Best Plunge Routers - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide
by Scott Miller Updated on
Plunge routers are used to produce fine results and when you are buying a plunge router, the results are what you should have in mind.
This tool is very versatile, but considering the fact that you will be using it in the middle of a material’s surface, the control and precision as well as a good quality tool is very important so as not to destroy the work.
There is a huge number of competing models with various features, advantages and disadvantages and it is difficult to decide which one to buy.
As we have gone through the reviews of both satisfied and dissatisfied users, we are offering you useful information to simplify your decision-making process.
The best of the best is definitely the Triton TRA001 Plunge Router.
This router has 13-pound workhorse and is big and heavy with power to burn.
You can use it either a fixed-base or plunge router, so you do not have to buy two routers.
This is considered its huge advantage.
It can be a little bit complicated to get used to working with it, as it is all built into one base instead of the normal two, but you will soon realize the ease of switching from one mode to the other is a great plus and getting used to a better tool is not such a difficult task.
The tool has easy set up and the adjustments are precise.
You will change bits quickly and easily as well.
What you get with this tool is the soft start and variable speed reduce kickback, which is very important when precision when beginning your cuts is in question.
The users claimed that only disadvantage of this model are dust collecting and building up on the shields, but these issues cannot diminish the fact that this is the greatest plunge router which you can get.
The Bosch plunge router is our runner-up with 18 pounds deserves the second position, being that it is too heavy for hand routing.
It comes with threaded holes for router table mounting and the controls are well located.
Furthermore, there is a lockable power switch in the handle which is considered as an advantage.
Additional advantages are that the plunge mechanism feels smooth, the ergonomic grips are comfortable, and the micro adjustments are easy to read and use.
If it was not for the weight issue, this model could be considered to be our top pick.
What users found very negative characteristic of this model is that it lacks a plastic shield on the operator side, and being that dust collection is an issue with all routers, this makes this model even worse.
What you get is a router capable of delivering outstanding performance and it is definitely worth consideration.
The third position on our list is given to the Makita RT0701CX7 Plunging Router Kit.
The first advantage of this router which has to be mentioned is that it weighs under 4 pounds and it is useful for hand use.
Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller, detailed projects, and furthermore it is very comfortable in the hand and unexpectedly quiet.
Unfortunately, there has to be something that is not taken as advantage.
This tool heats up quickly, the grips are small which can lead to some burns and the plunge base works for the first few times and then starts sticking and jamming.
The price is affordable considering the famous brand Makita, but you do not get the expected quality from this producer.
You have to be careful about the heat issue so this tool should be avoided by professionals, while for the household tasks it can be satisfying.
It rarely happens that DeWalt’ model of a tool is not among the first two on our list, but it is the case with the plunge router that it did not deserve a better position.
It is true that it is a compact tool with some nice features, and users said that it works well, but after about 10 hours of use the motor shut down.
The motor starts sounding weird and just stops working which is not what you expect from DeWalt.
Another problem is the heat, as the tool melted a rubber bushing and destroyed one of the brushes.
There are even more disadvantages – the power switch is hard to move and it can cause the burning of your hand.
Power tools need to be quick and easy to shut off, which is not the case with this model.
The power cord causes the issues related to moving it around.
Even though it is a tool that is light and easy to use, the motor and heat issues are reasons good enough to avoid this model.
The Ryobi model is on the last place on the list, due to the fact that the only good thing about it is that the power switch is nicely placed.
No more positive reviews did we encounter.
After only a few hours of usage of this tool, its parts began vibrating off and even though they were tighten up again, they were constantly coming loose.
The springs are too strong and it cannot be pushed down with the handles.
In order to push it, you have to use your body weight and this is not what you expect from a plunge router.
Once the plunge lock vibrates off, it causes muscle strain holding it in place and you need to invest a lot of effort which causes fatigue.
Due to the overly stiff plunge springs, weak plunge lock, and small base, this model is best to be avoided.
Plunge routers are designed so as to make you able to add style and sophistication to your work.
What you get with them are inlaid designs, slotted keyholes, mortising and doweling to hide connections between adjoining pieces, and many other options.
The tool is there to make the value and versatility of your work greater and even if you are not a professional, your work can look like it was done by one.
Plunge routers are fun, but if you want your work not to be destroyed and to use the tool for a longer period of time, it is important to get the good quality one.
What are the considerations for professionals?
It is true that the professionals are in need of the best tools available.
What they need to do is to focus on the features they need to get the job done and thus determine the ideal router for their needs.
What you do not want to buy is a router that sheds parts due to excessive vibration, or breaks down in the middle of a job.
This will only make you angry and unable to finish your work on time.
How can I determine which products are good for professionals?
If you are looking for products designed for professionals, you can come across numerous models offered on the market.
The thing you should have in mind when buying it is dependability, as you need a tool which will work all the time and those tools which are designed to work long hours in turn cost quite a lot of money.
The important fact to have in mind is that a brand name does not always equal high quality tools.
It is better to go through the users reviews and gather information about the tools.
The features you plan to use are also significant, as ordinary work does not require all the extras that can be found in more expensive tool sets.
If you are not planning to use them, you do not need to pay more so as to have them
The more features the tool has, it is better and you will not regret buying is, as having to drag out a different tool at every step of the job can be very irritating.
One tool that does it all saves both time and money.
What are the considerations for home users?
Home enthusiasts usually want to get a good quality plunge router but without investing too much in it.
That is why they come across a set of challenges when selecting a plunge router.
They need to be aware that if they intend to use the power tool a few times each year, then it does not make sense buying an expensive tool.
What they should look for are models belonging to “Best For the Money” category, which include routers with fewer but quite enough number of features but at lower price.
How to know which product is good for home users?
What is good for home users is not that good for professionals and that is the case with any tools.
The home user would not use the tool as much as a professional and thus do not need a high quality tool, but can be satisfied with more affordable but less powerful ones.
Routers typically weigh pretty much, and those lightweight are more expensive, thus frequently avoided by DIY users.
However, our suggestion is that you need something lightweight to be able to do the job efficiently without investing too much effort and strength.
Home users are advised to get a router which is compact enough to get into tight spaces.
Small routers are designed for tight spots and do not require you to stand over them pressing down with all your weight.
What should I have in mind when buying it?
You might encounter the situation that your power tools malfunction or need to be replaced or repaired.
That is the moment when you have to deal with the manufacturer and that can be troublesome and quite irritating.
So, in order to avoid this or at least be well prepared for discussing the issue with the producer’s representative, we suggest you to examine the box before you open it. Router manufacturers tend to sell repaired routers as “new ones” which is not what you want to get.
You need to go over the box prior to opening it and if you have any suspicions in mind, take pictures from every angle to have as a proof.
Only then you should open the box carefully and examine the contents.
If you are satisfied with what you see, then you should check if the tool has some manufacturing defects, such as metal pitting, loose parts or screws, cracks in the handle or unsafe electrical cords.
Even if all this is good, keep the receipt in the place where you can find it easily, as without it, you will not be able to do anything if something goes wrong.
I think I got it, what are my options?
When choosing a power tools you should definitely pay attention to its warranty.
Getting an extended warranty and even paying extra for it is not considered unreasonable by people who know how significant it is, especially if you need the tool to be long-lasting and efficient.
A warranty period shows how much faith the producer has in its product.
The longer the warranty, the better quality tool you get.
If you have the check, you can always sue the companies for selling a useless product and that will put them into bad position.
Customer service supervisors have a strong desire to avoid getting caught in this kind of situation, so having an extended warranty is worth the extra cost.
You will find the importance of this once you do not have to pay so much for repairs or shipping.
You should also pay attention to extra collets in different sizes.
You should know if there are drill bit sets made specifically for your router as well as adjustment wrenches, guides, or other attachments.
If you find that they are there, you should know that the model is a good investment. Manufacturers are supposed to include most of these with the router, but many of them do not do that.
You will then need to buy them along with the router will, and that will be additional cost.
Conclusion
As we can conclude, after going through all the pros and cons of various models available on the market, is that the best of the best is the Triton TRA001.
We have good reasons to claim this as this tool is a workhorse with plenty of power for heavy-duty jobs.
It has some dust collecting issues, but that does not diminish its overall quality.
Another great plunge router is the lightweight Makita RT0701CX7 Kit which combines affordable price and quite satisfactory and is designed for those detail-oriented projects around the house.
Manufacturers are trying to make models that will suite everyone’s needs and offer competing models of every size with different features.
This makes decision-making even harder and the search for the best deal can be troublesome and time-consuming.
We hope that you have benefited from our article and are able to choose the right tool for you.
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