Woodworking is one of the oldest professions in the world. Whether that is making furniture, wooden art, wooden equipment, or just woodworking for fun, it is a wonderful profession and hobby to be a part of. While there are a lot of tools such as the chisel and the saw that have been around for as long as woodworking has been around, there are also a lot of modern inventions that have changed the way we work with wood and what is possible when creating wooden items. One of the most useful tools to have is a router, but which one is right for you? Here is what you need to know about the two most popular kinds.
Tech Specs
While the drill bit is important, you also have to consider the horsepower, the speed, the handgrips, the functionality, and whether or not the device has a dust collection port. If you are working as a hobbyist and have a very defined use for the machine you could get by with a less powerful and slower motor. Having more power, above 1 horsepower, and having the ability to use the machine at different speeds significantly improves your options. Between both fixed and plunger-style routers you will get all the same kinds of tech specs and some are even available as cordless models with a rechargeable battery.
Skill Level
Most woodworking shops and professional woodworkers rely on at least one solid, fixed router. This is because they can come in handy in so many different applications and when you are working as a professional the kinds of projects that come in usually have a higher need for fixed routers. Furthermore, the usability difference between plunge and fixed routers is also important to note. As a beginner, getting used to a fixed router is much easier, quicker, and safer. You can do the same things with a plunge router but it requires a lot more skill and knowledge of the materials that you are working with. If you need to work in the center of a piece of wood or need to carve things out, then a plunge router is the way to go. If you are unsure, get a router that has both fixed and plunge options.
Functionality
Naturally, the plunge router allows you to work on wood in more ways than the fixed router. Trying to replicate the work of a plunge router on a fixed one is much harder. Plunge routers can be a lot more expensive than fixed routers simply because of the machinery that is involved. If you have the budget for it, go for something that has both fixed and plunged options. It is a one-time investment but it is more convenient than having to manage two separate machines.
If you are just a hobbyist and routing is something that you need to get done once in a while you might be better off having a woodworking shop do it for you. Running a router, especially a high-powered router, can be expensive, and ideally, you also want to have a good dust collector to go with it. Together it can not only be expensive to buy but a small workshop might not have the space for it either. However, if you want to enjoy the experience, there is nothing like the satisfaction of getting perfectly rounded borders on your wooden products.