Hand Mill on wood - what to choose for home Affairs

Hand mill - an indispensable tool for those who love to work with wood and tinkering. But how to choose it for it to be reliable and functional? I'm working with this tool for a long time, and is ready to tell you what the nuances necessary to pay attention to when selecting a tool.

Selecting manual router requires a literate approach - it depends on the functionality and durability of the tool

A few words o Opportunities

Consider the possibilities of the router on the tree:

• Profiling edges (straight or shaped);
• Execution of seats under the castles, awnings and other accessories;
• Sample "quarters;
• Boring holes;

Hand router enables grooves

• Performing cutting work;
• Fabrication of studs and grooves for joining of parts;
• grinding;

Hand router enables curly balusters

• Making straight or curved grooves for decorating balusters;
• Wood carving and engraving on the surface;
• Fit furniture slats.

Of course, not every router manual has all these features. Therefore further consider existing kinds of hand mills for wood and their tasks.

types of routers

Hand routers are divided into three types:

types of routers

Upper (immersion)

Upper routers are the most popular, as they are the most versatile. They are easy to remove the chamfer, select the "quarters", to perform trimming work, and more.

immersion mill

Submersible mill has a stop with the rods. The last feature of the guide and springs to raise the cutter and diving.

I must say that the emphasis is setting the depth of immersion. This feature greatly simplifies working with a router and allows you to change the depth of the cutter without interrupting the details;

The edge router

Curb

Edge router - it is more narrowly focused tool. With the help of easy to remove and grind the bevel edge. This router makes sense to buy if you plan to carry a tool, these two operations.

Jointers

lamellar

Jointers also refers to highly directional instruments. Its mission is exclusively in the performance of dowels and grooves.

Therefore acquire Jointers makes sense to those who are going to perform the connection of furniture parts.

Any manual Fraser may have a set of additional tools that extend the functionality of the tool. Therefore, when buying necessarily pay attention to the configuration.

Key selection nuances

In addition to the type of router, the purchase consideration should be given to the following parameters:

• capacities. Starting at 700 W and may exceed 1.2 kW. For working with wood with their hands in the household purposes is sufficient mill capacity of 1000-1100 watts.
  More powerful and larger units are positioned as a professional. They are overall and have quite a lot of weight, so work with them less comfortable;

The unit has a capacity of 1900 watts large size and heavy weight

• speed. The higher this index - the higher the quality of processing. At the same time at high speeds it is inconvenient to work, as the surface starts to burn.
  However, the high speed of rotation may be needed to process harder materials than wood. Therefore it is best if the tool has the function of adjusting the cutter rotational speed in the range of from 7,000 to 24,000 rpm;
• immersion depth. In order to solve everyday problems is usually sufficient immersion depth of 30 mm, as in most models of the mid-market.
  In professional models immersion depth can be up to 6 cm;

The maximum immersion depth of the router is within 30-60 mm

• Type collets. Best recognized steel tapered collet, so they are the most common;
• System power on. It is advisable to power up the system had a locking mechanism. Many newcomers do not pay attention to the availability of this function, but in vain - the safe operation of the instrument depends on it;
• Build quality. Immersion rod mechanism should be a smooth ride without backlash and "biting". The same applies to other mechanisms.
  The tool itself does not cause a feeling of fragility. It is also an important element of the hand router - sole. It must adhere perfectly to the surface and have a clear and correct geometric shape;

Pay attention to a hole in the sole. It should not limit the maximum diameter of the cutter.

Dust extraction router increases the comfort of work

• Dust extraction. Almost all manufacturers equip routers gateway for dust extraction. The most expensive models have a built-in dust extraction.
  The presence of such a function improves the comfort of work with the tool;
• The maximum diameter of the shank cutter. Usually manual models are designed for milling cutters with shank diameter of 6-12 mm. Some routers have an adapter that allows you to use cutters with shanks of various diameters, and thus makes the tool more versatile;

Fraser should lie comfortably in the hand

• Ergonomics. The device should be comfortable and well lie in his hands.

The collet must necessarily be made of hardened steel. Otherwise, it will wear out quickly.

Here, actually, and all the instructions for choosing router. For the rest, attention should be paid to the manufacturer of tools and cost. As you know, a good tool can not be cheap.

An overview of popular models

Finally we look at a few models of routers that have the greatest popularity in the domestic market. These include:

• Makita 2300;
• Metabo 1229;
• Bosch 1600;
• Hitachi M8V2.

Makita RP2300 - reliable professional tool from the German manufacturer

makita RP2300

Makita RP2300 is a powerful and high-precision machine, which is positioned as a professional. It can be used to perform any of the above operation on wood.

Due to the adapter, the diameter of the collet can be varied from 6 to 12 mm. Another feature is the presence of the electronic system that controls and limits the inrush current. This prevents the initial spurt router and uneven his movement.

unit price is about 23,800 rubles.

Metabo OfE 1229 - German-made machine of the middle class

Metabo 1229

Model 1229 Signal Metabo OfE proved itself as highly accurate, reliable and with excellent ergonomics. The power unit is 1200 W, and the immersion depth is 50 mm. This can be attributed to the router to a professional.

The reliability of the device provided with an electronic system that controls the heating temperature of the engine. Plate mill coated with a material which improves sliding that facilitates its movement over the surface.

The cost of the device is about 17 500 rubles (important for the spring 2017).

GMF 1600 CE - professional trimmer from Bosch

Bosch GMF 1600

GMF 1600 CE - is another professional tool from renowned German manufacturer power of 1600 watts. This model is equipped with constant electronics, as well as soft-start system. The speed can be adjusted within 10-25 thousand. rpm.

I must say that the tool has a rich set. The standard set of available core adapters copying cutter, adjustable rip fence and so on.

value of the instrument is about 25 000 rubles.

In the photo Hitachi M8V2 - a reliable phone of the middle class from the Japanese manufacturer

hitachi M8V2

Hitachi M8V2 - this is a great relatively inexpensive router, which belongs to the mid-level devices. Its capacity is 1150 W that allows you to perform most operations on wood and other materials.

Of the merits can distinguish good ergonomics, light weight and compactness. unit price is 10 610 rubles.

Output

Now that you know how to choose a hand-mill wood. Further information can be obtained from the video in this article. If you have any additional questions - write comments and I will gladly answer.