Wood routers … Talk to me

Hi Folks,

I’m after a wood router and honestly not sure where to start.

I have a couple of oak thresholds to fit where one length will abut some LVT ~5mm in height.

I need to take off an edge strip from the underside of the thresholds so it will sit on top (but not compress) the LVT.

Not fancying my chances of neatness using my multi tool I find myself looking at routers.

I think probably a battery one and given it’s probable sporadic usage I’m not bothered about tying into a specific ecosystem (I’ve Makita and Ryobi at present).

Some seem to come with guides, others not. Tools seem very specific (and expensive!)

Where do I start and what to I look for and avoid?

Thank you in advance 🙂

(I’ve Makita and Ryobi at present).

the little Makita palm routers are very good and theres are bunch of different packages bundling main spindle with laminate trimmer and plunge router type bases.

The most basic package will give you the spindle and the laminate trimmer base – that may well be plenty for what you want to do if you don’t need the plunge action. You can fix a larger plate of something (I had some spare thick perspex) if you need more stability

Theres quite a little aftermarket that has evolved around that model with people making useful little 3d printed add-ons and adaptors too

Its potentially quite limiting to only  look at battery powered models though – mains ones will give you more for your money for the most part

KATSU FIT-BAT 18V Brushless Cordless Wood Trimmer Laminator Router Joiners Tool with Trimmer Base, 3 Chucks Collets 1/4″, 6mm and 8mm, No Battery and Charger 102770 https://amzn.eu/d/bOT1qDm

I’ve got the Katsu Ambrose links to above. It’s absolutely great.

I also have the corded version. Again, great.

They’ll do what you want no problem but take the time to get used to and know how to use a router safely. Particularly with routers that don’t have a plunge function, they can bite if you don’t know what you’re doing.

But yeah. Makita and Katsu copies are brilliant.

Mine pictured recently…

If I understand the ask, you’re rebating the threshold to go over the LVT.  That’s quite fiddly to do freehand with a router.  You can do that sort of stuff with a router table but it might be more accessible to use a track saw (or a circular saw against a straight edge).  To do that safely, you tape the threshold onto a wider bit of material of the same thickness and that gives you a nice steady surface and no tipping.

You could use a palm router with a guide but the same thing applies.  Attach the threshold to a wider piece so your fingers aren’t anywhere near it.  Router accidents happen fast.  The guides never seem to be that clever so a straight edge to work against can be easier than a guide.

Also, make sure you understand about pushing the router into the cut and avoiding a climb cut (again, if you want to keep your fingers).

Don’t wear long sleeves with any dangly bits.  Don’t wear gloves.  Don’t wear a hoodie with dangly cords. etc.

[/Granny egg-sucking lecture]

Cutting a simple rebate using the fence that the router comes with and a decent straight cutter is bread and butter stuff.

Leave the threshold over length, cut the rebate then cut it to length.

The extra length can help you clamp it to a workbench safely while you cut it.

Thanks folks.

Having never used a router before I best read up on safely operating one.

I’ll put my crocs in safety mode too.