7 Best Routers for Door Hinges [Compact, Corded, Cordless]

Cutting out slots for the hinges of a door to attach to might seem like a tedious job. But it doesn’t have to be! With the best router for cutting door hinges, you can do this task effortlessly.

Do a quick search in any online marketplace, and you will be faced with a wide selection of different routers. Among them, which one is the best router for door hinges?

To answer that question, we have constructed today’s article. Here, you will find reviews of the top 7 ones according to us, a buying guide, and answers to some commonly asked questions. We have done thorough research to ensure that you get nothing short of the best one. So, let’s begin! 

Top 7 Best Router for Door Hinges Reviews

We have reviewed a few different kinds of routers in this section. That way, you can choose the one that suits your needs.

1. Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router Tool Combo Kit – Best Wood Routering Tool

Bosch is a German-based global brand that has been operating in the industry for over a century. Their products are made for professionals, so you can expect a spectacular performance from this door hinge router kit.

Besides being a wood router for door hinges, this kit is very versatile and can be used for many applications. You can use it for precise bit plunging, laminate trimming, slot cutting, dovetail cutting, and edge forming. So, it will take care of most of your woodworking needs, not just door hinges.

This makes it a perfect kit to get for professionals who often are faced with many woodwork related needs.

Let’s talk about the motor of it for a minute. This tool features a powerful 12 Amp or 2.25 HP motor. And the speed of the motor is variable; you can set it anywhere between 8000 to 25000 rpm. So, you can choose the optimal speed for the work you’re doing.

It has a smooth start and maintains a constant speed.

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2. Ryobi P601 One+ 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Fixed Base Trim Router

Ryobi is a Japanese company that makes great quality power tools mainly for homeowners and beginners. They provide amazing performance at a great value. If you want an affordable trim router for door hinges, check this product out!

When it comes to making space for door hinges, it needs no mentioning how important accuracy and precision is. Low light during work can make it hard to achieve that. To solve this issue, Ryobi has added LED lights to this tool. Now, you can work comfortably in a very low light environment.

To further help you with achieving precise cuts, this tool has a rubber coating on it named ‘Gripzone Overmold’ by the manufacturer. It will provide precision handling to the user.

Using specialized tools to change the depth of a router can get tedious, particularly if you tend to change it fairly often. To make the task easier, you will find a depth adjustment knob on this tool that will allow you to adjust the depth easily.

Also, it is compatible with many Ryobi battery models.

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3. Makita RT0701CX7 1-1/4 HP Compact Router Kit – Door Hinge Router Kit

As the third contender on our list, we have a compact router kit from Makita.

This brand is another whose story starts over a century ago, and today it is a global innovation leader with exceptional R&D.

You can buy this kit with one or three bases. And if you prefer not to have bases altogether, the tool is sold separately, too. The design is slim and ergonomic.

Oftentimes, people use a template for door hinges. It makes the job much easier for them. If you would like to do that too, then you can with this tool. The base of it is made to accept any industry standard templates. So, it’s perfect for novices.

In order to provide the maximum precision, Makita has added a smooth depth adjustment system using rack-and-pinion, along with depth scales that are easy to read. And, with the quick release cam lock function, you can easily install and remove the base, as well as adjust the depth.

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4. Porter-Cable PCE6430 4.5-Amp Laminate Trimmer-Router for Door Hinge

Porter-Cable is an American based brand that started off as a jobbing machine & tool shop. Today, they are a leading name in the industry for routers. Now, this product is the best router for door hinge and latch from them.

Routers are used to precisely cut wood to make room for something, which is, in our case, a door hinge. So, you can guess how important is accuracy here. One wrong move, and your piece of wood is ruined.

Well, you do not have to worry about making such moves with this device, as Porter-Cable did their best to make it a highly accurate one. This tool has a base that is cast-aluminum fixed. The base is precision machined to provide the best accuracy possible.

And, if you need to adjust the height of the bit quite frequently when working with a router, the depth ring of this device will allow you to do that quickly & accurately.

It also has extra-large locking clips for course depth adjustment & quick motor release. And how can we forget the motor? It’s a powerful one and offers 31000 RPM.

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5. Avid Power 6.5-Amp 1.25 HP Router – Compact Router for Cutting Door Hinges

If you want a complete set of a router and the accessories that you might need at a great price, this one from Avid Power is probably the perfect match for you. Allow us to elaborate!

Along with the router itself, in this set, you will get a fixed base, an edge guide, 5 trim router bits, a roller guide, and a dust hood. So, you can do just about anything a router can be used for, besides making space for door hinges.

And, you get all of this for the price of just one router of equivalent brands. Talk about a steal!

Avid Power did not skimp on quality, comfort, or convenience either. Features of high-end counterparts such as rack-and-pinion depth adjustment, LED lights, ergonomic design, quick locking adjustment, etc., are all present in this tool.

The handle of the tool is covered in rubber, which, aside from adding extra grip & control, also provides comfort to your hands. So, you can work with the tool for a long time without any fatigue. The motor is very powerful and has variable speed.

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6. DeWalt DCW600B 20V Max XR Cordless Router for Door Hinges

At our 6^th spot, we have the best router tool for door hinges from a brand that needs no introduction. DeWalt is a name that anyone who has ever worked with power tools would recognize. And the quality & performance of this product matches their esteem.

The motor of this tool is a work of art. It is of variable speed. You can easily match your desired speed with the variable speed dial, and you can choose any speed from 16000 to 25500 rpm. It will maintain the speed you set constantly, thanks to the full-time electronic feedback feature.

Once you are done with the door hinges, turn the tool off, and the electronic brake will stop the motor at a rapid speed.

Want to adjust the height as you dig wood out of the way? With the depth adjustment ring, you can easily do that very easily and quickly. The entire tool is very lightweight, so handling it will not be a challenge.

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7. Bosch GKF125CEN Palm Router and Edge Guide – Palm Router for Door Hinges

We are wrapping up our review section with the best palm router for door hinges from Bosch. The reappearance of this brand in our list shows how good their products are. Innovative technology has been used to make this router as user-friendly as possible.

Often times, when you get a router with a powerful motor, it ends up being heavy, bigger, and cumbersome to move around. But that is what’s different in this tool. Its portable compact body houses a powerful 7.0 Amp motor, which is capable of producing up to 1.25 HP.

Couple the motor’s power with its variable speed, and you can get versatile use out of this tool. The tool itself comes with a fixed base, which has a wide bit capacity. So, you can get bits for any woodworking needs, aside from cutting door hinges.

You will also get an edge guide with purchase, which will come in handy frequently. It can guide the router for forming edges on wood pieces. Furthermore, you can also create grooves and slots with it.

How to Find the Best Routers for Hinge Mortising

So, you have a few options of routers to choose from now. But among them, which one is the most suitable for you? To know the answer to that question, you will have to read this section. Here, we will present a few pointers that you should keep in mind when shopping for the best type of router for door hinges –

Base Style

The first feature you should check is the base of your router. You can choose from a fixed base or a plunge one. Which one you should get matters on the type of application you have in mind.

• Fixed Base

This is the standard router base type. They come with fixed knobs or handles on two sides of the base. You can hold these handles to guide your router. These routers are great for working on the top surface or around the edges of a wood piece. They are easier to use since the router stays stable on the base.

• Plunge Base

These routers are much more versatile since you can use them for almost anything. The plunge type can be used to make vertical cuts across the wood, which is something you cannot do with fixed ones. They are the best used for fluting, mortising, dado cuts, and blind grooves.

Because there is no fixed base to guide you, the plunge router needs some experience and knowledge.

For door hinges, you can use either of these base types with no issues. But our recommendation would be the lunge types if you have experience working with them.

Router Bits

Router bits come in many different sizes and shapes. Different router bits are made for specific purposes. Some are used to get precise profiles on wooden board’s edges, while others are made for creating complex profiles.

Since different bit shape has specific purposes, choosing the proper bit for your work is imperative. Without the correct router bit, you will be unable to achieve your desired results.

Speed

This refers to the motor’s speed. You can choose from single-speed or variable-speed routers. Nowadays, most routers come with a variable speed motor. They are more convenient to use, so we suggest you opt for one that is variable.

Variable speed motors allow you to choose the speed that you need for the specific job you are doing. This speed varies by the type of wood your door is made of. So, if you work on many different types of doors, a variable speed motor would come in handy.

Aside from door, variable-speed routers are also versatile enough to accommodate other woodworking needs. We would recommend you to go for a router with a minimum 8000 RPM speed and a maximum 18000 RPM speed.

Edge Guide & Templates

Many routers come with an edge guide. If they don’t, you can simply buy one compatible with the router from the same manufacturer. Edge guides are useful for beginners, as they help the user to make a straight edge, grooves, and cuts in the wood.

For door hinges, you can also use a door hinge template with the router. This again is very handy.

Ease of Use

This is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when buying a router. How conveniently you can operate it matters a lot. Many factors go behind the comfort. These include an ergonomically designed body, compactness, rubber handle, etc.

Along with that, check how easy or difficult it is to adjust the depth of the router as you work. How you can change the speed of the motor is also something to consider.

FAQs about Door Hinge Router

Can I cut through aluminum with a router?

Yes, provided that you have the appropriate router bits. Generally, the bits that come with a router can be used for thin aluminum easily. But for tougher ones, definitely get bits that are suitable.

Will a router work with a hinge template for doors?

Yes. If you want the perfect cuts for hinge, you can definitely opt for a hinge template and use it with a router. This will make the entire process much easier. So, we recommend it for beginners.

Can I use a router out of its base?

You can, but we would not recommend it if the router is heavy and powerful. Heavier routers are hard to control with just your hands, so it is not safe. The base is needed to gain adequate control. Smaller, compact ones can be used without a base.

Would any router work for door or frame hinges?

Yes, as long as you have the door jig to go with it, you can. If you don’t own any, you will have to buy it separately before you can use the router for door hinges.

What does the horsepower of a motor indicate?

The higher the horsepower, the more powerful and bigger the motor is.

Final Words

At last, you have reached the finishing line of this article. Before bidding adieu, our last advice to you would be to go through the buying guide first and determine the features that you need from a router. Then, skim through the key features to find a router that would serve you the best.

All of the featured products are great, but according to us, the best router for door hinges is the Bosch 1617EVSPK wood router combo kit. It has everything you would want in a router, and it will mortise door hinges perfectly. Besides that, it is powerful and versatile enough for all other woodworking needs.

With that, we are ending our article here. Hope we have been able to assist you in choosing a router for yourself. Don’t forget to let us know in the comments which router you ended up choosing.

Have a great day!