The router is one of the most important tools for woodworking jobs. No matter you are a hobbyist or a professional woodworker, you should use this tool. When used with the router table, you can use this for different types of woodworking, such as creating dado profiles, decorative wooden flutings, curved cut profiles, rounding table corners, and lots of other.
But for that, you need to choose the best router for router table. When you have that, you can do different types of woodworking tasks that are impossible with other tools. That is why make sure you choose the right router for your router table.
Our Editor’s Pick
A wood router is designed to help you do a lot of things in woodworking. If you do not know what you can do with a wood router, you cannot understand why you need it. A wood router will make your woodworking tasks easier. You can use a chisel, basic saw, and hammer for cutting, shaping, and finishing your projects, but a router will do different things faster with accuracy. It can do construct beveled frames, create rounded/curved edges, trim and finish wood, create decorative wooden flutings, cut joints and grooves, and other tasks that are impossible with your saw, hammer, and other tools. That is why you need the wood router.
Different types of routers do different types of things. If you do not know the types of wood routers, you can check our guide on types of wood routers.
The router and the router table work alongside to get you the result you’re looking forward to. However, oftentimes, beginners in the line ask about the danger, risks, and downsides of using a wood router. Well, every tool that has a sharp edge or a bit and works with might has some risks and which you can avoid. Here are some of the most important safety measures and tips you must know before starting to work with a router:
A router is one of the tools in carpentry that has the highest torque in them. So, if you somehow expose your flesh or cloth to the router bit, it won’t take a second to rip you off. It also produces a lot of wood dust and might even damage the table if mounted wrong. To avoid such catastrophe, follow the right process in mounting and usage, and put on safety gear, such as goggles, gloves, earplugs, the right clothing, etc.
As the router tables are many powerful tools, and you use them for big pieces, they might act strangely. Handheld routers tend to jump on the piece sometimes, and the table-mounted ones tend to get you kickbacks. No matter which way you’re using the router, be sure to have a firm grip on the router or the piece and be ready for what’s coming. Using the right router with enclosed guarding also can help you avoid risks profoundly while working.
We have found that about two-thirds of a hundred DIY projects need a router table to run smoother and faster. So, the consumer of router table has been extended from woodworking shops to our backyard in the past few years. Here comes the question, why?
The answer is simple, its versatile usability for routers. Specifically, it can be seen as a stationary machine that makes high precision in a short time for both professionals and hobbyists. Also, the wood movement is much easier on a router table rather than on the floor with a handheld router.
In addition, it takes all types of a load of bits according to the speed of the router, which can be rated in amps and HP. So, you can have a quicker cut on the edges for larger projects and do the rounding for different shapes instantly on the table, which is a basic need for a pro.
Moreover, you can have multi-depth cuts on it as the bits can be changed when you need a new modification. It makes your DIY projects more efficient for framing and re-innovating them. Especially, a router table is the specialist for the dadoes and stooped cuts that look perfect in any woodworking project.
Bookshelves or Entertainment centers – you can do a wide range of woodworking projects by yourself if you have a fixed router under the table. Therefore, you have to know the process of mounting the router to a table. Here, we have made three steps to mount the router in a quicker and precise way.
As mentioned earlier, a router table is the most affordable choice for a router and its adjustments. Several modern tables are now available that have insert plates. For that, you have to check the position of the insert plate if it suits your work or not. Also, you can make adjustments after buying it, or you can change it as you want.
To do it, you have to re-drill at those points of the plates where you want the router components to be fitted for the router. Then, you have to make adjustments in the rebated edge as per the drill to make the plate stable while working.
Before putting the plate into the rebated edge, you have to make sure the lead on the pin stays just in the right front of the table surface so that you can put the screws into the holes right after setting the insert plate.
After setting the insert plate to the table correctly, you have to turn the table on its side to set the router. You can pick one of the best routers we have suggested below and line up the holes as its measurements you have done earlier in the plate. Then, attach the router with the bolts into the mounting holes. Also, you can attach nuts or a washer if you want it with the router.
There are various types of rings available in the market to make proper support to your work. Basically, it is formed according to the sizes of cutters. So, you have to choose it carefully that suits your workplace and gives a proper clearance for the cutter.
Then, put it on the insert plate and tighten the screws till it fits into the holes. If any of the screws remain loose, you should replace them immediately to secure your project. In the end, you have to check the lead on the pin by testing small-sized bits if it stays stable while making the cutting or rounding of the edges.
Table of Content:
If you do not have enough time to read the entire content, you can check out our table of content to perceive everything described below.
Comparison Chart:
You should compare some good routers to make a better decision. Here is our comparison chart to let you compare some good wood routers for your router table.
Editor’s ChoiceWith the increasing demand for routers for the router table, the market is now flooded with many models and brands. Finding the best routers among that vast collection is tough. That is why we have come up with some good routers for you with their features and benefits to choose the best one.
The Triton Dual Mode Precision Plunge Router can handle the toughest workpieces, thanks to its powerful 3.25 HP motor with the motor running at 8000 -21000 RPMs. It features a soft start that makes the motor starting extremely easy, and variable speeds let you control the speed as per demand and get a precise result.
The fine depth adjustment allows you to create more variation. With its rack and pinion height adjustment, you can easily switch from plunge to fixed-base router to get more customization. Its side air vents decrease dust intake into the motor casings for more durability. To provide excellent control for handheld use and circle cutting, it features a multi-Function fence.
For additional safety, you will get fully enclosed guarding. It features a removable plunge spring that allows you easy bit adjustment when installed in the router table to be the best plunge router for the money. You will get all these features within your budget so it can be the best budget plunge router.
Technical Details:
Triton TRA001 3-1/4 Features:
The Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router Tool Combo Kit offers versatile operations for you. It comes with a powerful 2.25 HP/12 Amp motor that offers a speed range from 8,000 to 25,000 RPM. With its variable speed dial, you can set the desired speed for better customization on routing tasks and material.
The built-in Constant Response circuitry ensures a constant speed throughout your cut to give you cleaner and more accurate results so it can be considered as the best plunge router fine woodworking. Its integrated soft-start reduces the torque upon start-up to ensure an easier handling and smoother transition on your part.
You will have microfine bit depth adjustment systems for more accurate and faster bit depth adjustments. It features a power switch that is dust-sealed to offers maximum durability. You have the rugged carrying case to carry and protect all the components so it can be the best router combo kit.
Technical Details:
Bosch 1617EVSPK Features:
If you are looking for a powerful, smooth, and reliable operation, then you should consider the PORTER-CABLE Router can be a good choice. This easy-to-use tool router comes with 2-1/4-Horsepower 12 Amp motor that generates 10,000 – 23,000 rpm power for the toughest wood. You will get easy speed control so that you can use the speed as per demand.
It features a dual-position switch that allows you to cut the power while maintaining the control of your router. Its over-molded grips offer you greater comfort while working, so it can be the best value router tool. You will get the spindle lock for easy single wrench bit changes.
The durable latch lever allows simple and fast coarse depth adjustments for different applications where the motor release ensures the transition between the bases. For more fine depth settings, it features rack and pinion adjustment so it can be the best router tool for the money.
Technical Details:
PORTER-CABLE Features:
DEWALT is a popular brand for power tools. The DEWALT Router is a great addition to their tool collection. It can handle the toughest work with its 1-3/4-hp, 11-amp motor that provides the power for a smooth operation. Along with the power, it offers the best accuracy with its sub-base concentricity gauge to ensure bit concentricity.
With its adjustable, tool-free steel motor cam lock, you can changes depth adjustment quickly where the micro-fine depth adjustment ring allows you to depth adjustments precisely so it can be the best value wood router. It has a clear, LEXAN sub-base to provide improved bit visibility and base durability.
The dust-Sealed Switch saves your tool from dust ingestion and the die-cast aluminum base for a longer switch life. It has a low center of gravity design, and rubber over-molded handles provide comfort and control. You will get all these features at an affordable price to be the best budget router woodworking.
Technical Details:
DEWALT Router Features:
The Makita Compact Router comes into the market to provide you all you can expect from a router for your router table. It comes with a 1-1/4 HP motor to generate 10,000-30,000 RPM power to work with tough wood. You will have a variable speed control dial so you can match the speed to different applications.
An electronic speed control ensures consistent speed under load where its soft start delivers smooth startups. You will have high visibility base design to ensure good performance and handling. You can remove the base and install other bases quickly for the versatile application to be the best variable speed router.
It features heavy-duty aluminum motor housing designed for durability. A Shaft lock is there for easy bit changes where the durable flat-top design ensures easy bits changing. For additional workpiece protection, this compact wood router has a non-marring base. With all these features, it should be considered as the best router for router table.
Technical Details:
Makita RT0701C Features:
The Metabo Router, formally the Hitachi Power Tools, comes with a 11-amps, 2-1/4 Peak Horsepower motor for higher torque. It works with an electronic speed controller for higher control over the RPM, depending on what type of wood or project you’re working on.
It’s a dual-purpose wood router so that you can use it either with a fixed base router table or as a plunge router using the rubber-coated handles. The two-stage motor-release depth adjustment settings will help you get a quicker and more accurate control over the piece.
You’ll get an onboard adjustment scale for fine adjustability for hand use, and a 3-bolt design for an easier table mounting. If you’re after a wood router that can work with a higher power but have a quieter workshop, it’s the router for you with only 80 dB noise level.
Technical Details:
Metabo HPT Router Features:
DEWALT is a common name for its quality when you are looking forward to doing woodworking projects. This model has a great impression with its action and accessories at a budget price which attracted us the most. In fact, it performs better than brands like Festool.
The first thing that impressed us is the plunge base with a solid toggle switch, which has a decent adjustable height that makes your work smoother. We were looking for a low-cost router to rebuild our dog house and had only a weekend to do it, specifically in three nights. This router saved us through its powerful motor performing its best at a 12 amps rate with the detachable power cord and cable.
But, we will suggest not to use HP as it is a budget router after all, and it lacks when you maximize the power. Additionally, it has a compact shroud for dust collection that saves your cleaning time as the woodworking tools like collets make dust moving the bits a bit. Also, it has a solid carrying case that holds the extras perfectly for any bit size. Therefore, it is the best router for router table use at an affordable price.
Technical Details:
Dewalt Router Features:
Works like flush trim or round overs need handy routers, whether it is handheld or fixed. Bosch’s this light-weighted router gives efficient finishing on the bits in both larger tables and shorter ones. Specifically, the combination of the powerful motor with versatile accessories makes it one of the best wood routers for router tables at a budget-friendly price.
Firstly, its base is very sturdy with a smaller square base in it. It helps the motor to give a boost into the work with flexibility like the plunge one. Moreover, you can make full use of the motor in HP rating, which is rarely seen in its price range. Also, the colt designed for small-sized bits can give you back up when you don’t have time to shift it. Therefore, the router has two fixture for adjustments, straight edge, and roller/blushing, and both works precisely to do the project in the woodworking shop or beside backyard.
We have trimmed 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch bits and make a frame for collecting our tools, and guess what! The router surface didn’t haggle for any bit, which is more relaxed than our old Ryobi router. But, sometimes, it vibrates when you push the power-up, which can be a little block for professionals. For that, we will suggest you use to into average speed in the larger projects.
Technical Details:
Bosch Router Features:
Black and Decker have been a familiar name for hobbyists in the past few years for its durability and deep cutting with the adjustability of bits. Especially, its compact size and body remain still even after router table lifts which are terrific in its price range. Also, you can do any DIY project or smooth edges work with this router, which impressed us the most.
Specifically, the plunge router is a power tool while doing woodworking projects as you can rate the motor’s power in both average amps and HP with the same efficiency in work. We have cut 1/2 inch G10/F4 with it in HP, and the density of the cut was as we expected. Also, it has a slow start feature that is effective for a smooth startup cut, making it a formidable competitor than the other brands like Milwaukee.
In addition, it has a sightline base through which you can easily control your cut and keep the depth precise. Moreover, the depth setting is also very flexible to adjust for any use, making it one of the best routers for router table use. But, we will recommend it to use for small jobs like making headboards or dashboards as its features are mainly preferred for occasional jobs or hobbyists.
Technical Details:
Black And Decker RP250 Features:
If you use any of these routers I’ve mentioned above, they are compatible with both hand use as a plunge or as a table router. However, using one with a router table gives you a ton of extra benefits, and that’s why every professional carpenter has a router table. Here are the most beneficial aspects of using a wood router for router table:
Getting a wood router and a router table can get you the best combination for a better woodworking experience. However, you must know how to mount the router to the table for the setup’s best output. Here is how you can mount your router to the router table and take your woodworking level to another level:
First, you have to plan whether you’re mounting the router to a DIY router table or a buying one. If you’re going to make your own router table, plan where you’re mounting it and trace it with a pencil to cut the hole. The table should have enough space to accommodate the router plate for mounting on the tabletop. There should be enough space for the bottom of the table to reach inside and change or hold the router.
You will make two cuts on the hole, one to make the sit for the mounting plate, another for mounting the router itself. For the sit, you will measure the plate’s thickness, adjust the router bit depth to that length, and cut the traced area. Clamp a guide around the traced area to ensure the cut is precise and even. Leave 1/2″ or so, and make the actual cut inside the traced area with a higher depth to cut it through; you can use a jigsaw or a router for that. Once the cuts are done, you can now put the plate on and see if it fits without bumps.
Take the router and the mounting plate, remove the Plunge base off the router, and attach the fixed base if required. After that, go ahead and attach the mounting plate to the router using the necessary bolts, it can be 3-6 bolts. Don’t overlook any bolt; make sure you’re attending to each of them and screw them both firmly, making a strong bond. Now, take the whole set, insert it from the top of the hole to fit right into the grove, and see if it’s seamless. To finish up, screw the plate into the table and be sure not to have any bumps because of the screws or the bolts.
Once you complete these steps, you can attach the fence, the weatherboard, and other peripherals to start with your router table.
Not everyone has the same quality knowledge on the router for the router table. That is why it is tough to find the best router for router table, even if you have the list of some good quality routers. That is why we have come up with some tips for you that you should consider while purchasing the routers.
The first thing you need to consider is power. If the power is not good enough, you cannot work with tough workpieces. At the same time, when you have the router with more power, you can easily get your job one faster. So you need to choose a router for your router table that offers maximum power. The more the power it offers, the better for you.
Since you need to work with different workpieces, you cannot just work at the same speed. In that case, you can either buy several routers for different applications, or you can buy a router that offers speed adjustment. Which one is better? Of course, the one with speed adjustment. So make sure the router allows you to control the speed to work in different projects.
Changing bit is a pain for sure, and when you have to remove the router from the router table every time you want to change the bit, it will be more problematic. To stay away from this problem and hassle, you should consider an easy bit is changing. Otherwise, your life will be tougher to work with the router.
This is a real big deal when you are choosing a router for your router table. You need depth adjustment to adjust the depth for a shallow or deep cut. If you do not have the depth adjustment, you cannot get different types of cut, and as a result, you cannot apply it for different applications. So it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the depth adjustment.
You are investing a good amount of money on it. So you should expect a long life from this router, right? For that, you need to consider the durability of the router. Along with the durability, comfort is another important thing you should consider. So make sure it offers good handling so that you can enjoy the work with comfort.
We have discussed everything in short here. If you desire to know more, you should visit our guide on the wood router buying guide.
There are a lot of reasons why you should choose a router for a router table. Do you want to know those reasons to be sure about your investment? Well, check out the reasons below.
Do you have any questions? You may have some questions in your mind after reading the review. For that, you can check out our frequently asked questions. You may get your question here.
Yes, you can mount almost all the handheld router to a table. But not all the routers will suit well in your table. Some routers come with a lift mechanism to create a hole on the table to install it.
Not exactly. Not all the router is designed to fit your table. Only when you have the right table for the right router you can fit the router easily to the table.
Yes, you can easily and fairly use a router on plywood. It will get your job done faster on plywood for sure. But the result might not be satisfactory for you, I afraid.
A router is designed for routing the wood where a saw is designed to cut the wood. You can use the router to cut the wood for sure, but it does not provide you the convenience you are looking for from the table saw.
Since the router is designed to provide precise and accurate cutting, it can give you a deep cut of 1/4” generally. You can adjust the bit to control it for more precise cutting when needed.
Yes, almost any plunge router is compatible with router tables when you mount it under the tabletop. However, both of them must match the bolt settings and mounting diagram.
Although it’s not so practical for a trim router, you can mont a trim router to a router table just fine. Especially if you can get a trim router table or make a custom table, that’ll be the best.
Finding the best router for router table is really important for you because it will give you the power you need for cutting the toughest wood, the ability to control the speed and depth, easy bit changing opportunity, and lots of other benefits. Without a good router, you cannot even imagine getting those benefits. So it is really important to choose the best router. That is why we have reviewed some of the top class routers for your router table with their features and benefits so that you can pick the right one. All of them are good.
However, if you ask me to pick the best one, I will pick the Makita Compact Router. It offers a powerful motor to generate 10,000-30,000 RPM power, electronic speed control for consistent speed, variable speed control for different applications, quick base change, shaft for an easy bit change, and lots of other features. You might not get that many features in other routers. So go for it with full confidence.
