Palm Router – Help Me Decide!

paperclap

Hi all,

So I think I've been convinced to buy a palm router for morticing hinges.

Don't want to spend hundreds, but willing to spend £100 or just under.

Option 1 – Bosch GKF600 600W 1/4
https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gkf600-600w-electric-palm-router-240v/68002
If I act fast, before Sunday midnight, I can get 10% off this puppy. So, £99.

• Hard start
• Single speed
• No dust extraction
• Comes in a plastic case (sounds trivial, but stuff always goes missing without one!)
• 600W
• Despite the page saying it comes with a plunger base, it doesn't. It's a £70 attachment sold separately.
• 10,000-33,000 rpm

Option 2 – Makita RT0700CX4/2 1/4
https://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-rt0700cx4-2-710w-electric-router-trimmer-240v/10140
https://www.ukplanettools.co.uk/makita-rt0700cx4-router-240v-tm-rb12a-12pcs-router-bit-set-rt0700cx4-2-kit-19.html (looks like a good deal)
Not available at Screwfix anymore, but can get elsewhere for around £70 for the router itself, or can get other deals (like above).

• Soft start
• Variable speed
• Dust extraction capability
• No case, I don't think – guess I could just buy a cheap canvas-type bag?
• 710W
• 10,000-30,000 rpm

In writing this, I feel I've actually made up my mind somewhat! But, I'll let you lovely people have a view too.

Thanks!

FreeBear

laurencewhymark said: So I think I've been convinced to buy a palm router for morticing hinges.

You'll also need a jig - One for each size of hinge. A corner chisel, to get rid of the rounded corners..

To be honest, a decent set of sharp chisels will be easier to use, and much quicker once you've taken in to account set up times.

Section62

laurencewhymark said:

So I think I've been convinced to buy a palm router for morticing hinges.

Why palm?

With a piece of sharp metal spinning around at high speed I'd prefer something with a bit of weight to it, and two decent handles to keep a firm hold onto with both hands.

Think beyond the door hinges... buy something which is suitable for other jobs you can foresee needing to do.

And make sure the collet size is right... possibly the most important factor in deciding which router to get.

paperclap

FreeBear said:

laurencewhymark said: So I think I've been convinced to buy a palm router for morticing hinges.

You'll also need a jig - One for each size of hinge. A corner chisel, to get rid of the rounded corners..

To be honest, a decent set of sharp chisels will be easier to use, and much quicker once you've taken in to account set up times.

Jig – Why? Surely I can just route straight to the surface and use my eyes?

Corner chisel – A regular chisel can be used!

I don't mind cutting out hinges by hand, but it seems my situation is quite unique. We've old door linings. Where the old hinges used to be, I'm having to glue in 4mm pieces of stripwood. The hinges are only 2mm deep. My concern is, if I do it by chisel, I'll simply end up prying out the entire section of stripwood!

paperclap

Section62 said:

laurencewhymark said:

So I think I've been convinced to buy a palm router for morticing hinges.

Why palm?

With a piece of sharp metal spinning around at high speed I'd prefer something with a bit of weight to it, and two decent handles to keep a firm hold onto with both hands.

Think beyond the door hinges... buy something which is suitable for other jobs you can foresee needing to do.

And make sure the collet size is right... possibly the most important factor in deciding which router to get.

Palm because they're lighter, easier to handle, smaller.

I can see a router being used for trimming edges (for a table), other hinges for cabinets, etc.

These are both 1/4 routers. Have heard the argument for opting for a 1/2 router. But, they often seem bulkier, more expensive, and weirdly rarer to find.

travis-powers

I have the Dewalt for this as I have the batteries, however as much as I dislike Makita there palm router is very good so I’m told.
 I use a skeleton jig for new build and I made a mdf jig for retro fitting my eyes aren’t as good as they was however the young lads freehand hinges and latches and just clean up with a sharp chisel.
A palm router is very user friendly so with a bit of practice on some scrap wood you’ll be good to go!

paperclap

travis-powers said:

I have the Dewalt for this as I have the batteries, however as much as I dislike Makita there palm router is very good so I’m told.
 I use a skeleton jig for new build and I made a mdf jig for retro fitting my eyes aren’t as good as they was however the young lads freehand hinges and latches and just clean up with a sharp chisel.
A palm router is very user friendly so with a bit of practice on some scrap wood you’ll be good to go!

Thanks! This is what I'm thinking, too. Get the bulk out with the router, so nice and clean... then finish off any edges with a chisel.

Curious, why do you dislike Makita?

travis-powers

I have burned out so many Makita tools within the guarantee period it’s a joke however I have workmates who swears by them.
I would go through a 18v drill yearly, my main platform now is Festool, drill cost twice as much but is still going strong after 10 years so cheaper in the long run.

paperclap

travis-powers said:

I have burned out so many Makita tools within the guarantee period it’s a joke however I have workmates who swears by them.
I would go through a 18v drill yearly, my main platform now is Festool, drill cost twice as much but is still going strong after 10 years so cheaper in the long run.

I've heard very good things about Festool tools... but as you say, expensive! Out of my budget, for sure.

You'd destroy the 18v drills on a yearly basis? I'm never really a fan of cordless tools, as they're often more expensive, and have this predisposition in my mind that they're of a lower quality.

The palm router I'd go for would be corded.

Any experience with Bosch tools?

travis-powers

I would never advise a diyer to buy Festool it’s not cost effective, and we have spoke before about Bosch and Makita however I understand that the Makita palm router is the best.
I’m an old man so I use auger bits not flat/spade bits and they push drills to the limit!

DanDare999

laurencewhymark said:

travis-powers said:

I have burned out so many Makita tools within the guarantee period it’s a joke however I have workmates who swears by them.
I would go through a 18v drill yearly, my main platform now is Festool, drill cost twice as much but is still going strong after 10 years so cheaper in the long run.

I've heard very good things about Festool tools... but as you say, expensive! Out of my budget, for sure.

You'd destroy the 18v drills on a yearly basis? I'm never really a fan of cordless tools, as they're often more expensive, and have this predisposition in my mind that they're of a lower quality.

The palm router I'd go for would be corded.

Any experience with Bosch tools?

Are you using it for trade or diy?

I have one of these and it's ok for the money.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-epr710-710w-electric-palm-router-220-240v/318fx