I spent last winter pattern-routing through what felt like miles of 3/4-inch plywood with a guide bushing on a Makita 1/4‑inch cordless trim router. Even with a router table available, this little Makita has been a constant and efficient companion, always ready with a roundover or a different dado setting. However, I have been pushing it beyond its recommended use; videos of carpenters running a trim router through actual miles of wall sheathing tell me I’m not alone in this practice. Over the past few years, the cordless router has become a go-to option for many carpenters, though I suspect they’ve been wishing for a little more “oomph.” Now, having spent a good deal of time with a Milwaukee Fuel 18-volt 1/2-inch router, I can say with confidence that our need has been answered.
I first used the Milwaukee to rout a set of maple housed stringer stairs using a top bearing bit with a plunge base (the kit I reviewed includes a plunge base and a fixed base, router, charger, and one battery). The router had plenty of power, and I never felt like it was holding me back. In fact, it had enough power to snap several 1/4‑inch collet bits; for demanding uses, 1/2-inch bits are a must. Depth adjustment was a breeze with the macro and micro adjustments working well. Visibility was excellent, aided by two bright LED lights shining down from the router body. Dust collection was both effective and easy to attach using the included hose adapter.
The only downside to using this router for these stairs was that the battery drained quickly because of the hardwood. If we had a second high-output battery on site, this wouldn’t have been a problem. The battery charges quickly, gaining most of its bars in the time it takes to buy a sandwich and some wood glue up the street, but it’s a limitation for those not already on the Milwaukee platform.
There’s more to like, too. The router bit can be locked using either one or two wrenches, allowing quick bit changes and tight setups, depending on the circumstances. The router switches on and off easily, and the bit brake is swift. The included sub-base is compatible with guide bushings. The fixed base features a hand strap that I can’t believe I haven’t seen on a router before. The tool’s ability to accept both 1/4‑ and 1/2‑inch bits gives users access to every router bit imaginable.
Not included in this kit was a guide rail adapter, which is an ideal accessory to maximize precision. The router would be perfect for use in a jobsite router table and ideal in a shop as a secondary option.
The primary virtue of this router shone through once I threw the edge guide on the plunge base and used the router to dado slots in pine plywood for workbench drawers. The router is comfortable to use. The plunge-base handles are perfectly shaped for maximum control. It’s well-balanced and heavy enough to sit firmly on the workpiece but light enough to hold one-handed. With an extended edge guide, I could run the dado all the way through the workpiece, flick the power, grab the next piece, and keep going. At that moment, the router felt more like my favorite circular saw than a router ever has.
The Milwaukee 2838-21 18-volt 1/2-inch router kit sells for $600. milwaukeetool.com
