Comparison DeWALT DCW600N vs Bosch GKF 550 Professional 06016A0020

- Electrical network 230. Power supply from a 230 V network, in other words - an ordinary household outlet. This power supply allows you to work for almost unlimited time, and it is also suitable for even the most powerful modern milling cutters. On the other hand, in the absence of sockets, the “networked” router becomes useless, and the wire limits mobility and can interfere with work and movement. However, all these shortcomings are not particularly critical, and most milling cutters are produced specifically for 230 V networks.

— Electrical network 110 V. Tools powered in the American and Japanese style - from electrical networks with a voltage of 110 V. Power tools with this operating voltage are produced for the market of North and Central America, the Land of the Rising Sun, and Saudi Arabia. 110V electrical systems are also found in the UK. To avoid failure of the instrument when connected to standard 230 V household networks, you will need an additional connecting link in the form of a step-down transformer or a special 110 V converter.

- Battery. Powered by its own battery. The main advantage of such a tool is that it does not need to be plugged into an outlet during operation; this is very convenient when frequently moving from place to place and allows you to work even in the complete absence of power grids. At the same time, all other things being equal, a cordless router turns out to be much more expensive and heavier than a “corded” one, and the power of such routers is relatively low - otherwise they would require too heavy batteries, and there would be no talk of portability. Additionally, battery life is limited and charging takes quite a long time and still requires external power. In light of all this, there are few battery models on the market, and you should pay attention to them only if the absence of a power cord and independence from sockets are decisive factors.

The total power of the router, more precisely, the engine installed in it. The higher this indicator, the more productive the device is, the better it copes with complex work, the more force on the cutter (torque) it provides during operation, and the greater the spindle speed can be (although a powerful tool is not necessarily high-speed). On the other hand, high power significantly affects the dimensions, weight and price of the tool, plus power consumption and network load increase accordingly. In addition, high torque in some cases (for example, with delicate processing) is frankly undesirable. Therefore, a tool should be chosen according to this parameter, taking into account the real needs and the specifics of the planned work.

There are three main categories of milling cutters in terms of power: light (up to 700 W), designed mainly for simple household work; medium (up to 1500 W), able to cope not only with domestic, but also with most professional tasks; and heavy (1500 W or more), used in cases where high power is critical. However, this gradation is true only for routers (see "Type"), other varieties have their own specifics: for example, lamellar models, in principle, do not need high power.

The slowest spindle speed (in revolutions per minute) provided by the router motor.

For different jobs, the optimal spindle speed (and, accordingly, the cutter) will also be different. For example, hard materials like stone require fast rotation, but wood does not; some types of nozzles work better at high speeds, others at low speeds, etc. Detailed recommendations for each specific case can be found in special sources. Here we note that the smallest value of the minimum number of revolutions found in modern milling cutters is about 3000 – 5000, and in the most "fast" models this figure can exceed 15000. When choosing, pay attention not so much to the minimum rotation speed as to the total speed range — how it corresponds to the planned tasks.

The highest spindle speed provided by the router motor. Measured in revolutions per minute. For models that do not have speed control (see "Functions"), this paragraph indicates the standard number of revolutions.

For different work, the optimal speed of rotation of the spindle (and, accordingly, the cutter) will also be different. For example, hard materials like stone require fast rotation, but wood does not; some types of nozzles work better at high speeds, others at low speeds, etc. Detailed recommendations for each specific case can be found in special sources. When choosing, it is worth paying attention not so much to the maximum rotation speed as to the general range of speeds - how much it corresponds to the planned tasks. We only note that in models with a large allowable cutter diameter (see below), the maximum rotation speed can be relatively low - the working edge of a large cutter moves quickly even at low speeds, and for effective acceleration of such a nozzle, too much power would be needed.

The largest collet size that the router can use.

A collet is a special type of fastening used, in particular, for installing working nozzles in milling cutters. For proper installation, the size of the collet must match the size of the cutter shank. Modern cutter shanks and collets for them have standard sizes - 6, 8 or 12 mm. The larger the size, the larger the cutter itself, the more powerful the tool and the more difficult the work for which it is intended.

As a rule, the maximum size of the collet is the size of the fixture that is standardly installed in the router. Thinner cutters can be mounted using special adapters (however, care must be taken, as such a nozzle may not be designed for the increased power characteristic of tools with a large collet).

6mm collets are found predominantly in light routers (see "Power"), 8mm mounts are found in most intermediate and professional level tools, and 12mm collets are found in the most powerful and heavy models.

The largest diameter of the cutter that can be installed in the router.

The larger the cutter, the faster its cutting edge moves and the more material it can capture, but larger nozzles require more torque. Accordingly, the maximum diameter of the cutter is directly related to the power of the tool (see above): the larger the allowable size of the nozzle, the more powerful and advanced, usually, the router is. However, large cutters (as, in fact, high power) are not always really needed. Therefore, when choosing according to this parameter, it is worthwhile to adequately evaluate the upcoming work and not chase the maximum size.

The distance by which the height of the cutter can change relative to the support platform of the router, in other words, to what depth the working nozzle can be lowered relative to the upper position. This parameter is used for vertical and edge models (see "Type"); however, edge routers with height adjustment are very rare. In fact, the amount of travel not only describes the maximum working depth provided by the tool, but also indicates the presence of depth adjustment; for models without such adjustment, this parameter is not indicated at all.

As for specific numbers, for simple household work, a stroke of 25–30 mm is considered quite sufficient, and in a more serious tool, values of 70–80 mm can be found.

— Soft start. The presence of a soft start engine in the design of the milling cutter. A feature of most modern electric motors is that when connected to the network directly, without control circuits, at the time of start-up, there is a sharp jump in current through the motor. This, on the one hand, creates voltage fluctuations in the mains (which can “knock out” fuses or become fatal for some devices operating nearby), on the other hand, it leads to a sharp jerk of the tool, due to which it can be released from hands (and this cause damage to surrounding objects and even injury). This function also limits the current at the moment of starting the motor. Due to this, the speed increases smoothly, without jerking the tool, and the power grid is not subjected to excessive overloads.

— Adjustment of frequency of rotation. The presence of a speed controller in the design of the milling cutter. This function allows you to change the spindle speed, adjusting it to different types of work — for example, to effectively cut hard material, you may need a high speed, and with soft woods, you can work at low speeds. Tools with speed control will be useful especially for those who have to deal with a wide variety of materials. In this case, the range of such adjustment may be different.

— Microlift. The presence in the design of the router of a system for fine-tuning...the depth with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. The standard setting with the limit pin is very coarse, as the errors are quite large. The microlift is used where it is important to set the depth very accurately. It is implemented mainly by means of a threaded connection that limits the vertical downward movement, or is completely integrated into the vertical travel design, where unlocking is not needed to make the necessary adjustments.

— Backlight. The presence of a lighting system in the design of the router — in fact, an ordinary flashlight that facilitates work in dimly lit places. The need for backlighting may arise even in daylight or bright artificial lighting — the place of work is quite often in the shade (for example, from the head of the operator himself).

— Maintain momentum. The presence in the design of the milling cutter of a system that automatically adjusts the engine operation mode depending on the load on the working nozzle — in such a way that the rotational speed remains constant, does not fall under load and does not increase at idle. Thanks to this adjustment, a constant quality of processing is ensured, practically independent of the pressure on the nozzle, wear of the nozzle and the tool itself is reduced, as well as overall energy consumption.

The number of batteries supplied with the respective tool.

Most modern cordless tools are supplied without batteries. This configuration assumes that the user will purchase additional batteries at his own discretion (many models are compatible with several brands of batteries at once). In addition, this option may be useful if you already have a battery on hand. This happens quite often, since many well-known manufacturers use universal batteries suitable for different types of branded power tools. So, for example, a battery from a previously purchased jigsaw or grinder may well be compatible with a screwdriver from the same company.

The battery-powered kit usually includes one or two batteries. The extended kit provides additional advantages that are especially convenient for long-term continuous use of the tool. Thus, when one battery runs out of charge, it can be quickly replaced with another; and while one battery is in use, the second can be charged. This allows you to minimize or completely eliminate interruptions for charging.