Hey everyone! I'm trying to find a good router for my home projects. I mainly use a mix of Milwaukee, Ryobi, and some Rigid tools, and while I've had decent experiences with Ryobi products for DIY tasks, my current router is terrible and has really put me off from routing altogether. I don't need battery power since I'll mostly be using it in the shop. I would like to mount it to a Kreg or Woodpecker router table sometimes, too. I've heard good things about Makita routers, but I'd love to know your thoughts! What have you guys been using?
3 Answers
I picked up a Makita corded trim router secondhand for $40, and it's been awesome! I even built a little table for it and made some custom bases from acrylic. It’s super easy to switch the base plates with just four screws, and it’s perfect for my home projects!
I’ve got a Porter Cable 3 1/4hp and a Bosch 3 1/4hp for my router tables. Both have been solid performers. I also have a couple of DeWalt trim routers, both older models, and they work great. My Bosch Colt trim router is okay, but not my favorite. Overall, the DeWalt and Porter Cable have never let me down!
I use the corded Ridgid trim router and it’s been working really well for me. I also got a router base plate jig and dust collection adapter that really enhance its performance for handheld jobs. It's my favorite for casual routing. I also have a Skil router with a plunge base that's good for the price; it has digital speed control which is handy. Just keep in mind, if you’re looking for something heavy-duty, the DeWalt models are pricier but known for longevity. Oh, and I totally agree about jigsaws—better blades make all the difference!
Could you expand a bit on what you dislike about the Ryobi router? I just asked my in-laws for one as part of my battery system wishlist, so I’m a bit worried if I made a bad choice!