Router Woodworking

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Choosing the Best Trim Router

Because of their smaller size and compact design trim routers or laminate trimmers are ideal for nearly every user. Their lightweight and one-handed operation render them simple to use and although they are specialized for trimming, a trim router is, essentially, just a smaller, totally functional mini-router. With it, you can dovetail, mortise, build tenions and joints, rout dadoes and grooves, and perform a number of other operations. Because, however, the tool is such a great deal smaller than a standard router, it also has smaller power and a smaller bit capacity which consequently also means a smaller application base. Despite this, the trim router does what it is designed to do, trim and flush (and much more), with an always simple and superior performance. To help you define your search for the ultimate trim router, the following is a review of the industry's very best based on price, functionality, and overall high-performance.

Bosch's PR20EVSK Variable Speed trim router is powerful and stable to master a huge range of trim applications. Being precise and supremely well balanced the tool is strikingly comfortable to use, and because its designed for frequent, heavy users, the router is consistently smooth and simple to operate while simultaneously yielding some of the most impressive results in the industry. The tool's aluminum fixed-base ensures durability and accuracy, and with a motor that maintains constant speed under load craftsmen can rely on always consistent high-performance. The router is equip with a straight edge guide to, well, guide the router along the edges of a workpiece up to 3-5/8" from the edge, and, with fast and precise macro and micro depth adjustments, the tool is uncommonly accurate. Altogether the tool is compact and yet heavy-duty as well to absolutely optimize your trim routing experience, and ranging in price from about $110 - $125, the PRO20EVSK combines the best of both heavy-duty performance and light-duty cost.

Porter-Cable makes another trim router with some big guns and a small price-tag. Costing about $65 - $125, their 7310 is a powerhouse in the shop while still being surprisingly easy on your wallet. The 7310 laminate trimmer is reliably strong, and specially designed for precision trimming, small edge forming, and hinge routing applications. Its 5.6 amp, 30,000 RPM motor accounts for the tool's power which, coupled with its sealed ball bearing aluminum base, provides long term durability and strength. The base design also provides maximized visibility of your bits as you work ensuring you are always on the correct mark. Also designed ergonomically, the tool provides craftsmen with the utmost comfort and control during standard or one-handed use making. This ease if operation and overall professional power and performance helps you and this trim router master nearly every routing application under the sun.

On another hand, Makita's 3709 laminate trimmer is a truly smooth operator boasting an intensely powerful 4 amp, 30,000 RPM motor. Ideal for lighter routing applications the trimmer delivers some of the most clean and smooth trimming action conceivable. The trimmer is additionally built with a transparent base providing stability and unimpeded visibility of every trimming edge. This, in turn, provides operators with more control and freedom over the workpiece and an overall precision that is virtually unmatched. The tool's slim design and lightweight (at a meager 3.3 lbs) also accounts for its ease of use and uncommon precision, while the tool's all ball bearing construction renders the tool seriously smooth and always durable. Makita tools are known for their superior standards and this trim router, by all counts, manages your light trimming with proud accuracy and authority. Lastly, ranging in cost from about $110 - $115, a truly sweet price, the router is difficult to resist.

Dewalt builds another trim router ideal for lighter-duty users that ranges in price from about $115 - $150. This router packs all the perks and power to satisfy serious crafters at a price that won't send your budget packing. Indeed, Dewalt's D26670 compact router packs a lot of punch for being such a small tool. At a mere 3.75 lbs the tool still boasts the muscle of a 5.6 amp, 30,000 RPM motor with the durability and good-old-fashioned power to cut through any number of working materials. The tool is completely ideal for lighter trimming, hinge routing, and small edge forming applications, and with comfortable ergonomics, it is simple to use and control through all operations. The router's precision-machined, cast-aluminum fixed base provides ultra support with long-term durability, and with fast and easy depth adjustments the tool is a superior light-duty trimmer with the guns to manage most of the tough stuff as well.

Although the most expensive of this group at $400 (for the basic tool and $525 for a larger set), Festool's MFK 700 is one of the most innovative and down-right radical tools on the market today. This trim router has a modular design which enables the tool to easily transform (with just a few turns of the locking knob) from a vertical position to a horizontal position. Every component of the tool, in fact, can be attached and detached without any extra tools. The trimmer is ultra lightweight and maneuverable making it ideal for not only laminate trimming, but also edge banding, and routing out grooves for inlays. The trim router also has a pleasantly exceptional dust removal system in which the dust extraction connector swivels allowing the dust extractor hose to move freely. This swiveling prevents binding and clogging, thus, you have a cleaner tool, a cleaner work environment, and cleaner results. The tool utilizes a (locking) super fine micro-adjustment knob allowing you to fine tune your cut depths with an accuracy of 1/10 of a millimeter. I repeat: 1/10 of a millimeter; this is extremely precise. Festool's MFK 700 additionally boasts Variable Speed control, remarkable versatility, and the smooth durability of a ridiculously high-performance tool. In this router, Festool has given craftsmen a tool with huge spunk and superior performance, and although the price is high, those who have experienced the Festool difference assert it is worth every single penny.

Each of these trim routers is designed for the utmost in high-performance and will undoubtedly produce the most professional results with every use. Despite being on a budget, or being one that spares no expense, one of these trim routers is sure to meet your needs.

About the Author

Specializing in tool parts & web communications, Mallory joined M&M Tool 4 yrs ago adding to their over 150 yrs combined experience. For over 70 yrs M&M Tool has provided the best service to the tool industry with replacement parts, sales, & service to woodworking products, machinery & power tools like Dewalt's D26670 trim router & Festool's 574288 MFK 700 trim router. Visit M&M Tool's power tool recommender to find what equipment best suits you.

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Carpenters, what cordless set do you recommend?

I have just started woodworking and would like to start a cordless collection. I'll start with the basics: drill, circular, palm sander, router. Can you all recommend a good brand. I know Dewalt is top of the line but it is out of my price range. My father has a small set of Ryobi 18v and seems happy with it. Is this a good set? Please also recommend some other necessary tools. I have several hand tools: screwdrivers, plyers, clamps.
I'll probably start building simple projects: bookshelves, a ladder for a bunk bed, a child's drafting table.

There is no blanket brand that is best for every single tool. And to go cordless with every tool is not wise. No, Dewalt is not top of the line, they just have a rep. This is my list on many years experience.

Drills - Panasonic, yes Panasonic, makes the finest drills around. Pick up one of the cordless combo packs with a drill and impact driver and you will be astounded at the performance and accuracy of the tools. They are the only drill maker that delivers torque at even levels no matter what speed the chuck is spinning. In other words, other brands derive higher torque by spinning faster which makes for sloppy work if you dig in too deep or start off at top speed. These are the best cordless drills and priced near Milwaukees. I gave my Dewalt cordless to my Dad after discovering Panasonics. Don't buy a hammer drill unless you are doing extensive work with concrete drilling. If they are out of your price range, go Craftsman as their replacement batteries are dirt cheap. Keep a decent corded drill around just in case.

Circ Saw - Many fine brands out there, but Bosch fits my hand very well. Pick up the saw and see how it fits in your hand. Circ. saws must be comfortable or you will make sloppy cuts. If you need high power and are cutting very thick pieces of wood a worm drive Skil Saw is the way to go. Comfort and weight is key and Bosch works best for me in this dept. Cordless circ saws are a waste of money in my opinion. The battery life is horrific on any brand I have used. If these are too much money for you (Bosch circ saw is around $110), then I really don't know what to say. Just buy anything that is comfortable and in your price range.

Sanders - Porter Cable makes great sanders. Again, stay clear of cordless in this department as the batteries just can't keep up. If you are working on a tight budget, skip the sander all together and spend more on better saws and drills. Elbow grease replaces any sander at 1/100th the price.

Router - Porter Cable again in this dept. Honestly, I won't go near any other brand router. The true cost of a router begins AFTER you buy one. Bit sets are very expensive and you may be better off buying trim that matches the type of edges you want. Cut them to size and glue on the corners.

Those are the tools you listed. Cordless tools have advantages when used properly. Anything that runs for long periods of time (sander, jig saw, etc) will be a huge disappointment to you. If you absolutely must have one of those cordless combo sets and Dewalt is too expensive, go with Craftsman or Ryobi.

If all you have is some hand tools and you want to make furniture properly, be ready to shell out at least $1000 on power tools. It sounds like the things you want to work on are indoor projects. For the projects you listed, skip the circ saw and buy a miter saw.

Making things for around the house is very rewarding so keep at it. For shelves, go buy a $100 miter saw (Lowes has a Hitachi for $100 I believe as does Ryobi and Craftsman), wood glue, a Craftsman cordless drill (get corded if you do not already have one, cheap cordless drills can't match the power of a corded drill), a carpenters square, a level, and some screws. Sand the pieces first, assemble, and finish with some stain. Build up your skills with the basics first and things will make more sense when you go shopping for power tools. Have fun!

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