Routers & Trimmers

About Routers & Trimmers

Routers and trimmers are among the most versatile power tools in any woodworker's arsenal, capable of transforming basic timber into professional-quality joinery, cabinetwork and decorative pieces. At their core, these machines consist of a high-speed motor driving a collet—typically ¼" or ½" in size—which holds specialist router cutters. These cutters can be changed to accomplish an impressive range of tasks, from cutting precise grooves and rebates to creating decorative edge profiles and complex joinery such as dovetails.

The category encompasses several distinct tool types, each designed for specific applications. Plunge routers offer maximum versatility with their adjustable depth mechanism, making them ideal for mortising, grooving and template work. Fixed routers (or fixed-base models) excel at edge profiling and table-mounted applications where consistent depth is required. Laminate and wood trimmers provide a lighter, more manoeuvrable option for trimming operations and fine edging work, whilst cordless models deliver the freedom to work without cables on site or in awkward locations.

Whether you're a professional joiner crafting bespoke furniture, a kitchen fitter installing worktops, or a DIY enthusiast tackling home improvement projects, understanding the differences between router types will help you select the right tool for your requirements. Many tradespeople invest in multiple routers—perhaps a heavy-duty ½" plunge router for demanding work and a compact trimmer for delicate tasks—to cover the full spectrum of woodworking applications.

Jargon Buster

• Collet Size (¼" or ½"): The diameter of the shaft that holds the router cutter. Quarter-inch collets suit lighter work and smaller cutters, whilst half-inch collets accommodate larger cutters and heavy-duty applications, providing greater rigidity and reduced vibration.
• Plunge Mechanism: A spring-loaded system that allows the router bit to be lowered (plunged) into the workpiece during operation. This enables stopped cuts, mortising and precise depth control without repositioning the tool.
• Soft Start: An electronic feature that gradually increases motor speed on startup, reducing sudden torque that could twist the tool out of your hands or damage delicate workpieces.
• Variable Speed Control: Allows you to adjust the rotational speed (RPM) of the cutter to suit different materials and cutter diameters. Larger cutters require slower speeds for safety and optimal cut quality.
• Router Table: A workstation where the router is mounted upside-down beneath a flat surface, allowing you to feed material into the cutter for increased precision and safety when working with smaller pieces.
• Template Guide Bush: A circular metal collar that fits to the router base, following templates or jigs to guide the cutter and create precise, repeatable cuts.

Who Uses Routers & Trimmers?

Routers and trimmers serve a diverse range of professionals and enthusiasts across the woodworking and construction industries:

• Joiners and Carpenters: Creating door frames, architraves, skirting profiles and bespoke joinery
• Cabinet Makers: Cutting housing joints, edge profiles, hinge recesses and decorative details
• Kitchen Fitters: Scribing and jointing worktops, cutting sink and hob apertures, fitting breakfast bars
• Furniture Makers: Dovetail joints, mortise and tenon work, decorative inlays and edge treatments
• Shopfitters: Creating display units, shelving systems and retail fixtures
• Staircase Specialists: Housing treads, creating handrail profiles and newel post details
• Window Fitters: Trimming sills, rebating frames and precision cutting for double-glazed units
• Set Builders and Props Makers: Rapid prototyping and decorative finishes for theatre and film
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home renovations, furniture restoration, garden projects and hobby woodworking

How to Choose the Right Routers & Trimmers

Power and Motor Size: Router power typically ranges from 500W for compact trimmers up to 2,400W for heavy-duty plunge routers. Consider your typical workload—occasional edge profiling suits a 900-1,200W machine, whilst professional kitchen fitting or hardwood joinery demands 1,800W or more. Higher wattage provides better performance with large-diameter cutters and dense hardwoods.

Collet Size: Quarter-inch collets are standard on trimmers and lighter routers, offering adequate performance for edge work and small cutters. Half-inch collets are essential for professional applications, providing superior rigidity, reduced vibration and compatibility with heavy-duty cutters required for worktop jointing and deep mortising.

Plunge vs Fixed Base: Plunge routers offer maximum versatility for mortising, template work and stopped cuts, making them the preferred choice for most tradespeople. Fixed-base routers excel when table-mounted or for repetitive edge profiling where depth remains constant. Many professionals use both types, or invest in combination kits where a single motor fits interchangeable bases.

Cordless Convenience: Battery-powered routers and trimmers have improved dramatically, with 18V platforms from Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee offering genuine site-ready performance. They're ideal for second-fix carpentry, kitchen installations and locations without mains power, though corded models still deliver superior sustained power for demanding applications.

Features to Consider: Variable speed control is essential for working with different materials and cutter sizes. Soft start reduces kickback on startup. Depth adjustment mechanisms vary—some offer fine micro-adjustment whilst others use stepped turrets. Electronic speed control maintains RPM under load. Dust extraction ports help manage the considerable waste these tools generate.

Quality Tiers: Budget machines from Einhell and Black & Decker suit occasional DIY use but may lack precision and durability for daily professional work. Mid-range options from Bosch and Makita offer excellent performance for semi-professional and serious hobbyist use. Premium brands like Festool, DeWalt and Milwaukee provide the accuracy, build quality and reliability demanded by professional joiners and cabinet makers who depend on their tools daily.

Popular Accessories

• Router Cutters and Bits: An enormous variety of profiles available—straight cutters, bearing-guided trimmers, dovetail bits, chamfer cutters, panel-raising bits and decorative moulding profiles. TCT (tungsten carbide tipped) cutters suit general purpose work, whilst solid carbide offers longevity in production environments.
• Guide Bushes: Essential for template work and jig-based operations, available in various diameters to suit different cutter sizes and offset requirements.
• Router Tables: Transform your handheld router into a precision machine centre for small component work, panel raising and repetitive operations.
• Jigs and Templates: Dovetail jigs, worktop jigs, hinge-sinking templates, circle-cutting guides and letterbox jigs enable complex operations with consistent accuracy.
• Guide Rails and Fences: Straight edges and adjustable fences ensure perfectly straight cuts and consistent edge treatments.
• Dust Extraction Accessories: Hose adaptors, extraction hoods and collection boxes connect your router to workshop vacuum systems, essential for maintaining visibility and workplace health.
• Replacement Collets and Wrenches: Spare collets in both metric and imperial sizes, plus quality collet wrenches for safe cutter changes.

Safety Information

Routers and trimmers operate at extremely high speeds (typically 10,000-30,000 RPM) and demand respect and proper safety procedures:

Personal Protective Equipment: Always wear safety glasses or a full face shield—router cutters can eject wood chips at high velocity. Hearing protection is essential as routers generate significant noise levels, often exceeding 85dB. A dust mask or respirator protects against fine wood dust, classified as a hazardous substance under COSHH regulations. Avoid loose clothing, jewellery and ties that could be caught by the rotating cutter.

Safe Operation: Ensure workpieces are securely clamped—never attempt to rout freehand on unsecured material. Always feed against the cutter rotation direction to maintain control. Allow the motor to reach full speed before engaging the workpiece. When using table-mounted routers, use push sticks for small components and never reach over spinning cutters. Disconnect from the mains supply before changing cutters or making adjustments.

Electrical Safety: Routers draw considerable current—ensure your supply and extension leads are rated appropriately for UK 230V operation. Use 110V site transformers for construction environments as recommended by HSE guidance. Regularly inspect power cables for damage, particularly where they meet the tool body. Consider RCD protection for additional safety against electric shock.

Cutter Maintenance: Keep cutters sharp—blunt bits require excessive force, increasing the risk of kickback and poor-quality cuts. Ensure cutters are properly secured in the collet with sufficient shaft engagement. Never exceed the maximum RPM rating marked on the cutter. Inspect cutters for damage before use and discard any with cracks, chips or excessive wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a router and a trimmer?

Trimmers are lighter, more compact versions designed primarily for edge trimming and laminate work, typically featuring ¼" collets and lower power motors (500-900W). Full-size routers offer greater power (1,200W+), larger ½" collets, and additional features like plunge mechanisms for more demanding applications such as mortising and worktop jointing. Many professionals own both—a router for heavy work and a trimmer for delicate finishing tasks.

Can I use a router upside-down in a router table?

Yes, most routers can be inverted and mounted beneath a router table, transforming them into a stationary machine tool. This setup offers improved safety and precision for small component work and repetitive operations. However, ensure your router has an accessible power switch or fit an external NVR (no-volt release) switch to the table. Some manufacturers offer dedicated table-mounting accessories, whilst premium models like Festool machines integrate specifically designed table-mounting features.

Do I need a ¼" or ½" collet router?

For occasional DIY use and edge profiling, a ¼" router or trimmer provides adequate performance with smaller cutters. Professional tradespeople—particularly kitchen fitters and joiners—should invest in a ½" router, which accepts heavy-duty cutters for worktop jointing, large panel-raising bits and deep mortising. Many ½" routers include reducing collets to accept ¼" shank cutters, offering maximum versatility. If you can only afford one router, choose a ½" model with a ¼" reducing collet.

How do I choose the right speed setting for my router?

Larger diameter cutters require slower speeds to keep the peripheral (rim) speed within safe limits—a large panel-raising bit might need 10,000-12,000 RPM, whilst small straight cutters can safely run at maximum speed (20,000+ RPM). Denser hardwoods generally perform better at higher speeds, whilst softwoods and materials like MDF benefit from moderate speeds to prevent burning. Always consult the cutter manufacturer's recommendations and start conservatively, increasing speed if the cut quality is poor or burning occurs.

What router brands do professional tradespeople prefer?

Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee dominate professional site work, offering reliable cordless systems that integrate with existing battery platforms. Festool commands respect among high-end joiners and cabinet makers for precision engineering and dust extraction integration, though at premium prices. Bosch provides excellent mid-range performance suitable for both professionals and serious hobbyists. For budget-conscious DIY users, Einhell offers adequate performance for occasional use, whilst Stanley Black & Decker brands cover entry-level requirements.