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.

Palm Routers:

Medium Duty Routers:

Heavy Material removal routers:

Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day
Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Feels Like Home

#s2ms #stufftomakestuff #woodworking #slabflattening #liveedge #epoxy

[ericerf]

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.

[jimray]

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 🤙

[baseballdude]

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!

[exigauner]

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

[baseballdude]

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

[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

[BlownF]

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.

[slcustomcarpentry]

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.

[moldyzucchinis]

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.

[jahaira]

Can you suggest a sled for the Bosch as well as a slab flattening bit?

[Hotrod]

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

[brucehansen]

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

[jerryeykholt]

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.

[billF]

What is the slab flattening jig used for r using?

[ilou]

I did a 6 x 2 foot pine slab with a trim router. It worked fine.

[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.

[lifeofthecoventryking]

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??

[philvale]

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

[DiamondEncrustedAbdullah-xmso]

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