Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router Tool Combo Kit - 2.25 Horsepower Plunge Router & Fixed Base Router Kit with a Variable Speed 12 Amp Motor

Product Information

A router is an essential tool for your woodworking kit, helping you shape edges and grooves, create joints and hollow out materials with precision. Shop our range and find the perfect plunge router, palm router or biscuit jointer to give every project a professional finish.

Cut from the same quality cloth as the best palm router on our list, Makita’s DRT50ZX4 is a brushless cordless trimmer that gives you all the power you need without the cord to trip over. This little beast forms part of Makita’s excellent LXT range of Lithium-Ion powered tools. You can share the batteries from your drill or saw to power up this palm router, making it brilliantly versatile. The Makita RP0900X router, however, is not all perfect and does have its share of minor issues. Firstly, and surprisingly for a Makita router, the plunge action on the machine is quite stiff, making it difficult to incrementally increase routing depth on-the-fly. Application of grease or WD-40 is a common ploy to deal with such clunky plunge action, but only partially helps in this case. Therefore, with this Makita router, the best method for getting accurate routing depth is ensure that it is set accurately beforehand using the integral depth gauge. Manchester-based tool and home improvement gurus VonHaus make an impressive amount of kit from blenders to ladders . Their compact palm router offers impressive performance and incredible value for a DIY tool. You cannot buy different speed motors for various tasks, so it is best to buy a plunge router to adjust the speed as required. Safety and comfort What makes the best plunge router a versatile tool is the wide range of bits you can get that all perform different tasks:

The Hikoki (originally Hitachi) M12VE is a well-built 1/2” wood router that houses a powerful 2000W motor with variable speed control that runs spindle rotation anywhere from 8000 RPM up to 22,000 RPM. The router comes with collets for both 1/4” and 1/2” bit shanks permitting a wide selection of router bits to be used with this Hikoki router. This is the maximum movement down (usually given in mm) that the router bit can travel. Obviously, the greater the degree of plunge travel, the greater the depth to which the router bit can sink into the workpiece, and the more versatile the router. However, don't assume that plunge travel equals plunge depth into the workpiece, as this will depend on the overall length of the router bit used and the degree to which it is level with the base plate of the router in the rest position. Router Weight The RP0900X router from the Makita Corporation is the Japanese company's entry-level plunge router. Like all Makita tools, the basic router is a solidly-built machine which has been precision engineered and built to the highest of standards. It is a 1/4-inch router that is lightweight, easy to control and provides a smooth output. Like most 1/4-inch routers, it is easier to use than 1/2-inch routers but even more so given its small size and low weight. For the money this is pretty good as a first router. I've bevelled a few oak boards and shelves with it and made an oak headboard so far. Fine adjustment and control is a bit fiddly and requires some workarounds but at this price you have to expect some compromises. It suits my purposes so I'm not complaining. It will not do heavy duty cycle work, you will need a larger collet and cutters if you intend to work with a lot of hardwood and using big cuts.”

Our wide selection of routers offers a selection of different styles and options to suit any budget, so you can find the best fit, whether you’re looking for a Bosch or Makita router. Regardless, it’s a solid lump of a tool and certainly feels worth every penny that the cheaper online retailers are currently selling it for. Taking its power from a 12V Lithium-Ion battery, the GKF means you can work at any angle or in any place without worrying about tripping over cables. It’s ideal for working above your head or in awkward spots. It’s incredibly light at just over 1 kg, compared to other palm routers like the DeWalt D26200. Like many other power-tools in this Bosch range, there is the ubiquitous Softgrip Zones on the handles, which make things a little more comfortable, while a transparent chip guard keeps things safe.

Best Plunge Routers Buying Guide

Just like power rating, a motor speed rating is also a crucial aspect of a plunge router. It is given in RPM (Rotation per Minute), and as you would have guessed by now, it tells the rotation speed of the motor. Different models of the router have different speeds. Usually, a high motor speed, 27,000 RPM, is better than a low motor speed of 20,000 RPM. However, here again, the requirements of your task are essential. If you need to cut a soft piece of wood, you will need a slow-speed motor. The plunging mechanism on the Hikoki M12VE slides easily and smoothly unlike many budget level wood routers which are often stiffer and plunge less readily. The router is relatively lightweight and is less noisy compared to other competitor routers in its category class. Other neat features include adjustable handles for maximum user comfort and thoughtful design that makes it relatively easy to integrate it into a router table. It has a 1,400 Watt motor with a soft start that powers the router from an impressive 11,000 – 28,000 rpm and the 55 mm plunge depth can be finely adjusted for intricate work. One of the best features I found on this plunge router is Bosch’s Constant Electronic system that maintains a stable cutting speed no matter what material you’re working with. It’s features like this that help to reduce tear-out and ensure a smooth operation. There’s a 710 Watt motor on board that can spin ¼” or 3/8” shank bits up from 13,000 to a maximum of 33,000 rpm. Its speed-adjustable as well by turning the wheel on top. DEWINNER have included the normal accessories such as a straight and curved guide, but they’ve gone a bit further than the competition.