Routers

For the Trade

Start with the cut you need and how much control you want over the work. For quick edge trimming and lighter site use, cordless routers are handy, but you give up run time and usually a bit of weight in the base. Corded routers still suit longer sessions and heavier cuts because they keep pulling without battery swaps. Plunge routers are the one to pick when the cut has to start in the middle of the work. Fixed base models are the simpler call for repeat edge work. If you’re buying router cutters as well, match the shank and profile to the job rather than just the machine.

Router Options Compared

The choice usually comes down to how much reach, control and runtime you need on the job. Trim routers suit light edge work and quick detailing where a full-size body just gets in the way. You give up some stability and depth.

Plunge routers fit cuts that need to start away from an edge. They’re bulkier, and they slow you down on simple trimming. Cordless routers earn their keep on short runs and awkward access. Corded routers still make more sense for longer sessions because you’re not managing batteries as well as the tool. If you’re comparing routers against the rest of your Power Tools list, that’s usually where the job starts deciding the machine.

Choosing Materials and Size

Material is where you narrow routers down properly.

For regular site work, corded routers usually make sense. They keep pulling through heavier cuts, and you’re not watching battery life. Cordless routers suit short runs or work between rooms, but you give up runtime and add weight.

For finer edge work, a trim router is easier to handle one-handed. A larger body gives you more stability when the cut needs more control.

Wood routers also vary in how they feel on the job: a lighter machine is easier to guide on edging and template work, while a heavier one usually sits steadier in denser timber and longer passes. If you’re finishing with adhesive trims or edge details, Glue & Heat Guns often comes into the same conversation. For fixing and assembly around the job, Impact Drivers & Wrenches is the other one you’ll usually pick alongside.

Completing the Setup

Once the router’s chosen, the next call is usually the cutters and the finish around the work. A decent set of router cutters matters more than most lads think. The wrong profile or a blunt edge is what leaves you chasing burn marks and tear-out.

If the job needs a clean edge on sheet goods, keep the finishing products close to hand as well. The router only gets you so far before the visible face needs sorting. Where the spec is more about fixing and assembly, you’re usually better putting the money into the next tool in the sequence rather than loading up on extras you won’t use.