Still earning its keep

It’s not the best router around – not even the best that I own – but it’s still a personal favorite.

I want to continue talking for a bit about tools I like. Last time, it was a new tool (a cordless sander), but this time it’s a router that I’ve had for years. I don’t even remember when I bought it, but we were still in Connecticut at the time, so that’s at least 18 years ago.

But what really sold me on it was the included two-handled base. At the time, it was the only laminate trimmer that had a real router base; every other trim router on the market was barrel grip. That’s fine, and this one can also be used by gripping the barrel, too. But it was having the option to use it like a real router that convinced me to get it.

It was – no nice way to put it – a cheap router. But I knew I wouldn’t be beating it to death doing miles of laminate and I figured it would serve me well. Turns out, though, that I ended up using it a lot, and all because of that two-handled base.

This machine became (and still is) my go-to router for laminate trimming but it also turned out to be perfect for cutting rabbets on the backs of cabinets and making grooves for drawer bottoms.

It’s easy to hold and maneuver. It’s light as a feather. Bit visibility is good. The base offers superior balance on edges, and it’s fun to use. Best of all, it’s still going strong nearly two decades later.