Trim routers, the tiny workhorse that packs a big punch

It used to be that trim routers (also known as laminate trimmers) were a one-purpose tool. Originally designed to trim laminate countertop material, they weren’t the most versatile of tools when they first came on the scene some two decades ago. Nowadays however, these small routers pack a really big punch. A trim router has become an indispensable power tool in most workshops, and for good reason. They can be used for a wide variety of tasks including routing for inlay cavities and hinge mortises, rounding over edges, flush trimming hardwood edging, and a whole lot more.

Additionally, they’re also incredibly lightweight and a whole lot easier to maneuver in comparison to their bigger counterparts. It’s no wonder they’ve become more commonplace in the past few years. They’ve even further branched out in a separate league of the router family with unique capabilities: the micro router, or a rotary tool with an added base. With lower horsepower and high rpm, these tiny routers are hard to beat when it comes to super precise and finely detailed inlay work.

But don’t mistake their size for simplicity– there’s a lot that goes into choosing the right trim router for your shop. In this video, Matt Kenney shows you what to look for when buying a trim router, and outlines some of the basic techniques and uses for this versatile workshop workhorse.

More on trim routers

	Video: Trim routers pack a big punch A new breed of trim and micro routers make detail work a whole lot easier.
	Tool Test: Trim Routers New breed of compact routers is a big win for furniture makers.
	Video: How to avoid router tearout Five easy techniques for taming router tearout from furniture maker Gregory Paolini.
	Video: How to Trim Proud Joinery Flush Furniture maker Tim Rousseau demonstrates his techniques for flushing proud dovetail and mortise-and-tenon joinery.