I have the Makita and if you flip the locking lever halfway then using tension it holds the depth and the gear adjustment will allow you to make extremely fine adjustments. When you have it where you want it just bump the lever back to the locked position and you're good. I agree the scale is pretty useless though. I've used the twist ring adjustment on other routers and it's fine, but once I figured out how to work with the Makita I've fallen in love with it because it's just so easy to make fine adjustments with very little manipulation. I only ever flip the lever all the way open when I intend to remove the base completely. I do wish they would add that note the manual. It reads like the lever should be all the way open or closed and yes, if all the way open it turns into a slop fest and trying to make any kind of fine adjustment in that state is pointless.
there is a Nyloc nut on the gear adjustment … tighten the nut so the gear doesn't slip under its own weight when the lever is open, then you can make micro adjustments before locking the lever
@@JS-ct5jn I have machines in two battery platforms over time, in case I run out of ammo in one platform, I bought adapters so the two sides can interoperate. The adapter is seldom used.
Yep, It all comes down to knowing how to properly use the tool. I have both. I like the Makita better. The size is better. The auto adjusting torque of the Makita also makes it better. I agree with the base plate for certain cuts. So I have multi bases that work best in different situations.
Not a frequent woodworker, so when I went to buy a router, I wanted a quality tool for not a lot of $. I bought a Makita corded router kit that included the base tool, the plunge base and an edge guide for less than the cost of the Dewalt corded router. For me, a bit of extra setup time is not a factor. I bought an aluminum router insert plate and made my own router table and fence using part of my laminate kitchen countertop ( from when we installed granite). That got me to the cost of the Dewalt. So for bang for the buck ( for a newbie) the Makita was hard to beat for me.
I bought my DeWalt from Home Depot as a package deal. I bought a battery pack with charger for $199 and router was "free". They run that type of special often.
I purchased the Milwaukee deal with two 5 amp batteries and charger. It's an excellent router and it comes with accessories for dust collection, guides and two different types of bases.
I got my DeWalt on the deal of a lifetime from Lowe’s. It was the router, orbital sander, and jigsaw, all XR, plus a 5 AH, a 2 AH, a charger, and a bag, for like $300 and change. Absolutely ridiculous deal
I bought the corded DeWalt trim router because of your recommendation and love it. Used it a ton last summer helping my son-in-law gut and build out the inside of a 1972 Airstream. I got some great action shots of my daughter jumping in and trim routing cabinets. I just recently started a transition of all my tools from Ryobi to Milwaukee. It was a close decision between DeWalt and Milwaukee, but in my mind red won over yellow. If I go cordless, I'll seriously look at the DeWalt. Like you said, no platform does it all perfectly, so ... Love your channel. Just made some cabinets for a pantry rebuild at our house using your advice/designs.
Excellent comparison, thanks. My first GOOD router was a Bosch 1613. I love everything about it (with the exception that you cannot stand it on its head). I needed to get another router, and, like you, I got something different from what I already loved - I got the DeWalt 621. I soon regretted it. As you found with the palm router you have, fine-tuning the height on the Bosch 1613 is great, but the corded 621 is dreadful. Plus, as you found, the base on the DeWalt router is tiny against the round, larger base on the Bosch. Whenever I use the DeWalt now, I add an appropriate extra base. I shouldn't HAVE to do that. BTW, I bought the Bosch at a woodworking show. I was looking at them, and a salesman showed up. He asked me if I had a business card, and I handed it to him. He sprayed some glue on one side, placed it on a piece of wood, and then dialed down so the router bit got the card but missed the wood. I pulled out my wallet immediately. And one other thing about development: the newer Bosch 1617 dual plunge and fixed base. Fortunately, a friend of mine has one, and I tried it. I hated it from the start. The fine-tuning height adjustment is on the fixed base, not the plunge. The starter is a rocker switch, not a trigger on the handle, and the plunge release is by rotation of the knob you're holding when using, not a flip control that is off to the side. As soon as I released the knob unintentionally, I stopped using it and never would consider buying one. (Conversely, you can stand it on its head-whoopee).
I feel like the Milwaukee bridges the gap of a smaller profile with equal if not greater power. Depth of adjustment is a breeze and the motor stops on a dime. The one gripe I have is the small round baseplate it comes with. It does come with 2nd plate but the second is just a larger round plate, the double profile plate on the Dewalt is awesome. The Milwaukee does also come with an edge guide.
Hi Ben, i have the Dewalt, very content with it. I also have a Makita trimrouter mounted in a small routertable but added a router lift, adjustable from above. Works great in the setup.
First Happy New Year, your review and good about these two routers If we take into account that the Makita router has been on the market for over 10 years and the first palm router of its kind. I use Bosch tools (12v, 18v) and Makita (18v.) and about six months ago Bosch put on the market a router 18v model GKF18V-25, this router outclasses all palm routers, I use it and it's a charm to work with. Take a look just for your personal knowledge. Thank you for your videos, very informative.
Agree with you 100%. The depth adjustment was the exact reason why I avoided the Makita and went with the Dewalt. That Dewalt router was my first Dewalt tool purchase and is what led me into the Dewalt ecosystem. The only thing I don't like about the Dewalt was they didn't include an edge guide with it. But once you buy the edge guide separately, it's actually a very good edge guide.
Same here. I considered the Flex because it is identical to the Dewalt, has lifetime warranty, and it came standard with all the attachments but it was out of stock.
Ironically, Makita has the far better and more precise depth adjustment. He (and you?) just didn't take the time to learn how to properly use the tool before this "comparison" video. Some other things I noticed; depth is not adjusted equally on the two routers, so it makes the size seem comparable. But the Makita has the bit raised up much higher, if they were equal, the DeWalt would be much taller (add equal batteries and it's like 50% taller). Speeds were not set to the same level, so the motor noise comparison was useless. Makita has a wider speed range adjustment. That was a key feature for me when I was picking between these two. It seems to hold its adjustment better than the DeWalt as well, and is just generally a more precise tool. Overall, not a good (and not at all fair) comparison.
@@TimTimTomTom Yes you're right I didn't take time to learn the Makita. I couldn't because I don't own one because I picked the Dewalt over it. Because I watched so many video reviews before purchasing and I just preferred to twist ring over the rack and pinion type of adjustment. I didn't want to have the trouble of half-clamping the lock lever just to make fine adjustments. From only watching a video, that looked kind of finnicky to me trying to find the sweet spot where the right amount of tension is. The Dewalt's depth adjustment just looked more simple and straightforward to me. I know, the videos say that the videos say that fast adjustment is bad on the Dewalt, but after using it for some time, I didn't really find that a big deal to be honest. I'd just turn the ring fast when I made fast adjustments and turned the ring slow when I made fine adjustments.
I love your honest opinions. As I am mostly team red, I started my cordless journey with Makita (1987 9.6v drill driver). When I worked construction, most DeWalt tools didn't fit my small hands (reversing switches, etc.), so Makita won out again. I got back into Makita because Milwaukee was taking forever to release a track saw and a rear handle circular saw. I agree with your preference for the micro adjusting. I'm sure patent law has something to do with it. I'll probably have some need that DeWalt only makes or the company uses their batteries (a cordless paint sprayer, perhaps). The more things change, the more I'm coming around to the common battery platform mandate in Europe. Standardization has merits and will not stifle innovation.
I think the Milwaukee palm router has an even better adjustment mechanism than the Dewalt. I have the Makita corded router and hate it for the same reasons you point out. It is also permanently mounted in a router table :D
I’ve seen a ton of videos of people adjusting the depth on the makita trim router without it falling. I think there’s either a halfway point on the latch or some other way of adjusting the friction. People specifically praise the Makita for its micro adjustment for dialling in cuts to the right depth. Maybe yours is a bit loose, so might need adjustment?
I see other commenters have suggested both are true: halfway position on latch and a nut can each adjust the friction. I hope you’ll give it another try and come back with a video covering that adjustment.
My biggest gripe with Dewalt is the toggle switch on both router and sander. It’s tricky to turn off. It should just be a button like the 18v Bosch sander.
I have the corded makita trim router and it looks like the cordless has the same UN-safety feature. The huge hole in the base section and small base plate make it very easy to stick a finger into the bit. I have accidentally touched the spinning collet so many times. Each time is a mini heart attack. So close to losing a finger each time it is used. I bought the all in one router base from Tamar/JKM and that has helped tremendously.
I thought I was the only stupid one. I've done that with my Ryobi. It's It filled my pants, let me tell you. The natural way to hold it has the middle finger right over the hole in the base. Ive tried a couple of base plates. I put one on my Bosch Colt, that never sees use anymore. I'm not sure what I'll do with the DeWalt.
I have the same DeWalt and love it, plus mine has the plunge base as well . This may seem crazy but I took a 2” hole saw and bored a hole on the opposite side of the existing in the base . This along with the clear base makes your vision twice as clear. A second benefit is this gets the dust cleared much better.
It would be a shame to decide based on this video. He doesn't understand how the Makita depth adjustment actually functions. It's far superior to the DeWalt. Has wider RPM range, and is much more compact. I'd keep checking around, watch some other videos before you decide.
I’ve used both the Dewalts. I have the corded one at work, and the cordless at home. We have one or two minor differences of opinion about features. However, MY biggest regret is actually buying the cordless (I have a ton of other Dewalt cordless tools). I just hate that battery on top. The corded Dewalt is imo the single best router in its size class. Period. The cord is a very minor annoyance to me. The battery on top destroys the balance and handling of the tool (again, for me). So, the next time the corded kit with plunge goes on sale I’m ditching the battery model. Great video 😊. Always enjoy your content!
Despite reduced run time this is why I usually run the cordless Makita trimmer with a 3Ah battery. Makita also offer very compact battery adaptor leads so that you can be away from mains power and still have a very light tool. Not sure if Dewalt offer something similar.
@@kevinpunter7960 Run time has never bothered me. The only thing I use a trim router for is chamfers, round-overs, and such. These cuts hardly hit the battery. I like cordless tools, when possible, because the tail is always getting in my way on small tools. The tail swings the dog.
Your favorite feature has been on Porter Cable router for many years. I added a couple of Dewalt routers to my PC collection and the transition was seamless!
Porter Cable is owned by Stanley/Black & Decker, as is DeWalt, so it makes sense. The adjustment mechanism's so great Flex copied it for their trim router as well.
@@1steelcobra Craftsman is also owned by Stanley, Black and Decker. That doesn't mean they're the same. PC used to be a great brand, particularly for routers. The PC690 was the leader for decades, and the 7518 (motor) was the favorite for router tables. Since, they've gone downhill, sinking right to the bottom.
@@kwilliams2239 There's a reason DW is their leading pro brand, and everything else now follows that. They even repurpose old products from DW as new Stanley and B&D tools.
I got the Makita 18V trim router years ago for the typical reason that I already had the battery platform for a number of other tools (starting with their quintessential drill/driver combo). It has served me very well. However I agree that the DeWalt depth adjustment is far superior. The Makita 18V brad nailer is their only tool I've ever hated as it consistently jammed on me. I replaced it with a flawless Milwaukee. So, two platforms and I may just consider a 3rd (or 4th if I augment my Festool-corded tools). Yes, inevitably one ends up with more than one battery platform. Thanks very much Jason for your always very thorough and objective appraisals.
I have the corded Dewalt... love it for most all work I need. You may laugh all you want, but my cordless is currently a cheap Ryobi. I've had the same 45º chamfer bit on it for 4+ years and only use it for knocking edges over. The adjustment sucks, but once set and locked it has never moved, nor have I needed to. For the cost, I'm looking to get a second for a round-over bit. Both would cost me less than a cordless Dewalt... and no need to keep swapping bits. 😉
Good review and I wholeheartedly agree about the difficulty fine adjusting the Makita. However I use my DFT 50 solely to take the edge off of planed timber so the guided round over bit, once set does not require adjustment until it is worn out. So I'll keep it ready to hand even if I eventually do follow you recommendation and upgrade to the Dewalt. Thanks for this really useful feature review.
My 20-ish-year-old Bosch plunge router has the twist/adjust feature, which is a big deal. I've been looking at a battery-powered trim router. My two battery sets are M12 and Metabo HPT (aka Hikoki outside of the U.S. I've never been much of a Dewalt user as I've always found their housings uncomfortable. Nothing against the brand, and I certainly don't hate the brand. Anyway, I'm glad you went over the important features here, and I will use your excellent points when I start digging into the various options. Somewhat related is the question of whether or not the Makita has other models in their Japanese domestic line-up. They manufacture a whole line of power tools that are not marketed to the U.S. (Circular sawa, for example) and are on a whole 'nother level. While we in the States can buy them, it's just not as easy as it is with their line-ups for the U.S. market. Thanks for taking the time to put this out.
I also have Makita as my platform but chose the Dewalt after some research. Biggest concern was the poor adjustment mechanism. I considered the Milwaukee as it came with attachments but it was out of stock. I also considered the Flex, which is identical to the Dewalt, as it also comes with attachments. Also was out of stock. So I ended up with the Dewalt sans attachments but have been very happy with it.
@bentswoodworking at the time I was looking at the promotional battery sales with a free item and only the Dewalt had stock. I really like the Dewalt but wish it came with the edge guide and dust extractor attachments like the Flex and Milwaukee.
I understand why many prefer the DeWalt trim router to the Makita. Personally, I much prefer the Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee style trim routers to the DeWalt style. Part of this has to do with how I use such routers in my work. I grew up calling them 'palm routers' and that's what I like about the Makita (et al) style of router -- it fits in your palm for one-handed use. The DeWalt isn't nearly as comfortable when used one-handed. It's better at tasks that might require using both hands, but for those situations I'm apt to use a larger 2.25hp router. To me, this isn't a matter of one style of trim router being clearly superior to the other. It's mostly a matter of personal preference. That is, it's a question of how the router will be used. For one handed use, go with the Makita style. For two handed use, the DeWalt may be the better choice. The same is true when it comes to the question of depth adjustment. I know a lot of people prefer the DeWalt/Porter Cable screw-ring adjustment. If that's what you're used to it's going to feel 'right' to you. On the other hand, a lot of people prefer the 'rack and pinion' adjustment mechanism used by Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee. If you're used to a rack and pinion adjustment system, it's going to feel natural to you. I'm in the rack and pinion camp. I've used a lot of different routers from a lot of different brands that use some version of that system. I find the scale, which our host found pointless, to be very useful. I can quickly and easily tell how much adjustment I'm making to the depth of cut. Personally, I cannot do that as easily with DeWalt's screw-ring adjustment. Yet, I realize that isn't the fault of the router. Others who use screw-ring adjustment routers more frequently than I do can precisely dial in just the right amount of depth adjustment. From experience, they know just how much to twist the ring to get the desired adjustment. I have yet to develop that feel, so I greatly prefer being able to see how much the base moves relatively to a scale. YMMV.
I have the Makita model and use it almost daily. It's a great product and its depth adjustment mechanism works perfectly well enough for my needs. Perhaps because I don't have a reason to operate it one handed? For the vast majority of Makita users, I seriously doubt that the Dewalt's perceived usability improvements would come anywhere close to justifying the cost of buying into another platform.
Probably only applies to very few, but I have a handicap which affects my desterity. I have a difficult time changing bits oñ DeWalt routers as you need to hold down a button to lock the spindle. The old PC routers and the Makita trim routers allow you to use two wrenches. Much better for me.
I don't have a horse in the race; but if you flip the router and set the base on gauge blocks (or the hinges you need to route for) that Makita will quickly drop to the correct depth. So it appears to me you are trying to use it in the opposite way the Makita was designed to be used. Now, your habits, bias, the way you were taught - you may not want to adjust the way YOU do things to suit the tool - perfectly valid; but it's unfair to ding the tool for that. Personally; the rack and pinion of the Makita gives me pause as maybe not having the fine control the adjust ring of the DeWalt offers. I'd have to play with it. I DO have a strong bias against high pitched frequencies and that alone would have me look at a different brand than DeWalt (after confirming in person - UA-cam may be messing it up somewhat). In the end it's really nice to have choices so we can buy what fits our own use case. With your experience I'm surprised you would listen to us. :poke: :^)
I've thought that all of DeWalt's routers are the best in the game (I haven't tried Festools though) for that same adjustment mechanism you talked about. I also love the instant off and agree that it should be on everything with brushless motors. I only have two battery platforms (makita and dewalt) and pretty much refuse to get another. I think I can get a great tool between those two brands, although I admit I am more heavily invested in dewalt batteries. (26 batteries at my last count! lol) It's pretty awesome that we have so many outstanding tools out there for us to complain about though. Plenty of excellent options out there for someone find the one that works right for them. Thanks for the video!
I've never used the Makita trim router, but I do own the DeWalt cordless trim router. When I use it, my hands are large enough that I get nervous about my finders wrapping around the unit and getting into the bit. With the Makita being smaller, I think that would be a liability for me. In my case, bigger hands like bigger tools.
I have the dewalt dcw600 and its been a little work horse. I have the plunge adaptor DNP612 for it as well. However, I find the power button location and pressing it frustrating when in a situation I need to power off. Also that the dust collection isn't built in and requires another adaptor DNP615 but no dust collection on the plunge adaptor. Also using a 5Ah Flex flat pack is awkward as the battery is wider than standard 5Ah. Still, its done some work for me hogging out red oak, making T slots, etc. Definitely want to plug Whiteside Machine Co. for amazing compression bits.
No, not a Dewalt or Makita, I have owned both, but the Bosch GKF 18V-8 Professional brushless trim router is the very best. Just came on the market, I have it and I love it! Purchased in Germany Amazon.
I have the DEWALT trim router 20v, I use it most of the time. I’ve got 2 corded Craftsman routers and Metabo. I use each for specific things. But the DEWALT is the only cordless model. I think if something works for somebody it’s ok. I’m not in production situation so Festool isn’t on my list. I think they are great tools but hand tools get the job done too. Have a great New Year and enjoy your videos.
milwaukee is good too. I own a milwaukee as well. The threaded adjustment is nice but can get gummed up with sawdust after some time. It's nicer to hold than the dewalt because it's slimmer. The dewalt can get your hand tired after using for a long time. But the dewalt can handle more torque because of the the bigger motor housing.
In my area there is almost always a deal at Home Depot where you buy a Dewalt battery and charger starter pack for $200 you can get a free tool. The router is one of those tools. So looking at pricing for both with that deal they are about the same price.
I absolutely agree that the Makita lacks some key elements. I have both the Makita and the Milwaukee trim routers and I’m usually grabbing the Milwaukee. I have to say that Dewalt is very attractive, thanks for sharing this!!
Well said about brands not making all the best cordless products. I'm in UK. Those of us who can't afford different battery platforms have to make compromises. The Makita router is a very old design. DeWalt & Milwaukee redeveloped their small routers to be better for almost everyone but I have corded Makita saws, 9" grinder, diamond core drill. So... I went for corded Trend router: their T110 small router is a significant drop in overall quality but is affordable to have several, each with bits for different uses. The Trend also fits in a standard drill stand for use as an inverted router table. The London Carpenter and other professionals use Trend - which is good enough for me. I'm on 18V Milwaukee simply because of an offer in UK the month I had to replace my broken Bosch drill. I'm on Bosch 12V because I wanted their mini circular saw (which has proved to be a massively useful tool for me, my daughter, and many others for cutting up to 25mm deep material including plastics). DeWalt corded is now mostly junk but their jobsite table saw and planer thicknesser still get good reviews. Makita continues to keep quality in their corded tools but... they seem to have left all their routers to rot. If I needed a cordless router... Milwaukee or DeWalt but probably Milwaukee due to having their batteries for my drill, driver, and multitool. My son can get by with prosumer cordless, eg Evolution, for his in the field work on beehives or clearing undergrowth. My daughter lives close to us but has little space so she borrows my tools and helps me buy relevant items. Neighbours and friends from church borrow my gear so, despite being retired, my tools get used and maintain communities and build relationships (which is a bonus that doesn't feature in reviews). Corded works best for lending as friends and family know they have to unplug for safety (UK plugs being so much superior to anywhere else on Earth) whereas they forget to take out batteries. Decisions not just based on my tool use but also based on use by a wider circle of people and compromises based on who uses them for what. Your last comment, "One more tool at my disposal..." I just went green with envy! And I could say the same about bicycles...which reminds me: I need to clear a few jobs in the house before finishing the rebuild of our Mezzo folding bike that's sat in the shed since before lockdown and my heart attack in 2020. Then, I can go into shops with the bike instead of locking my urban bike outside. And my wife can ride with me on flat routes while I'm on a carbon fibre race bike. I dream...
I have the corded Makita and agree the adjustment is meh. I think you might like the Milwaukee trim router. Uses a worm drive instead of the rack and pinion and has an optional plunge base for when you really need a plunge router but power is far far away. A common complaint for that one is that both bases leave the factory with the clamping screw loose. So make sure to give that a quarter or half turn before using it.
I changed to the Dewalt (cabled) from the Makita, mainly because the height adjustment is SO much better. But also, no matter how much I tighten the clamp, the router would slowly drift down as you used it. I also find the Dewalt a bit quieter.
I love my dewalt cordless. I only use the rounded edge of the trim plate, even against a straight edge if for some odd reason my wrist may twitch, it always stays against the straight edge, where as when using the straight side, it would reflect in the routed edge.
Dewalt has more power and the depth adjustment is superior, but I still keep with my Makita. Dewalt costs twice as much and it only comes with a 1/4 collet and nothing else. Makita is a lot more versatile since it has plenty of accssories that Dewalt doesn't. Makita also comes with a 8mm collet, Dewalt doesn't have it available.
@@corwind3888 original? I couldn't find any in my country. In fact the only accessory I could find was the edge guide (yes, you have to buy it separetely here). I don't understand why Dewalt brings the tool without accessories.
To much festool for me to take serious because nobody seems to use the stuff much. I have the Milwaukee and the dewalt cordless routers and am happy with both.
if you pay attention, they often have deals for the dewalt router. Had a job where i had to route a hand rail and they had a promotion where you get a starter kit for free which came with charger, 6ah and 4ah battery.
I have a makita and what I hate about it is that after you make your height adjustment mine always seems to slip down maybe a 1/16 to 1/32 of an inch partway through my routing, which is very frustrating when doing an edge profile
Sears had a router back in the 60's that you would turn a knob to unlock the router from the base and turn a marked ring and it woud adjust the motor up and down. I also have a D-handle Porter-Cable that you have to twist the motor to adjust up and down, which I hate since the short cord from the handle to the motor hangs the whole process up. The Dewal's up and down adjustment shows good Engineering.
Dewalt is great but significantly wider than Makita and Milwaukee. My hand was tired after using it for a long time. Switched to Milwaukee- zero regrets.
@@SonOfPatriots Oh, please! I wear extra-large size gloves and find the smaller profile of the Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee, etc. trim routers much more comfortable to use. (YMMV.) It's one of the points that our handsome host conceded was in Makita's favor.
They're trim routers, usually fine adjustments are secondary to quick adjustments, for my purposes. Also, all routers rely on relative measurements, one way or the next. It's the nature of the beast. If you want to be precise, setup blocks are the way to go.
LOL. As a consumer you can't win. Try finding a deal on a cordless router kit with a plunge base. A few years ago that was readily available many vendors. Fortunately, I found deals on the corded DeWalt with the plunge abase and cordless to get what I desired.
Lowes had a black Friday sale on the Dewalt. The router, two 2AH, two 4AH batteries, and charger, for $199. Since I've already bought into they Ryobi, Bosch (12V and 18V), and Festool (12V and 18V) battery infrastructures, I really didn't want another. However, neither Bosch or Festool make a cordless router, and Ryobi's sucks (likes to launch bits, so I understand), the Dewalt deal was too good to pass up.
I bought the Dewalt and it is excellent. My mistake was buying Bosch drills first. Then I found they didn't do a router on that battery system so now I have Dewalt batteries and charger as well.
You might consider switching the Makita to its plunge base. I don't like the fixed base either. I subsequently bought the DeWalt for its adjustment ring. I always liked that design since my first router - a Porter-Cable 690
i am using the cordless dewalt daily nowadays since i got a free power stack 5ah from dewalt promo. i also have the flex 24v version with 3.5ah stack lithium, which has the same twist depth gauge and same larger diameter body and feels more power too.. the smaller diameter makita/milwaukee/hikoki is easier to grip when doing long sessions, anyway i always have a few trim routers on hand. sometimes we already have the settings for that roundover and dont feel like re-adjusting the height again after changing bits
I have the Dewalt and love it but suggest looking at the Flex, as it comes with additional accessories for about the same price, even the battery deals.
Keep watching other videos dude. I've made a few comments here pointing out huge flaws in this "comparison", but I don't want to keep typing it out. I have nothing against this guy, but it's a very poor comparison. For several big reasons.
I wish you could invite the engineers that create the machines on to explain their thought processes. I bet the micro adjustment would raise the price and the business managers disregarded the engineers and said the price point is better than the micro adjustment.
realistically the plunge base works fine on bits where you absolutely need to nail the depth, better than buying a whole new battery system for one tool. now if you're talking planers, yes 100% get the DW735 over team blue
That's unacceptably harsh .. just because a tool doesn't suit your personal preferences doesn't make other people choosing the Makita a mistake! I'm heavily invested in Festool. I tried to be a "Festool + 1" shop and early on the +1 was Metabo. That didn't work out too good and the +1 (now +2) became Dewalt. In this I'm talking cordless as there are many corded tools of various brands that I have but I don't fuss if they don't need a battery! Anyway I made a tree change and moved to a rural life and had a specialist tool need that dictated a Makita .. that opened the Makita LXT and XGT floodgate (+3) and now I have all sorts of Makitas such as an interesting 9mm belt file, nibbler, bandsaw, 305mm SCMS just to name a few, along with multiple cordless trimmers. I'm waiting to get my hands of the new Makita framing nailer so I can ditch the Dewalt. I was very close to adding Milwaukee for a framing nailer and have held out on adding Milwaukee (Milwaukee would be a deep rabbit hole). I had the original corded Makita "silver bullet" trimmer and I loved the size so the cordless Makita trimmers were a natural progression. I have no issue with the base adjustment and the size to me is a critical aspect of the way I use them. The Dewalt for me is too bulky regardless of it having a couple of unique features. Because they're cheap I tend to leave the little cordless trimmers setup up and have no issue adding to the count if I have frequent use setup needs (currently 3). It's a bit like the angle grinder issue, they just seem to multiply. Incidentally I have both the OFK700 and MFK700 sets and they rarely leave their systainers these days. The OF2200 "lives" in it''s CMS module so the 1400 tends to get most use but I am considering the Makita XGT 1/2" router ... cordless really fits my current indoor outdoor work patterns. Festool need to address a high power battery system, I wouldn't consider a Festool router that had to carry two batteries. Dewalt were clever with Flexvolt .. with Makita I have 3 different battery systems ;( (12V, 18V, 40V). Dewalt also powers Grayco and Abortech so I'm stuck with it. For anyone looking for the ideal +1 to Festool I personally think Makita is the right choice for a lot of people. The 100% track compatibility is a significant benefit.
They should make plates with rabbets for common depths, so you can set depths with the router in the upright position instead of having to flip the router upside down and fighting gravity.
If you already run cordless Milwaukee nailers, I am curious why you did not give the red trim router a chance. I own a cordless trim router by every major manufacturer I can think of except for Rigid, Kobalt, Craftsman, and Flex. That said, I am quite sure you would not have been disappointed with the Milwaukee, however if the additional battery platform were not a factor, my recommendation would undoubtedly be the cordless Bosch trim router. Hands down the superior little machine above all others.
LOL. Exact same issues for me. Now, it's just a dedicated 1/8" round over dedicated router. The only good thing by going to Makita is that Drew of Wittwork got two dust collection shroud sale out of me 🤣 And if you do any kind of edge routing, the Wittwork dust shroud is game changer.
We use the M18 Trim Router and it's similar to the dewalt as the micro adjust but it can get annoying to line up the base plate after a tool change. We also should have bought the Dewalt. Shrugs
The Makita came out way before DeWalt offered a cordless router. While I agree the standard base on the Makita kind of sucks, the Makita plunge base is pretty nice.
I have a makita corded that has the same adjustment, it is hard to adjust and has slipped during use. Even though the dewalt is harder on my hands I like it much better
yeah DeWalt might have an edge over makita lxt one, but makitas xgt one is better. It has more power and it can be used with 8mm or 3/8 bits and plunge base as a replacement for a mid size router (it has 1200w), it is smaller, has more available attachments and options, it also has aws for vacuum. Yeah DeWalt has that fancy height adjustment in trim router mode, but let's be real, that shouldn't be a deal-breaker as you will most often adjust it based on your stock. For small adjustment you don't have to open the level all the way and it will have some friction. The sad part is that festool doesn't have one, like why and how is that even possible since that is their specialty...
the one thing i hate about the dewalt( i own and use as a daily) is the collet nut it only has 2 flats and the arbor stop only has 2 lock positions, they don't always line up especially frustrating if you have a dovetail bit or similar with a collar, the nut should have 6 sides
I owned both and once i realized the dewalt does not accept bushings that was enough for me to decide which i like. Dewalt is fine for carpantry type stuff and the bigger plate is nice for doors and etc but if you want to do real wood working you have to replace the plate imo
Also a side note, I started adding Makita to my mainly DeWalt tool collection once I realized how easy they are to work on and get individual parts for I really haven't regretted the decision. I know some people don't like the batteries. I think they're fine and I do fairly heavy work with these tools. The rear handled circ saw puts the DeWalt one to absolute shame.
Revenue on battery sales will tell you this will sadly probably never happen. There was a time when it looked like several tool companies were going to agree on a standard but that died (to my knowledge) a decade and a half ago. It doesn't even bug me any more when it comes to the mainstream brands as I've ended up with most of their systems .. I hate the small loners like Senco .. my Fusion bradder is brilliant but the crappy batteries keep failing and I've spent more on replacement batteries than the tool is worth :(
I didn't love my Makita at first, but I added a universal baseplate (the 3x3 from KM Tools which I was ordering regardless of which router I got) and I use the 2amp batteries which make it significantly more balanced. I have tons of Makita batteries so I also wasn't interested in bringing in yet another battery platform. DeWalt's twist adjuster is superior. No argument.
Where I live tools are almost twice the price as in the US. That being said, DeWalts are not really repairable. They are throw away tools. I would love the features of the DeWalt but Makitas are repairable....
I'm in Oz .. the most heavily discounted of those brands discussed here tends to be Dewalt and that's probably why I have several unused Dewalt tools in cases simply because it was a cheap way of getting the extra batteries! :O I fully understand the sales and marketing psychology by tool manufacturers of snagging new users with intro "bargains" but it irritates the hell out of me that better tool bundling benefits are rarely offered that benefit long term loyal customers.
The only cordless Router I've seen that comes close to the DeWalt is the Milwaukee(I own both) But the DeWalt still beats it. It's just the best there is.
Having watched many reviews of cordless tools some time back I chose Makita as my platform. THAT WAS A MISTAKE. Makita performance and ergonomics is all over the place. Value is poor as its usually more expensive. Makita has limited tool options and a mediocre warranty. I've used dewalt milwaukee kobalt and metabo hpt. Metabo hpt is now my platform of choice. Fwiw.
I would even pay extra for a stronger motor and a cord. As a homeworker there is no point in buying batterie powered tools at all. Both not worth the price for majority of woodworkers.
You don’t want to have to buy a bigger base plate for the Makita because you don’t want to have to buy extra things but you bought the Dewalt and needed to buy batteries…
Just send me the Makita. I've never seen a time when you couldn't find a bundle on either "platform". I only have the corded Makita trim router but I have both bases for mine and it makes it 200% better. The Makita is also 100% less yellow (and for some reason I hate that color.)
I'm a Makita fan, but have to agree the DeWalt is far better, I have 2, but truly dislike cordless, they are just uncomfortable and top heavy to me.. got rid of all my cordless routers...
A wall full of Festool and regret buying a Makita for the price? I tell everytime to the Festool boys to compair with mafell or Laguna but i never find those videos.also i dont know if i mist it but i work with both but the Makita is more stable to work with even with smaller base plate
![Bosch PBD 40 Drill Press First Look [video 597]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/x6C0KYBjxLs/mqdefault.jpg)
I have the Makita and if you flip the locking lever halfway then using tension it holds the depth and the gear adjustment will allow you to make extremely fine adjustments. When you have it where you want it just bump the lever back to the locked position and you're good. I agree the scale is pretty useless though. I've used the twist ring adjustment on other routers and it's fine, but once I figured out how to work with the Makita I've fallen in love with it because it's just so easy to make fine adjustments with very little manipulation. I only ever flip the lever all the way open when I intend to remove the base completely. I do wish they would add that note the manual. It reads like the lever should be all the way open or closed and yes, if all the way open it turns into a slop fest and trying to make any kind of fine adjustment in that state is pointless.
That's a great tip! I'll have to try that.
Agreed. I do the same thing. I can't justify adding a battery platform.
there is a Nyloc nut on the gear adjustment … tighten the nut so the gear doesn't slip under its own weight when the lever is open, then you can make micro adjustments before locking the lever
@@JS-ct5jn
I have machines in two battery platforms over time, in case I run out of ammo in one
platform, I bought adapters so the two sides can interoperate.
The adapter is seldom used.
Yep, It all comes down to knowing how to properly use the tool. I have both. I like the Makita better. The size is better. The auto adjusting torque of the Makita also makes it better. I agree with the base plate for certain cuts. So I have multi bases that work best in different situations.
Not a frequent woodworker, so when I went to buy a router, I wanted a quality tool for not a lot of $. I bought a Makita corded router kit that included the base tool, the plunge base and an edge guide for less than the cost of the Dewalt corded router. For me, a bit of extra setup time is not a factor.
I bought an aluminum router insert plate and made my own router table and fence using part of my laminate kitchen countertop ( from when we installed granite). That got me to the cost of the Dewalt.
So for bang for the buck ( for a newbie) the Makita was hard to beat for me.
I bought my DeWalt from Home Depot as a package deal. I bought a battery pack with charger for $199 and router was "free". They run that type of special often.
Same. I just wish it came with the additional attachments like the Milwaukee and Flex.
Me too
I purchased the Milwaukee deal with two 5 amp batteries and charger. It's an excellent router and it comes with accessories for dust collection, guides and two different types of bases.
I got my DeWalt on the deal of a lifetime from Lowe’s. It was the router, orbital sander, and jigsaw, all XR, plus a 5 AH, a 2 AH, a charger, and a bag, for like $300 and change. Absolutely ridiculous deal
I already had a few DW tools and batteries, so buying it on sale as the bare tool was fine.
I bought the corded DeWalt trim router because of your recommendation and love it. Used it a ton last summer helping my son-in-law gut and build out the inside of a 1972 Airstream. I got some great action shots of my daughter jumping in and trim routing cabinets. I just recently started a transition of all my tools from Ryobi to Milwaukee. It was a close decision between DeWalt and Milwaukee, but in my mind red won over yellow. If I go cordless, I'll seriously look at the DeWalt. Like you said, no platform does it all perfectly, so ... Love your channel. Just made some cabinets for a pantry rebuild at our house using your advice/designs.
Just a tip, the Flex cordless router is identical to the Dewalt and comes with accessories.
Excellent comparison, thanks. My first GOOD router was a Bosch 1613. I love everything about it (with the exception that you cannot stand it on its head). I needed to get another router, and, like you, I got something different from what I already loved - I got the DeWalt 621. I soon regretted it. As you found with the palm router you have, fine-tuning the height on the Bosch 1613 is great, but the corded 621 is dreadful. Plus, as you found, the base on the DeWalt router is tiny against the round, larger base on the Bosch. Whenever I use the DeWalt now, I add an appropriate extra base. I shouldn't HAVE to do that.
BTW, I bought the Bosch at a woodworking show. I was looking at them, and a salesman showed up. He asked me if I had a business card, and I handed it to him. He sprayed some glue on one side, placed it on a piece of wood, and then dialed down so the router bit got the card but missed the wood. I pulled out my wallet immediately.
And one other thing about development: the newer Bosch 1617 dual plunge and fixed base. Fortunately, a friend of mine has one, and I tried it. I hated it from the start. The fine-tuning height adjustment is on the fixed base, not the plunge. The starter is a rocker switch, not a trigger on the handle, and the plunge release is by rotation of the knob you're holding when using, not a flip control that is off to the side. As soon as I released the knob unintentionally, I stopped using it and never would consider buying one. (Conversely, you can stand it on its head-whoopee).
I feel like the Milwaukee bridges the gap of a smaller profile with equal if not greater power. Depth of adjustment is a breeze and the motor stops on a dime. The one gripe I have is the small round baseplate it comes with. It does come with 2nd plate but the second is just a larger round plate, the double profile plate on the Dewalt is awesome. The Milwaukee does also come with an edge guide.
Hi Ben, i have the Dewalt, very content with it. I also have a Makita trimrouter mounted in a small routertable but added a router lift, adjustable from above. Works great in the setup.
First Happy New Year,
your review and good about these two routers
If we take into account that the Makita router has been on the market for over 10 years and the first palm router of its kind.
I use Bosch tools (12v, 18v) and Makita (18v.) and about six months ago Bosch put on the market a router 18v model GKF18V-25,
this router outclasses all palm routers, I use it and it's a charm to work with. Take a look just for your personal knowledge. Thank you for your videos, very informative.
Agree with you 100%. The depth adjustment was the exact reason why I avoided the Makita and went with the Dewalt. That Dewalt router was my first Dewalt tool purchase and is what led me into the Dewalt ecosystem. The only thing I don't like about the Dewalt was they didn't include an edge guide with it. But once you buy the edge guide separately, it's actually a very good edge guide.
Same here. I considered the Flex because it is identical to the Dewalt, has lifetime warranty, and it came standard with all the attachments but it was out of stock.
The feedback from this video is making me think I need to try them all. Lol
Ironically, Makita has the far better and more precise depth adjustment. He (and you?) just didn't take the time to learn how to properly use the tool before this "comparison" video. Some other things I noticed; depth is not adjusted equally on the two routers, so it makes the size seem comparable. But the Makita has the bit raised up much higher, if they were equal, the DeWalt would be much taller (add equal batteries and it's like 50% taller). Speeds were not set to the same level, so the motor noise comparison was useless.
Makita has a wider speed range adjustment. That was a key feature for me when I was picking between these two. It seems to hold its adjustment better than the DeWalt as well, and is just generally a more precise tool.
Overall, not a good (and not at all fair) comparison.
@@TimTimTomTom Yes you're right I didn't take time to learn the Makita. I couldn't because I don't own one because I picked the Dewalt over it. Because I watched so many video reviews before purchasing and I just preferred to twist ring over the rack and pinion type of adjustment. I didn't want to have the trouble of half-clamping the lock lever just to make fine adjustments. From only watching a video, that looked kind of finnicky to me trying to find the sweet spot where the right amount of tension is. The Dewalt's depth adjustment just looked more simple and straightforward to me. I know, the videos say that the videos say that fast adjustment is bad on the Dewalt, but after using it for some time, I didn't really find that a big deal to be honest. I'd just turn the ring fast when I made fast adjustments and turned the ring slow when I made fine adjustments.
@@bentswoodworking get the milwaukee and the flex
I love your honest opinions. As I am mostly team red, I started my cordless journey with Makita (1987 9.6v drill driver). When I worked construction, most DeWalt tools didn't fit my small hands (reversing switches, etc.), so Makita won out again. I got back into Makita because Milwaukee was taking forever to release a track saw and a rear handle circular saw. I agree with your preference for the micro adjusting. I'm sure patent law has something to do with it. I'll probably have some need that DeWalt only makes or the company uses their batteries (a cordless paint sprayer, perhaps).
The more things change, the more I'm coming around to the common battery platform mandate in Europe. Standardization has merits and will not stifle innovation.
I think the Milwaukee palm router has an even better adjustment mechanism than the Dewalt. I have the Makita corded router and hate it for the same reasons you point out. It is also permanently mounted in a router table :D
Looks like I’ll have to test another
I’ve seen a ton of videos of people adjusting the depth on the makita trim router without it falling. I think there’s either a halfway point on the latch or some other way of adjusting the friction. People specifically praise the Makita for its micro adjustment for dialling in cuts to the right depth. Maybe yours is a bit loose, so might need adjustment?
I see other commenters have suggested both are true: halfway position on latch and a nut can each adjust the friction. I hope you’ll give it another try and come back with a video covering that adjustment.
Thanks for your comments on the trim router pro & con’s. Unrelated… did you “fill in” the holes on your MFT? Do you have a video on that?
My biggest gripe with Dewalt is the toggle switch on both router and sander. It’s tricky to turn off. It should just be a button like the 18v Bosch sander.
I have the corded makita trim router and it looks like the cordless has the same UN-safety feature. The huge hole in the base section and small base plate make it very easy to stick a finger into the bit. I have accidentally touched the spinning collet so many times. Each time is a mini heart attack. So close to losing a finger each time it is used. I bought the all in one router base from Tamar/JKM and that has helped tremendously.
I thought I was the only stupid one. I've done that with my Ryobi. It's It filled my pants, let me tell you. The natural way to hold it has the middle finger right over the hole in the base. Ive tried a couple of base plates. I put one on my Bosch Colt, that never sees use anymore. I'm not sure what I'll do with the DeWalt.
I have the same DeWalt and love it, plus mine has the plunge base as well . This may seem crazy but I took a 2” hole saw and bored a hole on the opposite side of the existing in the base . This along with the clear base makes your vision twice as clear. A second benefit is this gets the dust cleared much better.
Thanks Jason, this info is exactly what I needed!
Glad it was helpful!
It would be a shame to decide based on this video. He doesn't understand how the Makita depth adjustment actually functions. It's far superior to the DeWalt. Has wider RPM range, and is much more compact. I'd keep checking around, watch some other videos before you decide.
I’ve used both the Dewalts. I have the corded one at work, and the cordless at home. We have one or two minor differences of opinion about features. However, MY biggest regret is actually buying the cordless (I have a ton of other Dewalt cordless tools). I just hate that battery on top. The corded Dewalt is imo the single best router in its size class. Period. The cord is a very minor annoyance to me. The battery on top destroys the balance and handling of the tool (again, for me). So, the next time the corded kit with plunge goes on sale I’m ditching the battery model.
Great video 😊. Always enjoy your content!
Despite reduced run time this is why I usually run the cordless Makita trimmer with a 3Ah battery. Makita also offer very compact battery adaptor leads so that you can be away from mains power and still have a very light tool. Not sure if Dewalt offer something similar.
@@kevinpunter7960 Run time has never bothered me. The only thing I use a trim router for is chamfers, round-overs, and such. These cuts hardly hit the battery. I like cordless tools, when possible, because the tail is always getting in my way on small tools. The tail swings the dog.
Your favorite feature has been on Porter Cable router for many years. I added a couple of Dewalt routers to my PC collection and the transition was seamless!
Porter Cable is owned by Stanley/Black & Decker, as is DeWalt, so it makes sense.
The adjustment mechanism's so great Flex copied it for their trim router as well.
@@1steelcobra Craftsman is also owned by Stanley, Black and Decker. That doesn't mean they're the same. PC used to be a great brand, particularly for routers. The PC690 was the leader for decades, and the 7518 (motor) was the favorite for router tables. Since, they've gone downhill, sinking right to the bottom.
@@kwilliams2239 There's a reason DW is their leading pro brand, and everything else now follows that. They even repurpose old products from DW as new Stanley and B&D tools.
I got the Makita 18V trim router years ago for the typical reason that I already had the battery platform for a number of other tools (starting with their quintessential drill/driver combo). It has served me very well. However I agree that the DeWalt depth adjustment is far superior.
The Makita 18V brad nailer is their only tool I've ever hated as it consistently jammed on me. I replaced it with a flawless Milwaukee. So, two platforms and I may just consider a 3rd (or 4th if I augment my Festool-corded tools). Yes, inevitably one ends up with more than one battery platform.
Thanks very much Jason for your always very thorough and objective appraisals.
I have the corded Dewalt... love it for most all work I need. You may laugh all you want, but my cordless is currently a cheap Ryobi. I've had the same 45º chamfer bit on it for 4+ years and only use it for knocking edges over. The adjustment sucks, but once set and locked it has never moved, nor have I needed to. For the cost, I'm looking to get a second for a round-over bit. Both would cost me less than a cordless Dewalt... and no need to keep swapping bits. 😉
Good review and I wholeheartedly agree about the difficulty fine adjusting the Makita. However I use my DFT 50 solely to take the edge off of planed timber so the guided round over bit, once set does not require adjustment until it is worn out. So I'll keep it ready to hand even if I eventually do follow you recommendation and upgrade to the Dewalt.
Thanks for this really useful feature review.
Love the Dewalt for the same reasons mentioned. Just got their new cordless plunge router and super excited to put it through its paces
There's also a plunge base for the DeWalt that fits both the corded and cordless trim models.
My 20-ish-year-old Bosch plunge router has the twist/adjust feature, which is a big deal. I've been looking at a battery-powered trim router.
My two battery sets are M12 and Metabo HPT (aka Hikoki outside of the U.S. I've never been much of a Dewalt user as I've always found their housings uncomfortable. Nothing against the brand, and I certainly don't hate the brand. Anyway, I'm glad you went over the important features here, and I will use your excellent points when I start digging into the various options.
Somewhat related is the question of whether or not the Makita has other models in their Japanese domestic line-up. They manufacture a whole line of power tools that are not marketed to the U.S. (Circular sawa, for example) and are on a whole 'nother level. While we in the States can buy them, it's just not as easy as it is with their line-ups for the U.S. market.
Thanks for taking the time to put this out.
Very useful video (especially since I have been on the market for a router).
Thank you
Your newest subscriber
I also have Makita as my platform but chose the Dewalt after some research. Biggest concern was the poor adjustment mechanism.
I considered the Milwaukee as it came with attachments but it was out of stock.
I also considered the Flex, which is identical to the Dewalt, as it also comes with attachments. Also was out of stock.
So I ended up with the Dewalt sans attachments but have been very happy with it.
Seems out of stock is becoming more common
@bentswoodworking at the time I was looking at the promotional battery sales with a free item and only the Dewalt had stock.
I really like the Dewalt but wish it came with the edge guide and dust extractor attachments like the Flex and Milwaukee.
I understand why many prefer the DeWalt trim router to the Makita. Personally, I much prefer the Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee style trim routers to the DeWalt style. Part of this has to do with how I use such routers in my work. I grew up calling them 'palm routers' and that's what I like about the Makita (et al) style of router -- it fits in your palm for one-handed use. The DeWalt isn't nearly as comfortable when used one-handed. It's better at tasks that might require using both hands, but for those situations I'm apt to use a larger 2.25hp router. To me, this isn't a matter of one style of trim router being clearly superior to the other. It's mostly a matter of personal preference. That is, it's a question of how the router will be used. For one handed use, go with the Makita style. For two handed use, the DeWalt may be the better choice.
The same is true when it comes to the question of depth adjustment. I know a lot of people prefer the DeWalt/Porter Cable screw-ring adjustment. If that's what you're used to it's going to feel 'right' to you. On the other hand, a lot of people prefer the 'rack and pinion' adjustment mechanism used by Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee. If you're used to a rack and pinion adjustment system, it's going to feel natural to you. I'm in the rack and pinion camp. I've used a lot of different routers from a lot of different brands that use some version of that system. I find the scale, which our host found pointless, to be very useful. I can quickly and easily tell how much adjustment I'm making to the depth of cut. Personally, I cannot do that as easily with DeWalt's screw-ring adjustment. Yet, I realize that isn't the fault of the router. Others who use screw-ring adjustment routers more frequently than I do can precisely dial in just the right amount of depth adjustment. From experience, they know just how much to twist the ring to get the desired adjustment. I have yet to develop that feel, so I greatly prefer being able to see how much the base moves relatively to a scale. YMMV.
I have the Makita model and use it almost daily. It's a great product and its depth adjustment mechanism works perfectly well enough for my needs. Perhaps because I don't have a reason to operate it one handed? For the vast majority of Makita users, I seriously doubt that the Dewalt's perceived usability improvements would come anywhere close to justifying the cost of buying into another platform.
Probably only applies to very few, but I have a handicap which affects my desterity. I have a difficult time changing bits oñ DeWalt routers as you need to hold down a button to lock the spindle. The old PC routers and the Makita trim routers allow you to use two wrenches. Much better for me.
I don't have a horse in the race; but if you flip the router and set the base on gauge blocks (or the hinges you need to route for) that Makita will quickly drop to the correct depth. So it appears to me you are trying to use it in the opposite way the Makita was designed to be used. Now, your habits, bias, the way you were taught - you may not want to adjust the way YOU do things to suit the tool - perfectly valid; but it's unfair to ding the tool for that.
Personally; the rack and pinion of the Makita gives me pause as maybe not having the fine control the adjust ring of the DeWalt offers. I'd have to play with it. I DO have a strong bias against high pitched frequencies and that alone would have me look at a different brand than DeWalt (after confirming in person - UA-cam may be messing it up somewhat).
In the end it's really nice to have choices so we can buy what fits our own use case. With your experience I'm surprised you would listen to us. :poke: :^)
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I appreciate the different perspective and am always open to learning new things!
I've thought that all of DeWalt's routers are the best in the game (I haven't tried Festools though) for that same adjustment mechanism you talked about. I also love the instant off and agree that it should be on everything with brushless motors. I only have two battery platforms (makita and dewalt) and pretty much refuse to get another. I think I can get a great tool between those two brands, although I admit I am more heavily invested in dewalt batteries. (26 batteries at my last count! lol) It's pretty awesome that we have so many outstanding tools out there for us to complain about though. Plenty of excellent options out there for someone find the one that works right for them. Thanks for the video!
I've never used the Makita trim router, but I do own the DeWalt cordless trim router. When I use it, my hands are large enough that I get nervous about my finders wrapping around the unit and getting into the bit. With the Makita being smaller, I think that would be a liability for me. In my case, bigger hands like bigger tools.
I have the dewalt dcw600 and its been a little work horse. I have the plunge adaptor DNP612 for it as well. However, I find the power button location and pressing it frustrating when in a situation I need to power off. Also that the dust collection isn't built in and requires another adaptor DNP615 but no dust collection on the plunge adaptor. Also using a 5Ah Flex flat pack is awkward as the battery is wider than standard 5Ah. Still, its done some work for me hogging out red oak, making T slots, etc. Definitely want to plug Whiteside Machine Co. for amazing compression bits.
It is puzzling that Dewalt doesn't come with a dust attachment but both Flex and Milwaukee provides it.
No, not a Dewalt or Makita, I have owned both, but the Bosch GKF 18V-8 Professional brushless trim router is the very best. Just came on the market, I have it and I love it! Purchased in Germany Amazon.
I have the DEWALT trim router 20v, I use it most of the time. I’ve got 2 corded Craftsman routers and Metabo. I use each for specific things. But the DEWALT is the only cordless model. I think if something works for somebody it’s ok. I’m not in production situation so Festool isn’t on my list. I think they are great tools but hand tools get the job done too. Have a great New Year and enjoy your videos.
I just bought a Milwaukee. Looks like it was the best choice.
I may have to try it
milwaukee is good too. I own a milwaukee as well. The threaded adjustment is nice but can get gummed up with sawdust after some time. It's nicer to hold than the dewalt because it's slimmer. The dewalt can get your hand tired after using for a long time. But the dewalt can handle more torque because of the the bigger motor housing.
In my area there is almost always a deal at Home Depot where you buy a Dewalt battery and charger starter pack for $200 you can get a free tool. The router is one of those tools. So looking at pricing for both with that deal they are about the same price.
I absolutely agree that the Makita lacks some key elements. I have both the Makita and the Milwaukee trim routers and I’m usually grabbing the Milwaukee. I have to say that Dewalt is very attractive, thanks for sharing this!!
Well said about brands not making all the best cordless products. I'm in UK.
Those of us who can't afford different battery platforms have to make compromises. The Makita router is a very old design. DeWalt & Milwaukee redeveloped their small routers to be better for almost everyone but I have corded Makita saws, 9" grinder, diamond core drill. So... I went for corded Trend router: their T110 small router is a significant drop in overall quality but is affordable to have several, each with bits for different uses. The Trend also fits in a standard drill stand for use as an inverted router table. The London Carpenter and other professionals use Trend - which is good enough for me. I'm on 18V Milwaukee simply because of an offer in UK the month I had to replace my broken Bosch drill. I'm on Bosch 12V because I wanted their mini circular saw (which has proved to be a massively useful tool for me, my daughter, and many others for cutting up to 25mm deep material including plastics). DeWalt corded is now mostly junk but their jobsite table saw and planer thicknesser still get good reviews. Makita continues to keep quality in their corded tools but... they seem to have left all their routers to rot. If I needed a cordless router... Milwaukee or DeWalt but probably Milwaukee due to having their batteries for my drill, driver, and multitool.
My son can get by with prosumer cordless, eg Evolution, for his in the field work on beehives or clearing undergrowth. My daughter lives close to us but has little space so she borrows my tools and helps me buy relevant items. Neighbours and friends from church borrow my gear so, despite being retired, my tools get used and maintain communities and build relationships (which is a bonus that doesn't feature in reviews). Corded works best for lending as friends and family know they have to unplug for safety (UK plugs being so much superior to anywhere else on Earth) whereas they forget to take out batteries.
Decisions not just based on my tool use but also based on use by a wider circle of people and compromises based on who uses them for what.
Your last comment, "One more tool at my disposal..." I just went green with envy! And I could say the same about bicycles...which reminds me: I need to clear a few jobs in the house before finishing the rebuild of our Mezzo folding bike that's sat in the shed since before lockdown and my heart attack in 2020. Then, I can go into shops with the bike instead of locking my urban bike outside. And my wife can ride with me on flat routes while I'm on a carbon fibre race bike. I dream...
I have the corded Makita and agree the adjustment is meh. I think you might like the Milwaukee trim router. Uses a worm drive instead of the rack and pinion and has an optional plunge base for when you really need a plunge router but power is far far away. A common complaint for that one is that both bases leave the factory with the clamping screw loose. So make sure to give that a quarter or half turn before using it.
On Black Friday and similar sales, you can get a DeWalt router kit.
I changed to the Dewalt (cabled) from the Makita, mainly because the height adjustment is SO much better. But also, no matter how much I tighten the clamp, the router would slowly drift down as you used it. I also find the Dewalt a bit quieter.
And to add 1 more to the pile, Flex uses the same adjustment mechanism as the DeWalt.
I love my dewalt cordless. I only use the rounded edge of the trim plate, even against a straight edge if for some odd reason my wrist may twitch, it always stays against the straight edge, where as when using the straight side, it would reflect in the routed edge.
Dewalt has more power and the depth adjustment is superior, but I still keep with my Makita. Dewalt costs twice as much and it only comes with a 1/4 collet and nothing else.
Makita is a lot more versatile since it has plenty of accssories that Dewalt doesn't. Makita also comes with a 8mm collet, Dewalt doesn't have it available.
Tout à fait je préfère makita
Actually, 8mm collets ARE available for the DeWalt -- this is one of the reasons that I am considering the DeWalt over the Milwaukee.
@@corwind3888 original? I couldn't find any in my country. In fact the only accessory I could find was the edge guide (yes, you have to buy it separetely here).
I don't understand why Dewalt brings the tool without accessories.
Heh Jason, maybe set up that Makita as your permanent 1/8" round over bit for breaking edges. Just food for thought.
To much festool for me to take serious because nobody seems to use the stuff much. I have the Milwaukee and the dewalt cordless routers and am happy with both.
if you pay attention, they often have deals for the dewalt router. Had a job where i had to route a hand rail and they had a promotion where you get a starter kit for free which came with charger, 6ah and 4ah battery.
I have a makita and what I hate about it is that after you make your height adjustment mine always seems to slip down maybe a 1/16 to 1/32 of an inch partway through my routing, which is very frustrating when doing an edge profile
Sears had a router back in the 60's that you would turn a knob to unlock the router from the base and turn a marked ring and it woud adjust the motor up and down. I also have a D-handle Porter-Cable that you have to twist the motor to adjust up and down, which I hate since the short cord from the handle to the motor hangs the whole process up. The Dewal's up and down adjustment shows good Engineering.
I agree, it's nice that they made it so easy.
I've used the Makita and own the Dewalt. I am a Dewalt fan. As a brand, they've never let me down. I can't say the same for Makita or Milwaukee.
The plunge base for the Dewalt trim rouiter is also of exceptional quality and function.
Dewalt is great but significantly wider than Makita and Milwaukee. My hand was tired after using it for a long time. Switched to Milwaukee- zero regrets.
You must have small woman hands
@@SonOfPatriots Oh, please! I wear extra-large size gloves and find the smaller profile of the Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee, etc. trim routers much more comfortable to use. (YMMV.) It's one of the points that our handsome host conceded was in Makita's favor.
They're trim routers, usually fine adjustments are secondary to quick adjustments, for my purposes. Also, all routers rely on relative measurements, one way or the next. It's the nature of the beast. If you want to be precise, setup blocks are the way to go.
LOL. As a consumer you can't win. Try finding a deal on a cordless router kit with a plunge base. A few years ago that was readily available many vendors. Fortunately, I found deals on the corded DeWalt with the plunge abase and cordless to get what I desired.
Lowes had a black Friday sale on the Dewalt. The router, two 2AH, two 4AH batteries, and charger, for $199. Since I've already bought into they Ryobi, Bosch (12V and 18V), and Festool (12V and 18V) battery infrastructures, I really didn't want another. However, neither Bosch or Festool make a cordless router, and Ryobi's sucks (likes to launch bits, so I understand), the Dewalt deal was too good to pass up.
%100 agree. I have a shop full of Makita...and a DeWalt trim router.
I bought the Dewalt and it is excellent. My mistake was buying Bosch drills first. Then I found they didn't do a router on that battery system so now I have Dewalt batteries and charger as well.
You might consider switching the Makita to its plunge base. I don't like the fixed base either. I subsequently bought the DeWalt for its adjustment ring. I always liked that design since my first router - a Porter-Cable 690
The only issue I have in the DeWalt is the very limited access with the wrench when securing the collet down, otherwise it's my go to trim router.
i am using the cordless dewalt daily nowadays since i got a free power stack 5ah from dewalt promo. i also have the flex 24v version with 3.5ah stack lithium, which has the same twist depth gauge and same larger diameter body and feels more power too.. the smaller diameter makita/milwaukee/hikoki is easier to grip when doing long sessions, anyway i always have a few trim routers on hand. sometimes we already have the settings for that roundover and dont feel like re-adjusting the height again after changing bits
I was thinking of getting the Makita. you saved me from a mistake
I have the Dewalt and love it but suggest looking at the Flex, as it comes with additional accessories for about the same price, even the battery deals.
Glad you enjoyed it
Keep watching other videos dude. I've made a few comments here pointing out huge flaws in this "comparison", but I don't want to keep typing it out. I have nothing against this guy, but it's a very poor comparison. For several big reasons.
I wish you could invite the engineers that create the machines on to explain their thought processes. I bet the micro adjustment would raise the price and the business managers disregarded the engineers and said the price point is better than the micro adjustment.
That would be interesting
realistically the plunge base works fine on bits where you absolutely need to nail the depth, better than buying a whole new battery system for one tool. now if you're talking planers, yes 100% get the DW735 over team blue
I did the same thing and went with a Milwaukee router and feel the same way about it. Dewalt makes the best trim router hands down.
I may have to try the Milwaukee
@ maybe I said it wrong. I do not like the Milwaukee router and much prefer the Dewalt.
Can you elaborate on what you don't like about the Milwaukee?
That's unacceptably harsh .. just because a tool doesn't suit your personal preferences doesn't make other people choosing the Makita a mistake!
I'm heavily invested in Festool. I tried to be a "Festool + 1" shop and early on the +1 was Metabo. That didn't work out too good and the +1 (now +2) became Dewalt. In this I'm talking cordless as there are many corded tools of various brands that I have but I don't fuss if they don't need a battery! Anyway I made a tree change and moved to a rural life and had a specialist tool need that dictated a Makita .. that opened the Makita LXT and XGT floodgate (+3) and now I have all sorts of Makitas such as an interesting 9mm belt file, nibbler, bandsaw, 305mm SCMS just to name a few, along with multiple cordless trimmers. I'm waiting to get my hands of the new Makita framing nailer so I can ditch the Dewalt. I was very close to adding Milwaukee for a framing nailer and have held out on adding Milwaukee (Milwaukee would be a deep rabbit hole).
I had the original corded Makita "silver bullet" trimmer and I loved the size so the cordless Makita trimmers were a natural progression. I have no issue with the base adjustment and the size to me is a critical aspect of the way I use them. The Dewalt for me is too bulky regardless of it having a couple of unique features. Because they're cheap I tend to leave the little cordless trimmers setup up and have no issue adding to the count if I have frequent use setup needs (currently 3). It's a bit like the angle grinder issue, they just seem to multiply.
Incidentally I have both the OFK700 and MFK700 sets and they rarely leave their systainers these days. The OF2200 "lives" in it''s CMS module so the 1400 tends to get most use but I am considering the Makita XGT 1/2" router ... cordless really fits my current indoor outdoor work patterns. Festool need to address a high power battery system, I wouldn't consider a Festool router that had to carry two batteries. Dewalt were clever with Flexvolt .. with Makita I have 3 different battery systems ;( (12V, 18V, 40V). Dewalt also powers Grayco and Abortech so I'm stuck with it.
For anyone looking for the ideal +1 to Festool I personally think Makita is the right choice for a lot of people. The 100% track compatibility is a significant benefit.
They should make plates with rabbets for common depths, so you can set depths with the router in the upright position instead of having to flip the router upside down and fighting gravity.
If you already run cordless Milwaukee nailers, I am curious why you did not give the red trim router a chance.
I own a cordless trim router by every major manufacturer I can think of except for Rigid, Kobalt, Craftsman, and Flex. That said, I am quite sure you would not have been disappointed with the Milwaukee, however if the additional battery platform were not a factor, my recommendation would undoubtedly be the cordless Bosch trim router. Hands down the superior little machine above all others.
LOL. Exact same issues for me. Now, it's just a dedicated 1/8" round over dedicated router. The only good thing by going to Makita is that Drew of Wittwork got two dust collection shroud sale out of me 🤣 And if you do any kind of edge routing, the Wittwork dust shroud is game changer.
We use the M18 Trim Router and it's similar to the dewalt as the micro adjust but it can get annoying to line up the base plate after a tool change. We also should have bought the Dewalt. Shrugs
Remember the old days when you used to build things and not just sell tools on UA-cam?
The Makita came out way before DeWalt offered a cordless router. While I agree the standard base on the Makita kind of sucks, the Makita plunge base is pretty nice.
I have a makita corded that has the same adjustment, it is hard to adjust and has slipped during use. Even though the dewalt is harder on my hands I like it much better
I'm glad you found one you like!
yeah DeWalt might have an edge over makita lxt one, but makitas xgt one is better. It has more power and it can be used with 8mm or 3/8 bits and plunge base as a replacement for a mid size router (it has 1200w), it is smaller, has more available attachments and options, it also has aws for vacuum. Yeah DeWalt has that fancy height adjustment in trim router mode, but let's be real, that shouldn't be a deal-breaker as you will most often adjust it based on your stock. For small adjustment you don't have to open the level all the way and it will have some friction.
The sad part is that festool doesn't have one, like why and how is that even possible since that is their specialty...
the one thing i hate about the dewalt( i own and use as a daily) is the collet nut it only has 2 flats and the arbor stop only has 2 lock positions, they don't always line up especially frustrating if you have a dovetail bit or similar with a collar, the nut should have 6 sides
I owned both and once i realized the dewalt does not accept bushings that was enough for me to decide which i like. Dewalt is fine for carpantry type stuff and the bigger plate is nice for doors and etc but if you want to do real wood working you have to replace the plate imo
Also a side note, I started adding Makita to my mainly DeWalt tool collection once I realized how easy they are to work on and get individual parts for I really haven't regretted the decision. I know some people don't like the batteries. I think they're fine and I do fairly heavy work with these tools. The rear handled circ saw puts the DeWalt one to absolute shame.
I wish these tool companies would get together and standardize the battery platform all the same
Revenue on battery sales will tell you this will sadly probably never happen. There was a time when it looked like several tool companies were going to agree on a standard but that died (to my knowledge) a decade and a half ago. It doesn't even bug me any more when it comes to the mainstream brands as I've ended up with most of their systems .. I hate the small loners like Senco .. my Fusion bradder is brilliant but the crappy batteries keep failing and I've spent more on replacement batteries than the tool is worth :(
I have seen several of the Makita's with cracked spindle locks lately, that's another negative for them as well.
Milwaukee is my favorite after using dewalt. Comes with both bases.
Festool needs to make a cordless router. That - for me - would be the most logical thing. I’m not gonna hold my breath but I’ll wait :D
Aside from the other differences, the adjustment on the DeWalt is definitely much better and a good reason to choose it
I didn't love my Makita at first, but I added a universal baseplate (the 3x3 from KM Tools which I was ordering regardless of which router I got) and I use the 2amp batteries which make it significantly more balanced. I have tons of Makita batteries so I also wasn't interested in bringing in yet another battery platform. DeWalt's twist adjuster is superior. No argument.
don't use 2ah's, they are not powerful enough for this tool, you will end up degrading them. use only 4, 5 and 6ah with trim router.
@@riba2233 I'm several years in... it's fine.
@@ChrisHornberger ok... For low power tasks it might be ok-ish. But in general it's not advised
Where I live tools are almost twice the price as in the US. That being said, DeWalts are not really repairable. They are throw away tools. I would love the features of the DeWalt but Makitas are repairable....
I'm in Oz .. the most heavily discounted of those brands discussed here tends to be Dewalt and that's probably why I have several unused Dewalt tools in cases simply because it was a cheap way of getting the extra batteries! :O I fully understand the sales and marketing psychology by tool manufacturers of snagging new users with intro "bargains" but it irritates the hell out of me that better tool bundling benefits are rarely offered that benefit long term loyal customers.
I am a corded fan for life!! Still a few uses for the evil battery. I am now more selective.
I can’t relate to you talking about dewalt and makita when you have all that Festool in the background!
The only cordless Router I've seen that comes close to the DeWalt is the Milwaukee(I own both) But the DeWalt still beats it. It's just the best there is.
The Makita is top heavy being so slim and with the bulky battery at top
0:32. Well, actually, you have one complaint about it.... It has a cord....
To me the only real dealbreaker in the Makita is the small footprint. I can live with the rest. But yeah the DeWalt is a superior design, hand down.
I had same problem !
Having watched many reviews of cordless tools some time back I chose Makita as my platform.
THAT WAS A MISTAKE.
Makita performance and ergonomics is all over the place. Value is poor as its usually more expensive. Makita has limited tool options and a mediocre warranty.
I've used dewalt milwaukee kobalt and metabo hpt. Metabo hpt is now my platform of choice. Fwiw.
I would even pay extra for a stronger motor and a cord. As a homeworker there is no point in buying batterie powered tools at all. Both not worth the price for majority of woodworkers.
You don’t want to have to buy a bigger base plate for the Makita because you don’t want to have to buy extra things but you bought the Dewalt and needed to buy batteries…
Just send me the Makita. I've never seen a time when you couldn't find a bundle on either "platform". I only have the corded Makita trim router but I have both bases for mine and it makes it 200% better. The Makita is also 100% less yellow (and for some reason I hate that color.)
Im a Milwaukee guy thru and thru
Dewalt is best compact by far. I have six of them. Have a couple Milwaukees also but their depth adjustment is just as bad or worse than the Makita.
Dewalt trim router is a fantastic tool if you know
I'm a Makita fan, but have to agree the DeWalt is far better, I have 2, but truly dislike cordless, they are just uncomfortable and top heavy to me.. got rid of all my cordless routers...
A wall full of Festool and regret buying a Makita for the price? I tell everytime to the Festool boys to compair with mafell or Laguna but i never find those videos.also i dont know if i mist it but i work with both but the Makita is more stable to work with even with smaller base plate
😂😂😂 I have THREE dewalt cordless trim routers! I keep various round over and flush trim bits chucked in them to save me time