Buying a Plunge Router

In 20 years working as a finish carpenter and cabinetmaker, I’ve acquired a lot of tools, but the most versatile is the plunge router. I’ve used it to make moldings, do sink cutouts, cut curved casings, and mortise door hardware. You can do many of these things with a fixed-base router, but not as safely or easily as with a plunge router. With a fixed-base router, depth settings are a one-shot deal. Each time you release the lock, the setting is gone for good. But plunge routers have stops that allow you to change the depth of cut without losing the original setting. Advantages of Plunge Routers It might sound strange, but there are good reasons for changing