The DeWalt DWP611 is a beefy little beast of a palm router. I have a router problem (10 total...and I want more...). I own the a corded Rigid and a battery powered pair. But I love the DeWalt. You can buy a plunge base for it, and it also works with the 20v Max variant. The DeWalt is just that good.
Great Video. One thing you mentioned was that the Bosch LED would shine in your eyes when changing bits. Good point but one thing to note is that when changing bits the tool should always be unplugged to prevent accidental start up when your hands are near the bit so the LED being on all the time wouldn't matter in that regard. Safety First.
I once nudged the trigger and fired up my Makita when moving it across the bench, as it is a simple easy to get to rocker switch. Ever since, the power is ALWAYS off on bit changes. Nice to see you catch that.
Thank you a million times! I'm a woman (52 years old), and I have no idea how to use the tools, but I have a bunch of excellent ideas, and I want to make a bunch of woody things (even furniture!). So this kind of advice is such a help.... thank you from the bottom of my heart! Now I know what this "thing" is used for, and how, and which one I'll buy one day! 🙌
Much respect to a man who can admit they are a fanboy then admit that their tool of choice is not the best in the category and give a fair assessment of the tools tested. Thank you.
I have several routers from 3hp down to laminate trimmer. I have never really had major problems with any of them, until... I bought the Dewalt DWP611 for a specific purpose. I used it for milling aluminum castings for gunsmithing. It was the recommended unit by the supplier for this procedure. There is a special mill that attaches directly to the motor shaft, so there is no problem with flexing or loosening of the collet. The milling procedure only takes off less than 1/32" per pass with a 1/4" mill. It worked great for about 10 hours of use (not all at once, over a period of weeks). These routers are notorious for eating up brushes, so when mine made a loud bang and quit working, I took it apart and checked the brushes. Nope, the brushes were fine, but there was a burn mark just under the top cover. It turned out the control module blew up. I ordered a new one ($90) and installed it. The router is working fine now, but who knows if it will happen again or it was a manufacturing defect. Otherwise. I'm generally happy with its performance along with my many other Dewalt tools.
The Milwaukee has an adjustment screw on the latch. If you tighten it, it will have 0 play. It’s actually in the instructions. Give it another shot. Likely the best one on the table.
That Milwaukee is awesome! It is the best of those. You went from it not being tight enough to over tightening it, no need to crank it down so hard, When you use the micro adjustment you don't do that with it locked down, you open the lock, adjust it then lock it down. It has zero play to it. Awesome router.
@@irishRocker1 I think you’d have to see the reviews of the people who made the mistakes and then figured it out and corrected it. Honestly, I cannot figure HOW they made the mistake in the first place.
I'm retiring soon and plan to setup a new workshop. I trust your evaluations because you are one of the few channels that aren't sponsored by outside vendors and that means a lot to me. I rely on your opinions because you seem to be well respected by your peers on TH-cam and you have a ton of experience while receiving great reviews. I will continue to support your channel when the time comes to set up my shop and will purchase as much as I can from your store. I want you to be able to continue to be an unbiased voice in the tool world. Keep up the good work and I appreciate all you do. Thanks
Ive got a makita recently, full kit, great value looks well made and solid. Had problem with the adjustment moving, tightened up the nut on the locking handle problem solved, the only thing I wish it had was the Led light that would be handy,
I've used the Ryobi for over 5 years now. Put a lot of hard hours on it and haven't had the bit slip once! Love this router, sure it's not the best but has worked great for me.
Mine is the same. Collet is tight, bits are solid. My problem is the adjustment. That is terrible. I wish he could have continued testing so that would show up. All my battery tools are ryobi, but this is one i would not get again.
It’s actually pretty common for the Milwaukee routers to come with the screw on the clamp to be a little loose. Half a turn and mine is rock solid and I haven’t had to touch that screw again.
When I bought mine in November, there was a additional instruction in the box that told you how to tune it because it was shipped loose. I used it the first time and was ready to take it back when I found it, and made the adjustment. 30-some hours of use later and no issues.
Great review! I've had the same issue with the Milwaukee. It's not supposed to adjust when closed. You need to tighten the screw holding the quick release more until the handle snaps down solid and makes sure that your adjustments are set very tightly and precisely. I was shocked at first too but when it's tightened down there's no play whatsoever.
I was going to say the same thing. It probably should come right from the factory but it didn’t seem like a fair comparison because of it. I believe it says in the manual to make sure the screw is tight.
Interesting review. Probably one of my least used tools in the shop. I have burned up 2 full size routers over 50 years and have replaced them with 1 full size and 1 trim router. I have built furniture in the past but not in the last 20 years. Now it is just small shelves, camping equipment, garage storage solutions. I have the trim router dedicated with a chamfer bit or round over bit and use it just to ease the sharp edges. I have the Bosch and the Ryobi and neither one has ever let me down.
Interesting! I ended up with the Makita because it felt way more comfortable than the others when I used it... But the important thing is to get the job done.
I've been quite happy with my ryobi router for what its used for. ( not a lot of plunging to be fair) though I've never used a better quality brand router , which I guess is the trap beginners fall into, and the curse of knowledge for someone as experienced as you. At this stage I often think of upgrading all my ryobi battery power tools to dewalt , however I do have to appreciate that without the cheap ryobi tools, I would have never got into woodworking enough to want to buy expensive tools.... so I guess they serve a purpose. Thanks for another great video
I have the dewalt corded compact and the ryobi cordless. I just throw a round over bit in the ryobi and it works great for that. never had a router bit come loose like you did.
Thanks Jonathan. Great review. I have the ryobi. I’ve used it for a couple years and like it a lot. I have not experienced any problems. It doesn’t have any extra features, like the lights. But it has worked very well. My only complaint is it is too top heavy when I put the large battery in it. I was thinking of getting a corded trim router in the future. Now I now which one! Thanks again!
I love my ryobi palm router also. I have not had any problems with it holding the bit either. I have a bosch for my router table and I got the ryobi, since I am on the ryobi platform, for doing work outside of the workshop like cutting laminate in the kitchen. I agree it is top heavy with the large battery and it does not have a lot of power, so not so good for larger bits. Maybe I’ll get the corded Bosch or dewalt in the future. Thanks for the video, very informative.
Just about to say the same thing. My Ryobi has chewed through Bloodwood, Purpleheart, Leopardwood, Marblewood, and many more very dense hardwoods without a single problem
Totally agree! Here's what the small population of die-hard brand-loyalists don't realize - no one is going to making the argument that Ryobi is the best tools money can buy, but that doesn't mean they are bad or "throwaway" tools by any means. I'm convinced these people (the ones that go on the internet to bash Ryobi) are people that: 1. Haven't actually owned any Ryobi Tools. This used to be me. I was very skeptical go to Ryobi, because I thought the same. Then I bought a few tools because I'm not a professional craftsman and the price. I was very surprised with their performance. No complaints. 2. Have some weird fanboy ego wrapped up in their choice of tools. They want to buy the expensive tools, talk poorly about Ryobi and brag about their trivial other brand choice to feel better about themselves. These were the kids who made fun of their friends for having an older-model Xbox... but now all grown up and new "toys" of choice. Professionals (that don't advocate the mentality above) realize its not the tool but the talent. They encourage the use of 'entry' grade tools for... beginners and non-professionals. No judgment, no egos involved. It just makes sense. You don't need to buy a 4x4 dually full-size truck to get groceries on the weekend. If someone wants that, there's certainly nothing wrong with it. Same goes for best-of professional-grade tools for weekend-warriors and DIYers. You can buy DeWalt everything, but it's not a necessity to get the job done. *The reality is that, generally speaking, Ryobi makes great, affordable tools that are arguably the best bang-for-buck option out there. I'm confident they meet the needs of 99% of the average consumer.* If someone is a professional craftsman, maybe don't go Ryobi. You likely want/need the best-of-the-best. We'd probably all agree on that. But It's like being a racecar driver and saying that a sedan is a "throwaway" car because it doesn't go as fast. I use DeWalt for the the more heavy use, precision/power required tools (planer, miter saw, table saw) that I want to last as long as possible. However, Ryobi allowed me to get my foot in the door due to affordability; otherwise I would have sat on the side-lines because I couldn't afford the entry fee. As I continue to grow my skill, I will definitely be sticking with Ryobi for the bulk of my other tools, as I don't see any reason to spend double or triple the price just so I can represent a brand that doesn't care about me.
Yeah, sounds like he unfortunately got a dud. It's definitely not a *phenomenal* router, but very good for the price. The base removal is stupid, but I rarely ever need to remove it. I just change the bit with the base still on there.
I've had the Bosch for a few years now, my 17 year old uses it for school projects as well, it just keeps on trucking! it was kind of a spur of the moment buy and i was worried because i didn't research a lot but have been very happy with it! great video Sir
Great, I just bought a Ryobi. I'm a small project and hobbyist type woodworker, putting together a small "shop" (ha ha) of what I need the most affordable way to get the jobs done.... The Ryobi not only bad but failed????? Well, I'll try working with it, I was trying to avoid the multi brand, multi battery mess and have always found Ryobi satisfactory for my needs, I know they aren't top end by any means, but they've always given me the results I need.
According to most comments about the RYOBI here he just got a bad one, nobody else seems to have had the bit slip. I'm hoping you haven't had the bit slip either.
I'm so glad you did this comparison video. I'm wanting a small trim router and wasn't sure which one I should get. I have mostly Dewalt cordless and corded tools, I always want one corded and one cordless of the same tool in case one breaks and I can fall back to getting the second one out to finish the job. The only tool I don't have cordless are routers, I have four of them, but they are all to big to do trim work with. So I'm going to get myself a Dewalt trim router. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the video and for the great comparison. I expected the Dewalt and the Bosch to come out on top and hope to get the Bosch at some point. I was disappointed with your perspective on the Ryobi. I have that router and have been using it without issue. I have noticed it can flex, and, as a TTI product, it has similar problems to the Rigid. However, I have never experienced the issue with it holding the bit. It is odd to tighten because you need a wrench and have to hold a button to lock the spindle shaft in place, but it seems to hold bits just fine for me. As for power, it has been able to handle everything I have done with it, which includes softwoods, hardwoods, and plywood. From a budget perspective, it is a great option. It eats battery fast, though. Just my $0.02 for whatever it is worth.
I looked at this before buying a replacement for my old one that died. Bought the Bosch Pony and had the exact same problem with the base slipping. I was about to return it when I remembered this video. Tightened the little 8mm nut and, ta-da! Thanks!
This is the best review I've found. I inherited my dad's tools and I think it is time to upgrade. He was a fantastic woodworker. However, I wish he were around to discuss these products. I think he purchased something US made (Porter Cable), rather than a better design, ergonomic and easy to use.
I have two 1/2 inch mains routers which are great however they are heavy and not so good for fine detail work. I wanted a smaller lighter unit so I watched various videos etc including this one. I noticed in your revue you did not mention the accessories available. As a Milwaukee man my choice initially was that router however when I looked at the Makita, it had the plunge base which I wanted, which over came the adjustment problem, and was considerably cheaper. I liked it so much that I bought the battery version as well which was even better as it was so much more practical without the mains lead, added to which I bought an adapter which meant I could use all my Milwaukee batteries. Great video all the same.
Great video, much appreciated! I recently got a Bosch GKF600, which is the European version of the Colt (but with some different accessories and maybe a tiny bit more power). Have been really happy with it, love the feel and quality of Bosch blue. I use it mainly with a dovetail jig and for dados, and have never found it wanting power. Was relieved to see it score well with you as I hesitated between it and the Makita. For roundovers I have a 12v Bosch palm router, which is very light and handy.
I’m searching to buy my first router and your video was spot on. I’ve compared dewalt to most of them and you confirmed my dewalt choice. Spot on dude.
Great comprehensive look. We own both the older version of the Bosch, and that Dewalt. I agree that the Bosch adjustment isn’t very good, but I love the little thing. The Dewalt is really a superb little router. The only thing I disliked was the original base. I bought a round base for it, and love it. In the end, the Dewalt stayed at work, and I took the Bosch home 😊😊.
I watch your review the other day and was sold on Dewalt. Two days later, I took a ride over to the nearest service center to service two of the three Dewalt tools I own (not a pro, just a home DIYer). I brought with me an impact driver that I have owned for 2 years and a circular saw that was 45 days old at the time and used to cut four pieces of 2x4. The biggest project I have done was a fence door built out of treated wood (before I bought the saw), and I use tools every three to four months (to give you an idea of how much work these "pro tools" have seen). The impact driver had lost some of its torque and I wanted to fix it. I thought the warranty was three years because it says in really big letters 3 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. What that means is that if dewalt recalls the item (I'm sure that never happens), you can get it fixed but the warranty is actually one year (according to the not very friendly guy at the center). So a tool that saw less than a week of work is done unless I pay out of pocket to fix it, of course. They fixed the saw because that was just bought but when I picked it up, I thought to ask about the remaining warranty (based on the experience I had with the impact driver). The service clerk told me there was a 90 days warranty on it. So I lost more than half of the warranty period for fixing a product that was clearly faulty. I may use this thing once in the 90 days or not at all. Am I supposed to be forced to come up with random things to cut just to make sure it will perform properly? Dewalt is not a friend of the occasional user. Save some money and and buy tools you can replace without hurting your wallet because these people do not have a good reliable product and that is why they do not stand behind it.
I've always been a DeWalt fan and got the chance to pick up the compact router (with plunge base included) for $50 at an estate sale. I've been thrilled with it. I also have most of the DeWalt battery tools, so when the cordless router came out, I did some research and found out that all of the accessories work on it as well. Another great thing is that the PC bushings work on it too. - Chris
Thanks for the video. I learned a great deal about what features I would want or need in a Palm-Router having never even used one. I've seen one other video on palm routers that included the Ryobi. I wanted to take the time tell how much your honesty is appreciated, not to mention educated hand with real world experience. As a hobbyist, I'd much rather hear from a pro. I have a bunch Ryobi battery powered tools, but a Palm-Router isn't one of them. I was comparing the Ryobi, Bosch, and the DeWalt a few days ago in the Home Depot near my house. I felt the Ryobi engineers were primarily concerned with how much of the tool they could make out of dirt cheap plastic. That's coming from a Ryobi Fan. I'm pleased with every other Ryobi tool I've purchased, but that Router was one I just didn't feel comfortable with. I have heard many people rave about the DeWalt, so I had to get without 1st finding out about it, I probably would've chosen it. You confirmed what I had suspected. There are places where plastic simply can't be substituted for metal, and sometimes budget isn't a bargain.
A year later I look back on this and now have 3 dewalt compact routers. 1 always has a round over and 1 always has a flush trim bit, all from bits and bits with your code. Those are cordless and I have a corded one with a plunge base. I got dust collection adapters for them all and edge guides. Very happy I watched the video and tried it myself! Thanks again my man
Jonathan, hats off to you with another great video. One thing I'd add (another plus) about the Bosch compact is you can share some accessories with other Bosch routers such as the 2.3 hp. If you get the Bosch compact combination kit, the plunge base will accommodate the Bosch template guides. Further, the Bosch compact will use the Bosch Deluxe Router Edge Guide.
...was not aware that full size Bosch accy's would work with the Colt. I have ooodles of full-size stuff so they should be plug-and-play with the Colt. I'll look into that...thanks for the heads-up solid info 😀
I'm a compact router expert now. I looked touched thought and thought what palm router I wanted. I started by buying a Vevor corded. It worked and I got the feel of using a palm router. It was $90 with every attachment base. I hated that darn cord. Well after wising up I bout the cordless Dewalt with a plunge base. It is the most beautiful tool ever. I have made signs, carvings on and on.. the Dewalt is so sturdy steady and really super!! My nephew is using the Vevor.
Great vid. Other options to consider are the batteries. Since we don't have a universal battery, sometimes you have to choose a lesser tool to fit in with all the other same brand tools you own. That and battery life varies widely. Avoid generic compatibles for sure.
I had that exact Rigid and after about a year of use (mostly just weekend projects) the adjuster never stayed locked in position. It would move while I was routing. After it ruined 2 projects I decided to do some testing and found that if the speed was set to anything above 2 the bit would slowly start to lower further into any piece I was working on. Then I got that exact same Dewalt and after about 2 months of amazing work with it I got the larger one with both bases for larger projects. I'm still very new to woodworking but that Rigid one was terrible. And compared to the Dewalt, I'm kind of ashamed Rigid even bothered to try to make one. Great tips as always, love the work you do!
Wow! Your best video yet. It really shows that you did actual work with these routers instead of pencil whipping a review like we normally get from the kids in a cubicle. I just did a job that required almost milling machine accuracy with a longer bit and I too found that the Dewalt was the only machine capable of producing acceptable results. I like the lighter weight of the Makita, but the more robust construction, larger bearings and better design and features mean I reach for the Dewalt every time. Great video! I know you really invested a lot in this one, but it really shows. Thanks.
Interesting review. I have a corded and cordless makita and find them excellent. The fact that all the accessories can be used with both is a great bonus. And they have a square base which helps with the hand hold you mentioned.
I have found their ANGLE base to be absolutely great for a one of a kind job, where I needed to rout a large pulley channel, and the angle of the belt was not common... that little base saved the day and paid fot itself in just one use!!!
I agree with Alfredo. I use my tilt base...maybe twice a year. Each time I've used it it paid for itself multiple times over. Best $40 I've spent on router accessories in eons.
Bought my cordless dewalt for the sole purpose of doing juice grooves on cutting boards cause the cord on my makita kept getting in the way. It's an absolute beast and is now my go-to compact router
Thanks for the review. There used to be so many quality reviews in the years past, but they are far and few in between now. I really appreciated this one. In a trim router, I'm not really looking for power, I'm looking for the smallest and lightest. My go to for years is my Porter Cable 310 for those reasons. No plunge base but love the size. Mine is not going to last forever so I also have the Dewalt with both bases. I agree it is an excellent trim router, I just wish it was a little smaller and lighter. I've never tried a battery one, I have heard a lot of complaints that they are top heavy and I wouldn't want that in a trim router.
This demonstration could not have come at a more appropriate time for me. I was contemplating buying either the Bosch Colt or the Dewalt but leaning more towards Dewalt due to the fact most of my power tools are Dewalt. I am glad to see that the Colt measures up to the Dewalt as it would save me money. Thanks for the content.
Thanks for the great videos and the awesome tools. I love your stop block and several other pieces that I have from your shop. I only wish you guys would do the router table in an upgrade version with Baltic Birch. That being said this video has saved more than one project and several of my fingers. You were right about the Ryobi failure. After the first few months of use the cowl on the Ryobi Palm router stopped holding bits properly and has destroyed more projects than it is helped. On one project after destroying the only piece of wood I had when the bit dropped it also nearly destroyed my thumb. I was trying to turn it off and remove it from the wood it had wedged itself into. My thumb slipped into the bit because there's no shield and it's very lopsided balanced with the 4h battery. Imagine getting your thumb stuck in a roundover bit at 30,000 RPM. 16 stitches, two bone chips, and several failures later I found this video and I've given up on it. I thought it was my mistake but clearly it's a design flaw. Fortunately Flex is offering a huge deal at Lowe's and at Acme tools. If you buy a 24v battery pack you get a free standalone 24-hour volt tool. This router+battery normally run $385 as a kit but I spend $180. Keep up the good work. "Thumbenstein"
I use Ryobi because I’m on a tight budget, and I’ve never had a problem with the bit leveling off or shooting out. Though to be fair, I did lose the wrench and I use a vice grip to tighten the bit down. Taking off the depth adjuster is annoying, though.
Quality Assurance? Even the best have embarrassing pieces, if rarely. No matter, you should always give the manufacturer the chance to honor their warranty. Many do not or leave on a shelf and first use is post warranty, well whose fault is that? Then they'll whine how they have useless junk on their shelf and will never buy from brand x again. Of course, If your doing a EweBoob tool review, it doesn't matter, plus the Ryobi suffered other disqualifiers. God bless.
Thank you, Katz!!! I agree with you on the Dewalt being the most stable and a great machine to use. My shop looks likes its sponsored by Dewalt. I do like their quality of build..in general. Their brush-less motors are excellent and super powerful. Thank you for your contribution to the craft/trade.
I started out with a Bosch Colt before they offered the plunge base. Then I got a second when the plunge base came out. Last year I added the 2.3 hp model with the trigger in the handle. I just love my Bosch tools.
Good review/comparison. I have the corded Dewalt with the full kit (plunge base) and it is great for when I don't want to wrestle with the large router or need its power. I picked up the Ryobi cordless dirt cheap as a basic throw-away "quick use" router to do edge cleanups. It nearly always lives with a 1/4" round-over bit on it. Both have their place and are useful.
I'm new to woodworking and currently wading through the difficulty of selecting tools to get started. For my cordless products, I've gone down the Makita path and I love them so far. This video was incredibly informative for me to provide some direction on which router to start with. Will be going for the corded Bosch.
I just bought a Makita set that included all the extras. It was one of the best value options for a quality router here in Australia (where I am anyway). It has been fine for my uses so far - so that's keeping my buyer's remorse *mostly* at bay for now, after hearing your fair & sensible critique, haha. Thankfully I'm never in a rush, and I've never had a better one - so I don't know what i'm missing out on, and just work around the shortcomings I guess.
The Makita is good. It's just slightly annoying to do fine adjustments on. I run both Makita and Dewalt battery platforms and I chose the Dewalt. No regrets. The Dewalt multi tool on the other hand is absolutely terrible. The worst thing about it is that it could have been great, but for a few design flaws. Got the new Makita DTM52 and I am blown away by it.
I'm not arguing with your assessment of the various contractor brands. However, I have a huge set of Ryobi tools including the trim router and I've never had a problem. For my DIY level projects, I love them. I buy all of my tools during the Home Depot daily deals or during sales at Direct Tool Outlet. The reasonable pricing lets me invest in a lot of specialty tools that I could never afford if I was using DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc. However, I'm not against upgrading if I find it necessary. I have a DeWalt corded sander, jigsaw, circular saw, and miter saw.
moved from the makita to to the dewalt about 4 years ago. I found the dewalt far more versatile than the makita. I use the variable speed mostly when I work with plastics, for wood I usually run at full speed unless I see burning, usually on end grain and then I knock down the speed a few notches. Your video was a great help! I look forward to seeing comparisons like this. Thank you!
Just bought the Bosch Colt today, really excited to get my hands on it. I breathed a big sigh of relief because I saw this video AFTER the order haha. Thanks for the great content as always Jonathan!
About 7yrs ago I asked my wife for a Dewalt combo router set for Christmas. I showed her the DW618 midsized one and told her that's one I wanted. Imagine my shock on Christmas morning when I opened the wrapping and I got the DW611 compact combo. I was a little disappointed but then did some research and found out it was the best compact router on the market. I absolutely love it and told my wife it was the best "mistake" she ever made. It was my main router for years. I now have the DW618 combo to which I added the D-handle for bowl routing. Both are great routers. I think I'll be adding the cordless Dewalt soon since it looks like the plunge base will fit it as well.
Thanks Jonathan! Great timing on this one. I need a trim router for some inlay and sign-making, and it has to accept bushings. Thank you so much for doing this style of tool comparison. I really appreciate your content.
I was just about to purchase the Porter Cable router. I really need a accurate router. This video has helped me make the best decision I can. DeWalt it is.
Thanks, man. I literally had the Ridgid one in my Home Depot app cart. I'm deleting it and putting in the Bosch. UPDATE: I ended up spending a little more and got the DeWalt for $140. Thanks for the great review, Jonathan!
If you can hold off, the DeWalt price will be coming down. They over sold their projection in 2020, which completely depleted their inventory. Once they got some back in stores, the price was $199. As they've gotten more out, it's now down to $169. They sold for $129 before the unexpected depletion of stock.
@@darrinlindsey thanks for response. It looks like HD and Lowe's are totally sold out, but I can get one from my local hardware store for $140. I'll hold off until I really need it and see if the price comes down.
@@The_Ol_Bizzaroo Yeah, DeWalt is struggling to replenish the stock. I guess they just have so many different products to produce, they can't just focus on getting back up to speed with the dwp611.
@@The_Ol_Bizzaroo Do you know the deal with opening up the back of the base? Makes a huge difference in the extraction of the saw dust. Makeawoodsign here on TH-cam, have a video instruction.
I watched your tutorials and straight away headed to the shop and bought seven of those.new to woodworking and youtube but eternally grateful for your videos.
I have the cordless Dewalt and it is quickly becoming my go to router because of the adjustability, power, and overall comfort and feel. Yeah it was a little pricey, I bought mine at the big box stores but with my military discount it ended up being about the same price as maybe the Ryobi, but after comparing it with others like it on my own (plus the fact that the wife had already bought me some other Dewalt tools...) there was actually no comparison anymore... Thanks for more info Jon.
I have three routers, but only one compact, which is a PC corded version. I have been using it in my compact router table for now with no problems. Just got my third router which is a Skil 2.5 hp.
For what it’s worth, my Makita (corded version) is much tighter on the adjustment and came with a regular base, plunge base, angle base, and offset, all for less $$ than my Bosch Colt. I have an older version of the Colt and it gets knocked out of adjustment any time you put pressure on it. I wonder if it just comes down to the fit/finish of each individual item in these mass produced tools... Thanks for the video, fantastic as always!
your top pick was interesting. I did alot of research before I purchased my compact router a few years ago and came to the same conclusion. I have 6 routers in total right now. 2 Festool, 2 Bosch, 1 Triton, and the compact Dewalt. By far, the one I grab the most is the Dewalt because it is so simple to use and easy to adjust, plenty of power, and the best line of sight of any of them. I dont ever hear anyone else talk about how easy it is to adjust and that is one of its best features. I also never even thought about flipping the base around on it...but now I will add that to the arsenal.
My Ryobi holds the bit perfectly secure. Maybe you got a lemon, it happens from time to time with any brand of any product. I did have the same problem with my Ryobi that you had with the Milwakee - on my first cut with it, it bound up because the router slipped down through the base to max depth as it was cutting. After I looked it over I realized it was because that screw needed to be tightened, and once I did that it became tightly locked and secure. I bought the Rybobi because I already had Ryobi batteries, and because of the price. I'll eventually upgrade all of my cheap Ryobi tools to something better (probably Dewalt, I already have their 20v Max brushless circular saw and impact driver and love them), but I'm not a heavy user, to the Ryobi stuff will do for now. BTW, you should always unplug/remove batt from any power tool when changing bits or blades. Even an expert like yourself with years of experience can occasionally have a hand slip and should take those precautions. I know it seems like telling someone who's been driving for thirty years to keep their hands at ten and two, or telling someone who's been golfing for thirty years to follow through, or someone who's been shooting for thirty years to keep their booger hook off the bang switch, but even the most experienced people sometimes need reminders on the basics of safety.
Ive had a similar experience with my Ryobi. Holds bit just fine, but I did need to tighten the screw to get it to hold solid. To address his issue with taking the base off, Just set the router down bit facing upwards and remove the base, then you arent having to "catch" it before it falls, it easy to do one handed.
All I can say is thank you for forking out $1000 + for this video! I love both my DeWalt & Bosch tools. I have very small hands which does influence my buying. I’m going for the Bosch. I have a large Craftsman I inherited, just wanted something small. Another point you made was the variable speed. I’m on the fence about that feature as this is mainly to trim edges. Thanks for the great video. I’m subscribing. Have a great day & look forward to checking out your channel.😊
Great video! Thanks for doing this video! Had some life issues recently and watching your videos and a few other woodworkers in your community have helped me a ton! Getting back to creating has felt great! I'll definitely be getting some of your stuff as soon as I can afford it! Thanks again my good man!
I have the Milwaukee router. I have no play in the depth like yours did. I have heard that some people used the fine adjustment without unlocking it first. Doing so eventually can cause the depth adjustment to become loose. Thanks for the review, I enjoyed it.
I had the Ryobi as I'm invested in their platform already. It's too bad you had the collet issue as I wanted to see you stress test it. I've been mostly happy with mine although there are some annoyances. It's not my primary router, so I've probably only used it on about 10 projects so far.
Very interesting comparison video. A year or so ago I purchased the Dewalt compact corded model in a kit with plunge base. It has turned out to be my most used of the four routers I have. Solid, easy to use. Love everything about it. In my table I use the larger Bosch which has also been a solid performer. Grew to dislike my Triton for hand use as everything you do seems more difficult than other routers. Thought this was because it was a fixed/plunge router in one. Then I drank the koolaid and purchased a festool of1400. Fantastic, easy to setup and use with superior dust collection. But for a palm type router still love the Dewalt.
@@americatex1979 I own the festool OF 1400 router, TS55 track saw and CT15 dust extractor. All great tools, east to use in all ways they can be used, great dust removal except edge cuts such as doind a rabbit or putting a finished edge on a board as in each case the cutter/saw blade is exposed on one side but still better than other routers or saws and there are a few tricks that can be used to greatly improve that edge cut dust collection performance. Those two tools work together with accessories that let you use the Festool track to accurately position the router for rabbits and dad's. As well the LR 32 track and accessory kit allow their router to produce shelf pin holes quick and expensively easy. The domino is a tool I have been checking out carefully. A great loose mortise tool but with a few drawbacks that can be overcome with outside accessories. For working pros great tool, for DIY and even talented amateurs, a bit expensive perhaps. Myself I'm a bit in between. I do work for pay if I like the job but otherwise no. The domino is really an excellent, fast and accurate tool for producing mortices (spelling?). And with some third party items from Seneca Tool or TSO they are even better. Festool has a deal out now with several accessories for a savings. Also if you make the leap buy the domino kit in the sustained. You get the other size bits with it. What do I think of Festool, great tools, awfully expensive if you don't really need what a particular tool does better than other brands. But remember, you buy into an integrated system with Festool. Many tools work with other festool tools, their dust extraction is second to none in most cases and their extractors work with all their tools not just certain ones. SO, I drink the koolaid if the particular tool does what I need better than other tools to make it worth the difference in price. A bit of rambling but hope I may have answered your question.
@@americatex1979 well l backed up my opinion of the DL500. Just got mine today. Got the kit with the extra accessories at a savings and the domino kit with the other size bits so I can do every size mortise the DL500 can do. Already have several jobs it will help me do faster/ better. Will I buy more Festool, possibly yes but probably no. Their rotex sander, maybe. Wanted to update you regarding my feelings about Festool as you were kind enough to inquire about what I thought of them.
Great video man. I think I've made my choice. One little thing. Amp's do not give power. The voltage is the amount of power. The amp's just provide the amount of time you can use the machine's
I always unplug my router to change bits because i always imagine it turning on and chewing a hole in my hand .. That being said i dont unplug my table saw when i change my blade... But the switch is much further away and harder to accidentally turn on
@@katzmosestools I always do. And I unplug the table saw for blade changes, too. I like my digits, and I like my hands. And accidents happen because people don't do the things necessary to stay safe. Edit: Oddly, however, I don't unplug my router table cord. Though, I do turn both the router switch and table/dust collection switches off. Double blind there, I guess ...
I have the Mikita battery powered router and use it almost exclusively with the plunge base which takes the adjustment issue out of play. It has replaced my larger festoon router for 99 percent of job site tasks. I’m a cabinet maker and trimming doors on kitchens has become much easier and fast now.
Yes the plunge base is a fantastic option. I use this combination on wood and corian fabrication . For the price makita is the best value of all these trimmers .
Great review! I have the 1hp version of the Bosch and I’m really happy with it. For only $90 it’s hard to beat. Also love that Bosch tools have longer power chords
I've had the Dewalt for over a year, used it on everything from wood work to milling out aluminum and its never let me down. I do have to let it cool down some with milling aluminum but that's expected since it runs at highest speed and for much longer than most wood projects.
Wow, I had to put the 9p.m. film on hold so I could watch 'til the end. Fabulous. I only want one to pretty up the oak posts on the lean-to for my mower with a chamfer. Corded Bosch for me then. Thank you.
Jokes on you , I keep my bloomers starched to reduce bunching. I have the ryobi and the corded ridgid. My ryobi has had no issues with the collet but you were dead on about the base removal and ridgid’s clamp issues. Great video!
I agree, the Dewalt is my favorite of my 6 routers, especially with the excellent plunge base option. Bosh comes in second. The ridgid was a disappointment. The bits tend to slip in the collet and it’s difficult to remove from the base for bit changes. Also the led is lackluster compared to Dewalt’s double LED. The Dewalt plunge base is a masterpiece of precision. If your doing any detail work such as inlays the Dewalt should be your only choice.
I've ran a round over bit around a board and didn't meet up at the end. Guess which router. Yeah the Milwaukee. The depth adjustment mechanism isn't ideal, however I found that starting and keeping a hand pushing down on the top all the way around fixes the issue. Excellent video very honest and thorough.
Another plus for the DeWalt is the corded and cordless versions can use the same bases. So the plunge base will work with both routers. Earlier PC compact routers also use the same base as the current DeWalt. I have the PC 450 router and the DeWalt 20V MAX cordless, both routers mount exactly the same and the bases are interchangeable between them. I believe the PC model you tested was the laminate trimmer, no their compact router. for me power switch placement and accessibility during use is important. I don't want to be fumbling to turn the thing off if something has gone wrong. Soft start I don't think you touched on. I find it useful but not a deal breaker. LED Lights; I wouldn't buy any router of any size without LED lights today. Why any manufacturer would make a router without them is beyond me. Even some of the supposedly top of the line routers are missing LED lights like the entire Festool router line. 40 years ago I had a Craftsman Commercial router with a light. Granted it was powered by a pair of AA batteries and not too bright but for 40 years ago that was something that no other router had and didn't have for decades.
This is a brilliant video, Jonathan. I’m the sort of person who waits and saves for something, rather than just jumping in and buying a basic option, so it’s nice to know that the DeWalt is a great choice to have. I know a lot of people struggle to choose between brands and I’ve seen you recommend Makita many times, so it’s great to hear you live up to your words about impartiality and recommend something else. Again, this has been a superb video, because I for one, am unable to afford to make a mistake and buy something that is poor quality and have to buy twice, plus it’s super hard to find somewhere in the UK to try them (especially in these strange times). If possible, would you be doing a Toolsday on full-size 1/2” routers too, please? I’d really appreciate your thoughts on those. Thanks 🙏
I FULLY undrrstand your point Chis, I have several Makita tools, and most are excellent, EXCEPT my Makita corded 8 1/4" circular saw, model 5008MG, which, despite its highly touted "Magnesium" base, has too much flex in it, and thus is incapable of holding the saw disc true to 90° or whatever... it takes very little pressure down on the handle to deform it. Bad design, not fully tested. That is WHY I buy the best of EACH tool REGARDLESS of brand, because NO tool manufacturer has ALL its models correctly executed. I don't care if my tools are of diffetent colors. Buying all the tools in the same "Fanboy" color, almost guarantees that two or three of the tools Won't be the best compared to other brand.
Bruh, I have the Ryobi router and it doesn't drop the bit at all, haven't needed to take off the base yet, was it really tight or one turn past hand tight on the nut? Weird
Keep in mind, TTI owns ryobi, milwaukee and ridgid. They don't necessarily "share" designs because they're all independent companies.... but it makes sense that they seem to have the same issues. Also, i actually really love my ryobi. I'm surprised you had such large issues with the collet, mine has been solid (and i got it for $45)
I did a lot of research before deciding on the Dewalt. The Bosch colt was the close second but for some of the reasons listed here and my tendency to buy Dewalt it made the choice clear. If you can afford it then quality trumps everything! Great video. 👍
I love these types of videos where you compare multiple brands of one type of tool. I already own the Bosch router so I watched this video in hopes of confirming I made the right choice. Thanks for confirming that. I love Dewalt more than Bosch overall but I bought it because of the great price. I'm going to use it a few more months and then do my own video review which shall be good!
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*Want to learn more about Routers? Check out this playlist -* th-cam.com/play/PLWpKyJXgeoFGOQtgnJ1r1ttKhVzYaomXT.html
*Dewalt DWP611* - amzn.to/34bAxLF
*Bosch GFK125CE* - amzn.to/3bTvwvg
*Milwakee 2723-20 (Cordless)* - amzn.to/3yJKQon
*Makita RT0701C* - amzn.to/3fJquTb
*Makita XTR01 (cordless)* - amzn.to/3fdKEpw
*Rigid R2401* - amzn.to/3yBvGBh
*Porter Cable PCE6430* - amzn.to/3wsJjRq
*Ryobi P601 (Cordless)* - www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Fixed-Base-Trim-Router-Tool-Only-with-Tool-Free-Depth-Adjustment-P601/206955202
Can’t wait to get the stop blocks I ordered. Keep up the good work Jonathan
The DeWalt DWP611 is a beefy little beast of a palm router. I have a router problem (10 total...and I want more...). I own the a corded Rigid and a battery powered pair. But I love the DeWalt. You can buy a plunge base for it, and it also works with the 20v Max variant. The DeWalt is just that good.
Where is the green coolaid? 😪
What do you think of the compact routers with the plunge base??
Great Video. One thing you mentioned was that the Bosch LED would shine in your eyes when changing bits. Good point but one thing to note is that when changing bits the tool should always be unplugged to prevent accidental start up when your hands are near the bit so the LED being on all the time wouldn't matter in that regard. Safety First.
I was thinking that about the LEDs when changing bits....
Good catch
First thing I thought when he said that, because it already happened to me with a Chinese router, maybe the leds stay on on purpose to prevent that.
Goid point. LED being on is a good warning that power is on - a good feature@
I once nudged the trigger and fired up my Makita when moving it across the bench, as it is a simple easy to get to rocker switch. Ever since, the power is ALWAYS off on bit changes. Nice to see you catch that.
Love that "Sponsered by me and me alone."
The quality of the content wins
Thank you a million times! I'm a woman (52 years old), and I have no idea how to use the tools, but I have a bunch of excellent ideas, and I want to make a bunch of woody things (even furniture!). So this kind of advice is such a help.... thank you from the bottom of my heart! Now I know what this "thing" is used for, and how, and which one I'll buy one day!
🙌
Much respect to a man who can admit they are a fanboy then admit that their tool of choice is not the best in the category and give a fair assessment of the tools tested. Thank you.
Porter Cable...best palm router and service is amazing if needed
Jonathan, if you un-plug the router, like you should when changing bits, the lights wont be in your eyes, I have the colt, and your right, its great.
I have several routers from 3hp down to laminate trimmer. I have never really had major problems with any of them, until...
I bought the Dewalt DWP611 for a specific purpose. I used it for milling aluminum castings for gunsmithing. It was the recommended unit by the supplier for this procedure. There is a special mill that attaches directly to the motor shaft, so there is no problem with flexing or loosening of the collet. The milling procedure only takes off less than 1/32" per pass with a 1/4" mill. It worked great for about 10 hours of use (not all at once, over a period of weeks). These routers are notorious for eating up brushes, so when mine made a loud bang and quit working, I took it apart and checked the brushes. Nope, the brushes were fine, but there was a burn mark just under the top cover. It turned out the control module blew up. I ordered a new one ($90) and installed it. The router is working fine now, but who knows if it will happen again or it was a manufacturing defect. Otherwise. I'm generally happy with its performance along with my many other Dewalt tools.
The Milwaukee has an adjustment screw on the latch. If you tighten it, it will have 0 play. It’s actually in the instructions. Give it another shot. Likely the best one on the table.
He’s not comparing apples to apples anyway. They all have a battery option and should be only compared with battery ones.
Some people just need to stop being blinded by the "color" of the tool and not be fanboys.
That Milwaukee is awesome! It is the best of those. You went from it not being tight enough to over tightening it, no need to crank it down so hard, When you use the micro adjustment you don't do that with it locked down, you open the lock, adjust it then lock it down. It has zero play to it. Awesome router.
Same for me, had a DeWalt and the Makita wired one, now using the Milwaukee and I’m happy like nothing else…
Several other reviewers made same mistake. I have one but have not used it. Adjusts easy and locks in place.
@@williamcooper5009 Well if several are making mistakes its not well designed is it?
@@irishRocker1 I think you’d have to see the reviews of the people who made the mistakes and then figured it out and corrected it. Honestly, I cannot figure HOW they made the mistake in the first place.
Agreed!
I’ve always used Bosch routers, no complaints.
I'm retiring soon and plan to setup a new workshop. I trust your evaluations because you are one of the few channels that aren't sponsored by outside vendors and that means a lot to me. I rely on your opinions because you seem to be well respected by your peers on TH-cam and you have a ton of experience while receiving great reviews. I will continue to support your channel when the time comes to set up my shop and will purchase as much as I can from your store. I want you to be able to continue to be an unbiased voice in the tool world. Keep up the good work and I appreciate all you do. Thanks
Ive got a makita recently, full kit, great value looks well made and solid. Had problem with the adjustment moving, tightened up the nut on the locking handle problem solved, the only thing I wish it had was the Led light that would be handy,
hmm mine has it maybe only battery model
I've used the Ryobi for over 5 years now. Put a lot of hard hours on it and haven't had the bit slip once! Love this router, sure it's not the best but has worked great for me.
Mine works great. Never once thought the bit wasn't in tight. Could be operator error.
Mine is the same. Collet is tight, bits are solid. My problem is the adjustment. That is terrible. I wish he could have continued testing so that would show up. All my battery tools are ryobi, but this is one i would not get again.
Could be a problem with metric/imperial sizes as you have 6mm vs 6.13mm or so?
It’s actually pretty common for the Milwaukee routers to come with the screw on the clamp to be a little loose. Half a turn and mine is rock solid and I haven’t had to touch that screw again.
Yes this!
Same here, the plunge base came adjusted perfectly though
Mine came loose too, I tightened mine works perfect. I love having a cordless router.
When I bought mine in November, there was a additional instruction in the box that told you how to tune it because it was shipped loose. I used it the first time and was ready to take it back when I found it, and made the adjustment. 30-some hours of use later and no issues.
I have the Ryobi and have never had an issue with the bit coming out. Not trying to say it’s better than anything on this list, I haven’t used them.
Great review! I've had the same issue with the Milwaukee. It's not supposed to adjust when closed. You need to tighten the screw holding the quick release more until the handle snaps down solid and makes sure that your adjustments are set very tightly and precisely. I was shocked at first too but when it's tightened down there's no play whatsoever.
Exactly. Many have had this issue. I quick tightening on the screw and it’s perfect.
I was going to say the same thing. It probably should come right from the factory but it didn’t seem like a fair comparison because of it. I believe it says in the manual to make sure the screw is tight.
I had the same issue with my full size DeWalt router. Tightening the screw fixed it.
Yup had the same issue with my milwaukee cordless.
Works great after the clamp screw is tightened.
Interesting review. Probably one of my least used tools in the shop. I have burned up 2 full size routers over 50 years and have replaced them with 1 full size and 1 trim router. I have built furniture in the past but not in the last 20 years. Now it is just small shelves, camping equipment, garage storage solutions. I have the trim router dedicated with a chamfer bit or round over bit and use it just to ease the sharp edges. I have the Bosch and the Ryobi and neither one has ever let me down.
Interesting! I ended up with the Makita because it felt way more comfortable than the others when I used it... But the important thing is to get the job done.
Thank you for your independent review.
I've been quite happy with my ryobi router for what its used for. ( not a lot of plunging to be fair) though I've never used a better quality brand router , which I guess is the trap beginners fall into, and the curse of knowledge for someone as experienced as you.
At this stage I often think of upgrading all my ryobi battery power tools to dewalt , however I do have to appreciate that without the cheap ryobi tools, I would have never got into woodworking enough to want to buy expensive tools.... so I guess they serve a purpose.
Thanks for another great video
I have the dewalt corded compact and the ryobi cordless. I just throw a round over bit in the ryobi and it works great for that. never had a router bit come loose like you did.
Thanks Jonathan. Great review. I have the ryobi. I’ve used it for a couple years and like it a lot. I have not experienced any problems. It doesn’t have any extra features, like the lights. But it has worked very well. My only complaint is it is too top heavy when I put the large battery in it. I was thinking of getting a corded trim router in the future. Now I now which one! Thanks again!
Same here. I think he got a bad one. It’s certainly a great value especially if you are in the Ryobi platform already.
I love my ryobi palm router also. I have not had any problems with it holding the bit either. I have a bosch for my router table and I got the ryobi, since I am on the ryobi platform, for doing work outside of the workshop like cutting laminate in the kitchen. I agree it is top heavy with the large battery and it does not have a lot of power, so not so good for larger bits. Maybe I’ll get the corded Bosch or dewalt in the future. Thanks for the video, very informative.
I have the Ryobi have no problem with bit /colet yes the removal of the base was hard to get used to but not that bad thanks for your reviews
Ryobi makes good stuff.
Just about to say the same thing. My Ryobi has chewed through Bloodwood, Purpleheart, Leopardwood, Marblewood, and many more very dense hardwoods without a single problem
I originally had ryobi and loved them but work and feel great but they don’t hold up to excessive hard use so changed to Milwaukee.
Totally agree! Here's what the small population of die-hard brand-loyalists don't realize - no one is going to making the argument that Ryobi is the best tools money can buy, but that doesn't mean they are bad or "throwaway" tools by any means.
I'm convinced these people (the ones that go on the internet to bash Ryobi) are people that:
1. Haven't actually owned any Ryobi Tools. This used to be me. I was very skeptical go to Ryobi, because I thought the same. Then I bought a few tools because I'm not a professional craftsman and the price. I was very surprised with their performance. No complaints.
2. Have some weird fanboy ego wrapped up in their choice of tools. They want to buy the expensive tools, talk poorly about Ryobi and brag about their trivial other brand choice to feel better about themselves. These were the kids who made fun of their friends for having an older-model Xbox... but now all grown up and new "toys" of choice.
Professionals (that don't advocate the mentality above) realize its not the tool but the talent. They encourage the use of 'entry' grade tools for... beginners and non-professionals. No judgment, no egos involved. It just makes sense. You don't need to buy a 4x4 dually full-size truck to get groceries on the weekend. If someone wants that, there's certainly nothing wrong with it. Same goes for best-of professional-grade tools for weekend-warriors and DIYers. You can buy DeWalt everything, but it's not a necessity to get the job done.
*The reality is that, generally speaking, Ryobi makes great, affordable tools that are arguably the best bang-for-buck option out there. I'm confident they meet the needs of 99% of the average consumer.* If someone is a professional craftsman, maybe don't go Ryobi. You likely want/need the best-of-the-best. We'd probably all agree on that. But It's like being a racecar driver and saying that a sedan is a "throwaway" car because it doesn't go as fast.
I use DeWalt for the the more heavy use, precision/power required tools (planer, miter saw, table saw) that I want to last as long as possible. However, Ryobi allowed me to get my foot in the door due to affordability; otherwise I would have sat on the side-lines because I couldn't afford the entry fee. As I continue to grow my skill, I will definitely be sticking with Ryobi for the bulk of my other tools, as I don't see any reason to spend double or triple the price just so I can represent a brand that doesn't care about me.
Yeah, sounds like he unfortunately got a dud. It's definitely not a *phenomenal* router, but very good for the price. The base removal is stupid, but I rarely ever need to remove it. I just change the bit with the base still on there.
I've had the Bosch for a few years now, my 17 year old uses it for school projects as well, it just keeps on trucking! it was kind of a spur of the moment buy and i was worried because i didn't research a lot but have been very happy with it! great video Sir
Awesome production quality - great camera angles, content, music mix, and humor. Thumbs up!
Great, I just bought a Ryobi. I'm a small project and hobbyist type woodworker, putting together a small "shop" (ha ha) of what I need the most affordable way to get the jobs done.... The Ryobi not only bad but failed????? Well, I'll try working with it, I was trying to avoid the multi brand, multi battery mess and have always found Ryobi satisfactory for my needs, I know they aren't top end by any means, but they've always given me the results I need.
I bought the ryobi today at the local depot for $35
According to most comments about the RYOBI here he just got a bad one, nobody else seems to have had the bit slip. I'm hoping you haven't had the bit slip either.
My Ryobi router has given me great results. The bit does not move when I use it.
I'm so glad you did this comparison video. I'm wanting a small trim router and wasn't sure which one I should get. I have mostly Dewalt cordless and corded tools, I always want one corded and one cordless of the same tool in case one breaks and I can fall back to getting the second one out to finish the job. The only tool I don't have cordless are routers, I have four of them, but they are all to big to do trim work with. So I'm going to get myself a Dewalt trim router.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the video and for the great comparison. I expected the Dewalt and the Bosch to come out on top and hope to get the Bosch at some point. I was disappointed with your perspective on the Ryobi. I have that router and have been using it without issue. I have noticed it can flex, and, as a TTI product, it has similar problems to the Rigid. However, I have never experienced the issue with it holding the bit. It is odd to tighten because you need a wrench and have to hold a button to lock the spindle shaft in place, but it seems to hold bits just fine for me. As for power, it has been able to handle everything I have done with it, which includes softwoods, hardwoods, and plywood. From a budget perspective, it is a great option. It eats battery fast, though. Just my $0.02 for whatever it is worth.
I have the Ryobi as well and everything you say here is spot on. The handle of it seems to be... I don't know... less ergonomic than it should be?
I looked at this before buying a replacement for my old one that died. Bought the Bosch Pony and had the exact same problem with the base slipping. I was about to return it when I remembered this video. Tightened the little 8mm nut and, ta-da! Thanks!
This is the best review I've found. I inherited my dad's tools and I think it is time to upgrade. He was a fantastic woodworker. However, I wish he were around to discuss these products. I think he purchased something US made (Porter Cable), rather than a better design, ergonomic and easy to use.
I have two 1/2 inch mains routers which are great however they are heavy and not so good for fine detail work. I wanted a smaller lighter unit so I watched various videos etc including this one. I noticed in your revue you did not mention the accessories available. As a Milwaukee man my choice initially was that router however when I looked at the Makita, it had the plunge base which I wanted, which over came the adjustment problem, and was considerably cheaper. I liked it so much that I bought the battery version as well which was even better as it was so much more practical without the mains lead, added to which I bought an adapter which meant I could use all my Milwaukee batteries. Great video all the same.
Great video, much appreciated!
I recently got a Bosch GKF600, which is the European version of the Colt (but with some different accessories and maybe a tiny bit more power). Have been really happy with it, love the feel and quality of Bosch blue. I use it mainly with a dovetail jig and for dados, and have never found it wanting power. Was relieved to see it score well with you as I hesitated between it and the Makita.
For roundovers I have a 12v Bosch palm router, which is very light and handy.
I’m searching to buy my first router and your video was spot on. I’ve compared dewalt to most of them and you confirmed my dewalt choice. Spot on dude.
Great comprehensive look. We own both the older version of the Bosch, and that Dewalt. I agree that the Bosch adjustment isn’t very good, but I love the little thing. The Dewalt is really a superb little router. The only thing I disliked was the original base. I bought a round base for it, and love it. In the end, the Dewalt stayed at work, and I took the Bosch home 😊😊.
Does that mean you like the Bosch netter
@@francostacy7675 If I had to pick between the two, I’d go with the Dewalt.
I watch your review the other day and was sold on Dewalt. Two days later, I took a ride over to the nearest service center to service two of the three Dewalt tools I own (not a pro, just a home DIYer).
I brought with me an impact driver that I have owned for 2 years and a circular saw that was 45 days old at the time and used to cut four pieces of 2x4. The biggest project I have done was a fence door built out of treated wood (before I bought the saw), and I use tools every three to four months (to give you an idea of how much work these "pro tools" have seen).
The impact driver had lost some of its torque and I wanted to fix it. I thought the warranty was three years because it says in really big letters 3 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. What that means is that if dewalt recalls the item (I'm sure that never happens), you can get it fixed but the warranty is actually one year (according to the not very friendly guy at the center). So a tool that saw less than a week of work is done unless I pay out of pocket to fix it, of course.
They fixed the saw because that was just bought but when I picked it up, I thought to ask about the remaining warranty (based on the experience I had with the impact driver). The service clerk told me there was a 90 days warranty on it. So I lost more than half of the warranty period for fixing a product that was clearly faulty. I may use this thing once in the 90 days or not at all. Am I supposed to be forced to come up with random things to cut just to make sure it will perform properly?
Dewalt is not a friend of the occasional user. Save some money and and buy tools you can replace without hurting your wallet because these people do not have a good reliable product and that is why they do not stand behind it.
I've always been a DeWalt fan and got the chance to pick up the compact router (with plunge base included) for $50 at an estate sale. I've been thrilled with it. I also have most of the DeWalt battery tools, so when the cordless router came out, I did some research and found out that all of the accessories work on it as well. Another great thing is that the PC bushings work on it too. - Chris
$50 ah! Currently £350 here in uk!
Thanks for the video. I learned a great deal about what features I would want or need in a Palm-Router having never even used one. I've seen one other video on palm routers that included the Ryobi. I wanted to take the time tell how much your honesty is appreciated, not to mention educated hand with real world experience. As a hobbyist, I'd much rather hear from a pro. I have a bunch Ryobi battery powered tools, but a Palm-Router isn't one of them. I was comparing the Ryobi, Bosch, and the DeWalt a few days ago in the Home Depot near my house.
I felt the Ryobi engineers were primarily concerned with how much of the tool they could make out of dirt cheap plastic. That's coming from a Ryobi Fan. I'm pleased with every other Ryobi tool I've purchased, but that Router was one I just didn't feel comfortable with. I have heard many people rave about the DeWalt, so I had to get without 1st finding out about it, I probably would've chosen it. You confirmed what I had suspected. There are places where plastic simply can't be substituted for metal, and sometimes budget isn't a bargain.
Awesome video. Great compairson on these routers!
Agreed!
A year later I look back on this and now have 3 dewalt compact routers. 1 always has a round over and 1 always has a flush trim bit, all from bits and bits with your code. Those are cordless and I have a corded one with a plunge base. I got dust collection adapters for them all and edge guides. Very happy I watched the video and tried it myself! Thanks again my man
Jonathan, hats off to you with another great video.
One thing I'd add (another plus) about the Bosch compact is you can share some accessories with other Bosch routers such as the 2.3 hp. If you get the Bosch compact combination kit, the plunge base will accommodate the Bosch template guides. Further, the Bosch compact will use the Bosch Deluxe Router Edge Guide.
...was not aware that full size Bosch accy's would work with the Colt. I have ooodles of full-size stuff so they should be plug-and-play with the Colt. I'll look into that...thanks for the heads-up solid info 😀
I'm a compact router expert now. I looked touched thought and thought what palm router I wanted. I started by buying a Vevor corded. It worked and I got the feel of using a palm router. It was $90 with every attachment base. I hated that darn cord. Well after wising up I bout the cordless Dewalt with a plunge base. It is the most beautiful tool ever. I have made signs, carvings on and on.. the Dewalt is so sturdy steady and really super!! My nephew is using the Vevor.
Great vid. Other options to consider are the batteries. Since we don't have a universal battery, sometimes you have to choose a lesser tool to fit in with all the other same brand tools you own. That and battery life varies widely. Avoid generic compatibles for sure.
I had that exact Rigid and after about a year of use (mostly just weekend projects) the adjuster never stayed locked in position. It would move while I was routing. After it ruined 2 projects I decided to do some testing and found that if the speed was set to anything above 2 the bit would slowly start to lower further into any piece I was working on. Then I got that exact same Dewalt and after about 2 months of amazing work with it I got the larger one with both bases for larger projects. I'm still very new to woodworking but that Rigid one was terrible. And compared to the Dewalt, I'm kind of ashamed Rigid even bothered to try to make one. Great tips as always, love the work you do!
Oh man, wake up on a Sunday, roll over and see theres a new Katz video. My coffee maker can't brew fast enough right now!
I'm 3 deep already and it's only 530am hahaha. Dad life has changed my weekend sleep schedule drastically
@@katzmosestools That's awesome, and congrats on the dad life. There is nothing more rewarding in life than being a dad.
Wow! Your best video yet. It really shows that you did actual work with these routers instead of pencil whipping a review like we normally get from the kids in a cubicle. I just did a job that required almost milling machine accuracy with a longer bit and I too found that the Dewalt was the only machine capable of producing acceptable results. I like the lighter weight of the Makita, but the more robust construction, larger bearings and better design and features mean I reach for the Dewalt every time. Great video! I know you really invested a lot in this one, but it really shows. Thanks.
Interesting review. I have a corded and cordless makita and find them excellent. The fact that all the accessories can be used with both is a great bonus. And they have a square base which helps with the hand hold you mentioned.
I have found their ANGLE base to be absolutely great for a one of a kind job, where I needed to rout a large pulley channel, and the angle of the belt was not common... that little base saved the day and paid fot itself in just one use!!!
I agree with Alfredo. I use my tilt base...maybe twice a year. Each time I've used it it paid for itself multiple times over. Best $40 I've spent on router accessories in eons.
Bought my cordless dewalt for the sole purpose of doing juice grooves on cutting boards cause the cord on my makita kept getting in the way. It's an absolute beast and is now my go-to compact router
Perfect timing. I was looking for reviews for those, and bingo! Getting a Bosch. Thanks!
Thanks for the review. There used to be so many quality reviews in the years past, but they are far and few in between now. I really appreciated this one. In a trim router, I'm not really looking for power, I'm looking for the smallest and lightest. My go to for years is my Porter Cable 310 for those reasons. No plunge base but love the size. Mine is not going to last forever so I also have the Dewalt with both bases. I agree it is an excellent trim router, I just wish it was a little smaller and lighter. I've never tried a battery one, I have heard a lot of complaints that they are top heavy and I wouldn't want that in a trim router.
This demonstration could not have come at a more appropriate time for me. I was contemplating buying either the Bosch Colt or the Dewalt but leaning more towards Dewalt due to the fact most of my power tools are Dewalt. I am glad to see that the Colt measures up to the Dewalt as it would save me money. Thanks for the content.
Thanks for the great videos and the awesome tools. I love your stop block and several other pieces that I have from your shop. I only wish you guys would do the router table in an upgrade version with Baltic Birch. That being said this video has saved more than one project and several of my fingers. You were right about the Ryobi failure. After the first few months of use the cowl on the Ryobi Palm router stopped holding bits properly and has destroyed more projects than it is helped. On one project after destroying the only piece of wood I had when the bit dropped it also nearly destroyed my thumb. I was trying to turn it off and remove it from the wood it had wedged itself into. My thumb slipped into the bit because there's no shield and it's very lopsided balanced with the 4h battery. Imagine getting your thumb stuck in a roundover bit at 30,000 RPM. 16 stitches, two bone chips, and several failures later I found this video and I've given up on it. I thought it was my mistake but clearly it's a design flaw. Fortunately Flex is offering a huge deal at Lowe's and at Acme tools. If you buy a 24v battery pack you get a free standalone 24-hour volt tool. This router+battery normally run $385 as a kit but I spend $180. Keep up the good work. "Thumbenstein"
I use Ryobi because I’m on a tight budget, and I’ve never had a problem with the bit leveling off or shooting out. Though to be fair, I did lose the wrench and I use a vice grip to tighten the bit down. Taking off the depth adjuster is annoying, though.
Quality Assurance? Even the best have embarrassing pieces, if rarely. No matter, you should always give the manufacturer the chance to honor their warranty. Many do not or leave on a shelf and first use is post warranty, well whose fault is that? Then they'll whine how they have useless junk on their shelf and will never buy from brand x again. Of course, If your doing a EweBoob tool review, it doesn't matter, plus the Ryobi suffered other disqualifiers. God bless.
THANK YOU, FOR THIS GREAT REVIEW!!! I USED TO HAVE A "ROTO-ZIP",... BUT, THESE TOOLS SEEM MORE ROBUST, AND VERSATILE!!...
This is excellent, I have a Rigid 18V router which is my first router ever. My next is going to be the Bosch after watching this video.
Thank you, Katz!!! I agree with you on the Dewalt being the most stable and a great machine to use. My shop looks likes its sponsored by Dewalt. I do like their quality of build..in general. Their brush-less motors are excellent and super powerful. Thank you for your contribution to the craft/trade.
I started out with a Bosch Colt before they offered the plunge base. Then I got a second when the plunge base came out. Last year I added the 2.3 hp model with the trigger in the handle. I just love my Bosch tools.
Good review/comparison. I have the corded Dewalt with the full kit (plunge base) and it is great for when I don't want to wrestle with the large router or need its power. I picked up the Ryobi cordless dirt cheap as a basic throw-away "quick use" router to do edge cleanups. It nearly always lives with a 1/4" round-over bit on it. Both have their place and are useful.
I'm new to woodworking and currently wading through the difficulty of selecting tools to get started. For my cordless products, I've gone down the Makita path and I love them so far. This video was incredibly informative for me to provide some direction on which router to start with. Will be going for the corded Bosch.
I just bought a Makita set that included all the extras. It was one of the best value options for a quality router here in Australia (where I am anyway). It has been fine for my uses so far - so that's keeping my buyer's remorse *mostly* at bay for now, after hearing your fair & sensible critique, haha.
Thankfully I'm never in a rush, and I've never had a better one - so I don't know what i'm missing out on, and just work around the shortcomings I guess.
The Makita is good. It's just slightly annoying to do fine adjustments on. I run both Makita and Dewalt battery platforms and I chose the Dewalt. No regrets. The Dewalt multi tool on the other hand is absolutely terrible. The worst thing about it is that it could have been great, but for a few design flaws. Got the new Makita DTM52 and I am blown away by it.
I'm not arguing with your assessment of the various contractor brands. However, I have a huge set of Ryobi tools including the trim router and I've never had a problem.
For my DIY level projects, I love them.
I buy all of my tools during the Home Depot daily deals or during sales at Direct Tool Outlet. The reasonable pricing lets me invest in a lot of specialty tools that I could never afford if I was using DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc.
However, I'm not against upgrading if I find it necessary.
I have a DeWalt corded sander, jigsaw, circular saw, and miter saw.
moved from the makita to to the dewalt about 4 years ago. I found the dewalt far more versatile than the makita. I use the variable speed mostly when I work with plastics, for wood I usually run at full speed unless I see burning, usually on end grain and then I knock down the speed a few notches.
Your video was a great help! I look forward to seeing comparisons like this. Thank you!
Just bought the Bosch Colt today, really excited to get my hands on it. I breathed a big sigh of relief because I saw this video AFTER the order haha. Thanks for the great content as always Jonathan!
I've owned ryobi cordless trim router and makita corded trim router. They both powerful.
Thank you! Your channel is quickly becoming one of my favorites!
About 7yrs ago I asked my wife for a Dewalt combo router set for Christmas. I showed her the DW618 midsized one and told her that's one I wanted. Imagine my shock on Christmas morning when I opened the wrapping and I got the DW611 compact combo. I was a little disappointed but then did some research and found out it was the best compact router on the market. I absolutely love it and told my wife it was the best "mistake" she ever made. It was my main router for years. I now have the DW618 combo to which I added the D-handle for bowl routing. Both are great routers. I think I'll be adding the cordless Dewalt soon since it looks like the plunge base will fit it as well.
Thanks Jonathan! Great timing on this one. I need a trim router for some inlay and sign-making, and it has to accept bushings. Thank you so much for doing this style of tool comparison. I really appreciate your content.
I was just about to purchase the Porter Cable router. I really need a accurate router. This video has helped me make the best decision I can. DeWalt it is.
Thanks, man. I literally had the Ridgid one in my Home Depot app cart. I'm deleting it and putting in the Bosch.
UPDATE: I ended up spending a little more and got the DeWalt for $140. Thanks for the great review, Jonathan!
If you can hold off, the DeWalt price will be coming down. They over sold their projection in 2020, which completely depleted their inventory. Once they got some back in stores, the price was $199. As they've gotten more out, it's now down to $169. They sold for $129 before the unexpected depletion of stock.
@@darrinlindsey thanks for response. It looks like HD and Lowe's are totally sold out, but I can get one from my local hardware store for $140. I'll hold off until I really need it and see if the price comes down.
@@The_Ol_Bizzaroo Yeah, DeWalt is struggling to replenish the stock. I guess they just have so many different products to produce, they can't just focus on getting back up to speed with the dwp611.
@@darrinlindsey, I took your (and JKM's) advice and went for the DeWalt. Found it at my local hardware store for $140.
@@The_Ol_Bizzaroo Do you know the deal with opening up the back of the base? Makes a huge difference in the extraction of the saw dust. Makeawoodsign here on TH-cam, have a video instruction.
I watched your tutorials and straight away headed to the shop and bought seven of those.new to woodworking and youtube but eternally grateful for your videos.
I have the cordless Dewalt and it is quickly becoming my go to router because of the adjustability, power, and overall comfort and feel. Yeah it was a little pricey, I bought mine at the big box stores but with my military discount it ended up being about the same price as maybe the Ryobi, but after comparing it with others like it on my own (plus the fact that the wife had already bought me some other Dewalt tools...) there was actually no comparison anymore... Thanks for more info Jon.
I have three routers, but only one compact, which is a PC corded version. I have been using it in my compact router table for now with no problems. Just got my third router which is a Skil 2.5 hp.
For what it’s worth, my Makita (corded version) is much tighter on the adjustment and came with a regular base, plunge base, angle base, and offset, all for less $$ than my Bosch Colt. I have an older version of the Colt and it gets knocked out of adjustment any time you put pressure on it. I wonder if it just comes down to the fit/finish of each individual item in these mass produced tools... Thanks for the video, fantastic as always!
Yeah, I have that old Colt. It's that cast aluminum micro adjustment half threads that always slip. Glad they changed it.
Right -the Makita lever is *adjustable* ffs.
your top pick was interesting. I did alot of research before I purchased my compact router a few years ago and came to the same conclusion. I have 6 routers in total right now. 2 Festool, 2 Bosch, 1 Triton, and the compact Dewalt. By far, the one I grab the most is the Dewalt because it is so simple to use and easy to adjust, plenty of power, and the best line of sight of any of them. I dont ever hear anyone else talk about how easy it is to adjust and that is one of its best features. I also never even thought about flipping the base around on it...but now I will add that to the arsenal.
My Ryobi holds the bit perfectly secure. Maybe you got a lemon, it happens from time to time with any brand of any product.
I did have the same problem with my Ryobi that you had with the Milwakee - on my first cut with it, it bound up because the router slipped down through the base to max depth as it was cutting. After I looked it over I realized it was because that screw needed to be tightened, and once I did that it became tightly locked and secure.
I bought the Rybobi because I already had Ryobi batteries, and because of the price. I'll eventually upgrade all of my cheap Ryobi tools to something better (probably Dewalt, I already have their 20v Max brushless circular saw and impact driver and love them), but I'm not a heavy user, to the Ryobi stuff will do for now.
BTW, you should always unplug/remove batt from any power tool when changing bits or blades. Even an expert like yourself with years of experience can occasionally have a hand slip and should take those precautions. I know it seems like telling someone who's been driving for thirty years to keep their hands at ten and two, or telling someone who's been golfing for thirty years to follow through, or someone who's been shooting for thirty years to keep their booger hook off the bang switch, but even the most experienced people sometimes need reminders on the basics of safety.
Probably the reason for the switch he doesn't like. Harder to accidentally turn it on while changing a bit upside down.
Ive had a similar experience with my Ryobi. Holds bit just fine, but I did need to tighten the screw to get it to hold solid. To address his issue with taking the base off, Just set the router down bit facing upwards and remove the base, then you arent having to "catch" it before it falls, it easy to do one handed.
All I can say is thank you for forking out $1000 + for this video! I love both my DeWalt & Bosch tools. I have very small hands which does influence my buying. I’m going for the Bosch. I have a large Craftsman I inherited, just wanted something small. Another point you made was the variable speed. I’m on the fence about that feature as this is mainly to trim edges. Thanks for the great video. I’m subscribing. Have a great day & look forward to checking out your channel.😊
Great video! Thanks for doing this video! Had some life issues recently and watching your videos and a few other woodworkers in your community have helped me a ton! Getting back to creating has felt great! I'll definitely be getting some of your stuff as soon as I can afford it! Thanks again my good man!
I have the Milwaukee router. I have no play in the depth like yours did. I have heard that some people used the fine adjustment without unlocking it first. Doing so eventually can cause the depth adjustment to become loose.
Thanks for the review, I enjoyed it.
I had the Ryobi as I'm invested in their platform already. It's too bad you had the collet issue as I wanted to see you stress test it. I've been mostly happy with mine although there are some annoyances. It's not my primary router, so I've probably only used it on about 10 projects so far.
Very interesting comparison video. A year or so ago I purchased the Dewalt compact corded model in a kit with plunge base. It has turned out to be my most used of the four routers I have. Solid, easy to use. Love everything about it. In my table I use the larger Bosch which has also been a solid performer. Grew to dislike my Triton for hand use as everything you do seems more difficult than other routers. Thought this was because it was a fixed/plunge router in one. Then I drank the koolaid and purchased a festool of1400. Fantastic, easy to setup and use with superior dust collection. But for a palm type router still love the Dewalt.
But the question remains. How’s the koolaid. Is it as good as advertised? Did you own any of their other tools…thinking about the DF 500 domino…tia
@@americatex1979 I own the festool OF 1400 router, TS55 track saw and CT15 dust extractor. All great tools, east to use in all ways they can be used, great dust removal except edge cuts such as doind a rabbit or putting a finished edge on a board as in each case the cutter/saw blade is exposed on one side but still better than other routers or saws and there are a few tricks that can be used to greatly improve that edge cut dust collection performance. Those two tools work together with accessories that let you use the Festool track to accurately position the router for rabbits and dad's. As well the LR 32 track and accessory kit allow their router to produce shelf pin holes quick and expensively easy. The domino is a tool I have been checking out carefully. A great loose mortise tool but with a few drawbacks that can be overcome with outside accessories. For working pros great tool, for DIY and even talented amateurs, a bit expensive perhaps. Myself I'm a bit in between. I do work for pay if I like the job but otherwise no. The domino is really an excellent, fast and accurate tool for producing mortices (spelling?). And with some third party items from Seneca Tool or TSO they are even better. Festool has a deal out now with several accessories for a savings. Also if you make the leap buy the domino kit in the sustained. You get the other size bits with it. What do I think of Festool, great tools, awfully expensive if you don't really need what a particular tool does better than other brands. But remember, you buy into an integrated system with Festool. Many tools work with other festool tools, their dust extraction is second to none in most cases and their extractors work with all their tools not just certain ones. SO, I drink the koolaid if the particular tool does what I need better than other tools to make it worth the difference in price. A bit of rambling but hope I may have answered your question.
@@americatex1979 well l backed up my opinion of the DL500. Just got mine today. Got the kit with the extra accessories at a savings and the domino kit with the other size bits so I can do every size mortise the DL500 can do. Already have several jobs it will help me do faster/ better. Will I buy more Festool, possibly yes but probably no. Their rotex sander, maybe. Wanted to update you regarding my feelings about Festool as you were kind enough to inquire about what I thought of them.
Great video man. I think I've made my choice. One little thing. Amp's do not give power. The voltage is the amount of power. The amp's just provide the amount of time you can use the machine's
Shouldn’t you unplug the router to change a bit, therefore the lights would not blind you? Just saying, great reviews
You should. I would bet 98% of people don't, myself included.
I always unplug my router to change bits because i always imagine it turning on and chewing a hole in my hand
..
That being said i dont unplug my table saw when i change my blade... But the switch is much further away and harder to accidentally turn on
I always unplug my Bosch colt 1.25 to change my bits.
@@katzmosestools I always do. And I unplug the table saw for blade changes, too. I like my digits, and I like my hands. And accidents happen because people don't do the things necessary to stay safe.
Edit: Oddly, however, I don't unplug my router table cord. Though, I do turn both the router switch and table/dust collection switches off. Double blind there, I guess ...
I unplug anything I'm servicing. I like my hands.
I have the Mikita battery powered router and use it almost exclusively with the plunge base which takes the adjustment issue out of play. It has replaced my larger festoon router for 99 percent of job site tasks. I’m a cabinet maker and trimming doors on kitchens has become much easier and fast now.
Yes the plunge base is a fantastic option. I use this combination on wood and corian fabrication . For the price makita is the best value of all these trimmers .
Great review! I have the 1hp version of the Bosch and I’m really happy with it. For only $90 it’s hard to beat. Also love that Bosch tools have longer power chords
Two years later and I just snagged it for $65!
I started with the ryobi and still use it. I do have some issues after hard uses. Can't wait to upgrade. Thanks Josh for the full review.
I've had the Dewalt for over a year, used it on everything from wood work to milling out aluminum and its never let me down.
I do have to let it cool down some with milling aluminum but that's expected since it runs at highest speed and for much longer than most wood projects.
Wow, I had to put the 9p.m. film on hold so I could watch 'til the end. Fabulous. I only want one to pretty up the oak posts on the lean-to for my mower with a chamfer. Corded Bosch for me then. Thank you.
Jokes on you , I keep my bloomers starched to reduce bunching. I have the ryobi and the corded ridgid. My ryobi has had no issues with the collet but you were dead on about the base removal and ridgid’s clamp issues. Great video!
Thanks
I agree, the Dewalt is my favorite of my 6 routers, especially with the excellent plunge base option. Bosh comes in second. The ridgid was a disappointment. The bits tend to slip in the collet and it’s difficult to remove from the base for bit changes. Also the led is lackluster compared to Dewalt’s double LED. The Dewalt plunge base is a masterpiece of precision. If your doing any detail work such as inlays the Dewalt should be your only choice.
I do not trust the Dewalt brand. I have heard good things about it but it has not been my experience.
I've ran a round over bit around a board and didn't meet up at the end. Guess which router. Yeah the Milwaukee. The depth adjustment mechanism isn't ideal, however I found that starting and keeping a hand pushing down on the top all the way around fixes the issue. Excellent video very honest and thorough.
Another plus for the DeWalt is the corded and cordless versions can use the same bases. So the plunge base will work with both routers. Earlier PC compact routers also use the same base as the current DeWalt. I have the PC 450 router and the DeWalt 20V MAX cordless, both routers mount exactly the same and the bases are interchangeable between them. I believe the PC model you tested was the laminate trimmer, no their compact router. for me power switch placement and accessibility during use is important. I don't want to be fumbling to turn the thing off if something has gone wrong. Soft start I don't think you touched on. I find it useful but not a deal breaker. LED Lights; I wouldn't buy any router of any size without LED lights today. Why any manufacturer would make a router without them is beyond me. Even some of the supposedly top of the line routers are missing LED lights like the entire Festool router line. 40 years ago I had a Craftsman Commercial router with a light. Granted it was powered by a pair of AA batteries and not too bright but for 40 years ago that was something that no other router had and didn't have for decades.
I own and use 2 dewalt routers daily and they little heavy but an absolute beast.
This is a brilliant video, Jonathan. I’m the sort of person who waits and saves for something, rather than just jumping in and buying a basic option, so it’s nice to know that the DeWalt is a great choice to have. I know a lot of people struggle to choose between brands and I’ve seen you recommend Makita many times, so it’s great to hear you live up to your words about impartiality and recommend something else. Again, this has been a superb video, because I for one, am unable to afford to make a mistake and buy something that is poor quality and have to buy twice, plus it’s super hard to find somewhere in the UK to try them (especially in these strange times).
If possible, would you be doing a Toolsday on full-size 1/2” routers too, please? I’d really appreciate your thoughts on those. Thanks 🙏
I FULLY undrrstand your point Chis, I have several Makita tools, and most are excellent, EXCEPT my Makita corded 8 1/4" circular saw, model 5008MG, which, despite its highly touted "Magnesium" base, has too much flex in it, and thus is incapable of holding the saw disc true to 90° or whatever... it takes very little pressure down on the handle to deform it. Bad design, not fully tested. That is WHY I buy the best of EACH tool REGARDLESS of brand, because NO tool manufacturer has ALL its models correctly executed. I don't care if my tools are of diffetent colors. Buying all the tools in the same "Fanboy" color, almost guarantees that two or three of the tools Won't be the best compared to other brand.
I have a cordless Dewalt and it's absolutely great. I've tried tons of others and it's my favorite solution for edge profiles.
Bruh, I have the Ryobi router and it doesn't drop the bit at all, haven't needed to take off the base yet, was it really tight or one turn past hand tight on the nut? Weird
I had the same problem with the Milwaukee and discovered the same solution. Great router as long as you know about that issue to begin with.
I had the same issue.. but with a half turn of the allen screw on the locking mechanism... does not move at all...
Keep in mind, TTI owns ryobi, milwaukee and ridgid. They don't necessarily "share" designs because they're all independent companies.... but it makes sense that they seem to have the same issues.
Also, i actually really love my ryobi. I'm surprised you had such large issues with the collet, mine has been solid (and i got it for $45)
Found mine foe $35 today
I did a lot of research before deciding on the Dewalt. The Bosch colt was the close second but for some of the reasons listed here and my tendency to buy Dewalt it made the choice clear. If you can afford it then quality trumps everything! Great video. 👍
I love these types of videos where you compare multiple brands of one type of tool. I already own the Bosch router so I watched this video in hopes of confirming I made the right choice. Thanks for confirming that. I love Dewalt more than Bosch overall but I bought it because of the great price. I'm going to use it a few more months and then do my own video review which shall be good!