Cordless trim router by Ridgid
Trusty trim router cuts the cord
The small size of trim routers makes them perfect for all sorts of furniture work, like making a light roundover or chamfer along an edge, mortising hinges, and excavating surfaces for delicate inlays. Ridgid’s new cordless trim router has all the good features of the corded version: an incredibly precise depth adjustment, a built-in LED headlight, and an open base—I was even able to interchange bases. It makes getting accurate cuts a breeze, all without the plug to trip over.
The cordless version’s power and run time were more than adequate. I trimmed a 3⁄4-in.-thick by 6-in.-wide by 32-in.-long piece of cherry flush to a straightedge over and over, cutting 1⁄16 in. at a time. It took an hour and 10 minutes before the battery gave out.
While the added weight of the battery is considerable, after 20 minutes I got used to it and ultimately found it well-balanced. The model I tested had the heavier 5-amp/hr (Ah) battery; the 2-Ah model, Ridgid tells me, is much lighter. A battery and charger are not included. You’ll need to spend $99 for the 2-Ah battery and charger or $119 for the 5-Ah battery and charger.
I did find it a little harder than usual to dial in an exact fence setting with this router. To set a fence I typically spin the bit until it just touches my layout line, but this router’s brushless motor doesn’t let you rotate the bit freely with the power off. Also, as with all trim routers, the included base is far too small, which risks tipping. This is easily overcome with a larger shopmade Lexan or Plexiglass subbase.
More on FineWoodworking.com:
- Tool Test: Trim Routers – New breed of compact routers is a big win for furniture makers
- Buying and Using Trim Routers – Learn how these small routers can be used in furniture making and get tips on how to select the right trim router for your shop
- Tiny Routers Pack a Big Punch – A new breed of trim and micro routers make detail work a whole lot easier
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Festool DF 500 Q-Set Domino Joiner
Bosch 12V Trim Router
Makita SP6000J1 Track Saw
Comments
I think it's scandalous that manufacturers sell tools and batteries separately. In my view, the only reason for this is to make gullible customers believe that the tool is reasonably priced. Imagine if automakers charged extra for the tires on a new car! This is the same situation, in my book. Someone should organize some pushback to the batteries-sold-separately business.
I totally disagree David. Most people buy into a cordless tool system, and it's likely if you are buying this router, you have batteries already. If your cordless drill is a Makita, it's likely you'll get the Makita router.
Yes Ben, I was thinking about this recently. Get the novice homeowner/woodworker hooked on your battery system by selling them their first cordless tool (drill and/or driver) at cost or even below cost. These "first tools" usually always come with batteries--but only the lower A-hr ones, again to cut costs and make that price in the flyer look fabulous. But in all fairness, these lower A-hr batteries are usually more than suitable for anyone except professionals. (Just sayin' because I'm more than happy with my Yellow and Black tools.)
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in