To select a high-quality wood router, you need to pay attention to many factors, including an objective assessment of the owners of such devices who have already purchased the device for their personal use. The entire rating of hand-held wood routers for 2021 will be based on the opinions of real users, as well as experts who pointed out certain nuances.
Manual wood router
What is done with a milling machine
The machines are used to work out cutting lines on wood, plastic, metal, or cutting these materials.
To understand what tasks can be performed with a milling machine, you need to understand what milling means. This is a method of processing a certain material, which is carried out with a milling cutter (a cutting tool with cutting teeth). The cutter is mounted in a special machine, which at high speed directs the blade in the desired direction, cutting off layers of a certain material.
What can be built on the machine:
- furniture;
- various architectural models (houses, scenes);
- toys;
- souvenirs;
- sculptures;
- decorative boxes;
- chess sets;
- skirting boards;
- cornices.
This is just a small part of what can be made on a milling machine. The complete list will depend on the skill and imagination of the manufacturer.
Seam using an electric plane: step-by-step instructions
Step #1
First, the workpiece is placed on a carpentry bench and secured as tightly as possible with clamps. The fastener should be on the opposite side of the processing area.
Step #2
After this, the instrument is prepared. Set the angle stop at the required distance from the part. This way it will provide the required planing width and a 90° angle between the tool and the edge of the part.
Step #3
A depth stop is screwed onto the right side of the power tool.
Step #4
The cutting tool of the device should be installed as close as possible to the right edge of the sole.
Step #5
When everything is ready, turn on the electric planer and select the fold, pass by pass. Setting the maximum planing depth in one pass is not advisable. This point must be coordinated with the recommendations of the tool manufacturer.
Who needs a home router?
Before going to the store, you need to determine the range of tasks to be completed. There is no point in purchasing a compact model if you need to process hardwood, but it is ideal for occasional household use.
A home router is necessary for people who often process various surfaces. When purchasing, you must take into account the availability of equipment that comes with the kit. It is advisable to purchase a universal set, which includes edge, base, profile and spiral elements.
Important! If a home craftsman will often use the device, then it is additionally necessary to purchase special copying sleeves and collets.
Classification of cutters by shank size, type of design and cutting part
Cutting tools for a manual milling machine are classified primarily according to the following three criteria:
- Tail dimensions.
- Type of construction – prefabricated, replaceable blades, monolithic, attachment/set-on.
- Material and method of sharpening the cutting edge.
Let's look at these parameters in more detail.
Set of cutters for woodworking Source instrumentgid.ru
Tail dimensions
In the characteristics of the tail section, the unit of diameter is of paramount importance. The designation must coincide with a similar parameter of the collet - the place where the cutter is mounted in the machine. As a rule, there are only two standards for this value:
- Millimeter. The most common sizes are 6, 8 and 12 mm.
- Inch. There are two main types - half and quarter inches, denoted - ½ and ¼, respectively.
When comparing two measurement systems, it turns out that products with similar diameters differ only by a small amount in size. Thus, 6 mm and ¼ or 6.35 mm cutters and 12 mm and ½ or 12.7 mm cutters look almost the same - however, the holder of a hand router is not adapted to securely hold any type of tool, like a drill chuck.
Therefore, a 12 mm cutter loaded into a ½-inch collet will not sit securely in the chuck and can easily fly out during processing. Likewise, if you load a ½-inch tool into a 12-mm holder, it may jam so much that you will have to come and repair the machine later.
The packaging indicates the size and other main parameters of the cutters Source goods.ru
The second important characteristic is the length of the shank. However, often when choosing the right tool in terms of shape, design, diameter and other parameters, it turns out that it is impossible to find one suitable for the processing conditions of the required length. In this case, special extension adapters come to the rescue.
It should also be remembered that such “helpers” should be used as a last resort and with caution. Since under loads, speeds and revolutions characteristic of modern machines, such a device will always have the property of a “weak link”.
Important! Metric and imperial cutting attachments are not interchangeable. And their use in this capacity can lead not only to damage to the workpiece or machine, but also risks injury to the operator.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in garden furniture and storage systems
Type of construction – prefabricated, replaceable blades, monolithic, attachment/set-on
According to the design features of wood cutters, there are 4 main types:
- Prefabricated. It is made by soldering, using refractory solders, the cutting edge to a monolithic base - the shank and the head. They are distinguished by simplicity and accessibility of production.
Example of a prefabricated cylindrical cutter Source atis-market.com
- With replaceable blades. The cutting edge is a separate element, fixed to the head with screws and which the user can replace or sharpen as necessary. Some products have up to 4 working surfaces - which significantly increases the working life of the tool.
- Monolithic. The cutting part is formed directly on the base itself - by analogy with a drill. The advantage is the minimal risk of blade tearing off. However, for prolonged use it must be periodically sharpened, which over time changes the original geometry, impairs performance and leads to the need for replacement.
- Mounted/set-on. The cutting head is connected to the shank in a movable manner. This allows you to change the distance between elements and their sequence for more varied processing of workpieces.
Recommendation! To gain experience and become familiar with processing techniques, a novice user only needs to purchase prefabricated cutters. For the more experienced and professional, kit tools are the best option.
Milling cutter with replaceable blades Source prostanki.com
Material and method of sharpening the cutting edge
The large number of revolutions and the resulting high temperature in the processing zone force tool developers to use the following 2 types of metal alloys as cutting edge materials for wood cutters for hand routers:
- Tool steel. It is marked - HSS. Designed for processing low-density wood at maximum speeds. Disadvantage: when it gets into a denser environment, the cutting edge instantly becomes dull. Therefore, it is not suitable for cutting chipboard, MDF and other similar materials.
- Carbide brazing. Designated - NM. Used for processing dense wood at medium and low speeds. Can also be used for finishing machining with high cutting edge quality. However, it is often impossible to achieve the ideal degree of smoothness when finishing with an average cutter of this type.
Frame cutters with carbide-tipped blades Source zubr-rus.ru
Types of hand routers
Hand-held devices come in 5 varieties. Each type has its own design features that affect the scope of application.
Manual type of equipment
The most common types of hand routers:
- Submersible. This is a universal device, characterized by high reliability and quality workmanship. This type of equipment is used to perform all types of milling work.
- Edging. Used for chamfering, as well as forming small recesses and depths. Used for decorative works. Such a tool is not used for domestic purposes.
- Rotary is used in construction work. The tool is used to process edges and make holes in plastic, wood or drywall.
- Lamellar is a specialized router designed for making grooves. This is not a universal tool, and therefore should not be purchased by beginners.
- The filler is another specialized device with which you can carefully make paired holes, which will subsequently be connected to each other. This tool is also not used in everyday life, and in most cases is used to make various furniture.
The choice depends specifically on the specifics of the master’s work. If you need to use equipment at home, then first of all pay attention to a universal tool.
Important! Certain samples are quite universal, while others are professional tools that can only be used to perform a narrow range of work.
Some tips
In the following articles we will continue the story about woodworking techniques and the tools used.
Milling cutters are classified mainly by their purpose and shape. The most common of them are profile, grooved, for cutting quarters, for chamfering, conical for cutting grooves and dovetail joints. In addition, the home carpenter, although less often, has to deal with such wood cutters for a manual router as end cutters, fitting cutters, type cutters, for processing edges and ends for gluing, and also for cutting out a T-shaped groove.
How to choose the right manual wood router for your home
To purchase a quality device for home use, you need to study 4 criteria.
Power
This is one of the main parameters that affects equipment performance. Depending on the power, milling cutters are divided into three types:
- Easy. The power is up to 750 kW, and the weight of the milling cutter itself does not exceed 3 kg.
- On medium-sized milling machines, the power increases to 1.5 kW, and its weight is approximately 5 kg.
- Heavy devices have a power of 2.3 kW, and the weight can exceed 6 kg.
Medium routers are suitable for home use. Heavy tools are in most cases used in production, where it is necessary to perform specific and rather complex operations for a long time without interruption.
Important! You should not chase the most powerful pieces of equipment for your home, since the dimensions of the devices will be very large, and therefore it will become much more difficult to manage them.
Medium router - ideal choice for home
Spindle speed
The parameter directly affects the quality of the processed part, as well as the choice of material with which to work. Milling cutters have three speeds - standard slow and high:
- The standard mode operates at 20-30 thousand rpm. These are the most popular samples that can handle most materials.
- Slow devices typically have a speed of 10,000-15,000 rpm. Such devices are usually used for working with plastic.
- High speed exceeds 35000 rpm. Routers are suitable for processing the hardest surfaces.
Important! When purchasing the cheapest devices, it is necessary to take into account that the rotation speed will not be adjustable, which will affect the quality of processing.
Working stroke
The working stroke refers to the depth of processing. The cheapest samples can dive to about 50 mm, and the most powerful and professional ones - up to 80 mm. The longer the working stroke, the deeper you can dive into the working surface, and the more difficult the operations can be performed.
Additional options
When purchasing, it is advisable to pay attention to additional options that will increase safety when working with equipment:
- Overload protection. All electronic devices become hot during operation, which can create a dangerous situation, and protection will help prevent this. Most professional models are equipped with this function, since they are subject to prolonged load. Overload protection varies: on the most expensive models it is an automatic power off, on cheaper models it is a light indication.
- Protection against unintentional activation is an additional button, without pressing which the router simply will not work.
These are the main additional options that will be useful for safe operation of the device. But there are also options to improve ease of use.
Blind selector
The device consists of two rulers (one on each shoulder of the groove) and two rods that rest on the edges of the workpiece. One ruler and one board are T-shaped at right angles. Gaps along the other strip and ruler allow you to install boards up to 300mm wide and select grooves up to 38mm wide. Two clamps in the adjustable bar are supported in the workpiece and secure the device in place.
To work, you need a set of guide bushings for the router. In this case, the ruler bushings should be slightly shifted to the side relative to the width of the groove.
The device is made of poplar, but Karelian birch plywood or MDF is also suitable. The T-nuts and MB screws are recessed so the cutter can slide over the lines without obstruction.
After production is completed, it is necessary to make inserts for installing the ruler. A piece of edged board about 450 mm long, 150 mm wide and 20 mm thick, cut to the same thickness along its entire length. It all depends on the size of the sleeve and cutter. Leave the tool in place, making four inserts, about 50mm long, about 25mm wide and equal to the thickness of the gaps. Ideally, the thickness of the liners should be equal to half the difference in diameter between the cutter and the sleeve.
Fine adjustment of the inserts is carried out when using them with installed rulers when milling along a short cut that was previously cut. Unscrew the adjustable ruler, place the trim between the rulers and the two inserts on each side.
Tighten the screws. Remove the liners, cut and mill the groove. If the cutout does not fit into the groove, adjust the thickness of the liners.
Criteria for convenient work
Modern electronic devices are equipped with additional functions that greatly simplify work. Next we will look at 4 major additions in this area.
Working stroke
This function allows you to go deeper into the material being processed. The longer the working stroke, the more complex operations can be performed with the router and the more beautiful the final result will be.
Working stroke
Smooth start
If the router is quite powerful, it is advisable to make sure that it has a soft start system, thanks to which the engine will pick up speed slowly, and therefore the risk of sudden jerks will be eliminated.
Rip fence
The stop should be placed to the side of the router. These are small metal rods that are attached with screws to the base of the equipment. The emphasis is necessary to increase comfort during work. This addition allows you to carefully guide the cutter along the workpiece, maintaining the required distance from the edge.
Connecting the vacuum cleaner
Many routers are equipped with a special mount where you can attach a small bag to collect dust. The function is designed to protect against dust getting into the eyes and respiratory tract.
Quarter selection sequence
- We adjust the reach of the saw blade so that the cutting depth is equal to half the thickness of the board being processed. The easiest way to do this is right on the spot. To do this, place the board on the side of the saw blade, as shown in the photo, and adjust the reach of the blade.
We install a parallel stop on the machine so that the width of the cut is also equal to half the thickness of the board. We take into account the thickness of the disk itself. This completes the machine setup.
We make longitudinal cuts on opposite sides of the board.
Let's figure out how to choose a quarter on the board with your own hands. We buy grade 2 board and process it in a convenient way. How can you do something like this:
- electric planer;
- circular;
- manual milling cutter;
- Bulgarian
After purchasing the required amount of lumber, the easiest way to select quarters in a board is to use a circular saw or power planer. All that remains is to give a neat shape to the edges of the product.
First, you need to make a cut from the end of the board, with a depth of half the height, and then in the center of the end. Then we set the width of the working part of the board and saw another fragment. Here the depth should be 1.5 times greater than half the height to make it more convenient to remove the sawn-off part. In this way, you can create a finished product with your own hands that is twice as expensive as the original one.
Which company is best to buy a manual wood router?
In stores that sell construction equipment, there are many milling cutters from various manufacturers. Experts recommend paying attention to the following companies, since they have been producing products for many years and have proven themselves in the market:
- Bosch.
- Bort.
- Caliber.
- Wert.
- Ryobi.
- Metabo.
- Makita.
- DeWalt.
- Hammer.
The quality of the products is confirmed by positive reviews of the products. Below is a list from which you can understand which manual wood router to choose from the rating.
What does drying out lead to?
A typical case: you made a shed at your dacha to store household equipment and for other needs. They did it for themselves, so they pulled together the boards from which the walls were made, carefully, without the slightest crack. Two or three months pass; the boards dry out and the entire wall glows with cracks. In winter, snow blows through them; in summer, the wind blows dust inside the barn.
Shrinkage reaches 10-13% of the linear size. That is, a board with a width of 100 mm after drying is reduced to 88 mm.
To prevent this from happening, you need to use quarter boards for wall cladding. A wall covered with such boards will never have through gaps. With their quarters, neighboring boards overlap each other and when they dry out, through cracks no longer appear.
Unfortunately, lumber is very rarely sold with a quarter finished. Therefore, an amateur craftsman should know the ways in which boards can be modified if necessary.
Rating of the best milling cutters
If the buyer does not have time to study reviews of construction equipment for a long time, you can turn your attention to the rating of hand routers and choose from this list.
The best router for a beginner
For a beginner, the Bosch POF 1400 ACE medium-power router is suitable. The numbers in the name indicate watts. The equipment is equipped with a soft start, a speed maintenance system, as well as their adjustment. The total weight is just over 3 kg.
The best router for the home workshop
Ryobi RRT 1600-K can be used for domestic purposes (small work around the house). The equipment is ideal for the home workshop, but also appeals to specialists. The milling cutter is equipped with a speed controller and a soft start function. The weight of the device is almost 4 kg.
Ryobi RRT 1600-K
The device's passport states that it is intended to work with wood materials, but in practice it turned out that the power is sufficient for processing other harder materials.
The best router for industrial applications
For professional use, it is advisable to use the most powerful milling cutters that guarantee trouble-free operation for a long time. The Makita RP 2300 FC model fits these characteristics. The powerful motor copes with the processing of various materials. It has a smooth start, backlight, and maintains speed under load.
The best budget routers
If there is no need to process hard surfaces and work with equipment for long hours without a break, it is advisable to pay attention to the Hammer FRZ1200B and Hitachi M8V2 models. Despite the fact that the device is inexpensive, users are quite satisfied with its quality.
The best universal router
If you need to buy a universal wood router, experts recommend paying attention to the Makita RT0700CX2 model. The equipment set includes two collets, the body is made of durable aluminum, and there is a special pipe for removing dust during operation. Weight - almost 2 kg.
For reference! The Makita RT0700CX2 milling cutter operates at speeds from 10,000 to 30,000 per minute.
The best routers
The best vertical and professional wood router is the Festool OF 2200 EB-SET. The cutting depth is 80 mm. The equipment is equipped with speed control and a dust collector.
As for the rating of household routers with a vertical position, here you can pay attention to the Bosch POF 1200 AE model. The milling cutter is equipped with a speed stabilizer, a controller for constant rotation, regardless of the existing load.
The best edge router
To create edges, it is advisable to use the Elitech F 1800E top sample. The equipment is equipped with an inrush current limiter, therefore eliminating the risk of overload. There is speed adjustment and precise cut setting.
Elitech F 1800E
The best lamellar router
This category includes DeWalt D 26204 K. Ideal for forming grooves. The equipment has proven itself due to its high reliability, safety and performance. For ease of use, the handles are equipped with rubber gaskets.
The best filler mill
Interskol FMSh12/710 is suitable for working with any type of wood.
Alternative methods
As mentioned, a stationary circular saw is very convenient for selecting quarters. (There is a separate article on our website about the types of circular saws and the features of their choice.) But it is not always in the master’s arsenal, and sometimes it is physically impossible to use it.
If you need to cut quarters out of thick, long boards, you can use a hand-held circular saw. The manufacturing principle and sequence of operations are the same. The difference is that in this case the board being processed and the tool change places. The board is fixed motionless, and the master moves the circular saw with a parallel stop along it manually.
If you don’t have a circular saw or a hand-held circular saw at hand, you can use a grinder with a wood blade or a hand router with a suitable cylindrical cutter. Both methods are very slow and are not suitable for large volumes of work. In addition, choosing a quarter with an angle grinder is inconvenient, dangerous and turns out uneven.
Read also: Presentation on heat treatment of metals and alloys
Another way is to use an electric plane. However, most modern plane models are not suitable for this due to their design features. Watch the video that shows just this method of choosing a quarter.
Which router is better to buy for your home?
For home use, you can pay attention to the Ryobi R1600-K model (from the rating of the best routers in many lists). This is the most practical and functional model that can be used by both beginners and professionals.
The set includes five cutters at once, and therefore the set is considered universal. For ease of use, manufacturers have equipped the handles with special rubber gaskets. If necessary, you can connect a vacuum cleaner to the equipment. It is possible to adjust the cutting depth.
Any of the above-described wood routers from the rating is a high-quality and reliable example of a woodworking device. If you properly care for the equipment, it will last for many years and will be as safe as possible during operation throughout its entire service life. A decent device can be purchased for no more than 6,000 rubles.
Quarter selection sequence
- We adjust the reach of the saw blade so that the cutting depth is equal to half the thickness of the board being processed. The easiest way to do this is right on the spot. To do this, place the board on the side of the saw blade, as shown in the photo, and adjust the reach of the blade.
- We install a parallel stop on the machine so that the width of the cut is also equal to half the thickness of the board. We take into account the thickness of the disk itself. This completes the machine setup.
- We make longitudinal cuts on opposite sides of the board.
- We make cuts from the ends of the board. A quarter is ready. As a by-product we get glazing bead)).
Popular manufacturers
Milling cutter manufacturers today can be divided into two groups:
- milling cutter manufacturers who produce accessories for their power tools and compatible tools from other manufacturers;
- manufacturers of cutting equipment who specialize in this and do not produce power tools themselves.
The former produce products of fairly good quality, since they are interested in ensuring that their instrument works successfully. But they are not interested in their equipment working forever so that sales are not one-time. From time to time, such cutters are replaced with new ones.
The most widespread and popular manufacturers are Encore, Bosch, Fit, Corvette and others.
The latter try to maintain a reputation for the quality of their products and produce professional products with a long service life. However, among them there may be “nameless” products of poor quality of unknown origin.
