Router Kit Buying Guide

With the holiday gift-giving season fast approaching, I know a lot of people with woodworkers on their lists will be looking for good value in gifts. If you're considering giving a combination router kit (where one motor is included with two bases, a fixed base and a plunge base) this season, this list might help.

Most router kits are similar in size, typically with a 2-1/4 HP motor, and the same basic functions. However, if one had the opportunity to try out a number of different router kits and find out which one they liked best, they'd likely find that the differences from one router kit to the next can be as different as night and day.

So, how do you go about finding out which one is right for your needs? To start, check out this article on Stationary & Plunge Routers to understand the basics, and what you should really look for in a router kit.

Then, work your way through our About.com Woodworking tests of the following router kits (listed in alphabetical order):

Bosch 1617EVS Router Kit

DeWalt DW618PK Router Kit

Freud FT1700VCEK Router Kit

Hitachi KM12VC Router Kit

Porter-Cable 893PK Router Kit

Ridgid R2900 Router Kit

Each review lists the pros and cons of the router kit, including a rating (on a five-star scale) and a link where you can compare prices on the internet.

Happy shopping!

(c) 2008 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.