I just got the makita 2 weeks ago and the depth adjustment is terrible. It's got a rack and pinion to adjust it, and then it has a clamp to hold it. When the clamp is released the rack and pinion doesn't hold on its own and the router motor just falls all the way. It either bottoms out on the motor or your bits smashes into your workbench. If you mounted it onto a router table and opened the clamp it would just fall out of the clamp and hit the ground. There is no finesse in the adjustment. It absolutely takes both hands (so do others but you can let go of them walk away and come back and it won't have completely fallen apart)
Now for the good. It cuts alright. If your just trimming laminate it's going to be fine.
Ridgid makes on I wanted but BORG was all sold out.
I have a Makita cordless one and my complaint is there's no practical way to buy a fence for the plunge base. They make one, but nobody sells it. This may have changed. I have a Milwaukee router with the same problem except Milwaukee doesn't make it at all anymore.
I found a DeWalt fence that fits in my stuff, but it's oversized for a compact plunge router.
I've got the big heavy duty 3-1/2 hp Milwaukee plunge router in my side wing. Its a beast but well mannered, the soft start keeps it from torqueing out of your grip.
I've got it mounted to an incra plate and the whole power head comes free with a push of the plunge button making bit changes easy.
The router separates from the base with a push of a button.
The plunge depth knob allows dialing in to a thou easy when coupled with my digital height gauge.
Digital readout sets router bit and saw blade heights precisely.
So I was at Blains Farm and Fleet over lunch and they had a display Dewalt DW618PK with the plunge base on clearance for 189. I picked it up I'm sure this will do the trick and I feel like its a smarter buy than the milwaukee??
What would you use your router for? You mentioned versatility, but that can cover a lot of ground.
I would consider a 1/2" collet router most versatile, for most woodworkers. There is a much larger variety of bits available for more uses, with a router capable of using either 1/2" or 1/4" shank bits. Many 1/2" collet routers come with 1/4" collets too. Some 1/2" routers might include an adapter for chucking 1/4" bits in their 1/2" collet. I would recommend separate, dedicated collets.
I have a Milwaukee 5616 series (2-1/4 HP, EVS) kit with plunge and body-grip fixed bases, and it does time in my router table lift too. The body-grip is heavier and bigger than the little routers, but unless I was using it over my head or something where the base would interfere, the bigger router does fine.
For a cordless router, I'm already into the Milwaukee M18 line and batteries/chargers for several other tools and accessories, so the Milwaukee version would suit me best, but I haven't found the need to purchase a cordless router, let alone theirs, yet.
Don't forget the ryobi cordless, I've had one for years & it's my go to, I just picked up the dewalt 20v which is nice but I still go to the ryobi. It's cheap, light & simple great for all small routing jobs, just used it on some ipe corn hole boards with no issues. I don't think you can beat it for the price. It's also only 70$ at HD or amazon.
I'm currently waiting for ACME Tools to have their tool sale or a Zoro 20% off coupon to buy the DWP611PK kit. I think this is the best value for the money.
I don't have the M18 but it gets my vote for the offset base.
Cordless trim routers tend to get a little top heavy. That additional offset base keeps the bulk of the router body over you workpiece with just the bit hanging over the edge for trimming. I believe Milwaukee even has a plunge base for the M18. While all the additional parts do add up I've never found I want less accessories for a router.
I don t have the M18 but it gets my vote for the offset base.
Cordless trim routers tend to get a little top heavy. That additional offset base keeps the bulk of the router body over you workpiece with just the bit hanging over the edge for trimming. I believe Milwaukee even has a plunge base for the M18. While all the additional parts do add up I ve never found I want less accessories for a router.
Having bought that item, without knowing what it was… (I like to buy all accessories… long historic phobia)... I can see the benefits and would normally spruik it to the non-shekel restrained audience.
However, if you want to hoard your shekels for the worms or divorce settlements, check out Jim's project... using that concept, you could very easily make your own off-set base… at a cost… Just remember (one signg-off from a fellow member that I now treasure)... Cheap is expensive!...
I have both the Milwaukee M18 compact router and the Makita compact router kit (corded). I've only had the Milwaukee for about 6 months now, but I think I like it better. It's super convenient and has enough power for most of the freehand work I would do. I have one of the big Triton routers in a table for any heavy / precision work.
The Makita compact is also nice and I typically keep it setup in its plunge configuration. I only have the Milwaukee with the fixed base but have read its plunge base isn't great-this is the main reason I keep the Makita in play.
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