woodmagazine.com 33Out a Router
Take a look at the
many tasks a router can
do in your shop.
woodmagazine.com/
routerbasics
woodmagazine.com/
startroutingBe an informed buyer
using these router
reviews.
woodmagazine.com/
reviewsers, above. When buying your first router,
pick a midsize machine for general use.
Woodworkers who make mostly small- and
medium-size projects might prefer the
lighter weight and reduced bulk of a com-
pact router.
■ Power. Corded routers typically carry
manufacturer horsepower ratings, making
power comparisons easy. For tools without
specified horsepower, a higher amperage
rating generally corresponds to more power.Battery voltage and amp-hours (Ah) rat-
ings indicate motor power and runtime for
cordless routers. Higher voltage usually
equates to more power, higher Ah value to
longer runtime. A spare battery and a quick
charg er minimize work delays.
■ Base type. A router comprises two basic
parts: the motor to spin the bit and a base to
hold the motor vertically. The base can be
one of two styles: fixed or plunge. Which to
buy depends on your intended use.