Wood routers assist woodworkers in easy and efficient carrying out of their different woodworking jobs and hence are an essential tool for them. This tool helps them in performing various tasks with its help like edging, making creative gouges and other operational joints. The best wood router for woodworking is chosen by a woodworker according to the nature of his job. If the reviews for a good wood router are to be believed then there are two types of wood routers, plunge routers, and fixed routers.



Let us have a look at the both the types and get to know their pros and cons which will be able to guide you as to which is the best wood router:

1.    Plunge routers:

The name plunge router is given to this machine because the motor of this device or machine is attached to a prig base which gives the freedom to the user of the machine to use it to insert or plunge the bit right in the center of the wood. It is also possible to retract the router bit as the base of this type of router is joined to the motor with the help of two spring columns.

The best part about this type of a wood router is its retractable blade feature which ensures maximum safety. Adjustment for depth for a particular application is possible even when the machine is running. This machine is best suited for professional woodworkers who can make use of this tool to the best if its abilities for various templates based applications as well as free hand projects. Like any other commodity produced and available in the market, even this machine has its pros and cons. Let us see what they are:

Pros:
•    Increases versatility because of the ability to make deep inlay grooves, mortises, and cuts with the help of template or pattern applications.
•    The ability to change the depth even when the machine is working.
•    Providing more control on the ability of increased vertical movement

Cons:
•    More expensive than a fixed base wood router.
•    Need practice and if possible training sessions to get used to working with this type of a router.
•    Not possible to use a plunge router with a fixed table base.

2.    Fixed base routers:

The fixed base routers machines have to be put to work on a stationary fixed base. Due to this reason, the tool has to be used with a fixed depth.  Because of this overcutting or gouging of the wood is not possible. The depth has to be adjusted by raising or lowering the motor on the router base. The fixed router base is the ideal tool for beginners in the field of woodworking as these tools are much easier to operate as compared to plunge routers. The beginners can find it easy to use this tool as it will give them straight line accuracy and perfect edge cutting without any hassle as they are extremely light in weight. Following are its pros and cons:

Pros:
•    The best choice for investing for home purposes as well as for beginners
•    Offer the highest precision for edge shaping
•    Compact in size and hence easier to handle
•    Reduced number of moving parts as compared to a plunge router and hence affordable.
•    Simple and hassle free use.
•    Can be used with a table base

Cons:
•    Lack versatility as compared to the plunge routers
•    Due to its fixed depth feature, this tool cannot be used for over cutting or gouging.
Depending upon your requirement of a wood router and based on the information provided above about both the plunge router and the fixed router it will now be easier for you to decide which wood router to invest in.