Best Palm Router Of 2024
Brandon Forder May 5, 2024 11:13 PM
A palm router, sometimes known as a trim router, can be useful for a number of light-duty jobs in the woodshop. Trimming excess material can be tiring if you use a larger and heavier tool, but these are typical in many professional cabinet shops and can be handy for amateurs as well.
This versatile tool is indispensable to any carpenter, as it can be used for everything from shaping boards and cutting hinges to applying furniture finishes, erecting panel doors, cutting dadoes, and trimming laminate.
Finding the best palm router, however, might be difficult because there are so many options. I've already done the background work to save you some time on this project. After considering everything available, I settled on nine recommendations.
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Size
When working on a project with fine details, a router that is easy to maneuver is essential. Anything less than 5 pounds in weight is preferable for usage as a palm router. An additional perk of a compact router is how convenient it is to transport and stow away.
Power, Speed, and Torque
Two of these factors significantly affect the types of materials a router can cut. Still, routers are rarely evaluated based on how quickly they can speed up the bit, thus torque isn't as important. Maintaining a constant bit speed is a more important criterion by which we evaluate them. Power is, therefore, far more important.
Power
It's unusual for a palm router to be as powerful as its desktop counterpart. Yet they pack a significant punch, and more power is usually a good thing. As a result, the router will be able to process a larger range of materials, including plywood, with less effort.
The standard unit of measurement for engine power is horsepower, and the bare minimum you should settle for is 1.5 HP. If you can afford to, it's best to upgrade to a more powerful model if you discover one.
Speed
Pay attention to more than simply top speed when discussing velocity. Having a variable speed range is preferable for a number of uses. You may adjust the speed to suit the task at hand with the convenient controls.
The typical operating range for a palm router is 10,000-32,000 RPM.
Ergonomic Design
When working with wood for long periods of time, user comfort is of the utmost importance. It should be tough enough to get the job done without making you miserable or wearing you out too quickly.
A flat top on the palm router is a desirable feature. This provides a comfortable place to lay your palm.
Spindle Locks
Several important qualities should be considered when selecting a palm router. Professional grade routers will incorporate a spindle lock to simplify the process of switching out router bits. To keep the spindle from turning while loosening the collet nut, a spindle lock is typically just a button you press.
When switching router bits, a router with this capability is preferable than one that requires two separate wrenches. Since cheap routers' spindle locks frequently break, it's advisable to opt for one made specifically for industrial use.
Square and Circular Bases
Most modern palm routers have square or rectangular bases, which are convenient for use with a straightedge. By pressing the base's flat edge against a wall or other straight edge, you can easily maintain the router moving in a straight line. The symmetry of the base of a circular router is not guaranteed.
Bits can be off by 1/32" or more from center when they aren't properly centered. When routing against a straightedge, a small amount of base rotation can cause the cut to be skewed. If you plan on routing many dados using a straightedge as a guide, a circular base may be an issue but is by no means a deal killer.
Dust Collection
Even though dust is inevitable in a workshop, manufacturers have developed ingenious solutions to help keep the air clean. MLCS Woodworking's Rocky 30 Trim Router features a dust-collection attachment for use with a shop vacuum or dedicated dust collection system.
Plunge Base or Fixed Base
The original palm routers were stationary devices. We now have several additional practical choices available. With the Bosch PR20EVSPK 5.6-Amp Colt Combo Kit, you may switch between a fixed and plunging base. If you own a palm router, you should consider investing in a plunge router base. As an example, it can be used for mortising, inlaying, and a whole lot more. Both the fixed and plunge base palm router kits are available from both DeWalt and Porter Cable.
Standard palm routers have a stationary base. They usually include knobs and handles on both ends for directional control. However, a fixed base router can only be used for edge routing and cannot be moved once attached to a router table.
Adjustable Bit Height
Some palm routers allow you to alter the depth of the router, allowing you to tailor the bit's height to the specific requirements of your project. You can engrave the surface of a stock with a shallow bit, while a deeper bit can handle trimming more material.
You should think about on-board measurements and a micro-adjustment knob if you're shopping for a palm router with depth adjustment. These will make it much easier to set your bit to accurate depths.
Accessories
Some models of plunge router come with useful extras that simplify setup or expand the tool's usefulness.
The CtopoGo Compact Wood Palm Router, for instance, has 12 bits for various routing tasks like roundover and rabbeting. In addition, a flexible flush-trim guide is included for a variety of cutting applications.
Soft Start
To prevent damage to the router's motor, soft-start technology gradually increases power from a low initial setting. The slow-start feature extends the life of your motor and can save you money on replacing the router in the future because of the reduced stress caused by going from a halt to 30,000 RPM.
Unobstructed View
Having a good view of your workpiece and the movement of the router bit is essential for maintaining precision and giving you confidence in the cuts you're making, no matter what kind of routing job you're taking on.
The base of many routers is open, providing a good view of the workpiece while you work. Some alternatives, however, restrict movement and block sightlines. In order to see your workpiece clearly as you cut, I suggest getting a router with a big window.
You can see right down through the base of your palm router to the stock, so they're the finest option for visibility. Plastic won't hold up as long as metal, but it's easily replaceable.
You may enhance your visibility and cut with greater precision thanks to the LED work light featured on some palm routers.
What Is A Palm Router?
Now that you know the basics, this essay will focus on palm routers. To that end, familiarity with the concepts of a palm router and its differences from a plunge router is required.
Simply put, a palm router is a reduced-size wood router.
It is common practice to utilize a palm router for such tasks as final finishing, applying details, and doing light milling.
For some models, you may even adjust how fast the router bit spins.
Milling can also be controlled in terms of depth.
Plunge routers are superior to palm routers because their motors are more powerful and can handle the larger milling bits.
What Is A Palm Router Used For?
When it comes to woodworking, a palm router is one of the most useful equipment available.
This occurs due to the plethora of router bit options.
Selecting the appropriate router bit allows you to mill a variety of profiles, including grooves, chamfers, and decorative edges.
There is a mind-boggling variety of cutters to choose from.
Router bits come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to give your workpiece almost any profile or shape you can imagine.
Various finishing profiles can be achieved by combining various milling bits.
The versatility of a palm router can be expanded by using multiple router bits in tandem.
Risk trying something new; the only thing holding you back is your imagination.
How Do You Plunge With A Palm Router?
You can even use the palm router to plunge, making it one of the most adaptable electrical tools available.
You will need guides and jigs, which are sold separately, in order to plunge with a palm router.
The guide must be clamped in place so that the router's plunge will align with the dado joint.
After the collet has been set to the desired depth, the router can be inserted.
After aligning the router with the guide, press down firmly with both hands on the trigger to begin cutting. To make a cut that flows smoothly, slide the router from left to right.
When you're done cutting, let go of both handles to rewind the router into its base.
Installing an appropriate router, such a round over, with a component that guides you along the edge of the object is also necessary if you want to cut profile edges.
Then, as previously, adjust to the desired depth and press down hard with both hands on the handles. Ensure the bit is engaged by pressing against the edge as you move the router from left to right.
Knowing which router is appropriate for various situations or duties is like finding gold in the woodworking industry, as routers are extremely useful instruments. In this evaluation, we will be concentrating on the main features that set these routers apart from one another and make them suitable for specific jobs.
To give you a more complete picture, we've also pointed out some of the common complaints consumers have with each router.
With any luck, you learned something interesting, and that something will have an impact on the router you end up buying.
