Palm router recommendations please...

[Harold Burrell]

I'm wondering what you all would recommend for a small router about the size of...say...the Bosch Colt.

Thanks.

[Will Overton]

I have a variable speed Bosch Colt. Since I generally use it to spin small diameter bits, the variable speed turned out to be an unnecessary option for me. I haven't used any other brands, and never felt a need to. That doesn't mean there aren't other good ones out there.

[Matt Kestenbaum]

+1 for the Colt

[Steve Kohn]

+2 Colt (great router and I needed to have more characters in my message)

[glenn bradley]

+3 on the VS Colt

[Bill Huber]

+ 4 on the Colt...

Don't even look at the Ridgid, it is a nice looking and feels good but the thing runs so hot you have to ware gloves to use it. I tried 2 of them and they were both the same.

[Will Rowland]

I must say that I have found the depth adjustment and lock on the Colt to be a bit of a pain...seems like it could be designed better. That said, I generally just leave roundover bits permanently in mine and pick up whichever one I need.

FWIW, I've never had any of the collet issues that people often complain about with the Colt.

[John Coloccia]

I'm wondering what you all would recommend for a small router about the size of...say...the Bosch Colt.

Thanks.

I recommend the Bosch Colt. LOL. Seriously, I love mine for what it is, which is a reasonable palm router. Don't expect the world. Expect a small palm router for small palm router jobs :D

[Harold Burrell]

I recommend the Bosch Colt. LOL. Seriously, I love mine for what it is, which is a reasonable palm router. Don't expect the world. Expect a small palm router for small palm router jobs :D

I appreciate all of the responses. Seriously, as soon as I wrote the OP, I fully expected everyone to say the Colt. LOL

I really appreciate Bill's reveiw of the Ridgid.

John, you are right on in regards to expectations. Which is exactly why I asked the question to begin with. My thinking was why not go with the Ryobi?

or...this grizzly?
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Trim-Router-Metal-Body/H7790

or even this HF thing?
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-trim-router-44914.html

[Scott Stafford]

I too like the Colt. If I was to be critical I would say that I don't like the high center of gravity. Maybe an aftermarket oblong base for it?

The only palm router I like better is the Porter Cable 310 which is discontinued. (but I've heard rhumors of its return). It's a great router with a low center of gravity and lots of jigs and accessories made for it. It doesn't have as much horsepower on paper, but I've never noticed it being short of power for what I use it for.

Scott in Montana

[Pete Janke]

My Dad gave me the Harbor Freight version of the Harbor Freight Trim Router. See it here: http://bit.ly/cR6hbS . It worked great with 1/8" and 1/4 roundover bits. I was going to buy the Colt, but will stick with it until it blows or breaks.

[Paul Wilson]

I use my Colt primarily for inlays and secondarily for 1/8" roundovers. I find the variable speed very important on inlays depending on the hardness of the wood and the depth of cut. It also depends on the bit being used. I use a spiral upcut bit for clearing material and a spiral downcut bit for finishing the edges of the inlay. I've tried doing inlays with my Dremel, but I have so much more control with the Colt.

[Julian Wong]

I too have the HF trim router. I would not buy it again if I were you. I went through 2-3 routers before i found one that did not have arbor runout. Some of it was so bad that I could not hod it firmly in hand., especially with the 1/2"D, 1"length flush trim bits. The longer the bit, the more the vibration.

bit 1/4" round over, it's fine. I won't go anything more than that.

[Mike Green]

I have the small MLCS router. I don't use it very often, but it's does a fine job when I need it. I comes several bases and attachments so it is a versatile tool. Good luck, Mike

[Steven DeMars]

+ Bosch Colt

The installer's kit is really nice . . .

Steve:)

[John Coloccia]

My thinking was why not go with the Ryobi?

or...this grizzly?
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Trim-Router-Metal-Body/H7790

or even this HF thing?
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-trim-router-44914.html

I don't know anything about the Ryobi. I can tell you that the HF one is very poorly made. I doubt you'll get your $20 worth. I'd maybe buy it for $5. I happen to have one permanantly mounted in a binding channel cutting machine for guitar building. For the occasional and very light use it sees, it's perfectly fine but I would not consider it for anything else.

[Mike Reinholtz]

Another fan of the Colt, but I would also suggest looking into the large kit it is offered with. There is a different base included in it that has an offset chuck that is belt driven. At first I thought it was silly but have found more uses for it than you would believe. The PR20EVSNK kit is fantastic, lots of great attachments in there that really expanded this little router's uses. The kit can be found online for around $180.

[Van Huskey]

I have one of the Ryobis, too much chatter for most work. If you want to get one and be done the Colt VS is the way to go. The Trend is nice for the plunge and the Festool is great but pricy and large and heavy for most of the tasks you want a palm router for.

[Jerome Stanek]

I like the colt and also the PC 7310 with the 3 bases

[Chris Padilla]

Pat Warner has some nice accessories for the Colt, also my recommendation.

Ever since I got the Colt a few years ago, it has become my go to router for just about everything...love the size, power, and control.

[glenn bradley]

I guess I should have said Colt + Pat's offset base (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=104038&d=1229719425). I bought the round one too but have yet to put it on. The offset does it all for me so far.

[Loren Hedahl]

I have a Harbor Freight $20 one with my favorite round over bit installed permanently. It is just fine for that use, and I feel I have gotten my $20 worth several times.

But for general use, the depth setup would likely break early on. Changing bits is a pain, etc.

So for everything else, the Colt is my go-to router where I use 1/4 inch bits.

[Bill May]

love the colt and when i need a little more umph i use a 690 with the nobs taken off

[Derrell W Sloan]

I have heard that the new ridgid 2401 that came out a month or so ago doesn't have the heating issue the older 2400 did. However, it is about the same price as the colt which seems to be a favorite.

[Harold Burrell]

OK...I get it, I get it...Bosch Colt it is. :D

However, would somebody PLEASE tell me why in the world you would need variable speed for a palm router??? :confused:

[Jay Allen]

I have several with different bits left in them, ready for use. The Bosch Colts are nice but the installers kit is rather pricey for a guy who doesn't use one for a living.
I also have an older DaWalt that I keep set-up with the tilt base. It is taller then most and doesn't have the soft start and can get a little warm, it's not that bad.
I have never had heat issues with the Ridgid either. The one I have is the older 2400 model, but it has served me well for more then 5 years.

None of them are particularly bad or amazingly better than any other, it mostly about "feel" in your hand.