12 best vertical milling machines

Milling cutter is the most useful and versatile tool for both professional and home workshops. In most cases, the router is able to fulfill the role of several specialized devices at once: a drill, an engraver, a circular saw, and also a manual or electric planer. There are several types of milling tools. The most popular of them are vertical milling cutters, which allow processing the part without applying special efforts according to the given parameters and pattern.

The main problem when choosing a router is the selection of the right, high-quality and, if possible, inexpensive tool for the personal needs of each user. To avoid a mistake, carefully read the expert rating, based on strict selection criteria, comparison of parameters, as well as reviews and opinions of numerous buyers.

How to choose a hand mill

The best vertical milling machines of low power (up to 1200 W)

A distinctive feature of low-power milling machines is compactness, mobility, ease of handling and low weight. Their capacity is enough for home workshop equipment, but for professional use they are ineffective. This is due to a number of shortcomings: the work is carried out with the use of cutters of a fixed length and a diameter of up to 32 millimeters.

3 Makita RP0900

Frazer Makita RP0900 was in third place in the ranking is not accidental. To him, as well as to the entire line of the manufacturer, there are no complaints in terms of reliability. The handles are rubberized and comfortable at work. The body is made of durable plastic, and the platform is made of cast aluminum. The fact is that the working stroke (35 mm) and engine power (900 W) in it are an order of magnitude smaller than those of competing models, and the price is in the range between them. From the positive aspects of its use can be noted the low weight, the ability to accurately set the depth of processing, as well as the presence of a template device in the kit.

Advantages:

• availability of a copier in the kit;
• light weight (2.7 kilograms);
• comfortable handles and durable case.

Disadvantages:

• no soft start system.

2 Interskol FM-55 / 1000E

It is amazing, but in the camp of the domestic instrument a worthy competitor to foreign models appeared. Interskol FM-55 / 1000E is a low-powered vertical mill, designed primarily for carpentry work. In terms of quality and convenience, not everyone can compare with it.The model is equipped with a single collet of 8 millimeters - the rest will have to re-buy their own. This is not a problem, since competitors are doing the same. A little embarrassing tool cost, but high quality fully justifies the price tag.

Advantages:

• quality tool;
• comfortable in using;
• high accuracy (virtually no backlash).

Disadvantages:

• slightly over priced.

1 Bort BOF-1080N

Manual vertical milling machine of the budget segment, the characteristics of which meet all the requirements for a professional tool. With a power of 1200 W, the Bort BOF-1080N is capable of operating at a frequency of 11 to 30 thousand revolutions per minute, ensuring milling at 45 millimeters. The ability to adjust the spindle speed to fine tune the tool to the cutting of a material is integrated into its functionality.

One of the features of the Bort BOF-1080N is a complete set, which includes two collets for 6 and 8 millimeters, which makes it possible to install in the cartridge milling cutters of small diameter for cutting through narrow grooves. In the case of making deep cuts on the router, a turret stop is provided, thanks to which you can get the desired result in several passes. As a result, the functionality of the tool seems to be sufficient for professional wood processing in the carpentry workshops, and the low price only underlines the unexpected superiority of the model over its competitors.

The best vertical milling machines of average power (1200 - 1900 W)

Milling cutters in this category are a conditional “middle ground”, and can be used to solve larger problems in home and professional workshops. However, it should be noted that such a tool is inconvenient to handle fine-detailed surfaces, since the accuracy of the result can be very low.

3 Wert EVR 1450E

The opinion of users one of the leaders of the segment was unexpectedly the Chinese mill Wert EVR 1450E, which showed good results in terms of spindle speed and quality of processing of wooden blanks. With a power equal to 1400 W, the user gets the opportunity to adjust the speed in the range from 16 to 30 thousand per minute, providing the ability to cut to a depth of 50 millimeters.

The ergonomic features of the Wert EVR 1450E are also of great interest, and are noted as a positive feature in consumer feedback.The nominal weight of the router is 3.1 kilograms, so it is very easy to control it during the machining of parts. Wide plastic handles add comfort to a comfortable grip. Finally, from the kit, you can highlight the presence of a nozzle for connecting a vacuum cleaner and two complete collets for 6 and 8 millimeters, respectively.

2 Bosch POF 1400 ACE

Despite the relatively low engine power of the Bosch POF 1400 ACE vertical milling machine, the spindle speed varies in an impressive range from 11 to 28 thousand revolutions per minute. A small but very agile motor makes it easy to process even the hardest woods. Included are two collets for 6 and 8 millimeters - more frezer not physically able to pull. A nice addition to the tool itself will be a case in which a special copier also fits. The only drawback of this router is the lack of a smooth start of the engine, but with a weight of 3.5 kilograms, it is easy to keep the device.

Advantages:

• attractive price;
• acceptable engine power;
• the convenience of use;
• availability of storage case.

Disadvantages:

• lack of a smooth set of revolutions;
• high noise level (about 95 dB).

1 Makita 3612C

Today it is very difficult to find a more durable and high-quality analogue of the middle class Makita 3612C milling cutter. The motor of this “little monster” consumes 1.85 kW of power and accelerates the spindle to 23 thousand revolutions per minute. According to users, in a mode of hard, almost daily load, “Makit” is able to work for a very long time, about 305 years, while other models very quickly failed. The only drawback of the model is the exorbitant price, elevating the router to the rank of expensive professional tools.

Advantages:

• great reliability;
• user-friendly ergonomics;
• powerful engine.

Disadvantages:

• high price

The best high-power vertical milling machines (1900 - 2600 W)

High-power milling machines are designed to carry out an expanded series of works for which the average tool capacity may simply not be enough. In particular, thanks to them, the operations of angular and direct splicing, the manufacture of panels, the cutting of furniture facades, etc. are carried out. This is a purely professional equipment, the purchase of which for the home may become inappropriate use of resources.

3 CALIBER FE-1900 / 12M +

Powerful vertical mill for home of domestic origin, the advantages of which are clearly reflected in the parameters of structural reliability and the abundance of consumables for repair in service centers. With a capacity of 1900 W, the CALIBER FE-1900 / 12M + provides rotational speed in the range from 6 to 26 thousand revolutions every minute. Such a run-up of quantities is quite sufficient in order to start up the processing of workpieces from various types of wood - it is good that the torque allows you to process the grooves and the ends without visible efforts and load on the power elements.

Due to the impressive dimensions of the main units included in the design, the weight of CALIBER FE-1900 / 12M + was 5.2 kilograms, which is why the masters have to take forced breaks. However, this nuance has caused the manifestation of a number of pluses, the most important of which is the ability to set the collet into chucks of 8 and 12 millimeters. In terms of cost indicators, this router is a very useful acquisition, which is also reflected in user feedback.

2 Hammer FRZ2200 PREMIUM

Not the most expensive in the segment, this hand mill represents a unique combination of broad design possibilities with a good selection of technical characteristics.Despite the small range (relative to a number of competitors) rotational speeds (9-22 thousand revolutions per minute), there is enough torque on the engine shaft for smooth processing of grooves even in hard woods. It is also important that the mill is capable of deepening by 75 millimeters, allowing it to process deep grooves, second only to products of the American firm DeWalt in this component.

Included with the Hammer FRZ2200 PREMIUM is a set of three collet clips with a diameter of 6, 8 and 12 millimeters for maximum expansion of cutting capabilities. There is a nozzle for connecting a vacuum cleaner, a smooth start of the engine, excluding the tool jerk at the start, as well as an additional adjusting ring for fine tuning of the cutter to the desired depth of processing.

1 Makita RP2300FC

Vertical milling cutter Makita RP2300FC does not leave a chance to its competitors. Japanese quality, commensurate with the quality of Bosch models, makes itself felt. Inside the vertical router there is a 2.3 kW engine, which develops up to 23 thousand spindle revolutions per minute. This significantly affects the total weight of the instrument, which is 6.1 kilograms.

The high price for this model "Makita" is justified not only by the presence of a powerful motor. A special tool is supplied with the router for exact copying of grooves of complex configuration. Also present is the LED backlighting of the working area, which is necessary when milling in conditions of insufficient visibility. Reliability is not worth worrying about - the platform is made of doped aluminum, which is not afraid of excessive loads or chips and kinks.

Advantages:

• rubberized handles;
• aluminum base;
• quality of performance;
• powerful engine;
• availability of soft start.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• the presence of a small backlash on the rods.

The best edge milling machines

The main difference between edge milling and vertical milling is static. Structurally, they do not provide the possibility of raising and lowering the cutter, so all the parameters of milling are set before the start of the operation. Such a measure allows without any problems to process the edges, but it will be inconvenient to perform other works.

3 Hammer FRZ710 PREMIUM

Despite the fact that Hammer FRZ710 PREMIUM got to the third line of the category of edge milling cutters, it would be not quite correct to call it as such. The fact is that in addition to equipment for the work of edge operations, it is equipped with a vertical base with additional handles. But to use Hammer as a full-fledged vertical mill does not work: the vertical course of the cutter is limited to 30 millimeters. Yes, and in operation it is inconvenient.

When machining edges, unnecessary vibrations appear that do not in the best way affect the accuracy of the operation. Fraser hard and uncomfortable sitting in his hand. In general, this model can be called the best home option, because for more it will be incapable.

Advantages:

• Included are three collets for 6, 8 and 10 millimeters;
• universality;
• good power when performing edge operations.

Disadvantages:

• when machining the edges, a frezer bitness is felt, vibrations appear.

2 Makita RT0700CX2

The eternal opposition of the Japanese and German brands this time was not in favor of the first one. Qualitatively, the edging milling cutter Makita RT0700CX2 is able to compete with any models of its class, but the equipment leaves much to be desired. The 710-watt engine is capable of developing up to 30 thousand revolutions per minute - this is more than enough to process viscous and hard woods.The maximum depth of entry of the cutter is 35 millimeters. The base of the milling cutter "Makita" is made of polycarbonate transparent plastic, which, it seems, is better from the point of view of process control. However, excessive pressure on the platform is still not worth it. The price of the model also captivates: it is several times lower than the cost of Bosch edge milling machines.

Advantages:

• attractive price;
• good quality and ergonomics;
• powerful engine.

Disadvantages:

• plastic short-lived platform.

1 Bosch GKF 600 Professional

There is no equal in this category to the edge milling cutter with true German quality - Bosch GKF 600 Professional. The compact model is equipped with a 600 W engine, which is able to unwind the collet to a solid 33 thousand revolutions per minute. A positive fact is the presence of an aluminum base, which practically does not give an increase in weight, but stronger than plastic, installed on competing models. The latch base is made in the form of a flag, and it is also the regulator of the milling cutter. Manufacturers have taken care of the router's ergonomics - the body is made just perfect. And, removing it altogether, you can turn the router into a piecework engraver.

Advantages:

• the possibility of replacing the vertical base on the company base with a tilt regulator;
• ergonomics and reliability of the tool;
• easy setup

Disadvantages:

• not detected.

Popular vote - who is the best manufacturer of vertical milling cutters?
We vote!

Bort

Bosch

DeWALT

Elitech

Hammer

Makita

Ryobi

Skil

VORTEX

BISON

Interskol

Fiolent

Virt

Total voted: 274

Vote results