Vigor VFR 22 Review

A full-size router is one of the most versatile tools in any woodworker's arsenal. Unlike smaller palm routers built for light edging and trimming, a 1,500-watt plunge router has the power and capacity to handle serious joinery — cutting deep dados, routing mortises for door hinges, shaping raised panels, and profiling thick stock in a single pass. The plunge mechanism lets you start a cut in the middle of the workpiece, not just from the edge, which opens up possibilities that a fixed-base router simply cannot match. Add electronic speed control and you can match the RPM to the bit diameter, running large panel-raising bits at lower speeds for safety and smaller bits at high speed for a clean finish. For cabinet makers, furniture builders, kitchen fitters, and serious DIY enthusiasts who tackle complex projects, a capable plunge router is not a luxury — it is the difference between spending hours with chisels and jigs and getting the job done in minutes with repeatable precision.

When investing in a plunge router, look beyond the wattage figure. The collet size determines which bits you can use — a 12-millimetre collet handles most professional router bits, including large panel-raising cutters. Plunge depth matters for joinery; a 48-millimetre stroke covers most mortise depths and dado cuts in standard stock thicknesses. Electronic speed control with a range of 6,000 to 26,000 RPM means you can safely run large-diameter bits at lower speeds where they cut efficiently without excessive vibration. Vigor, an Italian brand from the Viglietta Group, has been manufacturing power tools for the European market for years, competing with more established names by offering professional-grade specifications at competitive prices.

In this review, we take a close look at the VFR 22 — a 1,500-watt electronic plunge router with a 12 mm collet and variable speed control. We cover the motor performance and speed range, the build quality and plunge mechanism, the ergonomics and dust management, and how it compares to similarly priced competitors. By the end, you will know whether this Italian router deserves a place on your workbench.

The VFR 22 is powered by a 1,500-watt motor with electronic speed control, adjustable from 6,000 to 26,000 revolutions per minute via a dial on the body. This wide range means you can slow the spindle right down for large panel-raising bits that demand lower RPM for safety and finish quality, or crank it up for small-diameter bits where high surface speed produces the cleanest cut. The motor maintains consistent speed under load thanks to the electronic feedback circuit, so you do not lose RPM when the bit bites into a knot or a dense section of hardwood. It runs on standard mains power via a corded connection and uses a 12-millimetre collet — the professional standard that fits the full range of router bits from fine profiling cutters to heavy joinery bits.

The plunge mechanism is the defining feature of this router. The motor housing slides smoothly on twin guide posts, giving you up to 48 millimetres of controlled vertical travel. A depth stop turret with multiple preset positions lets you make repeatable cuts at different depths without re-measuring each time — essential when you are routing a mortise in several passes of increasing depth. The maximum routing diameter is 32 millimetres with the standard base, governed by the opening in the sub-base plate. The base itself is metal rather than plastic, which adds weight but improves stability and resists flex when the router is clamped in a router table.

In everyday use, the twin side handles give you solid two-handed control, and the plunge action is smooth enough to start a cut cleanly without the bit grabbing or the router jumping. The clear plastic chip guard helps direct dust towards the extraction port, though you will definitely want to connect a vacuum — routing generates enormous amounts of chips and fine dust. The power switch is positioned within thumb reach on one of the handles, letting you stop the tool without letting go. At higher speeds, the 1,500-watt motor is audibly working, but the noise level is typical for this class of router and not unusually loud. The metal depth stop rod and turret feel precise and lock firmly without drifting during repeated plunges.

Accessories included in the box cover the basics: a parallel guide fence for routing straight lines at a fixed distance from an edge, a guide bush for template following, and a collet spanner for bit changes. The fence is functional but basic — adequate for shelf dados and edge profiling, though serious joinery work may benefit from an upgraded aftermarket fence with micro-adjustment. The spindle lock makes single-spanner bit changes practical, though the access to the collet nut is slightly restricted by the base opening, so very large bits may need the base removed for fitting. A carrying case keeps everything organised and protected during transport and storage.

The VFR 22 weighs in at roughly 5 to 6 kilograms — substantial enough to feel planted and stable during cuts, but not so heavy that it becomes unwieldy during freehand edge work. The overall height with the plunge base is approximately 30 centimetres, fitting comfortably under most workbench-height shelving. Viglietta Group backs the tool with standard manufacturer warranty coverage, and as an Italian brand with European distribution, spare parts and service should be more accessible than for far-eastern imports. Customer feedback across 8 reviews averages 3.6 out of 5 stars — generally positive but with some room for improvement, which is worth noting when comparing against similarly priced models from Bosch, Makita, or Triton.

This 1,500-watt plunge router is best suited for cabinet makers, furniture builders, and advanced DIY woodworkers who need professional-grade power and plunge capacity for joinery, edge profiling, and table-mounted routing.