide range of sizes from Elaire.
Microfence makes a plunge base that would fit.
There’s cordless motor option as well, if for some reason you need both a cordless or corded option in the future.
I don’t know how the power on the Makita compares to the Bosch and Dewalt routers,
Bosch and Dewalt both tend to make very powerful small motors.

 

[Trapps]

I've been very happy with a Bosch Colt GKF125CEN used as a trim machine. Soft start, powerful and good ergonomics.

 

[bcradio]

I bought the Ridgid and don't recommend it. The depth adjustment mechanism slips due to vibrations. You have to tighten the clamping bolt more and then that causes the device to not release the motor if you need to, so you need to untighten the bolt every time the motor slides out. It's simply annoying.

And the cable will start to fray at the rubber boot, just like pretty much all the other Ridgid power tools I've bought. I've got the mastic electrical tape wrapped on mine, with regular 3M tape over it. I've since stopped buying Ridgid handheld power tools because of this.

Stick with DeWalt or Bosch would be my recommendation.

I also have the Rigid and do not recommend it for the same reasons. I might go for the Hercules today if I was looking for myself.

 

[subroc]

I have a dewalt corded and cordless trim router. I use them both. I like them both and would recommend either to a family member. If I was to buy any other corded brand it would likely be a 1.25hp bosch colt. I, personally, would avoid the 1hp. Good luck with your selection.

 

[speed bump]

I've got the DeWalt and I would buy it again. If I found one for the right price I would buy it just to leave a 1/8" round over bit in it all the time.

Only thing I don't like is they don't include the dust collection shrouds. I've been meaning to order them but it typically only occurs to me when I have to do an indoor project so I break out the big router and after the project forget again.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I have the Dewalt with fixed and plunge base. The soft start feature keeps it from twisting in your hand when it starts up. I have treated it roughly and it works flawlessly. The variable speed comes in handy too.

 

[jar944]

Get the dewalt

 

[dogdog]

if you are looking for a palm trim router for smaller jobs, I think the Lowes Kobalt one is on sale right now.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt/5014100299

 

[lardy1]

Thanks for all the input. I'm a Bosch kind of guy but I've ordered the Dewalt.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Only have used full size router Porter Cable 890. May look into a palm router based on this thread.

 

[alinc100]

If you are used to routers like the Porter Cable 310 , which was the go to for many,many years you will find the new trim routers top heavy. It takes a bit of getting used to but the Dewalts and the Makitas come out nicely. I never had much luck with the Bosch Colt routers.

 

[tak1313]

I have a Dewalt and Ridgid corded. The Dewalt is far better - everything from the clamping/adjustment mechanism, to power, to stability. The Ridgid seems/feels less stable even if it's not ACTUALLY less stable and feels more awkward in use for whatever reason (probably because it's so narrow for its height).

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks for all the input. I'm a Bosch kind of guy but I've ordered the Dewalt.

Good call

 

[Southernbuild]

Had the Bosch Colt for 10+ years, I've always enjoyed using it, and almost bought a second one I saw on sale a couple weeks ago.

Just realized that the OP went with DeWalt. I've got a few of the DeWalt 20v trim routers, and if their corded version is similar you'll enjoy it

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have a Bosch palm router, works fine. I have three corded routers. As a DIYer I don't think a battery router would be a good choice, I would think it goes through batteries fast.

 

[Southernbuild]

I have a Bosch palm router, works fine. I have three corded routers. As a DIYer I don't think a battery router would be a good choice, I would think it goes through batteries fast.

I typically use trim routers for edge details. In that application, battery life has been a non issue. But, it's one of the last tools I'd buy as a battery version as a DIYer.

 

[tarbellb]

10+ yrs ago I picked up the Ridgid version (plus sheet sander) for $99. Back then it had all the features most others didnt, soft start, LED, top mount switch, accessories, etc... It was the best bang per buck you could get.

Its been a fine trim router, but I do agree with other comments that the locking mech is not great. It takes a quick push of the base and lock to finally seat it, not confidence inducing tho.

Seems all the others have come out with a newer feature rich version, with better build quality. I still get by with my Ridgid, but would be shopping the competition these days (for 2x the money still)

 

[lardy1]

As I posted above, I went with the DeWalt. But, for conversations sake, I will say that the Kobalt did get my focus for awhile. There's a lot of features on that for the price. If my budget had been tighter I would probably have went to a Lowe's and looked at it. It checks a lot of boxes in the listing.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a Bosch palm router, works fine. I have three corded routers. As a DIYer I don't think a battery router would be a good choice, I would think it goes through batteries fast.

I guess it depends on what DIY tasks you're doing. I bought the DeWalt 20V cordless a few months ago. I've only used it on one project, and light use with only 1/8 rounding, but I easily did hundreds of feet on two 4-5AH batteries swapping out the first one at two bars; I was very surprised with the long battery life. Not having the cord made it so pleasant and easy to use. I think that most of us have enough batteries with our main platform that it wouldn't be an issue unless you're doing really heavy use with only two batteries. In addition, the depth adjustment works phenomenally on the DeWalt as others have said.

 

[niget2002]

Kobalt makes one now too it's sold at Lowe's. I know someone that helped develop it. I won one in a raffle, but haven't had a chance to use it yet.

Variable speed. Works with ER collets.