Wood Tips: Routers - Plunge vs Fixed Based Router

Sign up for the free WWGOA newsletter to receive the latest videos, articles, and tips straight from the experts!

Wood Tips: Router - George Vondriska demonstrates the difference between plunge and fixed based routers. A WoodWorkers Guild of America (WWGOA) original video.

Looking for tips and techniques delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the free WWGOA newsletter today!

[suryarrrr]

Was about to buy a fixed base, this is the most no-BS, no unwanted rock metal music video helped me decide to buy a plunge base. Thank you !

[lucrosconi]

This Gentleman is such a great teacher. I wish he could spend a Saturday afternoon with me in my small shop . Bravo !!

[DaCake]

I love it when people make clear and straightforward videos like this. Shame on those who clicked on the dislike button.

[maxcohen]

10 years later and this video is still helping people. Just the info needed

[Wwgoa]

Thanks for the nice comments. There are lots of great tools out there. In the world of routers I like the 2.25 hp (12-amp) models with variable speed. You can get kits that have both a plunge and fixed base in them, and that’s a good value. Make sure they come with ¼” and ½” collets. Be best if you could make a stop in a store that sells a variety of models so you could see if one feels best in your hands.

[fw]

this guy just answered my apprehension to purchasing the kind of router i need in 5 minutes. Found myself a multi-purpose one and won't even hesitate buying it tomorrow.

[tick_magnetedschaper]

I have a drill press that looks just like the one behind you. I bought it about 30 years ago. Works great. Thanks for including it in this video!

[Cheater]

Great video, I really like that you actually did some examples for us thank you.

[Yarrb]

The perfect answer to my questions, thanks George

[gogo]

George, great job! So good to see you here. I lost track of you after we left the Job Corp in St. Paul. Looks like your love for woodworking and knowledge base has grown greatly over the years. Keep up the good work. Larry M.

[millerfenez]

The ad at the bottom of your videos blocks what you are trying to demonstrate.  Great information and thanks for making this video.
Dave

[markmehrer]

A very helpful and informative video that allowed me to purchase a Bosch router combo with confidence. Thank you, sir. I'll keep watching.

[TheCankersore]

Thank you! I benefited immensely from this…

[Sulkanator]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much for the clear explanation/demonstration.

[mikemyers]

Great Video! Exactly the information I was searching for

[dhk]

I can't wait to start my own projects. This video taught me alot. 

[Donnievil]

A good way to find projects is to find a style of project that interests you and look for a website/youtube channel that specializes in that kind of project. For example, Steve Good has a lot of projects for scrollsawing, of varying degrees of price and difficulty, that are all free to download. There are a lot of videos on turning.

It's a pretty broad subject to deal with on just one channel, and WWGOA tends towards more general tips and helps. Hope that's helpful to you.

[chriserickson]

Thanks for the video. Very informative.

[jimjakosh]

That was very interesting. I was most interested in that switch on the handle. Most times when you pull the motor out of one base and put it in another, it has to have the switch on the motor, but that Bosch must have a link from the bases to the switch and I think that would be well worth bringing to light in the video

[BrainFizz]

Don't forget that many plunge base, routers also have the ability to use a fine height adjuster for those important depth adjustments. Don't be fooled into thinking you need to buy a fixed base router/base because you wand to do rounders or dovetails!