Cordless Router Options

[IRQVET]

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a router for some time now, never owned one before. But I was doing research but then I had that lingering thought I think a lot of cordless power tool owners face: 1.) Will it be powerful enough? 2.) Shouldn't I stay on the same battery platform? 3.) Which model as there always seems to a specific model number that performs better than others.

I'm currently on the Dewalt 20v platform, been pretty happy with my decision to stay on one battery platform. I'd like to stay the course if possible.

Thoughts/ experiences?

 

[mike93lx]

The Dewalt routers are quite good, and i'm pretty sure there is only one cordless option.

I have the corded and wish I had a cordless every time I used it

 

[Firebrick43]

Dewalt has had a trim/palm router out for some time that has very good reviews. A friend has one and I was impressed, if I was stupid enough to switch battery systems I would own one.

They just came out with a full size router that really needs their pouch cells to shine.

 

[CapriMikeC]

I have the DCW600BR. I've only used it on a few projects but it's a decent size and works well. Not having the cord to fuss with while concentrating on the work is nice.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have the dewalt and ryobi, both good, but i like the fine adjustment on the dewalt. Get the dewalt, you will not be disappointed.

 

[jar944]

While I have a cordless router, I prefer the corded for most tasks. If I only had one it would be corded.

 

[legenddc]

Routers seem to be one of the tools where you have to try to find a bad one. Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ridgid, Makita all seem to have good options. Really it’s a matter of do you want 1/4” or 1/2” bits and plunge/fixed base?

 

[Steve_P]

I have a 20V DeWalt cordless router that I bought a little over a year ago. I'm definitely no cabinet maker, but it's a really nice unit. It has plenty of power for doing basic tasks like rounding corners, and the battery life is surprisingly good. As said, it's really nice to not be dragging the cord which allows you to focus on the work.

 

[goodWood]

I have 3 corded routers used for many years, but recently got a DeWalt DCW600 20v. It's a joy to use. Really like the brake. It's the first one I reach for. But all depends on the use-- not appropriate with bigger 1/2" shank bits.

 

[JMLangford]

I own both the corded and cordless DeWalt routers and they are fantastic!
Since you're already on DeWalt's 20V platform you can't go wrong.
I used both routers recently making some freehand signs....both preformed great but it was so much easier with the battery powered router cause you didn't have to deal with the cord catching on things.


I made custom bases for uses in sign making......

First time making a freehand routed sign

Way back about two years or so ago, I watched a few videos from YouTuber Eric Rhoten https://www.youtube.com/@oldave100/videos about making wood signs using a router freehand. I learned a few techniques and I modified my DeWalt router and also made an acrylic router base (with handles) like he...

www.garagejournal.com

ANOTHER Freehand Routed Sign

Well guys, I'm at it again :lol: making another freehand routed sign.....this time it's a surprise Christmas present for a friend of ours and his family. Mike is his name and his shop has been converted into a pickin'-n-grinnin' hangout...

www.garagejournal.com

.

 

[acer66]

I had 2 old school midsize corded Porter Cable routers and a bigger Triton sitting in a router table before getting the Bosch 12V and then the DeWalt DCW600.

Despite its unusual design the small Bosch became my goto for small and delicate tasks and normally a 1/4” round bit lives in it.

Most of my other routing tasks are taking care of by the Dewalt which for what I do is big and small enough.

I am not a production shop and most of my routing needs are modest so even smaller battery router work for me.

Having said that if I have a lot of routing to do the corded routers get dusted off and put to work.

If you plan to have only one I am with jar944 and would get a corded midsize model which will last you a lifetime.

 

[f121]

The Bosch 12v router is the best designed, much better to hold than the Makita/Dewalt. I just can’t bring myself to invest in a different battery platform for a single tool.

 

[mike93lx]

The Bosch 12v router is the best designed, much better to hold than the Makita/Dewalt. I just can’t bring myself to invest in a different battery platform for a single tool.

Do you have any other 12v tools?

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[acer66]

The Bosch 12v router is the best designed, much better to hold than the Makita/Dewalt. I just can’t bring myself to invest in a different battery platform for a single tool.

Do it, staying with one battery platform is overrated imho and the Bosch 12v flexi click drills are great as is the jig saw.

 

[jar944]

The Bosch 12v router is the best designed, much better to hold than the Makita/Dewalt. I just can’t bring myself to invest in a different battery platform for a single tool.

Having never used the bosch 12v, that handhold on top looks awkward to me. I actually like the dewalt 611 over the rest of the (corded) compact routers for the depth adjustment and lesser extent the light.

I will say the Bosch colt has a better (tighter/less slop) plunge base if you are doing something like shelf pin holes where wobble/movement during the plunge causes problems.

 

[f121]

Do you have any other 12v tools?

Pardon Our Interruption...

Yeah, lots of Milwaukee m12.

 

[f121]

Having never used the bosch 12v, that handhold on top looks awkward to me. I actually like the dewalt 611 over the rest of the (corded) compact routers for the depth adjustment and lesser extent the light.

I will say the Bosch colt has a better (tighter/less slop) plunge base if you are doing something like shelf pin holes where wobble/movement during the plunge causes problems.

Currently I’ve got the Makita version of the dewalt picture above, the Bosch is much nicer to use because you have a pair of grips, not just a cylinder to hold onto. With the Bosch it has a grip to hold flat against the surface and a grip to steer. The dewalt/makita are just a cylinder unless you add a plunge base.

 

[acer66]

The Bosch 12v router looks different indeed but when I started using it I just fit like glove.

 

[Firebrick43]

Battery life and power out of a 12v router is going to be pretty low. It would be a great accessory to do chamfer/roundovers but cutting even small dados or rabets I imagine it will fall flat on its face compared to an 18v tool like the dewalt or milwaukee palm routers. Even 18v battery life isn't that great with 2, 3, or 4 times as many cells

 

[PhantomEB]

I kinda leaning to Milwaukee but the price of Ridgid sure makes that a hard choice, I have copious batteries for both, just started the transition over to Milwaukee….

 

[IRQVET]

Currently I’ve got the Makita version of the dewalt picture above, the Bosch is much nicer to use because you have a pair of grips, not just a cylinder to hold onto. With the Bosch it has a grip to hold flat against the surface and a grip to steer. The dewalt/makita are just a cylinder unless you add a plunge base.

You know that thought/ worry crossed my mind. Seems like the handles would be easier to use for detailed stuff?

 

[RegeSullivan]

I have the Makita with both bases. Hardly ever use the plunge base but I have made a couple of larger bases out of scrap 1/4 and 3/8 acrylic/plexiglass. This has become my go to router for handheld routing. I still use my router table alot but I can't remember the last time I used a corded for something.

I think Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, Ridgid or any of the name brand battery op tool brands probably do a great job.

 

[Firebrick43]

You know that thought/ worry crossed my mind. Seems like the handles would be easier to use for detailed stuff?

Handles can make a huge difference depending on what your doing. There are many aftermarket base plates of different style made for many of the more popular routers and they are not hard to make out of a piece of lexan if you want to do it on your own. The router on the right of @JMLangford s post above has one such plate with handles. I would take a plate like that any day of the week if space allows it.

I particularly like the bases with a single off set handle to stabilize but use the main body of the router to push it.

 

[JMLangford]

Handles makes a huge difference in control....widening the footprint helps mitigate the feeling of top heaviness and also helps you control the torque of the bit cutting thru the material.


I got the kit that included the plunge base when I bought the corded router, and it also provides a way to connect dust collection. (also has super big handles! )
The motors of both routers interchange bases so you can swap between different handle/features.




.

 

[jar944]

Home depot has the dewalt for $199 with the battery starter set, which is $20 cheaper than the bare router. I just ordered one because I needed a dewalt charger anyway.

 

[Steve_P]

^ that's a great deal. I'm shocked at how small the new 4AH batteries are - they're like the size of my 2-3 year old 2AH, which is what I thought that was.

 

[dnschmidt]

Owning 50 routers from every manufacturer that makes routers I can tell you that the NEW DEWALT SHOWN IN THE VIDEO ABOVE IS THE ANSWER. Plenty of power and much better than average dust collection on a par with Festool which has built it's entire reputation on having the best dust collection. BELIVE ME NOTHING MAKES SAWDUST LIKE A ROUTER, and it's not the shavings that you get from a planer, it's the fine dust that gets into your lungs. Dust collection matters.

 

[jar944]

Owning 50 routers from every manufacturer that makes routers I can tell you that the NEW DEWALT SHOWN IN THE VIDEO ABOVE IS THE ANSWER.

Maybe if it had a fixed base option.