Mighty Minis
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{ product review } mighty minis Originally the tool of choice of kitchen installers for trimming laminate countertops, mini-routers are earning an important role in today’s woodworking shop for handling a variety of common light routing tasks. by mar k goodall Porter-Cable 310 Porter-Cable 7310 DeWalt DW670 Ridgid R2400 Bosch PR20EVS THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF WOODWORKERS: THOSE WHO BUY TOOLS BECAUSE THEY NEED THEM AND THOSE WHO BUY TOOLS BECAUSE THEY WANT THEM. Here’s a tool that appeals to both – inexpensive enough to own several, as well as being very useful. I’m talking about laminate trimmers, those mini-routers we are seeing more of these days. For many years – back when they were simply called trimmers, not routers – there were only a few available. Now, just about every manufacturer makes at least one model. Manufacturers refer to them by a number of names: trimmers, laminate-trimmers, trim routers and palm-grip routers. Whatever you call them, these handy (pun intended) one-handed, ¼" collet mini-routers are great. A mini-router isn’t the best choice for your first router, but it complements a full-sized one in many ways. Understand that these mini-routers won’t take the place of a more powerful, accurate and stable (larger) router, and using any tool for a task it wasn’t designed for can be dangerous. What follows is a roundup of eight mini-routers you’re most likely to find on your favorite store’s shelves. The DeWalt DW670, Porter-Cable 310 and Porter-Cable 7310 have been around for some time, while the Freud FT750 and Makita 3707FC are fairly recent introductions. Three are quite new: the Bosch Colt PR20EVS, Ridgid R2400 and Ryobi TR45. 78 WOODCR AFT MAGAZINE | 12.05 product review: mini-router comparison Laminate trimming can involve more than just Freud FT750 quickly and neatly cutting Makita 3707FC off the laminate overhang. Trimmers with extra bases and offset attachments can handle the more advanced laminate trim-ming tasks that countertop installers would face. Because of their affordability and availability, I expect we’ll see more mini- routers doing woodworking chores in our workshops Ryobi T45 than trimming laminates for countertops, especially since more countertops are being made with solid- surface materials like Corian Although some models receive consistently high marks instead of laminate. from both professionals and DIYs, there isn’t one perfect mini- router. Some woodworkers prefer the size, shape or features of Power, speed and volume one model over another. These models range from 4 to 6.5 amps with the Porter-Cable For example, if you’ll use one for edge-trimming laminate 310 and the Ryobi drawing the lowest current, and the Freud material like Formica, you may not need the micro-height and the Ridgid drawing the highest (see comparison chart, adjustment feature found on some models. Similarly, if you page 80). Surprisingly, performance wasn’t affected by the plan on having several mini-routers, each for a dedicated task difference in power as much as I expected. While with a bit that is “set and ready to go,” you may not appreciate the DeWalt, Freud and Porter-Cable 7310 felt the strongest, the features that facilitate bit changing. But if you plan to have just 310 didn’t feel as underpowered as its amp rating might one mini-router and swap bits like you do with your full-size indicate. All had enough power to handle the tasks that 1 1 3 machine or if you’ll use it for more precise routing work where included cutting a /4" groove, as well as /18" and /16" fine bit-depth adjustment is necessary, those features will be roundovers in red oak and maple. key. The Ridgid and the Bosch were the only two variable-speed The newer models boast features such as soft-start, variable units tested. The Bosch, Makita and Ridgid all have a soft-start speed, and better ergonomics but the older models are still feature that greatly reduces the kick upon startup. When very good choices and are better in some areas. starting, the Ryobi had the greatest torque effect – if I hadn’t Mini-routers themselves aren’t entirely new. Small rout-ers tightened my grip it felt like it might spin out of my hand. The of less than 1 hp, like the Porter-Cable 100, have been around others lacking soft-start had a similar twisting force, although 7 for a long time. This /8-hp router was the vener-able 690’s first not as abrupt. As expected, the Bosch and Makita had very little little brother. Laminate trimmers have been around for almost torque effect due to their soft-start electronics, and the Ridgid as long as laminate has. But while the Porter-Cable 310 and had almost none. The Ridgid’s soft start is the slowest and others may have been around for several decades, what’s new smoothest by far, noticeable both to ears and hands. It’s slow is the number of models now available that offer good enough that I had to hold back a second before starting to cut, performance and high-end features for under $100. waiting for it to hit full speed. Since precision, especially in height adjustment, isn’t that Both the Bosch and Ridgid boast electronic speed control, critical for laminate trimming, all models tested do well for but frankly I didn’t feel any of these routers slow down even 3 these simple tasks. In some cases, there is more preci-sion built when cutting oak with a dull /16" roundover bit. I suspect that if into adjusting the roller/bearing guide attachment on these you push one of these enough to need electronic speed control, tools than the height. your task needs a full-size router. As to noise, there’s a noticeable difference between the 12.05 | WOODCRAFT MAGAZINE 79 product review: mini-router comparison quietest (Makita) and the loudest (Freud and DeWalt). Speed ing motor housing, base and sub-base. The Freud and Ridgid contributes to noise, so the faster routers produced the highest both have plastic motor housings, but aluminum bases. The pitched noise. From quietest to loudest, the order went – Bosch, DeWalt, and Porter-Cable 7310 have alu-minum bases Makita, Ryobi, Ridgid, Bosch, Porter-Cable 310, Porter-Cable and motors whose lower halves are made of aluminum and 7310, Freud and DeWalt. Keep in mind that the variable speed upper halves of plastic. The Porter-Cable 310 is made almost Bosch and Ridgid become the quietest of all when set at their entirely from aluminum. I prefer aluminum over plastic for its lowest speeds. durability and precision, especially in the base and lower half While some may question the need for variable speed in a of the motor where flex and heat expan-sion can affect mini-router, the biggest advantage is to reduce the noise if you precision of any fine adjustments. don’t need full speed. But you should wear The Makita and Ryobi are the lightest and easiest to grab ear protection, since each may be loud enough to cause off the shelf. The extra heft of the others, however, isn’t nec- hearing problems over time. essarily a negative as it contributes to stability and durability. The Porter-Cable 310 is the second heaviest (behind the Construction and weight Freud), and the most solid and steady. I know firsthand that it 1 These mini-routers, like their bigger cousins, consist of three can sustain a fall from 3 /2' onto a concrete floor with no ill basic parts – motor, base and sub-base. The sub-base on effects. Although the plastic bodies on the others may to be all models tested is plastic or phenolic, so they won’t scratch the able to take similar abuse, I’m not sure the plastic bases of the work surface. The phenolic sub-bases seemed to be flat-ter than Makita or Ryobi would. the molded plastic ones, but all were within 0.004". The bases of these mini-routers are made of aluminum or plastic, while Height adjustment motor housings are made of aluminum, plastic or a For single-task use, just about all these models will work combination of both. well. But when faced with a routing task demanding The Makita and Ryobi are made entirely of plastic, includ- precision and critical height adjustments, I’d grab one that No- Material Hole size Soft 1 Circum- Sub-base Fits P-C Spindle Power Cord Flat Power switch Replaceable Collet Bit Straightedge Make/model Amps load Height 2 Weight Base/ Sub- 4 Brushes Warranty Made in start ference Motor shape & size Base bushings lock cord length top type/location collet wrenches included guide RPM Sub-base base 1 drop Bosch 16,000- 1 plastic & aluminum/ square* 9 9 3 30 days/ 5.7 yes 7 /2" 9" 3.3 lbs 3 11 1 /16" 1 /16" no yes side 10' 5" yes side/rocker external yes Malaysia forged17mm no yes PR20EVS 30,000 aluminum plastic 3 /8" x 3 /16" 1 year wrench DeWalt 3 5 plastic & aluminum/ square* 3 5 90 days/ 1 wrench 5.6 30,000 no 8 /16" 8 /8" 3.6 lbs 1 5 1 /16" 1 /8" yes yes top 9' 6" no side/slide internal yes Italy no no DW670 aluminum phenolic 3 /2" x 3 /8" 3 years 17mm 2 wrenches Freud 1 3 aluminum/ rectangular 5 1 6.5 27,000 no 10 /2" 8 /8" 4.4 lbs plastic 13 7 1 /16" 1 /8" no no top 7' 6" no side/slide internal yes 1 year Spain 13mm & no no FT750 phenolic 2 /16" x 3 /8" 17mm 2 wrenches Makita 3 plastic/ square 3 3 4.4 26,000 yes 8" 7 /4" 2.6 lbs plastic 1 1 /8" 1 /8" no no top 8' 4" no top/toggle external yes 1 year Japan 10mm & no optional 3707FC plastic 3 /2" 17mm Porter-Cable 5 3 3.75 aluminum/ round 3 30 days/ 2 wrenches 4.0 27,500 no 5 /8" 10 /8" aluminum 1 /16" 2" yes no side 7' yes side/slide internal yes USA 7 11 no no 310 lbs phenolic 4" 1 year /16" & /16" Porter-Cable 3 7 3.75 plastic & aluminum/ rectangular 3 3 30 days/ 1 wrench 5.6 30,000 no 7 /8"