$149: Makita RT0701CX7 1-1/4 HP* Compact Router Kit at Amazon

wiseghost

5d ago

365 Posts

Joined Jan 2017

5d ago

wiseghost

5d ago

365 Posts

Is this a good first router to get for basic woodworking?

1

BlueGorilla7237

5d ago

31 Posts

Joined Jan 2025

5d ago

BlueGorilla7237

5d ago

31 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank BlueGorilla7237

Quote from wiseghost

:

Is this a good first router to get for basic woodworking?

It's a palm router. It's nice that it comes with the plunge base and edge guide (the Bosch plunge base for instance is almost this price by itself) although you usually don't do a lot of plunge with a palm router.. Palm routers are more suitable for doing roundovers and smaller chambers and that sort of stuff. You'll want a heavier duty router probably that takes 1/2" shank bits for cutting big grooves, dovetails, stuff with a lot of wood removal - although you can often do the same job with a palm router if you go slow and make light/ shallow passes.
OTOH you can get a full size Bosch with plunge base right now for $199. And used old routers tend to be cheap and common. Again it's a question of what you're going to use it for. I'd suspect a trim router for roundovers is better for a first router but to each his own.

7

2

diveborg

Pro

2d ago

6,590 Posts

Joined May 2006

2d ago

diveborg

Pro

2d ago

6,590 Posts

Quote from wiseghost

:

Is this a good first router to get for basic woodworking?

I'm going to say yes, probably. As BlueGorilla7237 described, this is a light duty router. Makita makes good tools, so in this case light duty doesn't mean low quality.

MG-70

2d ago

98 Posts

Joined Mar 2017

2d ago

MG-70

2d ago

98 Posts

This is an excellent router and was considered the "standard" not too long ago (I bought mine 4-5 years ago and stopped keeping track of models and prices). If you want a corded palm router, then you can't go wrong with this one. Good luck with your search.

FLX

2d ago

6 Posts

Joined Dec 2012

2d ago

FLX

2d ago

6 Posts

Quote from BlueGorilla7237

:

It's a palm router. It's nice that it comes with the plunge base and edge guide (the Bosch plunge base for instance is almost this price by itself) although you usually don't do a lot of plunge with a palm router.. Palm routers are more suitable for doing roundovers and smaller chambers and that sort of stuff. You'll want a heavier duty router probably that takes 1/2" shank bits for cutting big grooves, dovetails, stuff with a lot of wood removal - although you can often do the same job with a palm router if you go slow and make light/ shallow passes. OTOH you can get a full size Bosch with plunge base right now for $199. And used old routers tend to be cheap and common. Again it's a question of what you're going to use it for. I'd suspect a trim router for roundovers is better for a first router but to each his own.

where do you see this for $199?

BlueGorilla7237

2d ago

31 Posts

Joined Jan 2025

2d ago

BlueGorilla7237

2d ago

31 Posts

Quote from FLX

:

where do you see this for $199?

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617...00005RHPD/
Showing as $199 for me for the fixed + plunge base

1

charredangel

Yesterday

892 Posts

Joined May 2011

Yesterday

charredangel

Yesterday

892 Posts

Quote from wiseghost

:

Is this a good first router to get for basic woodworking?

I agree with what the Gorilla said. My first router would be the full size, corded Bosch that others recommended. My second router would be a cordless, trim router.

Rating:	(4.7 out of 5 stars)
Reviews:	7,131 Amazon Reviews
Manufacturer:	Makita
Model Number:	RT0701CX7
Product SKU:	B00HAQMHEO
UPC:	88381658522
ASIN:	B00HAQMHEO
Brand:	Makita
Item Dimensions LxWxH:	17 x 10 x 7 inches
Item Weight:	3.9 pounds
Item model number:	RT0701CX7
Manufacturer:	Makita

$149: Makita RT0701CX7 1-1/4 HP* Compact Router Kit at Amazon

$149

$185

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