In the field of construction and workshops, electrical and corded tools have been the traditional pieces of equipment that workers use. It’s just in the recent years that cordless tools were introduced as battery technology gained significant advancements. This improvement also reached the woodworking industry, and now, cordless wood routers are being widely used.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the difference of a cordless router from the standard corded router. We’ll also provide you with reviews of a few products that stand out in this router category. If you’re a novice who’s quite new to the aspect of using cordless wood routers for your projects, this article would be a convenient read. Otherwise, find out how you’ll benefit from using a cordless fixed-base trim router.
Advantages of Using a Cordless Wood Router
After the introduction phase of cordless tools, more and more workers, whether beginners or professionals, started using battery-powered routers more over the corded ones. People say that using cordless routers made them work with more efficiency and ease, but how exactly do these advantages apply?
You Can Move Freely
When you use a cordless wood router, socket locations and cable lengths are the least of your worries. You can just start wherever you’re comfortable with, without constantly having to check if the tool’s cable is on the way. You can also work on larger and longer projects with much more ease because you’ll be able to move around from whichever direction you need to make accurate cuts.
It Is Convenient
If you work with a variety of tools, it might be tedious to plug and unplug devices every time you’re switching to use a different one. Additionally, a battery-powered wood router allows you to work without the cables sprawled across your project.
You Can Work with Your Project Anywhere
One of the issues that workers encounter when using a wood router is dust accumulation, which poses a threat to one’s respiratory health. If you want to avoid enormous dust build-up in your workroom, you may want to consider using a cordless router and working outside. All you have to do is to make sure that your router has charged-up batteries to let you carry on with your project, anywhere you go.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Cordless Wood Router
Because famous brands gave in with the crowd’s favorite cordless tool, there are so many battery-powered wood routers in the market today, and it’s hard to find the right tool for you. You might even wonder, what’s considered as an excellent cordless router? Below, we’re going to give you the answers to help you sort out your options.
Material
This factor refers to what the router is constructed of. Most cordless routers come with an aluminum base for added support and stability. An aluminum router housing provides extra durability to prolong its usage life and allows you to work with the tool with comfort because it’s light to handle.
Power
Most wood routers have 12V to 18V motor, and these motors would do just fine if you already own a set of batteries. Additionally, opt for a cordless router with up to 5Ah-Li-Ion battery power to get the best performance from your tool. Preferably, you can also go for a router with a brushless motor because it provides more power per battery life than a router with a standard motor.
Another thing to consider in this factor is the maximum RPM of the wood router. To simply put it, the RPM is your overview of how much power your wood router could deliver. Ideally, the higher the RPM is, the more powerful the cordless wood router is.
Technical Specifications
To know whether a cordless router fits your project requirements, you should check its supporting specifications like collet capacity, maximum depth capacity, LED base lights, and dust extraction port. It’s also important to look into the router’s speed controls; units with variable speed controls are more helpful on projects for more accurate and precise results.
Top Cordless Fixed-Base Trim Router
DEWALT DCW600B 20V MAX XR
The DCW600B consists of a fixed-base router that delivers excellent power and up to 25,000 RPM. The unit has variable speed controls and a soft start to help you control it for more precise cuts. It comes with a good depth adjustment ring, which allows you to easily modify the router’s height. To help you work on your project with efficiency and accuracy, the DCW600B has dual LED lights that flood your working area. This feature provides you with enough visibility to work even in a dim area.
MAKITA XTR01Z LXT
This model uses a robust, brushless motor to deliver excellent speed and accurate cuts that work on a wide range of wood materials. The router features a variable speed control dial that lets you adjust its speed from 10,000 to 30,000 RPM, depending on your project requirement. The unit also comes with collets that are ¼-inch and 3/8-inch in diameter for router bits; when it comes to bit changes, the router has two wrenches that provide support during bit changes to make the job easy for you. Lastly, the XTR012 features two LED lights under its base to give you superb visibility on your woodwork.
BOSCH GKF12V-25N 12V MAX EC
The GKF12V-25N has such a unique curved design that allows you to establish great control towards the router. It’s powered by a 12V brushless motor that can run up to 13,000 RPM, which will enable you to work on various projects with ease and efficiency. The router promotes convenience and ergonomics with its positioned gripping points to help you maneuver the tool smoothly. For router bit changes, this model has a spindle lock for faster and easier bit adjustments. Additionally, the unit has a depth adjustment lock to prevent accidental depth setting modifications while working.
Conclusion
Cordless routers have changed the woodworking game as soon as people started using one. It provides convenience and improved work efficiency because you don’t have to worry about the common issues that can be experienced in using corded routers. We recommend that you try the models we’ve mentioned above, especially if you’re finding a new cordless router to add to your workshop. Though, if you aren’t set on getting a cordless router, checking out a corded router table may be a good option. These kinds of routers tend to have higher availability for power, among other features, which makes them worth looking at if you aren’t entirely opposed to a corded router table.