Wood Router Information

If you have a good-sized air compressor, air-powered routers are an option. They can reach higher speeds, yet run cooler with less vibration. The motors can't burn out, and you can use them in damp environments.

CNC (computer numerical control) routers link one or more routers to your computer, so you can design a pattern there. These setups are expensive even if you build one yourself, but can become an absorbing hobby or make it possible to produce an item efficiently. One starting place to learn more about this option is a sign-builder's site, SignIndustry.com.

The German Proxxon Micro-Router (*est. $95) is designed for miniature work. We found a brief review of it in the September 2007 issue of Fine Woodworking. The Proxxon router is distributed in the United States at MiniCraftTools.com.

For small routing projects that can use bits with eighth-inch shanks, Dremel makes a router attachment (*est. $25) for their rotary tools.

Mathew Teague, managing editor of Fine Woodworking, recommends an aftermarket power switch to make it easier to turn a router on or off when it's mounted on a router table. The Bench Dog 40-028 Power-Loc (*est. $40) mounts on the router table, and the router is plugged into it. Bench Dog makes a router table that mounts on the left side of a table saw, as well as fences and other accessories, but the Power-Loc can be adapted to fit just about any router table. More information can be found at BenchDog.com.

We found only two safety recalls of routers in the past few years -- three if you count a 2007 recall of an accessory: a router table made by Ryobi. Despite this reasonably good safety record, it's a good idea to register any power tool with the manufacturer, so you'll be informed of any recalls right away. Recalls are posted on the website of the Consumer Products Safely Commission, or CPSC.

In addition to the sources noted on our All Reviews page, we found the following resources helpful.

SawdustMaking.com has a brief, easy-to-understand guide with links to information on router tables and accessories.

In "Scouting Out Routers," Monte Burch provides a well-illustrated overview of router selection and use.

Patrick Spielman's well-illustrated book, "The New Router Handbook," (*est. $18) covers the basics of a wide range of router uses and accessories, as well as how to check a new router and keep it operating well for a long life. It's available through your local bookstore or at Amazon.com.

The editors of the Journal of Light Construction recommend "The Router Book" by Pat Warner. An excerpt from this book is available online at Fine Woodworking.

"Routers for Router Tables," an article by Patrick Warner, is available at Fine Woodworking.

Manufacturers' Sites

Black & Decker  

Bosch  

Craftsman (Sears)

DeWalt (owned by Black & Decker)

Festool   

Hitachi  

Makita  

Milwaukee (owned by TTI) 

Porter-Cable (owned by Black & Decker)  

Proxxon

Ridgid (owned by TTI)

Ryobi (owned by TTI)

Skil (owned by Bosch)  

Triton USA