Cordless Router

[bigtiller]

Any wood workers out there have one?

I am thinking of a trim router to use for 1/4 round or maybe small rabbets. But I have no idea how long a 3 amp hour battery would last.

I am also wondering about whether or not they are top heavy and need extra caution to avoid damaging a piece of wood.

 

[dieselscout80]

Im interested in this too.

I went to get a Rigid one, but they didn't have any at HD, so it got the corded version and it works good.

 

[cdaigle430]

I have the small Rigid corded one and its done everything I ask but...power cord keeps getting in the way. I do like the Rigid alot but dont want to have to buy the batteries and charger for it since I already have another system. So now I am looking to buy the Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless router since I already the battery system for other Milwaukee power tools. I can get the tool only for 200 bucks at HD. Unfortunately-beyond my take on a cordless vs corded I do not have any opinions on using one yet.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ss-Compact-Router-Tool-Only-2723-20/310179064

 

[Roadworthy]

The length of life after charge of any battery depends on the load it's feeding. How many amps does your chosen router draw? The age of the battery comes into play as well as the state of charge. There is no one size fits all answer.

 

[cdaigle430]

My take on the battery from the Milwaukee Power Tool experience is - I have two 4 amp and one 5 amp batteries. The 4 amp hour battery under full load continuously for a cordless grinder will give me 30-40 minutes continuous runtime. Thats ok as I have a rapid charger that will charge it in 30 minutes and two other batteries waiting. That gives me continuous runtime indefinitely. Under continuous loads a battery heats up and you cannot charge a hot battery-it will damage it. Thats why I have three, one in use, one on charger and one on coold down. Been doing it this way for 5 years-same batteries.

Runtime will vary from tool to tool and load, but you can have the spare batteries on hand to fill in the gaps needed.

I also have Ryobi Tirmmer with many attachments, three batteries, one in use, one in charger and one in cool down-so with this system I never run out of battery and I am not abusing the batteries.

 

[ctgoldwing]

I've gone with the Dewalt line of 20V Max products. I've replaced all my corded and some older cordless tools except for my bench grinder. I find the difference is dramatic. Battery life has never been an issue. I, like the previous poster, have several batteries from 2AH to 6AH. I pick the lightest one for the job at hand and have charged batteries waiting if I need them. It has just made my projects more fun to do - including their cordless grease gun. Who thought greasing the tractor could be fun and clean to do?

DEWALT 2V Max XR Cordless Router, Brushless, Tool Only (DCW6B), Black-v186, Mini-v186 - - Amazon.com

 

[bigtiller]

I've gone with the Dewalt line of 20V Max products. I've replaced all my corded and some older cordless tools except for my bench grinder. I find the difference is dramatic. Battery life has never been an issue. I, like the previous poster, have several batteries from 2AH to 6AH. I pick the lightest one for the job at hand and have charged batteries waiting if I need them. It has just made my projects more fun to do - including their cordless grease gun. Who thought greasing the tractor could be fun and clean to do?

DEWALT 2V Max XR Cordless Router, Brushless, Tool Only (DCW6B), Black-v186, Mini-v186 - - Amazon.com

Yep, we all like cordless tools, but we want to know about your dewalt cordless router. It would be interesting to hear from someone that has one rather than a Dewalt company employee.

Brag it up a little, tell us your pros & cons.

 

[powersrp]

Reading the reviews, it seams to be a good router. Except that their is no way to lock the height after you set it, to me that’s a no buy, and I have a but load of the dewault 20v tools, and pleased with them all .

 

[dragoneggs]

Yep, we all like cordless tools, but we want to know about your dewalt cordless router. It would be interesting to hear from someone that has one rather than a Dewalt company employee.

Brag it up a little, tell us your pros & cons.

I have the Dewalt 20v cordless router. I have several other routers from 1.5 up to Porter Cable 3-1/4hp. The biggest is permanently. mounted in my router table. My mid sized most recent router Festool (I know, I know) 2200 is awesome for routing dados, plunging, etc. with incredible dust collection.

But I love my cordless little guy! Great for edge work such as chamfers and round overs. Also very light so it can be used on vertical surfaces. I use the smallest battery to keep the CG low and for better control. Go the 'right' way around outside and inside edges so it doesn't climb on you.

The height and lock (tightening) takes a little to get used to but I haven't had trouble with it drifting up/down once set. I was worried about power or lack there of it, but for light passes, I love it! Not having a cord on a router just like other cordless handheld tools is liberating and especially a router on large long runs. No stepping or hanging up on a cord that can cause damage on a edge if you are not careful.

I sometimes wish I had a larger baseplate but I like the compactness and the clear acrylic. Suppose I could fab a bigger one for a little more stability.

 

[powersrp]

Awesome thanks for the info, but my santa list is full with a new grizzly table saw, router will have to wait.

 

[dragoneggs]

Awesome thanks for the info, but my santa list is full with a new grizzly table saw, router will have to wait.

I have a full stable of 20v Dewalt tools as well. Me thinks you will add it to your collection, sooner vs. later.

 

[powersrp]

Yes I def will, the thought of no cord to trip over is a seller for me.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yes I def will, the thought of no cord to trip over is a seller for me.

Just keep in mind it is a 'finish' router not for dadoing, etc. although with multiple passes, sure!

 

[bigtiller]

Thanks dragoneggs, that is the type of user-review I was looking for. Now it is going on my Christmas list.

I chose Makita brand tools several years ago so I will stick with them.

 

[cdaigle430]

You guys talked me into it...I bought myself an M18 Router from Milwaukee.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I have the Dewalt 20v cordless router. I have several other routers from 1.5 up to Porter Cable 3-1/4hp. The biggest is permanently. mounted in my router table. My mid sized most recent router Festool (I know, I know) 2200 is awesome for routing dados, plunging, etc. with incredible dust collection.

But I love my cordless little guy! Great for edge work such as chamfers and round overs. Also very light so it can be used on vertical surfaces. I use the smallest battery to keep the CG low and for better control. Go the 'right' way around outside and inside edges so it doesn't climb on you.

The height and lock (tightening) takes a little to get used to but I haven't had trouble with it drifting up/down once set. I was worried about power or lack there of it, but for light passes, I love it! Not having a cord on a router just like other cordless handheld tools is liberating and especially a router on large long runs. No stepping or hanging up on a cord that can cause damage on a edge if you are not careful.

I sometimes wish I had a larger baseplate but I like the compactness and the clear acrylic. Suppose I could fab a bigger one for a little more stability.

Have a Dewalt 20V as well. No problems with the locking lever at all. I made up several different base plates and am very pleased with the little guy. It is what it is.... a small trim router but very handy grab and go. Also added a Dewalt 20V orbital sander and 20V 6 1/2" saw. My wish list is for the 20V sheet sander to go on sale.

BTW. dont work for Dewalt just have been very pleased with all the 20V tools.

 

[bigtiller]

You guys talked me into it...I bought myself an M18 Router from Milwaukee.

That's great, send us a review with pics if you get a chance.

 

[Loaderman22]

I started with Makita for my Li-ion tools, still have one of the original batteries, going on 10 years maybe. You can pry my Makita drill and impact driver out of my cold dead hands, they are awesome. But when I wanted a 1/2" impact, I went to Milwaukee since they were one of the few options without going to snap-on etc. Also got the multi-tool. Then Ridgid started this lifetime warranty stuff, so now I have been trying them out. I was looking at the Ridgid cordless router, seems like it would be a handy addition to my router collection. A bit more maneuverable than the big 2-3/4 hp Porter cable.