Whether you call them trim routers, palm routers, or compact routers, there’s no denying that a little router like the one you see on this page is a quite useful tool. The overlap between what a full size router and a smaller one like this can do is surprising if you’ve never given one of these a shot.
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Corner details like roundovers and chamfers are obvious applications, but it’s just as valid of a choice when cutting grooves for tongues. One of my most common uses for these is flushtrimming the last bit of waste after a rough-cut, as you can see at the bottom of the next page.
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| The speed adjustment sits on the body of Milwaukee’s compact router, along with a micro-adjustment dial to fine tune the depth of the bit. | A button beside the baseplate latch releases the micro-adjust for broad depth changes. |
When cutting a taper or curve, roughing out the shape at the band saw and following it with a flushtrim bit (guided by a straightedge or template) is a quick and effective one-two punch. With a little, cordless router, all I need to do is chuck in the bit and make the cut.
A LITTLE PACKAGE.
Milwaukee’s compact router weighs in at just under three pounds, and the small battery I attached doesn’t add much in terms of weight (only about one pound). This makes it a maneuverable tool, and easy to use for longer sessions of chamfering drawer fronts or cutting grooves for shelves and the like. Naturally, this router doesn’t offer the same power a full size, corded one does. However, it offers plenty of power for cutting narrower joinery or cleaning up an edge (just stick to 1⁄8"-deep cuts).
BASEPLATE & MICRO-ADJUSTMENT.
To complement its stature, the compact router comes with a 4"-wide baseplate. The baseplate serves its job fine, but what stands out is the micro-adjustment dial that positions it.
You can see the dial at right. The dial is marked with increments in 64ths, while the body has 16th increments (as well as centimeters for those using metric). Additionally, a quick-release button sits beside the baseplate latch to release the micro-adjuster, allowing me to slide the baseplate into rough position before dialing it in precisely.
PERFORMANCE.
In terms of its power, the brushless motor was strong enough to handle any of the 1⁄4" shank bits I chucked in it. In terms of battery life, your mileage will vary based on the battery you use, as the base model won’t come with one. I used a smaller CP2.0 battery, as I rarely rout for long stretches at a time. If you’re looking for a longer life, a larger battery will get you there, but I’d hesitate to go too large due to the added weight. Regardless, if you’re looking to add a trim router to your arsenal, then the M18 FUEL Compact Router is worth the money.
A small, battery-powered router like this is great for flushtrimming a taper or curve after rough-cutting it at the band saw.
