A portable electric right-angle plunge router (10) is disclosed which has a pair of laterally spaced apart bases (13, 14), two pair of laterally spaced apart columns (12) and a motor housing assembly (11). The bases (13, 14) have planar work engaging surfaces (15). Affixed to the bases (13, 14) are the laterally spaced apart columns (12) which extend perpendicularly to the work engaging surfaces (15). The motor housing assembly (11) has a central axis which is parallel to the work surface and is mounted on the laterally spaced apart columns (12) to allow the housing assembly to move vertically toward and away from the bases. Laterally space apart column guides (17) affixed to the housing (11) are aligned and sized to slidingly engage the columns (12). A handle is formed in the housing (11) between the front and rear column guides (17). A drive motor affixed in the housing has an armature shaft which is rotatable about an axis being substantially the horizontal axis of the housing (11). An arbor (25) is affixed in the housing and oriented substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the housing (11). A tool chuck (24) affixed to the arbor (25) receives a cutting tool (20). The arbor (25) and armature shaft are interconnected by meshed gears thereby providing for right-angular transmission of power to the cutting tool (20). A depth-of-cut gauge (35) and lock-down mechanism (37, 39) are provided.