Bosch Professional GKF 12 V-8 (Bare, Carton) Brushless 12 V Router, Blue, 6/8 mm Collets

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Run-time depends completely on the bit and material you’re routing. When running it single handed, the 2Ah battery is ideal because it keeps the weight low and maintains the tool’s balance. Bosch offers a 6.0Ah battery, which will provide more runtime but you’ll sacrifice the tool’s agility and balance. Bosch offers a spec of “23-ft. of round-over capacity per Amp hour,” which is to say 46-ft. for the 2Ah battery I used. They don’t specify wood species or round-over size. First up, the motor: at 13,000 RPMs and no variable speed dial, this may seem less versatile than other cordless routers on the market that run in the 25,000 RPM range and it is. This router is designed specifically for round-over or similar basic profiling and flush-trim applications. What makes the plunge router such a versatile tool is the wide range of bits available for performing many different tasks: The inset on/off switch is meant to make control easy during one-handed operation using your thumb-if you’re right-handed. If you’re left-handed, well, it’s a little awkward. Functionally, the switch is fine. The thing I like most about it is its safety feature: While not built for larger bits that are meant to remove a lot of material at once, this router can handle basic profiling like round-overs and shallow passes with straight-cutting bits. The router excels at running bearing-guided bits. | Chris Ermides

Considering you can get higher performance from a cordless router, it’s the size and weight that may draw you towards this model. Dimensionally, it’s 8.5 inches tall without a battery and 5.7 inches long. The shape is much different than standard cordless models, of course.

My Top Recommended Palm Routers

Taking its power from a 12V Lithium-Ion battery, the GKF means you can work at any angle or in any place without worrying about tripping over cables. It’s ideal for working above your head or in awkward spots. It’s incredibly light at just over 1 kg, compared to other palm routers like the DeWalt D26200. Superior control - Unrivalled levels of control, thanks to the new ergonomics. The small grip circumference makes it perfect for one hand use The best palm routers can produce seriously high speeds, in the region of 30,000 rpm to make short work of timber and other soft materials. The speeds your palm router can reach depend on the size of the motor, and you must accept that the bigger the motor is, the heavier the tool becomes.

It excels at these things thanks to its ergonomic design. Your hand sits over the motor and spindle, giving you fantastic one-handed control. The large offset base plate provides a nice balance on the material and minimizes tipping. Operation is smooth and stable; there are detents on the base to help further steady if necessary. It’s useful to note that different routing jobs require different speeds – there are guides available to help you get your head around this, but the rule of thumb is the wider the router bit, the slower the speed. Always practise on scrap materials before using a new router bit. Difference Between Palm Routers and Plunge Routers No list of the best palm routers would be complete without a Bosch Professional router. The GKF 12V-8 is a radical re-design of the standard shape palm router and forms part of Bosch’s “blue” line of professional 12 Volt tools. This means it’s made with professional users in mind and will be robust, reliable, and ready for anything. Superior motor - EC BRUSHLESS motor delivers up to 100% longer life time compared to Bosch power tool with a DC motor

I’ve used this router to do round-overs in mahogany and oak, as well as softwoods, which it handled well. It also performs well at flushing/trimming poplar, pine, or other similar woods as long as you’re doing very shallow passes. In a pinch, it will cut shallow rabbets in softwoods and works well for mortising hinges or striker plates. This is a simple to use, light yet powerful palm router that makes the most of its 710 Watt soft start motor. It can turn cutting bits up to a massive 30,000 rpm. You can select different speeds with the control dial and even use it one-handed if you’re confident. As long as you’re using the router for light edge routing and trimming, it’s not going to be a problem. I ran the router through some tests with a 1/4″ x 1/2″ beading bit and a 22° x 3/8″ bevel bit and am impressed with the confidence the motor delivers.The key to getting the best performance from the Bosch 12V Cordless Edge Router is to take your time, especially in hardwood, and let the motor do the work. Additional Noteworthy Features

It’s the only router in its class; there are several other cordless routers on the market, but they run on a larger battery platform and most have variable speed motors that max out in the 25-30,000 RPM range. So there’s nothing to compare this to, really. The Makita RT0700CX4 is probably the best palm router for professionals. It’s powerful, reliable and fits into several different bases, making it an incredibly versatile tool. Makita is a brand famous for robust, professional-level power tools. They’re trusted by professionals as well as savvy DIYers throughout the world, and for good reason. Kenny’s life around power tools started early. His grandfather was an airplane mechanic in WW2 and took up woodworking as a hobby after retiring from the power industry. Building everything from bookshelves to lazy Susans, he became extremely accomplished while his young grandson observed, fascinated at the way raw wood could turn into something both beautiful and functional. In fact, Kenny still uses several pieces that his grandfather made more than 30 years ago. Manchester-based tool and home improvement gurus VonHaus make an impressive amount of kit from blenders to ladders . Their compact palm router offers impressive performance and incredible value for a DIY tool.

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When I see stats like this I always assume a softwood and small-to-medium-size bit. These specs are meant to be a general guide and are never going to show the tool under its most challenging circumstances (like a ½-in. round-over on ipe, for example). How Much Does the Bosch Compact Cordless Router Cost? Superior Handling - Great ergonomic design: Optimized for one hand use with an ergonomic hand position with small gripping circumference compatible - works with formerly named 10.8v Bosch Professional batteries and chargers, as well as the newly named 12v Cut from the same quality cloth as the best palm router on our list, Makita’s DRT50ZX4 is a brushless cordless trimmer that gives you all the power you need without the cord to trip over. This little beast forms part of Makita’s excellent LXT range of Lithium-Ion powered tools. You can share the batteries from your drill or saw to power up this palm router, making it brilliantly versatile. Budget tool brand DEWINNER have worked out a clever way to make decent quality power tools at remarkable prices. Their electric palm router set is ideal for someone who’s just starting out on their woodworking journey. It includes everything a budding DIYer will need to try out one of the most versatile tools out there.