cordless router?

[notenoughcash]

there is no reason why they coudnt use the sander bateries.

(sorry if previously mentioned, but i looked thru and coulnd't see anything)

 

[Crazyraceguy]

A plus for the Makita is it can use most of the accessories for their same size corded router.

Yes. I actually bought the corded unit in the full set form first, then added a cordless to the mix. considering getting another.

 

[acer66]

If you're going to buy into another battery platform - I'd suggest this little guy:
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/palm-routers-gkf12v-25n-196784-p/

It's a gem and punches well above it's weight.  Though not as versatile as the makita or dewalt , I subscribe to the "you can never have enough routers" school.  Which means I have another unit that's more suited for that task and don't really need the versatility.

As far as Festool is concerned; don't hold your breath.  :  They have been behind the market on cordless tools from the get go, especially compact / 12v versions. Part of it cultural.  Their leaders didn't gauge the wind correctly decades ago and I suspect they just don't have the resources to devote to catching up.

That little router is great.

 

[jeh]

Many moons ago I had the Porter Cable cordless set that included drill, hammer drill, small circular saw, reciprocating saw and a router (derivative of the 690). All of the tools worked great and battery life was exceptional, but of course that was back in the day when Porter Cable meant quality. For use with smaller bits or for edge routing it was great, however I would never have attempted dado's.

I have never been enamored with cordless tools other than for drills, however I have waded into the Dewalt 60V FlexVolt series with great success. I have slowly added the table saw, mitre saw, blower, impact wrench, and router. The last (3) are part of the 20V series, but they work with the FlexVolt batteries as do the 100+ other 20V tools. I am more than satisfied for the price. The table saw and mitre saw are exception and the mitre saw has a module to connect it to 120V, but none of the other tools do. My 15 year old Bosch drill for outdoor work is running out of steam and I am considering the $500 chest of tools Home Depot sells that includes (6) cordless tools, (2) batteries, charger and hard case with wheels. I see it as being perfect for when precision is not paramount. The Dewalt stuff is not Festool or Mafell (my favorite), but it does work and does hold up especially exceptionally well considering the price.

Had I not started down the Dewalt path with the blower I would have given serious consideration to the Milwaukee line. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[demographic]

For my usage I'd like a small cordless class M extractor.

I have a CTM26 with bluetooth kit which is handy but on sites with lots of stairs and so on its a faff.
Plus we are all going cordless and nobody wants to buy corded tools for site use nowadays.

 

[rst]

I have the Milwaukee and it's great, that being said I use aton of 18 and 12 v Milwaukee's along with Festool, Fein and Metabo 18 tools.

 

[acer66]

Just caved in and got the dewalt 20v, will see how that will work out but the price was to tempting.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I like this router better than the Makita cordless because the depth adjustment is via a screw rather than rack and pinion. And you do not have to push two different buttons to turn on the M18.

Another nice thing, the dust chute fits perfectly inside the Festool 32mm hose.

Finally, I just discovered that the drop down foot from the OF 1100 fits directly on the M18. Makes balancing the little router on a small stick much easier.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Here is a pic of the compact M18 router with the Festool drop-down foot attached.

[attachimg=1]

Even with the photo it’s not clear that the extra foot allows the router to balance on that small stick (just 19x19mm) in the foreground so I could make a tiny rabbet just 1/2mm deep by 10mm.

 

[ElectricFeet]

If you're going to buy into another battery platform - I'd suggest this little guy:
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/palm-routers-gkf12v-25n-196784-p/

It's a gem and punches well above it's weight.  Though not as versatile as the makita or dewalt , I subscribe to the "you can never have enough routers" school.  Which means I have another unit that's more suited for that task and don't really need the versatility.

+1 for this. I recently bought it and love it. No dust collection, but being untethered is part of its charm. It’s really well designed so that the centre of gravity is firmly over the material, not on the edge, like most trim routers.

Good review here:
=93

[For context, I have an OFK 500 and it’s a big disappointment. The depth setting is fantastic, but it’s very unwieldy to use with dust collection attached. Without dust collection it’s better balanced, but not as well balanced as the Bosch. I only use it now for big pieces that can’t fit on the router table but need dust collection.

I had a Makita trim router and gave it away. The depth setting is really janky and I just couldn’t get on with it.]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=64013]ElectricFeet[/member] is correct about the height adjustment, of the Makita, being a bit "imprecise", but in its defense, I don't think it needs to be. (In the intended application) For simple flush-trim and light edge work, the depth is not that big of a deal. The tension lever is a little touchy too. If you have it adjusted to be loose enough to get the motor out easily, a bit with a tendency to pull down may make slip. (Spiral fluted bits especially)
This can be overcome somewhat, by fiddling with it and especially lubricating the cam parts of the clamp.

Otherwise, they are fantastic little trimmers. I do a lot of laminating and use these frequently. I have two that are dedicated to that task exclusively, only getting adjusted in any way at bit replacement time.
A third one is kind of a floater, getting bits swapped fairly often, for simple small things.

As I think I have stated before, I just don't see the need for cordless in a larger, more powerful unit? At that point, dust/chip collection becomes more of a thing. An extractor hose is worse as far as "steering" a router than a power lead ever could be, so removing the cord doesn't help.

I would rather see the focus on other things.

 

[tsmi243]

I will put up with a LOT of things, in exchange for good DC. 
...looking at you, Trend T4...

 

[Michael Kellough]

The Makita cordless trim router is very well built and dust collection is good. It’s ideal for use with a flush trim bit but the rack and pinion depth adjustment makes it too hit or miss with an edge forming bit like round-over or chamfer.

Good luck matching an existing chamfer with the Makita. The Milwaukee M18 is much more finely adjustable. I think next time I have to change that kind of bit in the Makita I’ll get the clamp semi tight and then tap the base with a light hammer.

 

[tsmi243]

How's the plunge action on the Makita? 

 

[luvmytoolz]

The Makita cordless trim router is very well built and dust collection is good. It’s ideal for use with a flush trim bit but the rack and pinion depth adjustment makes it too hit or miss with an edge forming bit like round-over or chamfer.

Good luck matching an existing chamfer with the Makita. The Milwaukee M18 is much more finely adjustable. I think next time I have to change that kind of bit in the Makita I’ll get the clamp semi tight and then tap the base with a light hammer.

The height adjustment on the Makitas does suck but it certainly isn't that difficult or time consuming to finesse it to match an existing profile. Having said that, I suspect most people doing any reasonable amount of edge forming will have more than 1 (I have 4 Makitas myself) permanently setup so matching a profile wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

How's the plunge action on the Makita?

The plunge action of the Makita is very nice, but to my knowledge, it is only available as either an accessory/part or in the full installer's kit (which is corded)
Unless things have changed since I bought mine, the cordless and plunge base are not sold together.
They do interchange freely though. IMHO, that installer's set is a good way to go. It has a fixed base, plunge base, off-set base, and a tilt base, all in a big canvas bag. I also bought the track adapter to keep in the bag too. This gives me the most flexibility, since I never know what job is coming next.

 

[silence2-38554]

I think I’m gonna pull the trigger on a Milwaukee M18 router sooner than later.  I’ve been holding out for Festool to release something, but that M18 is cheap enough & checks most boxes I was hoping to see from a Festool router.

That said, if Festool releases one that utilizes the more compact Ergo batteries, has a lower center of gravity and more elegant dust collection (the M18’s screw-on cover is pretty crude) I’d buy one in a second & sell the Milwaukee.