Hunting for a tool to explore your creativity in woodwork? Get ready for some intricate design as you can do all the innovative things on wood with the help of a plunge router. This powerful, durable, and versatile tool offers you a range of features and functions to turn your imagination into reality.
Two types of routers available in the market one is a fixed base, and the second one is a plunge router. Working with a plunge router is not simple, yet you have to learn some of the features and adjustments in the plunge router that will make your work effortless.
After a complete analysis of the working of the plunge router, we will provide you with a detailed review of the best plunge router. After the review,
we will also inform you of some essential factors that will make the buying of plunge routers convenient. Without any further discussion, let’s jump into the details.
Contents
Best Plunge Router Reviews (September 2021)
1. Makita RT0701CX7 1-1/4 HP Compact Router Kit
Are you searching for a lightweight plunge router for woodwork? If yes, then Makita RT0701CX7 is one of the best options to choose from. The ergonomic design and original technical features of this plunge router make the wood designs work effortless.
Features
The dimensions of this plunge router are 17 x 10 x 7 inches, while its weight is 3.9 pounds. It gives you a variable speed option through which you can select the speed range from 10,000to 30,000RPM. However, the fixed base of this plunge router further gives you safety and stability in heavy woodwork.
The sturdy aluminum motor gives you a good durability option while the double insulation further increases its durability. The reading of the depth scale is straightforward with this plunge router. The change of bit is no more a difficult task due to its shaft lock technology.
It includes a powerful motor that has a maximum horsepower of 1-1/4HP. The start of this plunge router is not a difficult task because of its soft start features. With the help of this plunge router, you can easily make the depth adjustment due to its fast release cam lock system. The plunge depth capacity of this router is 0″-1-⅜” while it also includes 3 preset depth stops for proper depth adjustment.
Warranties
This router gives you a 1-year Matika warranty with 30 days satisfaction guarantee.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
The kit of this router includes a plunge base, ¼” collet, spanner wrench, and straight guide.
Pros
Sturdy motor
Ergonomic design
Lightweight
Quiet operations
Cons
Sometimes heat up at a fast speed.
2. Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router
If you are looking for a combo of both fixed and plunge routers, nothing will beat this Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router. It serves you best in terms of versatility and heavy-duty woodwork.
Features
This plunge router offers you plenty of woodwork applications that includes bit plunging, slot cutting, laminate trimming, dovetail cutting, and edge forming. This plunge router gives you a safe and convenient room to do all types of woodwork.
The robust aluminum construction gives you excellent durability options. Moreover, on its fixed base, there is a wooden handle while on its plunge base, there is a soft-grip handle. Both the base handle offers you ease, safer, and flexibility in work.
The dimensions of this plunge router are 6 x 11.5 x 11.6 inches while its weight is18.2 pounds. Its power motor of 2.25HP gives you a variable speed range of 8,000 to 25,000RPM. There are only 12 amps needed to start the functioning of this router.
Warranties
Moreover, this router gives you a one year warranty with a one-year service protection plan. It also offers you a 30-days money-back guarantee in case you find the router not useful.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
The kit of this plunge router includes chip shield, collet nut wrench, shaft wrench, plunge base, fixed base, T- handle hex- height adjustment wrench, and a carrying case. Furthermore, there are also two collect chunks of ¼ and ½ inches in the box.
Pros
Durabile
Versatile
Variable speed range
30-days money-back guarantee
Cons
The swapping of bases is difficult.
3. DEWALT (DWP611PK) Router Fixed/Plunge Base
Are you searching for the best plunge router for creative sign making on wood? The Dewalt DWP611PK Router Fixed/Plunge Base gives you a lot of functions and features that help you to do innovative woodwork designs.
Features
It comes up with a clear plastic base with a LED light that gives you a bright room for cutting the wood designs. The strong motor power 1.25HP of this router helps you to finch work more quickly. With its plunge base, the high-quality rubber over-molded handle ensures your safety during work.
To make a perfect sign design on wood, you will require a variable speed in the router. Besides this, you can set the desired speed on this router from 16,000-27,000RPM. During the woodcutting, the motor gives you consistent power for even sharp edge cutting.
With its fixed base, you can change the depth between 1/64 inches because of its adjustable ring. You can also do the bit changes for a single wrench with its spindle lock button. The transfer of motor from fixed to plunge base is a trouble-free process.
Warranties
This router gives you Dewalt 3 year limited warranty and 1-year free service. Besides this, it also gives you 90 days money-back guarantee.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
The kit of this plunge router includes a collet wrench, Dewalt DWP611 router with fixed base, soft-sided nylon storage bag, plunge base DNP612 and the manual guide.
Pros
Fast speed
Powerful motor
fixed/ plunge base
Led light
Cons
There is no edge guide in its package.
4. Triton TRA001 3-1/4 HP Dual Mode Precision Plunge Router
The Triton TRA001 3-1/4 HP Dual Mode Precision Plunge Router is nominated in our list of best plunge routers because of its fast speed, durabile construction, and robust motor. This plunge router allows you to do a lot of innovative woodwork.
Features
The conversion of this router from plunge to fixed is hassle-free; you just have to press a single button, and the router is converted to a fixed base along with the pinion mode plus rack.
The table mountain of this router further gives you ease in your work.
On its base, there are quick -fit pins that allow you quick installation with mounting plates. Moreover, the bit adjustment is also a matter of seconds due to its removable plunger springs.
The automatic spindle lock offers you convenient single bit wrench changes. The micro winder provides you a full fine depth adjustment with its plunge mode. Besides this, the best thing about this router is that there are side air vents to protect the motor from the upcoming air dust particles.
The weight of this router is 19.5 pounds, while its dimensions are 10.2 x 12.9 x 11.4 inches. Two handles offer you safety during high-speed wood cutting work. Its powerful motor of 3.25HP gives you a fast speed of 8000-21000RPM.
Warranties
Triton TRA001 3-1/4 HP Dual Mode Precision Plunge Router gives you three years of warranty.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
This router comes up with a table height winder, collect wrench, multifunction fence, 12mm collet and ½” collet.
Pros
Easy to use
Give safety
High speed
Excellent features
Cons
Stick dust on its body
5. Bosch 120-Volt 2.3 HP Electronic Plunge Base Router MRP23EVS
Are you searching for a plunge router with a lot of features and sturdy construction? The Bosch MRP23EVS Plunge Base Router is one of the best options to choose from. The wood cutting and designing work with its plunge router is safe, secure, and comfortable.
Features
This plunge router provides you variable speed control ranges from 10,000 to 25,000RPM. Its motor has a power of 3.3HP while it requires 15-amp for its operations.
The reduced torque start function gives you an immaculate, fine, and proficient cutting result.
It provides you the best plunge routing function due to its spring lock plunge with depth rod. This router comes up with a LED light that always turns on when you start working and gives you a clear vision of cutting lines.
One of the outstanding functions of this router is that it includes cord swivel that gives you the surety of non-rotation of its motor while making depth adjustment. On the other hand, the bit adjustments are effortless because of its after bit depth adjustment feature with after microfine lock.
Warranties
This router gives you 30 days money back granny with a full one year warranty.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
The router package includes bit wrench, ½ inch self-releasing collet, ¼ inch self-releasing collet, plunge base, and motor.
The next DeWalt plunge router in our list of best plunge routers is DEWALT DW618PK fixed/plunge base router. With this router, you can enjoy the functions of the base plus plunge router with greater ease.
Features
Working with sturdy hardwoods is not a difficulty with the help of this router due to its 2-¼ HP of motor capacity. The 12-amp of its sturdy motor offers you a variable speed working with 8000-24,000 RPM. The weight of this router is 22.5, and dimensions of 15.88 x 24 x 9.13 inches, you can make good wood designs.
During heavy-duty wood routers, your router must face many wear and tears that affect its durability and working. In this router, a dust-sealed switch increases its strength by giving it protection from the dust ingestion. With the help of its adjustable five-position turret stop, you can do perfect plunge suits repeatedly.
With its precision-machined brass bushings, metal housing, and case-hardened steel guide rods, it gives you excellent proficiency and consistency. Moreover, working with this router is safe and secure. It contains an easy to reach plunge release lever with a switch that gives protection to your fingertips while doing routine work.
Warranties
The three years warranty for this router is worth your money in a better way.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
The router box includes a vacuum adapter, kit box, DW6184 fixed base, DW 6182 plunge base, wrench, large hole sub-base, and sub-base concentricity gauge. Besides this, to give you more versatility and precision in work, it also includes two collets of ¼ and ½ inches.
Pros
Secure working
Metal housing
3-year warranty
Plenty of helpful accessories
Cons
Bases switching is difficult.
7. Hitachi KM12VC 2-1/4 Peak HP Variable Speed Fixed/Plunge Base Router Kit
Hitachi brand is already a famous brand in selling its high quality, durable and powerful tools. Now to make your woodwork easy and comfortable, it offers Hitachi KM12VC 2-1/4 Peak HP Variable Speed Fixed/Plunge Base Router.
Features
To make good proficiency cuts, the 11 amp motor with 2/14 peak HP gives you a speed range of 8000 -24,000RPM. The changing of base and depth adjustment is effortless due to its 2 stage motor release clamp.
The best thing about this router is that it gives you a quiet room for work. The noise of this router is 79.5dB. The ergonomic design of this router makes all your wood designing work trouble-free.
The handles give you security and precision during heavy load woodwork. It gives you a good portability option because the fixed base only weighs 7.3 pounds, and the plunge base weight is just 9.9pounds.
Warranties
Along with its all technical and built-in convenient features, it gives you a 5 years Hitachi warranty.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
This router comes up with ½ inches collet, ¼ inches collet, template guide adapter, centering gauge, 16-millimeter wrench, 23-millimeter wrench, and case. Furthermore, there are also 4-millimeter hex bar wrench, sub-base plate, and 10 pieces of M5x10 hex socket HD bolt.
Not but least, there is another versatile and durable Dewalt router in our list of best plunge routers. The Dewalt Router DW625 plunge base is the leading plunge router that serves you best in wood cutting work.
Features
The powerful motor of this router gives you a variable speed option that ranges from 8,000 to 22,0000AMP. The sturdy motor generates 3HP by using 15 amp. It is not a heavyweight router because it weighs only 11.2 pounds.
The dimensions of this route 13 x 13 x 7.5 inches further makes its portability easy for you. Moreover, it includes phosphorous bronze bushing that gives you fine and proficient plunge work.
The depth adjustment with this router is not difficult due to its rack and pinion depth adjuster with a micro-fine bit depth adjuster. Besides this, the magnified scale further gives you ease of in-depth adjustment and cutting.
Warranties
This router comes with a 3 year limited warranty along with a one-year free Dewalt service contract. It also gives you 90 days money-back guarantee.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
This router comes up with ¼ inch collet, ½ inch collet, wrench, template guide bushing adapter, and dust extraction adapter. There is also an operating instruction guide inside the box that gives you ease in starting its operation.
Pros
Fast speed
90 days money-back guarantee
Phosphorous bronze bushing
Operating guide
Cons
Not ergonomic handles
9. Makita RP1800 3.25 HP Plunge Router
Are you looking for a plunge router with ergonomic design handles? The Makita RP1800 3.25 HP Plunge Router serves you best. With its high-quality, sturdy material construction, you will enjoy both versatility plus durability options.
Features
The weight of this router is 13.2 pounds, while its dimensions are 12.99 x 9.06 x 12.6 inches. The corded electric power source of this router gives you extra motor power along with more torque. The maximum motor speed of this router is 22,000RPM while it works on only 15 amp.
It gives you a plunge depth capacity of 0″-2-¾”. With the help of this router, you can do a lot of woodwork like cabinet making, furniture work, countertops, decking, general carpentry, fine woodwork, and windows and doors.
The 3-¼ HP motor allows you to work as professional craftsmen, boat builders, and general contractors. This router comes up with ergonomic design rubberized handles that give you protection while woodcutting.
The lock-on trigger and built-in two-finger switch further adds versatility and allows you continuous cutting operations. The installation and removal of bits changes are simple because of its tool-less template guide.
Warranties
This router comes up with a 1-year Matika warranty. If you are not satisfied with this router work, you can return it in 30 days and take your full money back.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
Its package includes a ¼ inch collet sleeve insert, ½ inch collet cone, extended depth adjustment knob, and wrench.
Pros
Durable
30 days money-back guarantee
Ergonomic design rubberized handles
Tool lees templar guide
Cons
Parts replacement is difficult.
10. Masterworks 6.5 Amp 1.25 HP Compact Router Kit MW104K
The masterworks MW104K is the most efficient plunge router in our list of best plunge routers. It gives you all the essential features that you need in a plunge router. While Working with this router, you can enhance your woodwork experience.
Features
With its powerful motor of 6.5 amp, it can do all types of trimming and routing work. On the other hand, this router serves you best in versatility. The variable speed range 10,000-32,000RPM allows you to work with different types of material.
The aluminum constructed base and body gives you a good durability option. By using this router, you can do not plunging, laminate trimming, slot cutting, dovetail cutting, edge forming, and many other things.
It offers you an easy depth adjustment feature due to its pinion depth adjustment system. Moreover, the smooth rack further makes your depth adjustment work ease. The dust hood gives you a clean surface during wood cutting work while the rubber covered on its base offers protection to your surface.
Warranties
This router comes up with two years of warranty.
What’sWhat’s inside the box?
The router box includes five router bits, a luge router, a base, a dust hood, two collets, carbon brushes, wrench, and tool bag. Also, there are two guides one is a roller guide, and the second one is an edge guide that makes the plunge router working easy for you.
Pros
Fast speed
Durable
Versatile
2 years warranty
Cons
Small power button
Things to Consider When Buying a Plunge Router
The buying of some tools like screwdrivers and hammers is not tricky, but if you want a gadget for some heavy-duty designing work, you have to take care of some implant factors. The same thing lies in buying the plunge router. Although the buying is not as complicated and technical yet, you have to consider some crucial factors if you want to buy the best plunge router. Let’sLet’s take a look at these factors.
Size
The first thing to consider while buying the router is its size. The size of the router should not be too large that creates hurdles during work. On the other side, the router’s size should not be too small that you can not do the desired cutting work.
Different sizes of routers available in the market; meanwhile, the size also depends on your work needs. If you want to do some professional work, then you will need a big size router. But if you need a router for simple woodwork, then a standard or small router is best to buy.
Speed
Another critical factor is speed. The wood cutting work always requires a variable rate to cut the fine edges and for-depth cutting. Most routers come with variable speed features, but the thing you have to consider is their minimum and maximum speed range. The maximum speed of the router should be enough to cut the d hardwood easily.
Safety
While doing work with a router, you have to take care of your fingers and hands. At high speed, the movement of the motor is possible that sometimes harms yourself. With the latest technology and designing, some routers have cord swivel technology that avoids the motor rotation at high speed and gives you safety. On the other hand, the handles of the router also play an essential role in your security. Never buy a plunge router that has some low-quality uncomfortable handle. Always buy a plunge router with sturdy grip handles and lock technology.
Motor power and work strength
Different brands offer different powers of motors in their plunge routers. Some have high Horsepower, while others have low. Mainly it depends on your work strength and how much Horsepower you need in your plunge router? If you want to do heavy load work, then a small HP motor is not compatible. Moreover, If you use a small HP motor for heavy work, it may be possible for the router motor to become damaged. Select the plunge router with a motor power that suits your work strength.
Conclusion
As we reach the end of the article, we hope that after reading the review of the best plunge router, all of the troubles related to their selection are gone away. The plunge router is one of the best woodworking tools if you want to do some wood design like a pro. Take some time, find your work strength as well as need and then buy a plunge router and enjoy its working.
Hunting for a tool to explore your creativity in woodwork? Get ready for some intricate design as you can do all the innovative things on wood with the help of a plunge router. This powerful, durable, and versatile tool offers you a range of features and functions to turn your imagination into reality.
