Which Compact Router Should You Buy? – Toolsday Woodworking Tool Reviews
Which Compact Router Should You Buy? – Toolsday Woodworking Tool Reviews
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Toolsday Compact Router Review. They go by multiple names, trim router, compact router, laminate router, and today we put some of the most popular brands head to head to see which ones are worthy of purchase. I used and abused these routers and did a complete overview of some of the most important factors that should affect your buying decision. We spent a ton of time with each router and the results definitely surprised me. I make my high level recommendation at the end. As always, I have never and will never take money for paid reviews. These are tools I have purchased and tested extensively. Let me know what you’d like to see next. Thanks for watching! Please like, comment and subscribe. Cheers!
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*Want to learn more about Routers? Check out this playlist -* https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWpKyJXgeoFGOQtgnJ1r1ttKhVzYaomXT
Dewalt DWP611 – https://amzn.to/34bAxLF
Bosch GFK125CE – https://amzn.to/3bTvwvg
Milwakee 2723-20 (Cordless) – https://amzn.to/3yJKQon
Makita RT0701C – https://amzn.to/3fJquTb
Makita XTR01 (cordless) – https://amzn.to/3fdKEpw
Rigid R2401 – https://amzn.to/3yBvGBh
Porter Cable PCE6430 – https://amzn.to/3wsJjRq
Ryobi P601 (Cordless) – https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Fixed-Base-Trim-Router-Tool-Only-with-Tool-Free-Depth-Adjustment-P601/206955202
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Woodworking Routers Video Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGPFtzYTDys&list=PLWpKyJXgeoFGOQtgnJ1r1ttKhVzYaomXT
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Dewalt Planer Package: http://amzn.to/2thEf6O
Forrest 10” Combo Blade: http://amzn.to/2Fdaee3
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Starrett 6” Combination Square: http://amzn.to/2oP3dVw
Woodstock 3 in 1 Shoulder Plane: http://amzn.to/2FgAS1A
Stanley Low Angle Jack Plane: http://amzn.to/2oV4I4O
Dewaxed Shellac Flakes: http://amzn.to/2FeqqYh
Abalone Inlay :https://amzn.to/2rjMTxe
Abalone Inlay Alternate: https://goo.gl/DHonFy
5 Minute Epoxy: http://amzn.to/2FijsSa
Triton 3 ¼ hp Router (with built in lift and edge guide incl): https://amzn.to/2LBw3Go
Kreg Router Plate: https://amzn.to/2A7oVNC
Triton Bushing Set: https://amzn.to/2A7pSpa
Bosch 1 HP Colt Router Set With Fixed and Plunge Base: https://amzn.to/2mHP1wY
Bosch Edge Guide: https://amzn.to/2uRRKs2
Bosch Bushings Set: https://amzn.to/2JUNRYb
Centering Cone: https://amzn.to/2OjgOAf
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Great comparison. I agree. I am a Makita man but when it came to the router I looked at that adjustment and price and ran away. Ended up buying a very cheap makita rip off which did the same thing and I don’t adjust it much. I looked at the Bosch but I’d read a lot of reviews that said the fine adjustment wheel kept failing. I bought another small router for £90 that had good adjustment but really didn’t like its collets. If I was to get one now I’d probably just splash out on the Dewalt. 9 times out of 10 when I try to save money buying cheap I am disappointed. With ever increasing prices it gets harder to not just go for a cheap rip off but with these mini routers it really is false economy. Save up and get the Dewalt.
Thanks for this I have been looking at both the Makita and the Bosch trim router.
Oh, dang, bro! No Metabo HPT Trim Router (18V)! With a Lifetime Tool Warranty!
I was looking at the Rigid because it looks like it has a really solid edge guide included. This is important to me because I just picked up an inexpensive Harbor Freight compact router and it’s edge guide keeps giving me inconsistent results
I’m sold on the DeWalt brand and now I have decided the 20 volt cordless will be my new(1st) platform for tools going forward. Great video too!
Excellent review. I had been researching myself and came up with the same two routers. Bosch and Dewalt. Leaning toward Dewalt. Thanks again for sharing.
The Milwaukee is rubbish. I bought 2 when they came out and one crapped out and the other sits on the shelf. The collet lock pins are made of soft steel that sheers off and they are uncomfortable in the hand. I went with 2 makita 18v and they are more powerful and run very smooth. The makita plunge base is pretty nice. I’ll probably buy 2 more. Milwaukee stuff is just not durable
Good review/comparison. I have the corded Dewalt with the full kit (plunge base) and it is great for when I don’t want to wrestle with the large router or need its power. I picked up the Ryobi cordless dirt cheap as a basic throw-away "quick use" router to do edge cleanups. It nearly always lives with a 1/4" round-over bit on it. Both have their place and are useful.
Dude, about that Bosch: unplug it, when changing bits. Believe me, you’ll solve the LED problem, and a second one too. 🙂
Did you tighten the locking lever on the milwaukee?
I’ve had two Bosch Colts in my router arsenal for the past 12 years. I also keep one of them with a dedicated 1/8th round-over bit in it. The other other Colt is used for all other bits. Funny how pros in the industry think alike.
“And then the RYOBI we’re not even going to let it continue the tests” 😂😂 Got a good laugh outs that one
Thanks for the video!
awesome comparisons! i have the makita and really like it. Of course, I don’t have the others to compare it against. I’m hoping you have or will do one for the full size routes. Thanks! Subscribed.
Fabulous comparison… bought my DeWalt *before* I watched this, but always great to have it confirmed (bought the *battery* operated DeWalt, and it’s absolutely sick!). And, thanks for the Bits ‘n Bits discount… about to order a monster compression from them, and it certainly helps!
Great job!
One of the best head to head tool reviews I have ever seen! I was going to buy the Makita based on price point. After your review, I went with the Bosch. Was on sale on Amazon for $99 (12/1/21). Since I will only use occasionally, I did not need to step up to the DeWalt. I agree, the DeWalt is rock solid. Most of my tools are yellow. Thanks again!
Great video, though I should have done my homework and watched it last week.
My Makita came yesterday. For all the reasons you mentioned, and 1-star reviews which seem to accurately reflect near-future problems, I’m returning it Monday.
I was going to purchase the Bosch, but Makita’s specs and price made me have second thoughts; not the first time, either.
you need to tighten the screw on the quick release on the milwaukee to stop play. maybe read the instructions?
Worth noting, it looks like the Bosch and Dewault are both $149 at my local lowes.
Watched this the day you put it out. Watched it again 2 weeks ago when I got to seriously thinking about taking the plunge (pun intended). Watched it once more today to make sure the one I was gonna buy was the same model DeWalt you suggested. Once again, didn’t let me down (points finger at cam). Thanks JKM!
you change bit with cable pluged in ? i do that only if i forget to unplug it. 🙂
Excellent review from someone who obviously knows about tools. I’ve always been a Bosch Router guy but I’m going to check out the Dewalt. Thanks
I’ve got a bunch of Ryobi tools so a bunch of batteries but after seeing the trim router in person I’m glad I didn’t even bother getting that. I’m happy with my corded Makita.
Thank Thank I now know which router to get my bf! 😆
you can get a really nice plug base for the bosch colt
I have a cordless Dewalt and it’s absolutely great. I’ve tried tons of others and it’s my favorite solution for edge profiles.
Thanks for not wasting our time with ryobi. Since changing to the weird yellow/green color their “tools” are junk.
if your’re buying corded, then compare them all. If you’re buying cordless, unfortunately you should go with whatever battery platform you’ve bought into. Its not worth buying an additional set of batteries/chargers to get another brand router.
DeWalt is NOT the best, Makita is. Dewalt is LOUD and not as powerful as Makita. Sorry, you were way off here.
Great video it’s a pleasure watching and learning from a professional such as yourself. It saves us novices time and money when searching for the right tool and to make the right choices based on your info. Keep up the good work
Thank you and I learned a lot about routers. Do you have a video on Joiners, Thickness Planers and Miter Saws plus what is your opinion on Grizzly Joiners, Thickness Planers and Miter Saws?
Really good review … it’s nice to walk away from a video with confidence in the results. Cheers!
Allah huakbar
The flick of the eyes when Jon said "stiff" … I caught that Jon … I laughed. 🙂 … the finger point on "Deeper" … got that one too … LOL ( Great review – I’m DeWalt Cordless ecosystem all the way )
i own a LOT of Bosch tools but i have to tell you the Collet on it is crap, brand new router kept blowing collets, had to return it, was too dangerous, i can’t believe you didn’t have that problem, not cool, never buy another one
This was really helpful, thanks for this video
I was bemoaning the lack of an LED on my more powerful Bosch router recently when I was using it in the plunge base, which is what started pushing me towards keeping that in the router table and getting a second one for other things. I’ve really been going back and forth between the corded and cordless DeWalt ones. Have you had a chance to evaluate the cordless?
“I spent $1000 so I have an unbiased review”, does that also mean “I returned $800 of tested gear to big box stores”? 🤣
I got Milwaukee but will take a look of Dewalt.
Wanted to buy from the link, but the battery powered Dewalt is $160 on Amazon. Cheaper than the corded.
Went for that to work along side the sub par kobalt I have.
Thank you for the review. I just now starting looking for a compact router and was thinking Bosch, because I have a Bosch router and love it and looking at Dewalt cordless because I already have several Dewalt tools, and batteries, and love them. This was very helpful now I don’t have to look at others just figure out which one of the two I want.
I have the Ryobi and have never had an issue with the bit coming out. Not trying to say it’s better than anything on this list, I haven’t used them.
You should start every video with, "no I’m not Jimmy Kimmel." 😉
Great job. Glad to hear cause I allready brought the Dewalt!
*Support What We Do at The Katz-Moses Store* https://lddy.no/stih
*Want to learn more about Routers? Check out this playlist -* https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWpKyJXgeoFGOQtgnJ1r1ttKhVzYaomXT
*Dewalt DWP611* – https://amzn.to/34bAxLF
*Bosch GFK125CE* – https://amzn.to/3bTvwvg
*Milwakee 2723-20 (Cordless)* – https://amzn.to/3yJKQon
*Makita RT0701C* – https://amzn.to/3fJquTb
*Makita XTR01 (cordless)* – https://amzn.to/3fdKEpw
*Rigid R2401* – https://amzn.to/3yBvGBh
*Porter Cable PCE6430* – https://amzn.to/3wsJjRq
*Ryobi P601 (Cordless)* – https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Fixed-Base-Trim-Router-Tool-Only-with-Tool-Free-Depth-Adjustment-P601/206955202
I personally own the makita, and while the adjuster never bothered me, if you put pressure on the top of that router while in use it will absolutely move, found that the hard way doing round overs on the last step of a project. I broke things, lots of things.
Well after buying my ryobi router i now wished i didnt see this video
Nice, I have the Milwaukee and overall it is a beast of a router. I am wondering if your opinion has changed over time. Also just picked up the Plunge base for it.
Very helpful! Buying the Dewalt.
Jonathan,
You are so correct about the Dewalt depth adjustment ring. I have a Dewault router and it came with a fixed base and a plunge base. I affixed my fixed base to my router table and the height adjustment using the ring is quick and easy, allowing a quick ‘get it close’ and then a slow twist to get it exact. I do have a question though, does the power cord on the Dewalt trim router detach from the body like the DW648PKB, (the 2 1/4 HP model) does?