Toolbox: Variable-Speed Plunge Routers

Routers have come of age in the last decade, and in the past few years, plunge routers in particular have become more common and affordable. I tested four top-of-the-line machines: the Bosch 1611EVS, the Elu 3338, the Hitachi M12V, and Ryobi RE600. These relatively new plunge routers all feature heavy-duty motors and electronic controls. Taking The Plunge Prior to this evaluation, I had never used a plunge router. To gain a proper perspective, I had several veteran plunge router users work with the tools regularly during a six-month period. I also used them periodically, and soon became a true believer in the school of plunge routing. The most obvious advantage of a plunge router compared to a fixedbase model is its