DeWalt 1-1/4 HP Max Torque Variable Speed Compact Router Combo Kit with LEDs

A compact router that punches above its weight

I’ve put a lot of miles on this compact DeWalt router over the past year—roundovers on furniture edges, flush trimming veneers, hinge mortises, and a surprising amount of template work with the plunge base. It’s still the trim-size router I reach for first because it’s easy to control one-handed yet has enough muscle to handle more than just edge profiles.

Setup and build quality

Out of the box, the kit is straightforward: motor, fixed base, plunge base, a single-wrench collet tool, and a soft bag. Both bases are aluminum and feel rigid, with no hint of flex under pressure. Swapping bases is genuinely quick thanks to spring tabs on the fixed base and a positive latch on the plunge base. The clear sub-bases and LEDs are not gimmicks—they’re part of why I can work confidently with this tool in less-than-ideal lighting.

Fit and finish are strong. The depth ring has a precise, clean feel, and the spindle lock button is big and low-pressure, which makes one-wrench bit changes painless. The router only accepts 1/4 in. shank bits, but the extended 8-slot collet offers excellent grip and has held bits securely without slippage.

Ergonomics and controls

Weight and balance are where this router shines. The fixed base encourages true one-handed use without feeling twitchy, and the grip surfaces stay tacky even when dusty. The plunge base has overmolded handles that give good leverage for controlled starts and stops.

Control layout is sensible. I appreciate the soft-start and the electronic feedback—it’s less jolting on startup and keeps speed steadier under load. Speed is variable via a top dial, and the top end of 27,000 RPM lets small bits cut crisply. For larger profiles or hardwoods, dialing the speed down helps keep burning in check.

Visibility and lighting

The LED lights are among the best features. Paired with the clear sub-base, they give a crisp view of the bit and cut line. This is especially helpful for hinge mortises, inlay, and template work where line-of-sight matters. On a small router, seeing the cut clearly also improves safety—you can keep your hand steadier and your feed rate more consistent.

Performance in the shop

For a 1.25 HP, 7-amp motor, it holds its own. Edge treatments like chamfers, roundovers, beading, and coves are a non-issue in hardwoods. Flush trimming veneers and edging with a spiral or compression bit is clean with minimal fuzz. With the plunge base, I’ve cut dados and mortises in 3/4 in. stock using 1/4 in. spiral bits; the router stays composed if you respect the cut and work in multiple passes. Electronic feedback does its job—you can hear the motor stabilize instead of bogging.

Like any compact router, it has limits. It’s not the right tool for heavy panel-raising or swinging big diameter bits. You can do shallow profiles on wider bits in a pinch, but for sustained heavy stock removal a midsize or full-size router is safer and faster. Within its envelope, though, the cut quality is excellent and the router feels more capable than its size suggests.

Plunge base in practice

The included plunge base elevates the kit. Plunge action is smooth with controlled spring tension, and the fine-tune rod makes it easy to creep up on depth. For template routing, inlays, and mortises, this adds a lot of utility to a compact platform. Depth travel is generous for the class: roughly 1.5 in. on the fixed base and up to 2 in. with the plunge base, which covers most trim and cabinet tasks.

Accuracy and adjustments

Depth setting on the fixed base is a strong point. The micro-adjust ring lets me dial changes down to hairline increments—DeWalt rates it to 1/64 in., which matches my experience. Repeatability is solid: lock it down and it stays put.

One maintenance note: aluminum-on-aluminum interfaces can pick up debris and start to feel gritty over time. Blow out dust, wipe the mating surfaces, and add a light dry lubricant occasionally. Keep the depth threads clean and the ring stays smooth and accurate.

Dust, noise, and vibration

Dust collection is the weak link. There’s no integrated vacuum port on the bases in the kit, so most of the dust control is up to your technique and shop vac positioning. With small roundovers and flush trims it’s manageable; plunge cuts in MDF will make a mess. Accessory shrouds help, but they’re extra.

Noise is moderate for a trim router—less shrill than many full-size routers but far from quiet. Vibration is minimal and the soft-start goes a long way toward reducing the initial kick. The 8 ft cord is adequate; a bit more length or a detachable cord would have been nice.

Compatibility and accessories

The base openings are generous and stable, and the fixed base’s extended sub-base increases contact area, which you can feel on narrow stock. Standard 1/4 in. shank bits are the only option, so plan your bit purchases accordingly.

If you use template guide bushings, budget for an adapter or alternate base plate; the kit does not include a plate that accepts common guide bushings out of the box. I also wish an edge guide came standard. Both are available as accessories and worth having if you do repeatable grooves or pattern routing.

Durability and serviceability

The motor housing and bases have handled jobsite bumps without deforming, and the collet still releases cleanly after hot runs. The spindle lock remains positive and the switch hasn’t collected dust to the point of sticking, which I’ve had happen on other routers. Regularly removing the base and cleaning out the rack and pinion threads keeps the depth ring from binding.

DeWalt backs the tool with a 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and 90 days to return if it doesn’t fit your workflow. That’s standard for the brand and reassuring for a tool that may see daily use.

What could be better

• Dust collection: No included vac adapters and mediocre capture on plunge cuts.
• Template guide support: Requires additional parts to run standard bushings.
• Only 1/4 in. collet: Expected at this size, but it limits bit choices.
• Price: You’re paying a small premium compared to some competitors, offset in part by the included plunge base and LEDs.

Who it’s for

This router is ideal as a first serious woodworking router or as a dedicated trim/router-table companion for a larger machine. Cabinet installers, furniture hobbyists, and site carpenters will appreciate the balance of power and control, along with the visibility and fine adjustments. If your work leans heavily on large bits or deep single-pass cuts, step up to a midsize router as your primary and keep this as a nimble second.

Recommendation

I recommend this compact DeWalt router kit for anyone who wants a highly controllable, well-built trim router with real precision and a useful plunge base. It’s not a heavy-hitter, and the lack of out-of-the-box dust collection and template bushing compatibility are frustrations. But the combination of soft-start power, accurate depth control, excellent visibility, and fast base changes has made it my go-to for a wide range of tasks. If most of your routing falls into the 1/4 in. bit category—edge profiles, flush trimming, hinge mortises, light dados and templates—this kit will serve you reliably and make the work easier.