Cordless Palm Router

This little bad boy is now part of the tool family. That is, a Dewalt Cordless Palm Router. The only size of router missing in the shop and going cordless has a few advantages. It also ties in the platform choice of devices that uses the same battery to operate.

A big one in the router table, a Milwaukee 3 HP router. This one is permanently mounted in a JessEm Router table and won't move from there. I know have the possibility, depending on the job, to use my Festool OF1400 for bigger jobs or now use the Dewalt Cordless Palm Router. The use will depends on a few factor but the size of the work to be done should help on choosing.

Dewalt Battery Powered Palm Router

Dewalt Battery Powered Palm Router - Side

Some reasoning

I got the cordless version of this palm router giving me the facility to go about anywhere without worrying of the power cord. Leveraging the cordless platform of Dewalt, owning other cordless product certainly helped on choosing the model. I got just the router, no batteries, no other accessories. Just the bare bone tool.

So far, I really like the feel of the tool, not too top heavy even with the 5ah battery on top. Might not put a bigger battery on top but you never know. As many other palm router, it has a 1/4 inch collet. Which is perfect for the bits that I want to put on this little bad boy.

One operation I really want to put it's beat to is to flush out the bottom of the dovetails as described in this Finewoodworking article. I already built the jig to support the workpieces and the cleanup should be a breeze for the spaces that can support it. It will not completely replace the good old chisel work. But if it will save a bit of time..... depends I guess.... but will give it a try for sure.