Palm Router - Suitable?

[routaah]

Hi Guys,

I am on the lookout for a new router and like the idea of a palm router for the manouverability, but not sure if it would be up to the task for the kind of work I am doing.

The majority of what I do is 6mm deep slots in 18mm birch ply with an 18mm straight bit, which really I would like to be able to do in a single pass. I also do things such as large circle cutouts all the way through 18mm birch, which I already do in multiple passes so that is not really an issue. Also rounding over edges but that should be easy.

What do you think, would a palm router be powerful enough for this?

Thanks

 

[Shultzy]

In a word, no, Its just not powerful enough. I used my Bosch to cut a 6mm 45deg chamfer in oak and it took 3 passes as it started to labour. My 13mm router did them in one pass.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A palm is probably a bit on the small side, but if you must use something small take as much as you can out with plunge cuts (overlapping slightly), then join up the holes. A bit less stress on the machine, and you don't have to alter the depth.