Small Routers

[Spectric]

Looking for a small router that has a fixed base, can take 1/4 (6mm) or 8mm collets and ideally 110 volt but would settle for 230. Not many contenders it seems, also seems to be fewer outlets selling tools.

The ones currently on the list and am looking for info and anyones feedback or experience on are the Trend T1, Makita RT0700CX2 and Dewalt D26200 or any other suggestions.

 

[Spectric]

Are people finding the market is changing faster towards cordless tools and hence less in the corded range ? What has happened to Bosch, when you look at there product range it seems diminished, are they pulling out of this market sector and maybe only doing the green DIY range .

https://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/routers-101337-ocs-c/?availability--all

https://www.bosch-diy.com/gb/en/power-tools/routers

 

[Rewby]

Can't comment on the others but I've got the corded makita and can't fault it to be honest.Its proved a great little machine that Ive used far more than I thought i was going to.Bought the plunge base aswell for it which makes it even more versatile.Mines trade use so its no ornament.It gets used.

 

[deema]

It seems to me Health and Safety on building sites is pushing towards battery tools. I know two house builders who have banned all corded power tools and no longer provides a generator.

 

[Sideways]

Bosch's website is a car crash, you put in a search and it doesn't show all the available models.
More here, but best search on google rather than bosch.

https://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/products/gkf-600-060160A161

 

[Sideways]

My one observation from use is that when you are using a router, you really want to keep is firmly grounded on the baseplate. As large a baseplate as possible in the circumstances and handles that are low down help with this, while tall, machines, small bases and body grip designs all contribute to less stability.

What's the application ?

 

[Doug71]

Never used it myself but I think some people prefer the DeWalt to the Makita because of how the height adjustment works on it.

These days I avoid anything with Trend written on........

 

[Doug B]

Prior to buying my cordless Makita I’d used both the Dewalt & Makita corded versions & found them both very good, there’s very little between them. I only opted for the Makita as I use their battery platform & for me cordless is so more convenient.
I completely agree with @Doug71 with regards Trend & @Rewby with its usage, it’s my most used router these days particularly with the mini router table I made for it.

 

[Spectric]

What's the application ?

It is for general use, I have a Dewalt 625 that is great but a heavy beast and also a Bosch GKF600 which is also good except fixed speed and only takes a 1/4 cutters with the UK version. I think for many small jobs an 8mm cutter in a smaller lighter machine becomes more managable.

 

[ChaiLatte]

As you need 8mm shank capacity, it would be prudent to confirm that an 8mm collet is easily available for the DeWalt one. The listing on the DeWalt website suggests the UK version comes with a 1/4" collet (implying the 8mm version is for the European market, perhaps making it a challenge to buy the 8mm collet as a spare part).

 

[johnnyb]

routers have an annoying range of collet sizes. 6mm, 1/4, 8mm, 3/8, 12mm,1/2.

 

[johnnyb]

I use a bosch ive had for nearly 17 years! It started to sound bearingy, i put a few drops of oil on the bearing back to sounding sweet again! Ive got all the attachments that ive never used! Ive got a katsu as well and its not great.

 

[BillK]

The Katsu trimmer I found to be alright (RT0700 copy), there's 6mm and 8mm collets for it, as well as 1/4". Height adjustment is crude is the only issue I have with it really.
Extra fixed bases are cheap, I have a few in different jigs ready for the motor to drop in. One sits on a plexi sub base, makes it nicer & steadier to use freehand.

I did get the Makita and Katsu plunge bases, both had so much slop and horrible play/tilt they got returned.

 

[Spectric]

As you need 8mm shank capacity, it would be prudent to confirm that an 8mm collet is easily available for the DeWalt one.

Yes it is odd that something like the Bosch GKF600 can only take a 1/4 collet yet the euro version can take the 1/4 or 8mm and it seems this is deliberate, the armatures are different. As for the Dewalt collets luckily they are available, Axminster and some other sites.