A good woodworker is indeed a skillful person, but even the best warriors are bound to lose the battle if they don’t have the proper weapon. Just like that, even the most fantastic woodworkers need useful tools in their tool bags. And the best router plane is indeed one of those.
But there are so many options in the market now. Thanks to the online and offline marketplaces for making it easier to shop, but they make it difficult to choose one within so many. Thankfully some aspects set the best one apart from every other router plane. And that’s what you should be on the lookout for.
Good for you that I have already sorted that hassle out for you and made an informed review article. If you are interested, then keep on reading.
Best Router Plane Reviews
Here are the top 5 choices for you to choose from. Take a look.
1. Cowryman R022 Router Plane
A router plane has to be sturdy and of fantastic quality. Because you’ll be working with wood, cutting wood with it. In that aspect, Cowryman did an outstanding job with this model.
First of all, this one has a stainless-steel body. That means rusting is off the table. I cannot tell you how many times I have suffered just because I bought a non-stainless-steel product. So, with this router plane, you are safe.
The body is 7.87 inches lengthwise. Now, that’s a pretty good size because any more than that, and handling and cruising the device would be a hassle. And any less than that would mean you’ll be spending a lot more time working with a single piece of wood.
And the width of the blade is 2.56 inches, which again is an ideal number with an iron size of 0.31 inches.
The blade that comes with it is easily adjustable, so no complaints over there. And the small fence is included with the whole package. Just weighing about 2.12 pounds, this is a perfect choice to make.
Pros
- Stainless-steel material made
- The blade is easy to adjust
- Width 2.56 in and length 7.87 in
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Cons
- Expensive
2. Admini Hand Router Plane – Best Hand Router Plane
This is a router plane that has tons of features, and both a professional and a hobbyist woodworker can use it with ease. Admini is another name of trust.
They have used a trapezoidal thread, which is a thing of this new era, and any other brands rarely use this. This makes the router plane more adjustable and gives you the freedom to select the blade depth you want.
The blade they used with this router plane is 8mm wide. That will give you tons of options. Be informed that the cutting edge is pretty sharp too.
You can easily attach the base because they pre-made some screw holes on it of 7mm. Admini really gave the whole project some severe thought. In my opinion, they tried to make the perfect package in an affordable pricing range.
Wooden handles are the eye-catching feature of this baby. They don’t only look good but also are very handy while working. And, of course, the body is made out of stainless steel, which is a total delight.
Pros
- Trapezoidal thread
- Easily adjustable blades
- Stainless-steel plane body
- Wooden handles for better grip
Cons
- For some users, it might be too small
3. Cowryman Handheld Router Plane – Best Budget Router Plane
Another addition to the list from the Cowryman router plane. They did an excellent job with their router planes, so it wasn’t uncalled for.
You know you had it coming, a stainless-steel body, of course. At this point, this is a given that a good router plane has a stainless-steel body. The body of this one is 4.13 inches lengthwise and 2.75 inches in width. A pretty standard size for a router plane.
This one also has wooden handles like the previous one. A wooden handle makes a world of difference, trust me. From a comfortable grip to elegant looks, wooden handles give you everything.
The iron size of this piece is 0.31 inches. With blades that are sharp and easily adjustable, this model from Cowryman is pretty tough to beat.
Pros
- Stylish wooden handles
- Stainless-steel body
- Proper length and width
- Comfortable and easy to use
Cons
- People with big hands might face some issues
4. Woodstock D3830 Router Plane
This router plane from Woodstock easily stands out in the crowd. By one-upping the stainless-steel body approach of other brands, they introduced an all-cast iron body with this beast.
The cutting depth of dados is adjustable with this model. Add the mortises in that list, too. So, as an artist, you get to have total freedom over what setting works best for you and your specific project at hand.
Furthermore, the grip of this router plane is stunning. As there is no joint between the grips and the body, there is no way it can bend in any direction other than the intended one. The whole thing is in one solid piece.
But it’s flexible where it needs to be. The large router plane blades are super adjustable so that you don’t get deprived off of your creative abilities. By the way, the blade is 1/4 inch wide. And the 2-3/16-Inch by 4-1/8-Inch base is the perfect arrangement with the whole package.
You would think that this thing is made out of cast iron, so it must weigh a ton, which will significantly affect its efficiency. But no, it’s 8.8 ounces, so it is pretty lightweight and manageable.
Pros
- Cast iron body
- Adjustable blades
- Pretty large base, just the perfect size
- Lightweight and manageable
Cons
- Cast iron would rust if not taken care of properly
5. KCHEX Handheld Router Groove Planer
And the last one on the list is from the brand KCHEX. It is very much similar to the previous one, and that’s why it made the list of my top 5 choices for router planes.
With a small router plane, it is absolutely crucial to have a great grip. This did a good job in that criteria. The grips are solid cast iron as well as the body. And they are connected in a single piece, which makes it even easier to use.
Oh, did I mention the cast iron base? Did I? I’m just making sure you know the good stuff. Easy to adjust blades are a staple with good router planes, and you guessed it right, KCHEX did include those with this model.
The measurement is 2-3/16″ X 4-1/8″. What amazing tool doesn’t give you the option to adjust the depth of hinge mortises and dados, right? I think so too. And I wouldn’t be lying to you by calling this one of the top router planes because it has that feature.
This one is a common and unconditionally loved choice of many woodworkers. And I can see that there is definitely a point of that happening. I give this a big thumbs up.
Pros
- Cast iron body
- Amazing grip
- Depth is customizable for the blade
- Super sturdy and simple
- Portable and user friendly
Cons
- Prone to rusting
Factors for Choosing the Best Router Plane:
Ergonomic handle
The router plane is a device used for smoothing out surfaces. In a way, its working is corrective. That being said, the need for the router plane to be easily operated can never be understated.
When you are making a finish to some surface, you don’t want to be in a position where you have to put in extra effort to get it done.
There are a couple of router planes out there. An ergonomic handle is one significant factor to consider. The geometry and texture of the handle should tell the most.
A round handle designed to fit grips should also have the right texture that won’t stress the hand muscles. Work can be easily done over time like that.
Blade adjustment
Having a blade on the router plane is a goal to aim, but it doesn’t end there. The blade should be adjustable. With this function, you can get the blade in a perfect position that is required for the current job.
This factor is critical when you consider that every job is different and needs different approaches. For a router plane, the blade parameter is probably the biggest determinant in every approach. If you can just get the blade right, then you get the uniform precise depth you need.
Depth stop
This function is one I personally fancy. Honestly, I don’t see any reason why a manufacturer won’t want to incorporate this innovation. The depth stop is a function that alters the operation when the desired depth is already achieved. With depth stop, you don’t have to bother about manual intervention.
When smoothening out a surface, it is easy to overdo, especially if you are not an expert yet. Most depth stop technology uses a cap, common a plastic cap. The cap is tweaked to the position that stops machine or tool rotation when it makes contact at a specific depth. You should watch out for such a function.
Manufacturer and material
It is common for router planes to be made from stainless steel. Stainless steel has proven to be an effective material over time. It takes more than that; the quality of such steel and how it is professionally coupled together counts a lot.
Be on the lookout for manufacturers with effective designs that are well coupled to provide efficiency. Honestly, the popular guys have been doing a great job. Also, cast iron build for the router plane’s body can be very sturdy and good for longevity. Credibility can also be judged from experience, reviews, and professional advice.
Warranty
The warranty game for router planes is not really a big deal. You will be fine if you can have a year’s warranty. A lot of great manufacturers I have seen don’t even offer any form of warranty.
So, when you find a manufacturer that gives you a good plane and adds a small warranty condition, that may be everything you need to have.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does a router plane work?
The operation of the router plane is pretty straight forward and not complicated. It eradicates undulations and roughness by canceling out the depth of unwanted spots.
The in-device incorporates a blade extension that can be applied to make a smooth finish and get the surface perfect. During the process, things like depth stop can prevent you from doing just too much.
2. Do I need a router plane?
A router plane is a very useful tool, although it may not be a necessity. As stated earlier, a router plane is a corrective device in a way.
You definitely may not need it every time, but it will definitely handle all the sunken depressions well. Also, you need to know that there are other tools that can step in and do the job in place of a router plane, although they may be more stressful or less effective.
3. How do you sharpen a router plane blade?
New models of router planes can be easily disassembled. You just have to detach the blade and use the honing guide. You can manually press the blade against a grinding stone and make continuous swerving motions to sharpen the blade.
For old models, hold the blade down with a v-block and use the sanding drum to get it sharpened.
Final Words
In my definition, the best router plane is the one that gives you the proper freedom to do whatever your project demands in a smooth and consistent manner. It should be easy to maneuver and made with good material. That’s it, that is all you need.
I hope you find your best match from the list and use it till your heart is content.
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