What is the difference between a router and a trim router?Ī trim router fits in one hand, and because the motor is smaller is suited for smaller jobs. Info at Makita RT0701C 1-1/4 HP Compact Router Best Corded Option Available at Amazon and good hardware stores. Get the kit (comes with 2 batteries, charger and other bits and pieces) unless you’re buying your second. We have corded Makita Trim Routers (Trimmers) in the school workshop at the moment, but my next ones will be cordless! It’s hard to appreciate not having to always set up a lead and keep it out of your way until you don’t have to do it anymore!

And I recommend cordless unless you are price sensitive. Going cordless is a personal choice, although you can’t beat the convenience. The Makitas have definitely evolved since I bought my Trim Routers 2 or 3 years ago. It also includes LED lights to light up the workspace and cast aluminium housed base which will outlast a plastic one. But that's an entire thread by itself.Usually cordless tools have a lack of power, but on paper at least this router holds up with its corded twin.ġ ¼HP, the same speeds and around the same weight as corded with a 5ah battery. Tiny diameter cutters bring problems that adversely affect cut quality. Making multiple passes is a sign that your equipment isn't up to the task. But cutting an ⅛' of 19mm Baltic birch is more than a laminate trimmer is designed for and will quickly destroy the tool of done with any regularity. A sanding block will do if your cuts are precise enough. Sure, and router will do if the cutting depth is limited enough. Aren't all routers used for trimming of some sort. would prefer round with one straight edge and I have never got along with the spindle lock.īeen thinking about the 611 but wanted to see what people think.I think they're actually sold as 'laminate trimmers' and not trim routers. when heavier just do multiple passes.Ĭurrently using a Bosch and there's plenty good about it but the square base doesn't suit my work well. I am primarily cleaning up wood 1/2-3/4 thick and usually cleaning around 1/16 occasionally more. it's in the name.īut maybe you're just doing it differently. been doing this for 20 years and have never had an issue with using a trim router for this. That said, I’d love to pick up one of the brushless Makitas as I have lots of their batteries and go see that being handy to have a battery powered one ready to grab and go. I’m also a big fan of the built in LED light that comes on with the on/off switch. Other than that it’s a fantastic router that has good balance and ergonomics, great capability, and great dust collection with the plastic clip in dust shroud hooked to an extractor. I wish Pat Warner and all his genius router accessories were still around and I would just buy a larger totally circular base from him.I could also make my own but just haven’t dedicated the time. The one thing that annoys me about it when using with jigs is the shape and dimensions of the stock base - 2 sides are round and 2 sides are flat and they are odd dimensions when doing things like mortising jigs, etc where you need to use the edge of the base as a reference point for a stop on the jig. I end up using it as a plunge router a lot just because it’s convenient even though I have a much bigger Makita 2301 (~3 hp) plunge router. I have a Dewalt 611 with fixed base and plunge kit.

Best compact router tool