Lamella (keyway) milling cutters are power tools that are used for self-manufacturing furniture and various building structures. This device has wide functionality and excellent performance characteristics. Thanks to this, high precision processing of wooden workpieces is achieved.

According to customers and expert reviews, the popularity of the models of this tool is explained by the possibility of its use in an apartment, in a country house, in a private home and in a furniture manufacturing enterprise. In addition, it has an affordable price and is sold in many online stores.

Design and purpose

Before studying the ratings of popular router models, find out about all the design features and methods of using these devices. This information will help you understand the operating principle of the tool and find the appropriate use for it.

Components:

• Electric motor;
• Frame;
• Gearbox;
• Milling cutter;
• Sole;
• Pen;
• Waste collection container;
• Cable with plug.

Key cutters are a highly specialized tool. Despite this, craftsmen use them to perform a variety of related work.

Purpose of the power tool:

• Selection of folds and long grooves;
• Edge profiling;
• Cutting tenons of non-standard shapes and patterns on platbands;
• Removing small defects from the surface of workpieces;
• Leveling the boards by thickness;
• Formation of gaps.

Advantages

The main advantage of lamella routers is the cutting of grooves for the lamellas. And such connections have a number of advantages:

1. The lamellar router can be used in horizontal and vertical positions.
2. Connecting elements at any given angle. Such connections are very necessary when designing furniture products. This type of connection preserves the aesthetic appearance of the furniture.
3. Performing technological operations at high speed. Very relevant for serial furniture production. When using a key router and a special cutting tool together, the productivity of the technological process can be significantly increased.
4. Cost-effective when performing some work. Materials selected from the grooves can be used to insulate or decorate facades.
5. Comparative safety.

Types of lamellar routers

Before you look for where to buy a router, find out what types of this power tool there are. In most cases, experts divide all devices into 3 categories. Each of them presents devices of different power, having their own advantages and disadvantages.

Classification by power indicator:

1. Up to 750 W. Models of this type are ideal for beginners. They allow you to work with single workpieces of a standard configuration. Such milling cutters have simple controls and are low in cost.
2. 750-1200 W. Power tools from this category are the most in demand. It is used to produce small batches of wooden products and furniture. Medium power milling cutters are the best in terms of price and quality ratio, which automatically makes them popular among beginners and professionals.
3. More than 1200 W. High power equipment is used exclusively for professional purposes. It allows you to produce large batches of various products and furniture. However, such a tool is expensive, consumes a lot of electricity and has a large number of additional functions.

Care

Every time after work, the router must be cleaned of wood dust.
This can be done with a vacuum cleaner, but the dust should not be sucked in, but blown out.

Or you can clean it with a brush - carefully sweep all surfaces of the instrument, removing dust and small particles.

In case of greater contamination (dirt that has become embedded in the connecting seams between parts), it is necessary to carry out radical cleaning with special products designed for wiping electrical equipment, or with gasoline. The entire cleaning procedure must be carried out with great care, preventing liquid from getting inside the instrument body or on the on-off system. If a similar situation arises, then the router needs to be dried very well and only then used.

In more expensive models, a vacuum cleaner is connected using adapters or a bag is installed to collect dust and small sawdust.

If vibration or unusual engine sound begins to bother you, then you should first of all pay attention to bearing wear. In these tools, the bearings themselves do not need to be maintained; if they wear out, they are replaced with new ones. It is better to replace bearings in a workshop, since special tools are needed to remove the old bearing and install a new one.

The best manufacturers

To understand which company’s milling cutters are better, carefully study the range of all manufacturers and perform a comparative analysis of most devices. If you don’t want to do this difficult work, then use the list of the best brands compiled by specialists and ordinary users.

Popular manufacturers:

• Makita (Japan);
• DIOLD (Russia);
• DeWALT (Germany);
• BOSCH (Germany);
• POWERMAT (Poland);
• Einhell (Germany);
• Virutex (Spain);
• Interskol (Russia);
• Mafell (Germany);
• Flex (Germany).

The best lamellar (keyway) routers for 2021

Before choosing a lamellar router, look at the ratings of quality devices from different price segments. It contains reviews of the best power tools and descriptions of the most popular new products.

Inexpensive devices

For home use, milling cutters from the budget price category are often purchased. Such devices have little power, but do the job well. The cost of such equipment starts from 15,000 rubles, which makes it affordable to everyone.

Makita PJ7000

This router from the Japanese company Makita is the leader in the budget price segment. It has 960W of output power and is great for a variety of jobs. The device has a good set of characteristics. Among them, the rotation speed of the cutter is 11,000 rpm and the milling depth is 20 mm.

PJ7000 is a compact and lightweight model. It is equipped with a removable dust container and a comfortable rubberized handle that does not slip out of the user’s hands. A nice addition will be the inclusion of a case for more convenient storage and transportation of the power tool.

Makita PJ7000

Advantages:

• Reliability;
• Optimal power;
• High-quality assembly;
• Comfortable handle;
• Dust collector;
• Case included.

Flaws:

• Guide play.

Makita DPJ180Z

This lamellar router is one of the best in its category. It has small dimensions and weighs 3.2 kg. The main feature of the equipment is the ability to operate autonomously from a Li-Ion battery. However, it is not included in the kit and the user will have to buy it separately.

The DPJ180Z rotates the cutter at 10,000 rpm. Its stroke is 20 mm, and the maximum permissible diameter is 100 mm. Other features of the device include the presence of a spindle lock and the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner.

Makita DPJ180Z

Advantages:

• Battery operation;
• Compactness;
• Spindle fixation;
• Connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Flaws:

• The battery must be purchased separately.

Makita BPJ180Z

Another Japanese-made model attracts the attention of buyers with its low cost and good build quality. It has a standard set of characteristics typical of most budget models of the Makita brand.

The device weighs 3.2 kg and has relatively small dimensions. It is equipped with a dust collector, which prevents waste from flying throughout the workshop. Buyers also note the possibility of autonomous operation of the tool. However, for this you will have to buy a suitable battery separately.

Makita BPJ180Z

Advantages:

• Affordable price;
• Good quality;
• Small dimensions;
• Availability of a dust collector;
• Simple controls.

Flaws:

• The kit does not include a battery or charger.

DIOLD SHRE-0.9

This Russian-made power tool has a high power consumption. Thanks to this, it can easily cope with materials of different hardness. The model allows the use of cutters with a diameter of up to 100 mm. Their maximum rotation speed is 11,000 rpm, which ensures accurate processing of workpieces.

ShRE-0.9 will delight customers with its optimal configuration. In addition to the router itself, it includes a disk cutter, an open-end wrench, a dust collector and 2 spare brushes. A bonus will be the light weight of the tool, making it easier to handle.

DIOLD SHRE-0.9

Advantages:

• Power;
• Speed ​​of rotation of the cutter;
• Optimal equipment.

Flaws:

• Inconvenient handle.

Makita 3901

This lamellar device is one of the cheapest in its category. Its low cost is due to its low power consumption (590 W) and basic configuration.

The Makita 3901 rotates the cutter at a speed of 11,000 rpm and allows it to penetrate 20 mm into the material. Among other positive aspects, buyers note the presence of a spindle lock, the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner, and the presence of a case included. The only drawback of the model is the lack of autonomous operation.

Makita 3901

Advantages:

• High-quality assembly;
• Cutter rotation speed;
• Spindle fixation;
• Case included.

Flaws:

• Works only from the network.

Middle class models

The most versatile milling cutters are presented in the middle class. Such devices are suitable for domestic and industrial use. They have excellent performance characteristics and are relatively inexpensive. The average price of such equipment ranges from 25,000 units of Russian currency to 30,000 rubles.

DeWALT DW 682 K

The best in the middle class is the power tool from DeWALT. It combines famous German quality and relatively low cost. This combination makes the DW 682 K one of the most popular lamellar routers.

The device is suitable for home use. It has an output power of 335 W and copes with small volumes of work. Other characteristics of the model include a cutter rotation speed of 10,000 rpm and a milling depth of up to 20 mm. The latter is accurately adjusted thanks to the presence of a special adjustment ring with divisions marked on it. The advantages of the tool also include low noise level, light weight, compactness and the presence of a bag for collecting chips.

DeWALT DW 682 K

Advantages:

• High-quality assembly;
• Precise setting of milling depth
• Availability of a bag for collecting chips.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

BOSCH GUF 4-22A

This tool from the famous German company BOSCH stands out from its competitors with its increased dimensions. This disadvantage is covered by the ability to increase the milling depth to 22 mm and use cutters with a diameter of 105 mm (larger than most other devices).

GUF 4-22A Consumes 620 W. At the same time, the output power is only 360 W. Among other features, it is worth noting the presence of a spindle lock and the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner.

BOSCH GUF 4-22A

Advantages:

• Increased milling depth;
• Assembly;
• Acceptable price;
• Connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Flaws:

• Dimensions.

POWERMAT PM-LAM-1200

PM-LAM-1200 is a high-quality lamellar router that is available at a relatively low price. It has a high power consumption and is therefore suitable even for mass production of parts.

The device is characterized by a high rotation speed of the working element. Thanks to this, it is possible to accurately process workpieces made of different materials. An additional advantage of the model is the ability to lock the spindle, which simplifies the replacement of a failed cutter.

POWERMAT PM-LAM-1200

Advantages:

• Assembly;
• Power;
• Accurate processing;
• Easy to replace cutter.

Flaws:

• Weight.

BOSCH GFF 22 Professional

This slatting machine will become indispensable for people who make their own furniture. For this purpose, it has an optimal power of 670 W and a cutter rotation speed of 9000 rpm. In addition, the tool is compact and light weight.

GFF 22 Professional allows you to install cutters with a diameter of up to 105 mm. Other features include optimal configuration, the presence of a case included, and ease of operation. The only drawback of the power tool is the high noise level.

BOSCH GFF 22 Professional

Advantages:

• Acceptable price;
• Compactness;
• Light weight;
• Optimal equipment.

Flaws:

• Increased noise level.

Einhell BT-BJ 900

This German-made model attracts the attention of beginners and professionals. It has excellent performance characteristics, so it quickly copes with the task and consumes a minimum of electricity.

BT-BJ 900 has a function for precise setting of milling depth. Thanks to this, it is possible to achieve dimensional consistency with an error of no more than 0.1 mm. The advantages also include the ease of replacing the cutter, the inclusion of an adapter for dust extraction and the ability to connect to a vacuum cleaner.

Einhell BT-BJ 900

Advantages:

• Versatility;
• Low power consumption;
• Excellent performance characteristics;
• Precise setting of milling depth.

Flaws:

• Noisy work.

Expensive power tool

If your financial capabilities allow, then it is better to order online or buy milling cutters from the premium price category in a power tool store. They have an excellent set of characteristics and also have a large number of additional functions. The latter will make work more comfortable and allow you to achieve ideal quality. The cost of such devices varies widely and often reaches 50-60 thousand rubles.

Einhell TC-BJ 900

This model from Einhell is better in the premium price segment. It has a high power consumption and is suitable for the serial production of wooden parts.

The TC-BJ 900 rotates the cutter at 11,000 rpm, allowing for precise surface finishing. Users also highlight the function of accurately setting the milling depth, the ability to fix the spindle, and the presence of a special cutter for dowels in the kit. A nice addition will be a case in which it is convenient to store and transport power tools.

Einhell TC-BJ 900

Advantages:

• Assembly;
• Accurate processing of workpieces;
• Accurate stroke setting;
• Optimal equipment.

Flaws:

• Overcharge.

Virutex AB111N

This lamella-type power tool will become indispensable during the mass production of furniture parts or structural elements. It has excellent performance characteristics, among which are 900 W of power consumption and 10,000 rpm of rotation speed of the cutter.

AB111N is a multifunctional model. It has a number of useful options that improve the quality of workpiece processing and simplify the user’s task. Such functions include maintaining a constant speed under load, setting the milling depth, and locking the spindle. A bonus for the owner of a power tool will be the presence of a convenient transport case.

Virutex AB111N

Advantages:

• Excellent set of characteristics;
• Multifunctionality;
• Good quality;
• Transport case included.

Flaws:

• Price.

Interskol FMSh-100/710E

FMSh-100/710E is a domestically produced instrument, which in terms of characteristics is not inferior to models of foreign brands. It is compact and light weight, making it one of the most convenient to use.

The device allows you to accurately set the milling depth and lock the spindle for easier and faster cutter replacement. In addition, it is characterized by reliable operation and is easy to repair.

Interskol FMSh-100/710E

Advantages:

• Size and weight;
• Setting the milling depth;
• Spindle fixation;
• Maintainability.

Flaws:

• Overpriced.

Mafell LNF 20

This power tool from Germany deserves the attention of professional craftsmen. It operates on mains power and is equipped with a long cable that allows you to use the tool far from an outlet.

LNF 20 is equipped with a turret stop. It is necessary for gradually changing the depth of milling, which improves the quality of processing and allows you to obtain a deep groove. Among other features of the model, there is an optimal configuration, including a disk cutter, a waste collection bag, an ejection pipe and a socket wrench.

Mafell LNF 20

Advantages:

• Ease of use;
• Assembly;
• Long cable;
• Revolver stop;
• Optimal equipment.

Flaws:

• The price is above average.

Flex F 1109

This device is one of the most versatile in its category. With its help, many types of work are performed at home, in the workshop and in enterprises.

F 1109 is distinguished by high-quality assembly and a good set of characteristics. It is equipped with several rotary cutting plates made of durable high-speed steel, and is also equipped with a reliable metal case for safe transportation. Among the disadvantages of the model, only high cost and heavy weight stand out.

Flex F 1109

Advantages:

• Versatility;
• Assembly;
• Optimal equipment;
• Easy to transport.

Flaws:

• Weight;
• Price.