Router or Compact router for Router Rookie

Welcome to the Forum, Sahar...

I would submit that whether you buy the Makita (or clone) or the Bosch "hefty", is really dependent on the work you will be doing. At some point you will see the need for both.

The trim router will handle smaller jobs like edge profiling easier. But if you're planning on cutting dados, rabbets, bigger profiles (chair molding, panels, etc) you will need the bigger router.

So it's not a matter of whether you are new or not, you could start with the smaller router but you likely need the bigger plunge router later. If you're planning on eventually using a router table, guess what, you will need one more suitable for the table. The general rule is if you can't take the wood comfortably and safely to the table, do it freehand.

Also, you are not likely to find the bigger profile cutters in the 1/4" (6-8mm) shaft sizes.

The benefits of the smaller router is that it will allow you to get the feel of routing while you're learning...but you will likely outgrow it. When you do, you will attempt to do jobs more suitable for the bigger router and then you're pushing the envelope on safety.

While the horsepower is close between the two, the larger router will provide more stability when performing bigger jobs freehand.

The short answer...? It depends on what you plan to do with it.

Both Makita and Bosch are good products...can't say for the clones...most often "you get what you pay for"...

Good luck and stay safe...

Nick has given you some good advice Sahar. It's a challenge to figure it out but you'll change direction in your woodworking interests as time goes on. You'll also learn that having a tight budget means making good choices based on the capability of the tool and the functions it can do. Some routers are easily mounted to a simple home made router table while others are a bit more difficult. The larger router generally will have 2 chuck sizes depending on where you live which would be helpful to know. Not exact location but country of residence. Having a choice in bit sizes sometimes can make a difference in cost of bits. I typically use 1/2" shaft bits whenever possible but that is a preference of mine. Location may make a big difference in availability of certain brands/models as well but what I value a good deal is customer service. If it is very good then that adds value in my opinion otherwise when you have issues getting parts, warranty issues, and other concerns may be fruitless hence making that tool disposable which is not a desirable goal. I would rather save and buy a high quality router that will last a long time versus a knockoff that won't last long or has no available serving and or parts available. I don't believe the more you spend the better but a solid brand and well reviewed is a good way to go generally.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Routing on the table is safer and usually easier than using a router freehand. For me, the smaller routers are nice, but a good, strong table mounted router is the foundation you build your router collection on. I had a Bosch 2.25hp in my table for years. Worked fine, and with a lift, was easier to use because of adjusting from above the table. A few years ago, I replaced it with a Triton 3.25hp, which has a built in lift. As much as I liked the Bosch, the sit relatively unused these days because the small 1hp trim router I bought is so much easier to use for hand held work. But I don't try to use it for dados, grooves or rabbets.

One other thing about the Triton is it has a number of safety interlocks. When you crank it up to chang bits, the power is cut off so the motor won't turn on accidentally and eat your fingers. To use it in the table, you simply remove the spring from one plunge column and voila, it's a perfect table router. In the U.S, the Triton (TRA001) is priced less than a Bosch plus a router lift. I'm old now and the Triton is just a little too heavy for me to use hand held, thus the trim router. I have built so many cabinets that I don't have room for any more, so I'm not cutting dados or grooves anymore. But if I were, and couldn't do it on the table, I have an attachment that will let me do it. But that's only on large sheet goods. For smaller stuff, I always use the table router or table saw.

Hope this is helpful. I do suggest that you read the instruction book and keep it around. Stick will show up shortly with a link to a collection of really good router safety and operational information. Take some time when you can to go through it. There are a few things that are risky with any router, and those pdfs will cover that.

I have rarely been happy with an off-brand tool and generally wind up selling them off for far less than I paid for them. For many cheap tools, after a couple of years, repair parts are no longer available.

I'm attaching a pdf on the 18+ things that help speed up my learning curve. It's 10 pages long, with pictures. Don't try to fill your shop all at once. The basic tools for good woodworking are router, table saw, drill press and maybe a medium size band saw. For hand tools, beside the obvious, a good set of chisels, and a small block plane rank high for me. Took me about 12 years to fully equip my shop during my highest earning years, so patience helps. Some would argue for more, or have a longer list, but those are the tools that greatly improved my results. Lots of informaiton about that in the pdf.