Fixed based routers are mostly used by the people who are new in crafts and woodworking. A fixed based router is advantageous over the others in the fact that you are closer to the workpiece. Hence, you can have better control. The following article lists the best fixed based routers in the market. Have a read.
10. Makita Fixed Base Router ($134.99)
This 1.25HP, compact router kit features variable speed which can be adjusted using the integrated variable speed control dial (10,000 – 30,000 RPM.) The unit also features fine adjustments for more precise settings. This product takes your fatigue into account and is designed for increased comfort and control. The electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load, and a soft feature ensures smooth work.
“I love this router. The speed control is great, and the slow start keeps it from jerking in your hands when you turn it on. Very easily controlled. I mainly use the plunge router base for now, but I expect to use the trimmer base when I laminate some work surfaces for my office I’m building.
I would highly recommend this for trimmer work and most router work. It is limited in the diameter of the bits it uses.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
9. Ryobi Fixed Base Router ($60.00)
This factory-reconditioned 1.5HP fixed base router has a powerful 8.5-ampere motor which allows a long-lasting and excellent performance. The durable base is constructed of die-cast aluminum to provide accuracy and stability, while the ergonomic handles offer comfortable use. A micro-adjustment knob has a zero reset for accurate depth adjustment. The quick release button allows for quick depth adjustments. The integrated LED lights allow improved sight during routing, and the spindle locks the motor unit in place for accurate cuts. It features 25,000 RPM for the fastest and cleanest cuts.
“I’ve become a fan of Ryobi tools. Reliable, powerful, and standardised components. Fit into my Skil router table correctly. Bought a few high-end bits and have been triumphal with this tool. It was a refurb, but it’s working flawlessly.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
8. Skil Fixed Base Router ($87.99)
This 2HP fixed base router comes with a touch-activated site light for improved vision. The unit features a motor of 10-ampere and a well-made depth extension rod and a scale. The collet lock has 0.25 inches capacity, and the micro-fine depth adjustment makes the bit depth adjustment fast and accurate.
Ideal for woodworkers, carpenters and cabinet makers. —C. Dwight Barnett.
“This router works very well, plenty of power. The only issue is that once you set the depth and start a route, the bit will lower about 1/16″. So I just keep a piece of scrap around to test the path depth before I start my work. I have never had a problem doing it this way.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
7. Dewalt Fixed Base Router ($137.85)
This 2 1/4 inches variable speed, fixed base router features a motor of 12 amperes to provide the power to cut through the toughest woods smoothly. The unit also flaunts a soft start to reduce start-up torque for enhanced control. The electronic variable speed has full feedback control for constant speed under load from 8,000-24,000 rpm, and the micro-fine depth adjustment provides precise depth adjustments in 1/64-inch increments and adjusts vertically for a fixed switch location. The unit also allows quick bits and base change. It works flawlessly and is durable.
“Super powerful. This thing is a beast. It’ll throw chips everywhere. So Just know right now that no dust collection system is available for this outside of buying the plunge base.
From what I read Dewalt has no plans to make a dust collection attachment for this model.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
6. Porter-Cable Fixed Base Router ($129.00)
This 11-ampere fixed base router provides with 1 3/4 peak horsepower. The unit features 27500 revolutions per minute, and the cam-lock lever enables simple coarse height adjustments and motor release. It is consistent, powerful and precise in its job and allows fast bit removal. The ergonomic handle reduces the user fatigue while a dust-sealed switch and sealed ball-bearing construction guard against wear and tear, even in rugged use. The unit measures 12.0 by 5.50 by 8.62 inches (L x W x H) and weighs 8.0 pounds. The package comes with
- Router with motor
- Fixed base
- 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets
- Collet Wrench
- Operating manual
“Been using this model for 20 years works and lasts well! I have bought three over the years and work them in a cabinet shop, and they get a lot of use!Good router” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
5. Dewalt Fixed Base Router ($122.99)
This 1.25HP, variable speed compact router comes with dual LEDs for illuminating the work site. The motor deliverance can meet the toughest applications while the variable speed enables speed to be optimized for varied applications. The unit also features full-time electronic feedback. The Adjustment ring enables controlled bit depth changes to within 1/64-inches. The D-shaped sub-base provides stability and flatness when running the edge profile, and the spindle lock has been designed to significantly improve the ease of bit change by incorporating a large button that can be actuated with the same hand that stabilizes the router. The router also features two tabs that allow for a quick and simple base release, and a new base design, so the motor location is maintained through the hardest applications.
“I was looking for a router, and I am an intermediate woodworker. I have had good luck with DeWalt tools, and I decided on this compact router by DeWalt. It is a good size, and the quality is excellent. It has a bit of weight to it but it not too heavy and it is easy to manoeuvre with one hand. My favourite part about this router is the small size factor, but it is not too small and is comfortable to use. I wasn’t too impressed with the LEDs because they are only relatively bright and they don’t improve it’s performance or make it any easier to use. I liked the power of this small router and the 1 1/4 horsepower feels like an understatement. With a 3/4 in dado bit, I was able to cut 1/4 inch dados in a single pass through plywood. The “D” base on the router is large enough and adds ALOT of stability during edge routeing. The variable speed function works great and helps prevent wood burn during routeing. I recently chamfered the edge of a shelf with a chamfer bit from MLCS and the finished edge was clean, smooth, and there was no burning of the wood. I purchased this with the MLCS 15 Piece Router Bit Set with the 1/4 inch shanks, and I am triumphal with it as an addition to the router.One negative comment I have about this router is that it does not come with with a DeWalt hard case.Overall, I am euphoric with this router, and it has excellent performance in small package.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
4. Hitachi Fixed Base Router ($119.95)
This 2.25 HP, variable speed fixed base router comes with an 11-ampere motor which controls the cuts. The two-stage motor release clamp allows for quick and accurate depth adjustments and base changes. The electronic speed control maintains constant RPMs even as load varies. It has been ergonomically designed for enhanced comfort and command. It is ideal for use in groove cutting, window cutting, trimming, shaping, and pattern cutting, etc.
Available here.
3. Bosch Fixed Base Router ($111.80)
This 5.6-ampere, 1HP, fixed base variable speed router comes with an edge guide. The device has quick-lock systems, depth adjustment system, and finger support pockets. The rated RPM goes from 15000-35000. This versatile tool is ideal for trimming deck planks, hinge mortising, edge forming, slot cutting, dovetailing, window cutouts and decorative inlays. A front spindle lock allows easy, one-wrench bit change while a shaft wrench is also included for those who prefer to use two wrenches to change bits. The soft-start enables reduced torque while the quick-clamp system smoothly moves the unit to work on other areas of your project.
“I already own three other “full size” routers so this little router is quite a pleasant surprise to use. It is lightweight and very robust; hinge-mortising, edge-trimming, and rounding-over are a breeze. I also bought the round sub-base so that it can be used with my Porter-Cable templet guide set and it works out quite nicely. So why is only 3-stars? As mentioned by other reviewers, the “Shaft-Locking Button” does not hold and needs to be redesigned. It was the most frustrating thing that I ever dealt with; the installing bit is no problem, but the removing bit was an entirely different story. The button just would not lock tight enough and kept slipping! After sore thumbs and bruised knuckles, I saw in the manual (page 7) suggesting to use a “thin” 10mm wrench as an alternative to the shaft locking button. Out of frustration I took one 10mm wrench from my inexpensive wrench set, ground it a bit thinner so that it would fit on the flats of the spindle. Now I can easily install or remove bits using two wrenches. BOSCH either needs to redesign the shaft locking button or supply an additional $2.00 wrench!” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
2. Porter-Cable Fixed Base Router ($348.49)
This 15 ampere, 3 1/4 HP fixed base speed router allows five electronic speeds (10,000, 13,000, 16,000, 19,000, and 21,000) to accommodate various applications. The soft-start enables reduced torque while the auto-release collet system allows for easy bit removal after use. The unit’s ball-bearing design keeps the dust out for longer life and extreme durability. The unit measures 11 by seven by 11 inches (L x W x H) and weighs 14-1/2 pounds.
“Excellent router. Nice motor. The soft start is perfect.
Not critical but the bit changes could be updated. I like doing things the old fashioned way and using wrenches to change the bits doesn’t bother me.
We’ve used this to turn large panelling bits. Most recently an enormous one that we had custom made. It handles it perpendicular to the grain with as little strain on the motor as could be anticipated.
I’m knocking a star for safety. I don’t like that the switch is on the top of the router. The top is proud of the switch, so if you set the router upside down, it won’t hit the switch. Still, I see our carpenters often holding the router against themselves as the use the wrenches to tight the router bits in place. I can’t help picturing their bellies somehow hitting the switch and sending parts flying. With good safety practices, those parts will be wrenches and not fingertips.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
1. Bosch Fixed Base Router ($169.00)
This two 1/4HP, variable speed router features an incredibly powerful 12-ampere motor. The unit monitors and maintains the desired RPM for a consistent and unbeatable performance. The rugged design allows for years of use and durability. The constant speed allows clean and accurate cuts while the soft-start feature reduces the torque of the system for a smooth operation. The package comes with all components necessary for fixed-depth routing. The precision centering design allows the bit to be centered with the sub-base or elective template guides which make it easier than ever to keep the bit on the intended cutting line when using guidance devices such as jigs, templates, or dovetail fixtures. The product is durable, lightweight, quiet and precise.
“Bosch makes it, and quality is excellent. Haven’t gotten to use it, yet (just got it three days ago), but I am very impressed with the features, which, with this model, includes the kit to convert it to table-top height adjustment for use with their router table, which I also got. Very nice.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
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