looking for a palm router,,

[jeff oldham]

i have the old style craftsman router and was thinking about getting a palm router,,,i noticed that none i have seen has the clear protective cover around the bit,,my old craftsman has it and i didnt know if this was something that was not included on the newer routers,,it is kinda a pain at times but it seems like a good idea to protect you when you are using it,,

[Derek Cohen]

The Makita has an enclosed case. The dust control is excellent.

https://i.postimg.cc/W4BB4Z9r/Main.jpg

This is the powered version. I have attached an external light. The cordless version has an internal light.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Mike Kees]

I have the Dewalt with two bases (plunge & normal ). Cant remember the model #. It is a great little router. I have looked at the Makita that Derek has and would have bought it if I did not already have the Dewalt.

[Rege Sullivan]

I have the Makita 18 volt cordless. Great router! I haven't taken the 1/2 router out of the table since I got the Makita. It is an impressive compact router. I suspect the corded version is just as impressive. I haven't used the Dewalt router but have only heard good things about it. I suspect you would be happy with either.

[Andrew Seemann]

I have the Ridgid palm router. I'm normally not a fan of Ridgid power tools, but I like how the switch is set up on it. It slides up from the side, so that when you set it down on its top (the natural way to set it down) it pushes the switch down and turns it off, if you forget to turn it off before hand. As far as being a router, it works as well as anything in that class of tool. I probably use it about as much as my 1/2" routers, mainly for chamfering or rounding over edges.

[Eric Arnsdorff]

I have the smaller older Ryobi Trim/palm router. I received it as a hand me down. It has surprised me to say the least. I really want a reason to buy the Bosch colt (I have a Bosch in my router table and it’s a great router).

I’ve ended up with 5 routers including the large PC router which is a beast. I also have the DeWalt plunge router which has been going strong for over 20 years.

I really want a reason to buy that colt! But dang it this little Ryobi router is maybe my most used router and works great! I’ve never even looked up the cost of it but it just works. It’s probably 10-15 years old and was used a reasonable amount before I received it about 7-8 years ago.
So if you find a great reason to buy one of the “higher end” routers let me know so I’ll have my excuse. Until then I’ll keep using this subpar Ryobi that I can’t find a fault with.

Dust collection! It doesn’t have great dust collection! So yeah - I probably would not bother with dust collection for a trim/palm router. But it’s a reason.

[Osvaldo Cristo]

I am plenty glad with Makita palm router. I have their kit with four different bases and accessories.
I also consider the possibility to purchase an additional one as sometimes it can save time instead of to change frequently two bits...


The Makita has an enclosed case. The dust control is excellent.

https://i.postimg.cc/W4BB4Z9r/Main.jpg

This is the powered version. I have attached an external light. The cordless version has an internal light.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Andy D Jones]

Has anyone tried the Milwaukee cordless palm router? I have a substantial investment in Milwaukee M18 tools, and would like to stay in the same family if it is any good.

Otherwise, the Makita palm router has my eye.

-- Andy - Arlington TX

[Aaron Rosenthal]

My experience with the Colt, is "don't".
I've found the collet to be a serious weak spot, and I've tried selling it, but no takers off Craigslist in this area.

[Jay Kepley]

I have the Makita as well. It's a very nice router. Soft start. Fit and finish is excellent. Dust collection is pretty good. Reasonably priced as well.

[Ralph Okonieski]

I bought the Dewalt combo unit (has fixed and plunge base) a few months ago. The plunge base saw its first use today when used to cut 312 shelf pin holes for a china cabinet being built. The plunge option was very smooth and Has a nice lock feature.

The Makita router always have a lot of fans here. I was tempted to buy the Makita and waffled back and forth a few times before finally going with the Dewalt. I do not remember what feature (if any) was the deciding factor. Both seem to be very good choices.

[David Zaret]

i have three trim routers, including the milwaukee cordless - it's my favorite of the bunch. feels good in the hand, good dust collection, powerful, and stops the cutter nearly instantly when you shut it off.

[Mike Henderson]

The Dewalt cordless is my favorite. They also make a plunge base for it.

Mike

[Curt Harms]

Grizzly makes a knock-off of the Makita, MLCS sells the same machine. I have the Griz, I'm certain the finish isn't as good as the Makita but it seems to work fine. I've never used the Makita so can't compare them. $70 includes both bases but showing out of stock right now.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-Laminate-Trim-Router-with-Plunge-Base/T27139

[Stan Calow]

I have two Colts and I would not recommend. You are right, the collet area is exposed enough you could easily get a finger in there. The collet, as mentioned is difficult to work with unless you have three hands. And you are also right, I have a Ryobi as well (garage sale find) and it's a good tool.

[Andy D Jones]

i have three trim routers, including the milwaukee cordless - it's my favorite of the bunch. feels good in the hand, good dust collection, powerful, and stops the cutter nearly instantly when you shut it off.

Thanks for the info, David! Hadn't considered a brake on a router before. That seems like a handy feature to have.

Do Makita cordless trim routers have a brake as well?

-- Andy - Arlington TX

[Mike Henderson]

Thanks for the info, David! Hadn't considered a brake on a router before. That seems like a handy feature to have.

Do Makita cordless trim routers have a brake as well?

-- Andy - Arlington TX

Don't know about the Makita but the DeWalt cordless has a brake.

Mike

[Frank Washer]

I have a ryobi & dewalt cordless, they both work great, you would not be disappointed with any of them you get a lot of cutting per battery, good quality bits help a lot with cordless also.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Have three Colts. Used them to replace PC laminate trimmers. On the PC's the center axis isn't perpendicular to base, which makes it a PITA to use for anything other than laminate trimming. With the Colts, Bosch sat on the curb, and watched as the plunge base parade went by

[Charlie Jones]

I have a Colt. I don’t use it much but I am pretty satisfied with it.

[Mike Henderson]

I had a Colt trim router. For a while, it was the best small router. But in my opinion, they just didn't keep up. The were very slow to bring out a plunge base and adjusting the depth was not convenient or easy to get an accurate location. Other companies have advanced the technology with good plunge bases, lights at the bottom so you can see what you're doing, better depth adjustment and even cordless operation.

After I bought a couple of DeWalt trim routers, I sold my Colt. I'm sure other manufacturers make routers equal to the DeWalt today.

Mike

[Rick Potter]

When the Colt came out it was a revelation, and was well liked. Then everybody else made small routers, and the shortcomings of the Colt became well known, and it's popularity seemed to slip.

I have the Colt, the Makita cordless, and the DeWalt . Of the three I like the Colt the least. First, it scares me how close I have gotten my fingers to the bit while using it. Second, it is the most difficult to adjust, and third, I do not have a plunge base for it, since I do not want to buy another, and the base which is finally available is too expensive.

I will be selling the Colt when I get around to it, the others stay. Really like the DeWalt, with both bases.

[Dave Sabo]

I think this is a great little palm router for edges or small trim jobs. No dust collection, and ya ain't gonna do mortises with it, but it feels great in my hand. Your hand and mileage may vary.

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/12v-max-routers-gkf12v-25n-196784-p/