Trim Router Recommendation

[scott vroom]

I'm looking for a small trim router, primarily for onsite finish carpentry. The bosh Colt seems popular but also has a disproportionate # of negative reviews on Amazon. Anyone own a DeWalt DWP611? It's got a 5 star rating and is feature rich. Any others that i should be looking at? This will get commercial grade use so will spend to get quality/durabiity.

Thank you....

[Charles Taylor]

I have the Bosch Colt. In use it's terrific, but I have the same problems as many others when it comes to bit changes. The spindle lock failed, so I have to use two wrenches--and if I've tightened the collet too much, it's a bear to loosen. I wish the old Porter-Cable 310 was still made. I waited around too long before trying to get one.

[scott vroom]

I have the Bosch Colt. In use it's terrific, but I have the same problems as many others when it comes to bit changes. The spindle lock failed, so I have to use two wrenches--and if I've tightened the collet too much, it's a bear to loosen. I wish the old Porter-Cable 310 was still made. I waited around too long before trying to get one.


Yeah, I read some of those reviews about the broken spindle lock....an Achilles heal to an otherwise outstanding compact router. The DeWalt also has a spindle lock....I'm tired of busting knuckles on cold days trying to loosen over-tightened collets, I'm leaning toward the DW611 + with optional plunge base for $168.

[Kent A Bathurst]

I like my Makita. Very compact, fits well in my hand, light weight.

The height adjust is mickey-mouse, but I quickly learned how to get that dialed in.

Good visibility thru the base; the light in there helps with detail work, like routing out for butterfly keys.

I use it exclusively for rounding over sharp edges on table tops, etc. - much nicer than a router.

Assume they have made some upgrrades over time; mine is 7 - 8 years old.

[Robert Delhommer Sr]

I recently got the DWP611 combo kit and love it.

[Cary Falk]

I have the dewalt 611 and love it. I currently have it set up for shelf pins in the plunge base. I also like the newer Ridgid

[John TenEyck]

I have the Ridgid palm router and like it a lot. It has a spindle lock, but I find it hard to get enough torque to tighten the collet with only one wrench, so I use both. I don't think that's a problem inherent to the Ridgid; more just mechanics, or maybe just me. Anyway, the router has great depth adjustment, comes with a round and square clear plastic base, has a nice light, and accepts PC bushings by adding a shim, which I use to route hinge mortises. It also comes with a nice edge guide, all packed in a padded carrying case. I paid about $90. No complaints.

John

[John A langley]

Dewalt 611 or The Porter cable they're the same , I have both like them very much , I have the plunge base for the Dewalt use them every day in my cabinet shop,

[Tony Haukap]

Here's my small router collection...
http://i59.tinypic.com/2s6scg5.jpgThe DeWalt is a nice size, but it's more like a mini router than in the laminate trimmer class, especially with the plunge base. The Bosch Colt seems to fit in the hand better than the others and I find gives better control for one hand operation. The two Porter-Cables are real workhorses, but I don't think are made any more. Now, you might read something into it, because I have 2 DeWalts and 2 Porter-Cables and only one Bosh Colt. But, that doesn't mean I don't like the Colt (I need another router like a hole in the head!), There's a DeWalt DWE6000 that didn't make it into the picture, that I also like a lot, but it not as smooth running and has a bit more vibration than the Colt. I also have a Dremel in a plunge router base, but that's really a hobby level tool. If something happened to the Colt I would certainly replace it with another one without hesitation.

[Bill Huber]

Scott here is my review of the 611 when I got it.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?153632-Dewalts-new-baby-the-611-head-to-head-with-a-Bosch-Colt&highlight=dewalts+new+baby

I love the little router, I have done some inlay work with it, done round over work and even cut some 1/4" dados in some pine.
I have been using both of the bases at different times and find they are great, no problem with it at all.

[glenn bradley]

The Colt does have the best fit in the hand going for it IMHO. The DeWalt height adjustments are better (and easier) but, it is getting a little large to be called a trim router. The PC 310's are rock stars and even used bring top dollar even though they are no longer made. They can be a handful for those of us with smaller hands. I think their larger base and low center of gravity win them a large fan-base.

[John Coloccia]

The 310's were the best. C'est la vie. I have both the Colt and the Dewalt. The height adjustment mechanism on the Colt was always a pain, and the base wasn't exactly perpendicular...I had to shim it. I find myself reaching for the Dewalt 99% of the time for 1/4" bits. I plan on dedicating the Colt to a jig. I don't think the Colt is terrible, and it IS comfortable, but I wouldn't buy it again given that the Dewalt is just a better router, IMHO, and it's comfortable enough.

[pat warner]

Ridgid r2401

[John Coloccia]

Ridgid r2401

Never saw that one before. Looks like someone tossed a bunch of the good parts from the 611 and Colt parts in a bag, gave it a good shake, and pulled out a router.

[Mike Henderson]

I have both the Colt and the DeWalt. I prefer the DeWalt.

Mike

[Robert Chapman]

Like others I have both the DeWalt and the Bosch Colt. Since I bought the DeWalt I have never used the Colt. The DeWalt has many more useful features that make it much more user friendly.

[Bill McNiel]

I too have the DeWalt 611 with both bases. I love this tool/toy and may get another. Sold my Bosch because after buying the 611 I never used it. I don't think the PC has the lights.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Another happy DeWalt 611 camper checking in.....
Check for sales on the combo kit.
I got a screaming deal on mine back in May - $129 for the two base kit.

[Jack Lemley]

+1 DeWalt 611 kit. Had the Colt and didn't like it. Too difficult to change settings (might be my ignorance) but true for me nonetheless. I have had the DeWalt for about 3 years and really like the way it handles.

Jack

[Bill Huber]

Ridgid r2401

I started out getting the Ridgid when I was looking for a small router, had 3 different ones and they all had the same problem, they were HOT running.
After a few short min. of running they were so hot I could not hold them with an un-gloved hand.

Took the first one back and the guy fired it up and let it run and then said damn that thing is hot, must be a bad one. Got a new one the same thing and on the third one I just gave up and got my money back.

[Chris Monroe]

I have both the Colt and the 611. The height adjustment is the key difference, and it is really a night and day difference. The Colt is difficult to adjust consistently, but the 611 is smooth and easy.

[Ethan Melad]

I picked up a used Ryobi a few years back that has actually been great. Terrible height adjustment, but comfortable enough and a motor thats plenty strong. i was prepared for it to be pretty crappy, but it's surprised me. I assume its significantly cheaper than its dewalt/bosch counterparts, so maybe worth looking at.

[Mike Ontko]

I have the Rigid R2401 (https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/trim-router) trim router. I like it just fine for light applications--small radius roundovers and flush cutting. The motor is strong but not too torque-y, and it fits comfortably in your hand. As mentioned, the spindle lock mechanism isn't the greatest, so the the two wrenches provided are needed to loosen/tighten the collet. Also, the on/off switch can't easily be reached with the same hand that's holding the unit. I don't know if that's intentional or not, but when I'm finished making a cut I don't like the idea of having to wave a spinning blade in the air while I'm fumbling for the off switch.

[Paul Wunder]

+1 on the Ridgid for the same reasons mentioned previous;y. I do not use it commercially so I cannot comment on that requirement. It does have a lifetime warranty.

[Stew Hagerty]

+1 for the DeWalt. I have 3 Routers, including the big Porter Cable 7518 dedicated to my router table. That leaves me with two handhelds. I've got the Sears Professional 2 1/2hp kit, and then the DeWalt which I also bought in kit form. I could not be happier.

[John TenEyck]

Actually, I find the on/off switch on the Ridgid to be very convenient and safe. It's on top of the unit and recessed so it cannot accidentally be turned on. You have to pull it up to turn it on. When you are done with the cut you just lay your free hand on top of the machine to shut it off. Simple and safe, IMO.

John

[Peter Quinn]

I have a new rigid and a colt, pretty happy with both. Looked at the PC/dewalt versions....the mini router is a little too large in the hand to call a trim router, and their laminate trimmers pretty much suck. The rigid is closer to a laminate trimmer with a bit more reach. I've not had the problem with the colt shaft lock stripping, and it's real comfortable in the hand. I do like the lights on the dewalt/PC offerings, the rigid has a light too. So if it's truly a trim router you need I'd take a close look at the rigid, if you can deal with a bit more size and want it there are more options. I used a makita for a while and found it had too small a base for its height wich made it top heavy as delivered.

[Cary Falk]

I started out getting the Ridgid when I was looking for a small router, had 3 different ones and they all had the same problem, they were HOT running.
After a few short min. of running they were so hot I could not hold them with an un-gloved hand.

Took the first one back and the guy fired it up and let it run and then said damn that thing is hot, must be a bad one. Got a new one the same thing and on the third one I just gave up and got my money back.

Bill,

Are you talking about the older model R2400 or the newer r2401? My R2400 got really hot. The R2401 does not.
Cary

[John Huds0n]

I have the Colt and also picked up the 611 when it was on sale at Amazon for $129

Regarding the problem with the spindle lock on the Colt - I called Bosch about it and they sent me the wrench for free, so I am happy with it

[David Hendricks]

I too have the Ridgid R2401, its a very nice palm router and mine does not get hot at all. Rounded over a cutting block recently with several small passes and there was no noticeable heat at all. I love the work light, and the additional edge guide is nice as well. I found mine in like new shape on ebay for $50 and have been very happy so far.

[Brent Ring]

Another happy DeWalt 611 camper checking in.....
Check for sales on the combo kit.
I got a screaming deal on mine back in May - $129 for the two base kit.

Add me to the Dewalt Kit. I dont get out my Hitachi 2.25 HP out much at all any more since I bought the DW. It is really just so flexible and adjustable. I love it

[Rick Potter]

The lower the profile, the better. Like the Colt, or PC 310(?). CL is your friend.

[Rodney Garson]

I too have the Ridgid R2401, its a very nice palm router and mine does not get hot at all. Rounded over a cutting block recently with several small passes and there was no noticeable heat at all. I love the work light, and the additional edge guide is nice as well. I found mine in like new shape on ebay for $50 and have been very happy so far.

I have this one and that's been my experience as well.

[Bill Orbine]

I have the Colt.... very happy with it. I recognize the locking mechanism issue early on. I believe this problem has more to do with the small button that is difficult and clumsy to depress fully. So when I'm changing bits, I'm mindful of the issue and I make sure I have the lock button fully depressed when tightening/loosening the collet. So, no problems as long as I remember this.

[John Coloccia]

Just FYI: In practice, the little bit of extra size and top heaviness of the Dewalt really doesn't factor in because of the extended fix base. One hand on that keeps it very flat, and the other hand on the router really just guides it around. Replacing the base plate on the Colt with one of Pat's was on my list of things to do before I got the 611. Oddly enough, though, I might be one of the few that never had a problem with the lock, though I simply found it to be inconvenient and started using two wrenches anyhow. Didn't it come with two wrenches? Someone wrote about getting another wrench from Bosch? I'm almost certain mine came with two. Maybe I scavenged one from somewhere else?