Rating of manual wood routers 2022 for the home workshop

To select a high-quality wood router, you need to pay attention to many factors, including an objective assessment of the owners of such devices who have already purchased the device for their personal use. The entire rating of hand-held wood routers for 2022 will be based on the opinions of real users, as well as experts who pointed out certain nuances.

Manual wood router

What is done with a milling machine

The machines are used to work out cutting lines on wood, plastic, metal, or cutting these materials.

To understand what tasks can be performed with a milling machine, you need to understand what milling means. This is a method of processing a certain material, which is carried out with a milling cutter (a cutting tool with cutting teeth). The cutter is mounted in a special machine, which at high speed directs the blade in the desired direction, cutting off layers of a certain material.

What can be built on the machine:

furniture;
various architectural models (houses, scenes);
toys;
souvenirs;
sculptures;
decorative boxes;
chess sets;
skirting boards;
cornices.

This is just a small part of what can be made on a milling machine. The complete list will depend on the skill and imagination of the manufacturer.

Bed structure

The main components of a lathe bed design can be seen from the sectional drawing of the lathe bed:

supporting surface;
longitudinal ribs;
transverse ribs connecting longitudinal ones;
prism-shaped guides;
flat guides designed for attaching headstocks and moving calipers.

The ribs are formed during the casting of the workpiece for the machine bed

The cross-section of prismatic guides can take various shapes, based on the directions of the forces arising during operation and their magnitude. Both guides must be strictly parallel in space and have a perfectly smooth and even supporting surface. Otherwise, there can be no question of the accuracy of processing parts on the machine.

To achieve this result, they are subjected to high-precision milling or processed on a planing machine. Next comes grinding and scraping. During this processing, geometric parameters are repeatedly monitored for compliance with technical specifications. The final check is carried out after assembling the machine and installing moving parts and components on it.

Who needs a home router?

Before going to the store, you need to determine the range of tasks to be completed. There is no point in purchasing a compact model if you need to process hardwood, but it is ideal for occasional household use.

A home router is necessary for people who often process various surfaces. When purchasing, you must take into account the availability of equipment that comes with the kit. It is advisable to purchase a universal set, which includes edge, base, profile and spiral elements.

Important! If a home craftsman will often use the device, then it is additionally necessary to purchase special copying sleeves and collets.

How to install on a table

The router table has a simple design. You can buy ready-made or make it yourself.

The picture shows a finished table costing about 7 thousand rubles.

Having time and material, each master can easily assemble the table himself. The most optimal material is plywood with a thickness of 8-10 mm or thicker.

It is important that each master chooses the dimensions of the future table based on his own conditions - the installation location, the size of the workpieces being processed. Long workpieces require a longer table. A low table is made for installation on a workbench. The optimal height of the cutter when working is approximately at the level of the master’s belt.

We invite you to watch an interesting four-minute video in which you can see the entire process of installing a manual router into a table.

Stationary use of a router significantly expands the craftsman’s capabilities. It is important that a completely finished unit is used - the router itself. If it fails, it can be replaced with exactly the same or another one, but then with the replacement of a work table with a hole for another router.

Types of hand routers

Hand-held devices come in 5 varieties. Each type has its own design features that affect the scope of application.

Manual type of equipment

The most common types of hand routers:

Submersible. This is a universal device, characterized by high reliability and quality workmanship. This type of equipment is used to perform all types of milling work.
Edging. Used for chamfering, as well as forming small recesses and depths. Used for decorative works. Such a tool is not used for domestic purposes.
Rotary is used in construction work. The tool is used to process edges and make holes in plastic, wood or drywall.
Lamellar is a specialized router designed for making grooves. This is not a universal tool, and therefore should not be purchased by beginners.
The filler is another specialized device with which you can carefully make paired holes, which will subsequently be connected to each other. This tool is also not used in everyday life, and in most cases is used to make various furniture.

The choice depends specifically on the specifics of the master’s work. If you need to use equipment at home, then first of all pay attention to a universal tool.

Important! Certain samples are quite universal, while others are professional tools that can only be used to perform a narrow range of work.

Now add a couple of simple doors

1. Measure the height and width of the lower compartment and cut out two doors I, making them 3 mm lower than the height of the opening and 5 mm less than half its width (Fig. 1).

2. On each door I, use a jigsaw to cut out a semicircular cutout for the finger and sand the edges smooth. Route 3mm fillets on the front and back of the cutouts and soften the remaining edges using 120-grit sandpaper.

3. Attach hinges I to the doors, leaving 51 mm at the top and bottom. Place the case on the side wall and place the door next to it, placing pads under it. (In our case, 22 mm thick.) Inserting a 1.5 mm thick spacer between the bottom edge of door I and the bottom shelf B, attach the hinges with screws to the body (photo D).

4. In the indicated place, attach the magnetic latch plate to the door with screws and attach the latch itself to it. Then close the door and, looking into the back of the cabinet, mark where the magnetic latch touches the bottom of top shelf B. Drill holes for the screws and attach the latch to the top shelf. Now place the case on the other side and follow the same steps to install the second door.

How to choose the right manual wood router for your home

To purchase a quality device for home use, you need to study 4 criteria.

Power

This is one of the main parameters that affects equipment performance. Depending on the power, milling cutters are divided into three types:

Easy. The power is up to 750 kW, and the weight of the milling cutter itself does not exceed 3 kg.
On medium-sized milling machines, the power increases to 1.5 kW, and its weight is approximately 5 kg.
Heavy devices have a power of 2.3 kW, and the weight can exceed 6 kg.

Medium routers are suitable for home use. Heavy tools are in most cases used in production, where it is necessary to perform specific and rather complex operations for a long time without interruption.

Important! You should not chase the most powerful pieces of equipment for your home, since the dimensions of the devices will be very large, and therefore it will become much more difficult to manage them.

Medium router - ideal choice for home

Spindle speed

The parameter directly affects the quality of the processed part, as well as the choice of material with which to work. Milling cutters have three speeds - standard slow and high:

The standard mode operates at 20-30 thousand rpm. These are the most popular samples that can handle most materials.
Slow devices typically have a speed of 10,000-15,000 rpm. Such devices are usually used for working with plastic.
High speed exceeds 35000 rpm. Routers are suitable for processing the hardest surfaces.

Important! When purchasing the cheapest devices, it is necessary to take into account that the rotation speed will not be adjustable, which will affect the quality of processing.

Working stroke

The working stroke refers to the depth of processing. The cheapest samples can dive to about 50 mm, and the most powerful and professional ones - up to 80 mm. The longer the working stroke, the deeper you can dive into the working surface, and the more difficult the operations can be performed.

Additional options

When purchasing, it is advisable to pay attention to additional options that will increase safety when working with equipment:

Overload protection. All electronic devices become hot during operation, which can create a dangerous situation, and protection will help prevent this. Most professional models are equipped with this function, since they are subject to prolonged load. Overload protection varies: on the most expensive models it is an automatic power off, on cheaper models it is a light indication.
Protection against unintentional activation is an additional button, without pressing which the router simply will not work.

These are the main additional options that will be useful for safe operation of the device. But there are also options to improve ease of use.

When should you buy with a battery?

Among the variety of manual electric routers, it is worth highlighting their battery-powered version. Due to the absence of a power cord, there is no need to keep the tool constantly plugged in and depend on the presence of current in it. This increases mobility and allows it to be used when connected to a household power supply network.

The use of cordless milling cutters will be relevant in the country, in a country house or in other places where it is not possible to power the tool from an outlet.

One of the most popular models presented on the domestic market is DeWalt DCW604N . It is used for figure milling, fitting materials and trimming wood products.

Just like the corded tools, it has a high spindle speed of 22,500 rpm, a milling depth of 55 mm and the ability to adjust the speed.

The disadvantages include the operating time, which is limited by the battery charge.

Criteria for convenient work

Modern electronic devices are equipped with additional functions that greatly simplify work. Next we will look at 4 major additions in this area.

Working stroke

This function allows you to go deeper into the material being processed. The longer the working stroke, the more complex operations can be performed with the router and the more beautiful the final result will be.

Working stroke

Smooth start

If the router is quite powerful, it is advisable to make sure that it has a soft start system, thanks to which the engine will pick up speed slowly, and therefore the risk of sudden jerks will be eliminated.

Rip fence

The stop should be placed to the side of the router. These are small metal rods that are attached with screws to the base of the equipment. The emphasis is necessary to increase comfort during work. This addition allows you to carefully guide the cutter along the workpiece, maintaining the required distance from the edge.

Connecting the vacuum cleaner

Many routers are equipped with a special mount where you can attach a small bag to collect dust. The function is designed to protect against dust getting into the eyes and respiratory tract.

Now add a couple of simple doors

1. Measure the height and width of the lower compartment and cut out two doors I, making them 3 mm lower than the height of the opening and 5 mm less than half its width (Fig. 1).

Which company is best to buy a manual wood router?

In stores that sell construction equipment, there are many milling cutters from various manufacturers. Experts recommend paying attention to the following companies, since they have been producing products for many years and have proven themselves in the market:

Purpose and design features

professional wood milling machine

The primary purpose of milling equipment is profile and flat processing of wood, composite materials (MDF, chipboard and others), artificial stone, and polymers. Various types of milling cutters are used as an executive tool:

disk;
corner;
end;
shaped;
cylindrical;
terminal

Thanks to the variety of operating tools, the machine turns into a universal device for wood processing. The device is a rigid structure firmly located on a base that eliminates vibration. The cutter is located on a vertical shaft, its height can be adjusted by raising and lowering the support. The workpiece is fixed on a horizontal plane, its position is limited by guides and stops. A movable ruler is provided for precise cutting.

The greatest possibilities are provided by a universal device, the spindle of which is placed horizontally. Thanks to this, you can work with workpieces of various sizes, in single or small batches.

Rating of the best milling cutters

If the buyer does not have time to study reviews of construction equipment for a long time, you can turn your attention to the rating of hand routers and choose from this list.

The best router for a beginner

For a beginner, the Bosch POF 1400 ACE medium-power router is suitable. The numbers in the name indicate watts. The equipment is equipped with a soft start, a speed maintenance system, as well as their adjustment. The total weight is just over 3 kg.

The best router for the home workshop

Ryobi RRT 1600-K can be used for domestic purposes (small work around the house). The equipment is ideal for the home workshop, but also appeals to specialists. The milling cutter is equipped with a speed controller and a soft start function. The weight of the device is almost 4 kg.

Ryobi RRT 1600-K

The device's passport states that it is intended to work with wood materials, but in practice it turned out that the power is sufficient for processing other harder materials.

The best router for industrial applications

For professional use, it is advisable to use the most powerful milling cutters that guarantee trouble-free operation for a long time. The Makita RP 2300 FC model fits these characteristics. The powerful motor copes with the processing of various materials. It has a smooth start, backlight, and maintains speed under load.

The best budget routers

If there is no need to process hard surfaces and work with equipment for long hours without a break, it is advisable to pay attention to the Hammer FRZ1200B and Hitachi M8V2 models. Despite the fact that the device is inexpensive, users are quite satisfied with its quality.

The best universal router

If you need to buy a universal wood router, experts recommend paying attention to the Makita RT0700CX2 model. The equipment set includes two collets, the body is made of durable aluminum, and there is a special pipe for removing dust during operation. Weight - almost 2 kg.

For reference! The Makita RT0700CX2 milling cutter operates at speeds from 10,000 to 30,000 per minute.

The best routers

The best vertical and professional wood router is the Festool OF 2200 EB-SET. The cutting depth is 80 mm. The equipment is equipped with speed control and a dust collector.

As for the rating of household routers with a vertical position, here you can pay attention to the Bosch POF 1200 AE model. The milling cutter is equipped with a speed stabilizer, a controller for constant rotation, regardless of the existing load.

The best edge router

To create edges, it is advisable to use the Elitech F 1800E top sample. The equipment is equipped with an inrush current limiter, therefore eliminating the risk of overload. There is speed adjustment and precise cut setting.

Elitech F 1800E

The best lamellar router

This category includes DeWalt D 26204 K. Ideal for forming grooves. The equipment has proven itself due to its high reliability, safety and performance. For ease of use, the handles are equipped with rubber gaskets.

The best filler mill

Interskol FMSh12/710 is suitable for working with any type of wood.

Summary table of reviewed instruments

For greater clarity, all models of milling cutters presented in the rating are summarized in a single table presented below.

Name	Power, W	Cutter rotation speed, rpm	Depth of milling cutters, mm	Main advantage
Bosch POF-1200AE	1200	28 000	55	Fine adjustment of milling depth
Hitman FER-800P	800	30 000	50	Replaceable bearing surfaces
Wert EVR-1450E	1400	30 000	50	High performance
Bosch POF-1400ACE	1400	28 000	55	Cutter position locking function
Makita RP2301FCX	2100	21 997	70	High machining precision due to high spindle speed
Caliber FE 1900-12M	1900	26 000	50	Possibility of connecting a vacuum cleaner
Fiolent MF2-620E	620	32 000	50	Low cost
Caliber FE 1000M	1000	30 000	30	Spindle speed adjustment function
Elitech F 1800E	1800	25 000	55	Smooth start of the electric motor
Kolner KER-1200V	1200	30 000	52	Copy insert included

Each of the presented tools has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they all cope well with the task.

Which router is better to buy for your home?

For home use, you can pay attention to the Ryobi R1600-K model (from the rating of the best routers in many lists). This is the most practical and functional model that can be used by both beginners and professionals.

The set includes five cutters at once, and therefore the set is considered universal. For ease of use, manufacturers have equipped the handles with special rubber gaskets. If necessary, you can connect a vacuum cleaner to the equipment. It is possible to adjust the cutting depth.

Any of the above-described wood routers from the rating is a high-quality and reliable example of a woodworking device. If you properly care for the equipment, it will last for many years and will be as safe as possible during operation throughout its entire service life. A decent device can be purchased for no more than 6,000 rubles.

Design

All manual electric milling machines, regardless of brand and model, are made according to the same classic design.

In the case:

electric motor;
an overdrive gearbox that transmits speed from the engine to the spindle;
switch, electronic devices.

Outside the case:

support platform (working platform);
collet on the spindle for attaching the cutter;
guide posts for adjusting the cutter in depth;
platform position clamp according to the depth of the cutter.

In addition, the platform has eyes for attaching a rip fence or compass with threaded clamps.

The designs of homemade tables may differ in size and rip fence attachments. No two tables are completely identical, even if they are made according to the same drawings. Each homemade product is unique; there will certainly be differences in material, fastenings, switch location, etc. But in principle, all tables are the same, since they must meet the same requirements:

hold the handheld router securely;
have a work table that is elongated in comparison with the router platform;
have a parallel fence for workpieces.

The main difference between these tables is their size. These can be small tables, which in turn are placed on a workbench, or large ones, about 1 m high, which can be placed on the floor without additional support.

Metabo OFE 1229 Signal

Frame

The milling machine of this brand weighs only 3.5 kg, which, in combination with a 4-meter power cable, makes it quite maneuverable. The durable housing made of high-quality plastic easily withstands accidental impacts and friction.

It is equipped with a pair of round handles that are as far apart as possible from each other, which further reduces the load on the person and increases the accuracy of handling the tool.

The Metabo OfE 1229 Signal is easy to use thanks to its round handles.

Engine

An electric motor with a power consumption of 1200 W with speed control ranging from 5000 to 25500 rpm is installed here. Built-in electronics protect it from overheating, ensure smooth start-up and maintain the desired speed. Such a machine is capable of demonstrating high efficiency in working with materials of varying strengths. The hardened collet clamp is designed to hold 8mm diameter shanks.

Controls and support sole

The support platform is made of aluminum and has a special coating on the bottom for better sliding.

Support outsole Metabo OfE 1229 Signal.

To speed up switching between sequential operations with different immersion depths, three fixed positions can be simultaneously adjusted. The product is sold complete with a rip fence, a dial indicator for precise (up to 0.1 mm) adjustment, a wrench and a removable pipe for connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Pros of Metabo OfE 1229 Signal

High reliability.
Convenience and accuracy of regulation.
Sliding base of the sole.
Ergonomic shape with relatively low weight.

Cons of Metabo OfE 1229 Signal

Poor design of the dust extraction insert.
There is not enough local lighting.
High price.