Make a groove? Yes, at least a hundred times: TOP-5 routers

In terms of motor power, the Stanley SRR1200 router is on the lower end of the middle class. However, a value of 1200 W is enough to work with hard and soft woods, as well as some types of plastic and even (with certain reservations) aluminium blanks. Although routers of this power are more often used for edge processing, this model can also cope with groove selections (if they are made in several passes, gradually increasing the depth). It is not too light (4 kg), but it is not among the "heavyweights". A tool with such dimensions and weight is convenient to use in order to make shallow recesses and patterns on furniture panels.

The adjustments and settings of the router allow you to adapt the tool for all sorts of tasks that you might encounter in a small woodworking workshop. This is also facilitated by electronic “assistants”, such as soft start and speed control, which help to avoid errors when processing materials that require accuracy and accuracy. The router comes with a guide rail and three collet chucks. They allow you to use a variety of cutters with shank diameters of 6, 6.35 and 8 mm, selecting equipment for specific tasks (but the cutters themselves are not included in the kit, they need to be purchased separately).

The Stanley SRR1200 milling cutter cannot be called very cheap (there are many low-cost models that cost one and a half to two times less). But it does not apply to expensive models either. This is a good entry-level tool for those who want a solid router with slightly better than average performance.

This model has a twin brother - milling cutter Black&Decker KW1200E Price from 3 717 up to 5 419 ₴. They have a completely identical design, but a slight difference in characteristics (Black & Decker does not have a soft start, but the size of the hole in the sole allows the use of larger diameter cutters).

We can say about the Bosch POF 1200 AE milling machine that this is a good tool for beginners and amateur craftsmen. She knows how to process edges, mill longitudinal grooves and fillets and can cope not only with wood, but also with composites that are not too dense. The vertical travel declared by the manufacturer (55 mm) is true, but it should be remembered that the engine power and the strength of the cutter are not enough to cut such a deep groove in one pass. So get ready for the fact that the tool will require several working passes of 3 mm at a time to perform complex tasks.

From electronics, the router has only speed control. This is a must if you're looking for any kind of woodworking quality. Very simple milling machines usually do not have it, but Bosch did not stint.

There is a cutter in the kit, but it's ok to buy a few extra ones to be fully equipped. The tool comes with three different caliber collets (6, 6.35 and 8 mm), so you shouldn't have any problems with the selection of equipment. In the box with the router, there are also “gadgets” that expand its capabilities: copy inserts, a parallel stop (frankly simple, to be honest) and a plastic adapter for dust removal.

From the unpleasant: some users (but not all) complain that the accuracy of the milling depth setting does not correspond to the declared one.

This model is one of the best in the hobby class. But if you save up another $50, then you can take the older model from the same “green” line of Bosch tools - a milling cutter Bosch POF 1400 ACE 060326C820 Price from 5 199 up to 8 669 ₴. It has more power and smarter electronics.

Like other routers, the Ryobi RRT1600P-K is designed for shaped sawing, edging, slotting and pattern carving. But what distinguishes it from others is the abundance of "smart electronics", uncharacteristic for an instrument of the middle price category. The milling cutter is equipped with speed control in a wide range and a "soft start" function. Such a set of "assistants" allows you to perform delicate work that requires accuracy and precision during the processing of wood or plastic.

Only stiff springs cause complaints from users (during operation, you have to apply much more effort than other models) and a flimsy immersion depth lock, due to which the settings sometimes go astray.

Included with the device are two collets (for rigging with shank diameters of 6 and 8 mm), a copy insert, a parallel stop with rods and a circular fixture. Cutters must be purchased separately (but the exact same Ryobi RRT1600K model has a five-piece cutting tool set). All of the above, including the router itself, is packaged in a plastic case for secure storage and easy transportation.

The Ryobi RRT1600P-K router has enough engine power and precision settings for various amateur tasks and work in a small workshop. But those who are looking for a professional tool should look towards DeWALT, Makita routers or devices from the "blue" Bosch line.

The DeWALT D26204K router is an even more versatile tool than other vertical milling machines. This is a combined model that can perform the functions of a plunge and edge router. The device consists of an engine block and two interchangeable bases. With one base, the router can cut grooves, and the second base allows you to process edges.

The milling cutter belongs to a low power tool (only 900 W). Low power has disadvantages (for example, the device cannot work with cutters with a diameter of more than 30 mm), but there are also pluses. In particular, thanks to a small engine, the tool has a compact size and not the biggest weight. Therefore, the router sits comfortably in one hand (unlike many other routers that need to be held with two hands during operation), and users can comfortably work with small workpieces. In addition, the 900W motor is very quiet - significantly quieter than most router motors.

The tool is equipped with a six-speed speed control switch and constant electronics, thanks to which the router keeps the speed well under load. The working area is illuminated by two bright LEDs during operation.

Milling cutters with shanks from 6 to 8 mm can be installed in the collet of the router, but none are included in the kit. But inside the branded case, in addition to the device itself and two interchangeable bases, there are many more useful accessories and devices: two parallel stops, a copy sleeve, a centering cone and two plastic adapters for removing chips.

The DeWALT D26204K milling cutter is great for small carpentry - that is, for work that requires accuracy and precision, and not a lot of power. Its characteristics, functionality and package cover about 90% of the needs of professionals, and for beginners, they may even seem a little too much. But the price of the router, of course, slightly "bites". Therefore, amateur craftsmen who are not ready to pay about $400 for a DeWalt should look at a cheaper instrument (for example, Stanley, Black & Decker, Ryobi or Einhell products).

The Makita RP2301FCX router is very powerful. It has a 2100W motor. This means that the tool can easily cope with all complex tasks that require power and high performance. It can grooving and edging parts, cutting and trimming workpieces, even leveling surfaces - and does it all faster and better than less powerful models.

The downside of a powerful engine is weight and dimensions. The milling cutter is large and heavy (6.1 kg), so not everyone will be comfortable working with it.

The tool is equipped with numerous electronic control systems: spindle speed control, speed maintenance module under load, engine brake and starting current stabilizer for smooth start of the motor. The built-in backlight is responsible for working in poor lighting conditions.

The large vertical stroke depth (70 mm) makes it possible to mill particularly deep grooves and holes. The mechanisms of the milling cutter allow you to adjust the depth of immersion of the cutter with an accuracy of tenths of a millimeter. The tool can work with copy sleeves and guide rails. The kit includes a very high-quality (heavy and rigid) parallel stop with micro-adjustment, adjustable plastic pads and 450 mm long rods.

The collet has a diameter of 12 mm, but in the kit there are bushings for equipment with shanks with a diameter of 6 and 8 mm. That is, you can use almost all groove, fillet, cornice and profile cutters that are commercially available.

Milling machine Makita RP2301FCX and the same, but slightly more powerful model Makita RP2300FCX are considered the workhorses of carpentry. They are often bought to be installed upside down on a table and turn a router into a router. They are perfectly suited for this, because they do not overheat and are able to work for several hours in a row in intensive mode.

Of course, the prices for professional Makita routers cannot be called democratic. But in this segment, only Festool routers and specialized Mafell woodworking tools can compete with them, and their cost is even higher.