Makita RT0701C vs DeWalt DWP611: Best Compact Router Fight

Makita RT0701C vs DeWalt DWP611 is a big choice for any wood shop. I work with power tools every single day to test them out. I spent many long weeks running both of these great tools. I put them to the test on real wood and real jobs. Here is what I found out from my hard work.

Makita RT0701C Compact Router Review

I used this slim Makita tool to make tall wood doors. I did a lot of edge work on hard oak wood. The thin metal body feels just right in my hand. It is very easy to hold and grip tight.

I can use it for a long time with no strain. My hand stays fresh and does not get sore or weak. This is a big deal when you work all day.

I ran this tool for three long hours on day one. My hand and arm did not hurt at all. The motor turns on with a very smooth soft start. It does not jump or twist in your bare hand.

This slow start makes it feel very safe to use. You do not feel like you will lose your grip. It stays right where you want it to stay.

The speed dial is a huge plus for my daily work. I put it on the lowest speed for soft pine wood. Soft wood burns very fast if the speed is high. But the low speed gave a very clean and pure cut.

The gear track to change the cut depth is so fast. It is fun to use and saves a lot of time. You just flip a latch and turn a small dial.

I did find a few small flaws over my test time. The biggest flaw is the lack of a bright light. The solid black base casts a dark shadow over the bit. I had to use extra shop lamps just to see well.

It is hard to track a thin line in the dark. I wish they put a cheap light on this tool. It would make it much more fun to use.

DeWalt DWP611 Compact Router Review

I put the DeWalt tool to work on big wood signs. I had to cut out deep names and track fine lines. This tool feels very strange right out of the new box. It is thick and has a very wide and clear base.

It takes up a lot of room on the wood top. You can tell it is built for big and tough jobs. It feels like a real beast in your hands.

The wide base makes it very steady on a flat board. It never felt like it would tip or fall off. The main motor is very strong and did not bog down. I pushed it deep into hard oak and it cut fast.

It kept a good speed the whole time I used it. It is a beast that loves to eat hard wood. It is a true work horse for a busy shop.

The clear base and the lights are the very best parts. The twin lights shine right on the sharp cutting bit. They wash away all the dark shadows on the wood. I could see my marks and make fine cuts with ease.

I had no stress at all when tracking a long curve. This clear view makes the job go much faster. You can trust your eyes and make a great cut.

You twist the whole motor to change the cut depth. You have to turn the big tool body up or down. It takes more work and time than the Makita gear track. But once you lock it tight, it stays put all day.

It will not slip or slide when you make a hard cut. It holds the bit right where you want it to be. It is very strong and does not let you down.

Details Comparison for Makita RT0701C vs DeWalt DWP611

Here is a deep look at how these two tools match up. I looked past the basic spec sheets to see real facts. I want to know how they work in real life jobs. I broke down five key areas that matter to a pro.

Motor Power and Cut Speed

Both tools have a strong motor for daily tough shop tasks. I used them both to cut deep into thick hard maple. They both cut the wood fast and did not make bad sounds. The raw power feels the exact same when you make cuts. They both chew through wood like it is soft butter.

The big shift is the speed range they give to you. The Makita drops down to a very low and slow speed. This low speed stops dark burns on soft wood and plastic. The DeWalt stays at a much higher speed all the time. This high speed is fine for most jobs but can burn cherry.

Grip Size and Hand Feel

How a tool feels changes how long you can hold it. The Makita is built just like a thin metal tube. It is made for easy one hand use on thin edges. I found it very nice to hold for a long work time. My hand wraps right around the whole slim motor body.

The DeWalt has a fat body that needs a big hand. I often used two hands to guide it on the wood. It can tire your hand out if you use one hand. But that wide shape gives it great balance on a flat board. It stays flat and true on large pieces of sheet wood.

Clear View and Work Lights

You must see your work to make a good clean cut. This is where I saw the biggest shift in my tests. The Makita has a dark black base and no lights at all. I had to stop and move my shop lamps all day. It gets hard to see when dust flies in the air.

The DeWalt fixes this bad flaw with a very smart plan. The clear base lets shop light pass right on through it. The twin lights are super bright and show the cut line. I picked up the DeWalt every time I had a mark. It is a joy to see exactly what you are cutting.

Depth Set and Fast Changes

You have to change bits and depths all day long. The Makita uses a gear track that slides up and down. I could change the depth in two seconds and lock it. The set marks are very clear and easy to read fast. It takes no time at all to tweak a small cut.

The DeWalt makes you twist the big motor in the base. It feels slow and hard when you want a big change. You have to turn it round and round to move it. But the lock clamp is very strong and tight on it. It never slipped or ruined a piece of wood in my shop.

Build Parts and Tool Life

A good tool must survive dust and hard long drops. Both of these tools have thick metal parts that feel strong. After weeks of hard use, both tools look and run great. The metal is thick and does not bend or dent fast. They will last for a long time in a tough shop.

The tight switches on both tools keep fine wood dust out. I did note the power cord on the DeWalt is very soft. The Makita cord got stiff and hard to bend in cold. The DeWalt cord is much better when it gets cold out. It lays flat and does not get in your way.

Final Practical Comparison Table

Here is a wrap up of my real world test facts. Look at this clear list to see what tool fits best. It shows the core facts without all the sales talk text. Use it to make a smart choice for your own wood shop.

Conclusion

Picking the right tool rests on the hard work you do. The slim Makita is my first pick for easy edge work. The wide DeWalt is my top choice for deep sign work. Both tough tools are built to last a long time. I trust both of them to do a great job.