Which Router Should You Buy? // Best Tools for Slab Flattening

We're answering one of our most frequently asked questions. Some of the results were even a surprise to us.
Check out the router sled featured in the video here: s2ms.com/
Palm Routers:
Bosch Palm Router amzn.to/3IP8RAe
Recommend DeWALT Palm router amzn.to/3J7abjg
Review of the DeWALT: • Which Compact Router S...
Medium Duty Routers:
Dewalt 1-3/4 Hp amzn.to/3Ze9ASo
Better Dewalt with 2-1/4 hp and Variable speed amzn.to/3ZzFf0u
Bosch amzn.to/3EQBHih
Porter Cable amzn.to/3ZA3ECK
Festool amzn.to/3KR4KpW
Heavy Material removal routers:
Triton amzn.to/3SEVozg
Makita (new model) amzn.to/3IHdGLJ
Festool amzn.to/3KKMcrj
Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day
Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Feels Like Home
#s2ms #stufftomakestuff #woodworking #slabflattening #liveedge #epoxy

[@ericerf6837]

I really respect how you do not try to couch your observations but give a realistic users view of each. I know you are referencing these routers for a specific task but your points are important as well for the user to note. Thanks.

[@exigauner]

I had a lot of Routers, but the festool was always the best ones👍

[@stuff2makestuff]

Thanks, it’s surprising how ridged they are.

[@jimray1111]

I own a Bosch, and have for years, but now there's a Triton on the way. I have all the stiles and rails ready to assemble a 48 x 72 flattening sled. Only thing missing was the horse to plow the field with 😊. Thanks for the review. Even with the faults you found, I would still have ordered the same one. For our shop, it will live on that sled. I feel like its power and features are best suited for this application. Thanks again 🤙

[@garyb1779]

I would like to mention that the dewalt and porter cable will accept template guides in their base plate. With the bosch you have to buy a new base plate, extra expense. I use a router for machining hinge cutouts on doors and jambs, so this is important. I'm not sure about the other routers, but something to consider.

[@baseballdude8491]

Yep one of the biggest reasons I have swapped out quite a bit of my Milwaukee and Makita for long run time.tools.like Table saw, mitre saw, SDS max and Plus rotary hammer, belt sander, grinder All 36V Metabo HPT Multivolt tools can accept the 110 AC adapter Awesome

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Hi, just a band-aid fix I came across for sloppy plunge bushings. I have a PC 890 series with similar issues as the Triton, tight bushing on 1 side, no bushing on the other. The post is 20mm, and a split-shaft collar fit perfectly. Not ideal for frequent depth changes, but lets me use an otherwise useless tool in my new slab jig. I just give it a press to make sure I'm on the collar before making the next cut. Hope this saves someone a few bucks, and thanks for the honest review!

[@Hotrod66149]

Thanks for getting straight to the point, I’ve liked and subscribed!

[@BlownF150]

Milwaukee has a heavy duty fixed base router for $400, heavy and powerful and tested to have excellent collet runout. For a slabbing/flattening router it might be the best overall value. Have not seen good reviews on Triton or the Dewalt DWE625. I am looking at the Makita RP2301FC, Milwaukee 5625-20, and the Hitachi/Metabo HPT M12V2 if you ever get around to evaluating those.

[@EEEZSolutionS]

Nicely done. I have an old Craftsman router I inherited, a Skil 14amp/2.5hp I bought and a Hercules (Harbor Freight) 2.5 Hp that is in my little Skil router table. The Skil 2.5 Hp does a really nice job, LCD display, easy to adjust speed, etc. I used it on flattening my first glue up (the glue up was a real mess!!!) The Skil handled a Frued 1 1/2" carbide tipped flattening bit with ease. I'm thinking of getting a palm router for,as yo said, round-overs, chamfers and perhaps one-off dados and grooves. I appreciate y9ou honest mantes of the routers you over-viewed - made me aware f what to look for. Thanks, Larry

[@moldyzucchinis3251]

I was able to snag a Freud 3 1/4 HP router (90s model) with the plunge mechanism and variable speed. Got it from an older gent getting out of woodworking. Thing is a beast but I never see it on youtube anywhere.

[@jerryeykholt8218]

I’d go for a used freud ft2000E with low hours on it. These were very popular but are harder to mount in router table. lots of power, under $200, and built to run for industrial applications.

[@baseballdude8491]

I've been rocking the Porter cable and Bosch for yrs However the new Metabo HPT' 36V Hybrid Cordless/corded is powerful and feature rich Surprisingly long run time on the battery and has changed the way we work on jobsite and in the shop Have two of these and have been great No other brand has a full size 1/2" and no one else offers cordless and AC capability Luv this router-the other barely get touched anymore unless they are in the table in the shop

[@stuff2makestuff]

Wow, that's impressive 1/2" collet on battery-powered router. That seems like a great job site tool. Thanks.

[@baseballdude8491]

@@stuff2makestuff Yep wish Lowes would carry it instore You can get it online from Lowes but Acme Tools and Toobarn usually have better deals on this, although Lowes had it on sale for $179 right after Christmas for the Deal of the Day-It's a great tool

[@moldyzucchinis3251]

@@stuff2makestuffmilwaukee just announced 1/2” collet m18 fuel router. the price is high, but it looks interesting.

[@EEEZSolutionS]

WOW! That is a great tool... never saw a cordless plunge router before AND it can run on 110 with the adapter. Well thought out tool...

[@brucehansen7949]

Thanks for the video, you saved me from buying the bosch and the triton for $300 and then still have issues. I might take my chances with the new vevor 3 1/4 hp for $88 instead of $300+. I recently got the wen 2.5? Hp for $80 lots of plastic parts but it actually performs very well when locked in on plunge mode. Im not gonna use the wen for slab flattening. Been using my dewalt variable speed plunge router 2 1/4 hp and it started smoking after 20 minutes of LIGHT work slab flattening

[@shaynesabala]

I’m curious to why you pick that DeWalt to compare when there’s a much better one out there that might actually compete with the Festool as far as functionality. Not to mention it’s a third of the price.

[@slcustomcarpentry853]

You missed the actual rack and pinion adjustment knob for the height adjustment. The side handle raises and lowers the Triton. You only plunged and used the fine adjustment. It's one of the best and unique features on a router.

[@kristydorrough3365]

Lots of good info 👍🏼

[@stuff2makestuff]

Thanks

[@philvale5724]

Hi, MAFELL LO65 Ec , for Hp . Great bit of kit. Phil from the moulin France

[@stuff2makestuff]

That looks like a nice router. I didn't realize Mafell made a router, I've only seen their track saws that have really good specs. If you press down on the handles with it locked does it have any movement? Thanks, Josh

[@MrJohnnyboyrebel]

Unfortunately, Porter-Cable no longer manufactures routers.

[@DiamondEncrustedAbdullah-xm9so]

Which router should i buy thats budget that will level epoxy tables that i can use with your sled?

[@billymurphy3]

If you check out the Hercules Billy wouldn’t mind your opinion. Variable speed, 2.25 HP.

[@stuff2makestuff]

Good Idea, Next time I'm at that store I'll grab one and check it out.

[@GeorgeKennerLaser]

Like and subscribed... good job

[@brucegibson8053]

At present I'm using Bosche's 2.4 h.p. plunge router but I've got at least 10 2" x 14" & 16" x 8' + slabs to flatten and was thinking the Triton 31/4 h.p. After listening to your review, I'll be looking deeper into the Festool. What I'd like to know, where did you get your sled? Again, I've been looking at Woodpeckers and the price is hard to justify. Thanks

[@stuff2makestuff]

Thanks, I make that sled in house, and sell it at S2MS.com The triton is still a good router particularly if you're part-time and just doing a few slabs a year but want to be able to do them faster. If you're flattening to avoid snipe of a planer and need exact thicknesses on expensive woods consider a fixed base 3-1/4 hp router. I'm just coming back from a woodworker convention and showed this video to someone and they said they have a Milwaukee fixed base that works really well.

[@lifeofthecoventryking5853]

I have the Bosch plunge router on tot router flattening system. I noticed I get some inconsistency could that be the plunge mechanism slipping on me??

[@stuff2makestuff]

That could be it. Potential failure points are, 1) bit in chuck not tightened enough/ poor chuck design 2) lock mechanism worn out or poor locking mechanism 3) guide rod bushings loose fit or non-rigid main casting 4) router sled inconsistencies or lack of rigidity in the sled.

[@toadamine]

i just smoked my 2hp dewalt... which is why im here... i dont care if they whip i just want max torque and it not to burn itself up... i like to cut fast and run my tools hard...

[@cncworkshop3272]

horse power rating is actually the full load rating, how did you test with with no load?!?

[@kengunnell6398]

Why not review the Dewalt 3.25 hp router?

[@pathfollower]

So this was posted a month ago. Curious how the Makita I was looking at would rate? Soft start, variable speed 3 ¼ hp.

[@ianbreeze-uh7wj]

Over expensive festool there are routers just as good and much, much cheaper for the money I don't think it is a viable option. A lot of these sites plug festool to death and I get sick of hearing it.

[@du3lmaul3rs50]

He just showed you all of the comparable routers in that class and how even the Triton (which was the second most performant) had build quality issues. His only praise to Festool was that it had superior build quality (its lift mechanism was surprisingly rigid, and micro adjustment had virtually no backlash) and the most horsepower. He in no way was saying Festool was better because it was Festool. This was a very fair and informative comparison video.