The best wood hand milling machines - ranking and model comparison
To choose a good router, it will not always be enough to study the technical characteristics of the devices and their functionality. The quality of their work depends on many factors and an objective assessment can be found out only from the owners of such devices. The basis for this collection was the feedback and opinions of users. They will help us to understand which manual wood milling machines are better in terms of price-quality ratio, how convenient and practical they are in operation, and also what pros and cons were found during the operation of these devices.
Content:
The best inexpensive hand milling machines
A low price is usually the first sign of the device’s not very high quality, although there are exceptions to any rule and there are models worthy of a complete set and characteristics in the rating of wood milling machines that can be purchased for relatively little money. The only difference with semi-professional and professional devices will be the need to periodically give the instruments a break, i.e. not to acquire them for lengthy work.
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| Bosch POF 1400 ACE | Ryobi RRT1600-K | |||||||
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| Power, W | 1400 | 1600 | ||||||
| The number of revolutions, rpm | 11000 - 28000 | 10000 - 26000 | ||||||
| Cutter stroke, mm | 55 | 55 | ||||||
| Collet Size, mm | 6 and 8 | 6 and 8 | ||||||
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Milling cutter Bosch POF 1400 ACE
Despite the budget orientation of the model, the manufacturer took the configuration and characteristics of the device seriously enough: an engine power of 1400 watts, a soft start, speed control, a system to maintain engine speed when the load increases, the total weight of the device is 3.5 kg and a competitive price - enough reasons to think about buying.
+ Pros of Bosch POF 1400 ACE
- The presence of illumination of the working area.
- Power sufficient for domestic tasks.
- Soft start and power maintenance system.
- It is possible to install in the milling table.
- Well-calculated ergonomics.
- SDS-system for fixing mills, for replacing them without the use of additional tools.
- Price-quality ratio.
- Cons Bosch POF 1400 ACE
- 12 mm collet no longer fits. If there is a need for its use, then it is necessary to order an adapter to the turners or purchase an additional milling cutter.
- Excessively strong springs on the height adjustment rods.
- The dust extraction system does not always work out with high quality.
- There is, albeit a small, but backlash on the guides - periodically affects fine tuning.
- Short power cord.
The green color of the case indicates the everyday use of the device, although the overall quality of this model is also loved by masters who are professionally engaged in the installation of doors and similar repair work.
Milling cutter Ryobi RRT1600-K
A tool for small work on a domestic and professional level, although in the latter case it is more often used in conjunction with other tools - due to its light weight, in some cases this milling cutter is preferable to more powerful analogues.
+ Pros of Ryobi RRT1600-K
- Powerful engine - 1600 watts is rather closer to the average power devices.
- Convenient speed control - displayed on the outside of the case in the form of a wheel.
- The function of smooth starting and maintaining engine power with increasing load.
- Additional milling cutters and copy sleeve included.
- Light weight - according to the passport 3.95 kg.
- A branded case is provided for storage and transportation of the cutter, in which, in addition to it, all components necessary for work are placed.
- Cons Ryobi RRT1600-K
- The spindle lock button is pressed hard.
- The cutters that come with the kit are simply different in size - you will have to purchase the copy and cone separately.
- The suction nozzle and the cutter interfere with each other if replacement is necessary.
- Flimsy factory compasses - bends from the application of minimal effort.
- A plastic ruler is put on glue - at any time it can fall off the case.
Although the manufacturer positions this model as intended for work on wood, according to the assurances of users, the engine power is enough for processing other soft materials.
Best mid-range hand milling machines
Not always the average power means that the characteristics of the device will be closer to household models - if you work with the milling cutter a whole working day, then electricity bills will sooner or later become an urgent issue. As a result, manufacturers strive to make the energy consumption of professional models as small as possible and the best wood milling machines do not need to be the most powerful at the same time.
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| Bosch GMF 1600 CE Professional | Metabo OfE 1229 Signal | AEG MF 1400 KE | |||||||
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| Power, W | 1600 | 1200 | 1400 | ||||||
| The number of revolutions, rpm | 10000 - 25000 | 5000 - 25000 | 10000 - 23000 | ||||||
| Cutter stroke, mm | 76 | 50 | 64 | ||||||
| Collet Size, mm | 8 and 12 | and | 8 and 12 | ||||||
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Milling cutter Bosch GMF 1600 CE Professional
Although the price of the device is significantly higher than average, it is more than compensated by the configuration and capabilities of this router, which combines the capabilities of immersion and copy models. A great advantage over competitors' counterparts is the ability to “work out of the box” with 12 mm collets.
+ Pros of Bosch GMF 1600 CE Professional
- Reliability and durability.
- LED backlighting and a transparent base allow you to see the workpiece in the process.
- Spindle lock for comfortable milling cutter replacement.
- The factory equipment includes all initially necessary parts.
- Versatility - designed for a wide range of work.
- Adjustment of rotation speed.
- The milling cutter is designed for 8-12 mm collets.
- Cutter stroke 76 mm - in most workpieces, you can make a through hole and process it from the inside.
- Cons Bosch GMF 1600 CE Professional
- The electronics of the device is sensitive to noticeable voltage drops.
- Instructions for the device warns that the kit may not include thumb screws for the guides of the side stop.
- The case is not durable in appearance, but roomy enough for the router and accessories.
- If the milling cutter breaks, the repair will cost more than buying a new one.
The blue color of the device case speaks for itself - the GMF 1600 CE is a universal professional router designed to solve the widest possible range of tasks.
Milling cutter Metabo OfE 1229 Signal
In addition to the quality and reliability of operation, this milling cutter has a separate "chip" - precise adjustment of the depth of cut, which is carried out by means of a mechanical dial indicator.
+ Pros of Metabo OfE 1229 Signal
- Wide range of speed control. The lower threshold starts at just 5,000 rpm. Maximum - 25 thousand rpm.
- Engine speed maintenance system - increases its power when the load increases.
- The depth of milling is shown very clearly - not with a ruler, but with a mechanical dial indicator.
- Overload protection with self-disconnecting brushes.
- The relatively light weight of the device.
- Universality - shows itself well when working with various materials.
- The country of origin corresponds to the brand's homeland - Germany.
- Cons Metabo OfE 1229 Signal
- There is no soft start system - it should be borne in mind that the milling cutter can significantly twitch at startup.
- The start button requires considerable effort when pressed.
- Difficulties may arise if you need to find original equipment.
- The maximum collet size is 8 mm.
- There is no illumination of the working area - if you have a habit of using this function, you will have to organize additional lighting.
A universal tool for solving professional and everyday tasks, although in the second case it is necessary to consider how often it will be used, since the cost of the device is quite high.
Milling cutter AEG MF 1400 KE
Among the analogs, this milling cutter stands out not only for its quality of work, but also for its solid “out of the box” equipment provided by its manufacturer, as well as a bag that is used instead of a standard tool case.
+ Pros AEG MF 1400 KE
- The factory equipment has almost everything that is needed for comfortable work.
- The ability to use collets for 8-12 mm.
- The dust extraction system is designed for various types of work.
- Powerful engine and sophisticated soft start and fast braking systems.
- Spindle lock for replacing cutters.
- The relatively large stroke of the cutter is 64 mm.
- The general ratio of price-quality-equipment.
- Cons AEG MF 1400 KE
- With constant use, the plexiglass sole wears out quickly - you will have to constantly cut new ones.
- The base for vertical movement periodically wedges, because of which it is not possible to perform a sufficiently soft immersion of the cutter in the material - a critical drawback for delicate work.
- With an engine power of 1,400 watts, the weight of the device is 5.7 kg - significantly more than some analogues.
The tool belongs to the professional class, but the power of its engine limits the amount of materials with which it can work - the manufacturer positions it only as a wood milling machine. As a result, this device is a welcome guest for carpentry workshops, but do not rely on its versatility.
The best high power hand milling machines
The task of some professional tools is to work smoothly throughout the entire working day, and for others, versatility is also important. To solve both of these problems, a number of models are equipped with more powerful engines, which allows you to configure the tool for working with various materials.
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| Makita RP 2300 FC | DeWALT DW 625 E | |||||||
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| Power, W | 2300 | 2000 | ||||||
| The number of revolutions, rpm | 9000 - 22000 | 8000 - 20000 | ||||||
| Cutter stroke, mm | 70 | 80 | ||||||
| Collet Size, mm | 12 | 12 | ||||||
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Milling cutter Makita RP 2300 FC
It is equipped with an engine with a power of 2300 watts, a soft start system, a speed regulator and a power compensator with increasing load. Together with the available part depth of 70 mm, this tool allows you to perform any tasks available to the manual milling machine on a professional level.
+ Pros of Makita RP 2300 FC
- The engine power of 2300 watts allows you to work with various types of materials.
- Ergonomic handles with a rubber coating - do not slip in your hands and they are simply convenient to hold.
- High-quality soft start system - no jerking when starting the engine.
- Relatively low engine noise.
- High-quality illumination of the working area.
- The power cable length of 4 meters is enough for comfortable work.
- The dust extraction system is built directly into the rack - you just need to connect the hose of the vacuum cleaner to the body.
- Cons Makita RP 2300 FC
- During continuous operation, the lower bearing is heated.
- A slight play of the guides is felt - they can periodically wedge slightly when lowering.
- The right handle starts to “play” periodically - for treatment it is necessary to disassemble and tighten the fasteners.
- The package does not include a case.
The cost of the device is clearly not suitable for acquiring it for periodic work, although the overall price-quality ratio is quite good.
Milling cutter DeWALT DW 625 E
Manual submersible router for work with various materials: wood, aluminum or plastic. High power of the device is combined with a high-quality system of controlling the number of revolutions, which allows changing their value in the range from 8 to 20 thousand / min and maintaining stable power with increasing load on the engine.
+ Pros of DeWALT DW 625 E
- Large stroke of the cutter - significantly increases the possibilities of processing workpieces, up to making through holes.
- Electronic adjustment of rotational speed and power conservation when working under load.
- The quality of components and materials used.
- Visual control system for the immersion depth of the cutter.
- The inevitable shallow play on the rails does not lead to their wedging.
- Cons DeWALT DW 625 E
- Weight is proportional to power - especially felt when working with small workpieces.
- Only 12 mm collet is included - if you need 8 mm, then you will have to buy it separately.
- The actual stroke of the cutter after the zero mark is 62 mm. The rest of the distance from the declared 80 mm, it passes inside the tool.
The milling cutter is more intended for professional use - if you purchase a device for domestic needs, then its power and other capabilities may not be fully in demand.
The selection of goods was carried out on the basis of reviews, opinions and ratings of users posted on various resources on the Internet. All information is taken from public sources. We do not cooperate with manufacturers and trademarks and do not call for the purchase of certain products. The article is for informational purposes only.
