Router Kits which one?

[mmacintyre]

Hi all,

I was hoping to get some input about a few of the router kits available. I am looking at buying my first router/ kit and thought the following all looked pretty similar in specs and thought the great people here would be able to provide some great advice. Please let me know if these kits are a waste of money and if I should just go with something else like just a single fixed or plunge base.

-Makita RF1101KIT2 2-1/4 H.P. Industrial Router Kit ($199)
-DEWALT DW618B3 2-1/4 HP 3-Base Router Kit ( I realize you get the extra base, is it really worth it?) ($259)
-DEWALT DW616PKV 1-3/4 HP Fixed Base / Plunge Router Combo Kit (This one is just smaller and one less base) ($199)
-Porter-Cable 694VK 1-3/4 HP Variable Speed Router Kit (The motor is a little smaller, will the small difference make that much difference in performance?)($189) or maybe one of their 800 series routers.
- Bosch 1617EVSPK 2.25 HP V/S Combination Plunge & Fixed-Base Router Kit ($199)

I live in Canada so the rebates that sites offer such as the $60 porter cable mail in are not applicable to me. I appreicate your help and advice.

thanks,

Mike

[Stormbringer]

Mike,

Since I'm really tired, my reply will be short and sweet. My vote is for combo I have and love . The DeWalt 618B3. To take advantage and "use" both fixed bases, I mounted the standard fixed base in my smaller router table while the D-Handle is my freehand base of choice. The motor so freaking conveniently interchanges between bases that I can simply release the latch while it's in the table and slap it in the D-Handle in maybe...um, er..10 seconds tops. The slick disconnect power cord at the motor is really convenient, the dust collection on the plunger is above average in my book, if your into the spindle locks it's got that too, wide base openings to accomodate wide bits, more than enough juice to spin those bits (although I would make more than one pass), the super easy height adjustment that's doesn't move once locked, etc... To read more pro's check out the reviews on Amazon.

All the routers you list are somebody's favorite. If your going to lay out that kind of coin I would splurge for one of the 2 1/4 hp models (hp rating have to be taken with a grain of salt here so check the amps too). The Bosch has always been a fan favorite too.

Just my $.02. Good luck and good night,
Greg

[LCHIEN]

My favorite is the Bosch 1617evs kit, it's very thoughfully engineered and represents the best of router design.
I think personally the PC 89x kit is also a good router, it represnets their catch up and pass everyone else design attempt.

I think the sleeper is the Craftsman professional router which is the Bosch 1617evs kit in craftsman red trim instead of Bosch Blue. If you can stand the stigma of having Craftsman badged tools over a real Bosch, they are offereing deals like $179 I think which is somewhat cheaper, although I haven't really compared prices lately. Worth a look.

[vaking]

Add Hitachi KM12VC to your list.
All the candidates are good, each has something where it stands taller than competition. Bosch is the best power/weight ratio, Dewalt has the best dust collection, Hitachi is the quitest of the pack, Porter cable has the most accesories. Choose what is important to you and remember, with either one you will not go wrong.

[drumpriest]

The Bosch would be my choice (or the sears bosch), because it has the absolute smoothest plunge action that I've ever seen on a router, period. I cut mortises with a plunge router, and not fighting with the plunge makes a big difference in quality. The Bosch is fantastic.

Having said that, I havn't played with the Dewalt, I have used PC 890's, Hitachi's multi-base, ryobi's, and the bosch.

[Tom Hintz]

Of the router kits you list, I'd also go with the Bosch 1617. However, the new PC 890 series kits are also in the same price range and are very good as well. I use both brands in my shop almost daily and would hav e ahrd time deciding on which one if I would have to give one up!
I have reviews of bot the Bosch and PC kits, and others at the link below (scroll down to Routers) with photos and details on their features if that would be of help.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/index.html

[monte]

I have both the P-C 694VK and Bosch 1617EVSPK. I prefer the Bosch because the plunge base is smoother and the fixed base has above table adjustment. Both are nice router sets.

[conductorjonz]

I have the Craftsman version of the Bocsh and love it. It feels good in my hands for easy control, has variable speed control and many other features the others have, but the price was unbeatable. The Plunge base is exceptionally smooth. It gets my vote in either Bocsh or Craftsman "drag".

[Pappy]

As was said already, all of the kits you mentioned have there strong points. All of them are excellent routers with minor differences. Visit several dealers and get the different models in your hands. Each will have a slightly different feel to them. Go with the one most comfortable in your hands.

[os1kne]

I have had the PC 69x kit for a few years. If I were starting over today, I would get the 89x kit (which was not out when I got the 69x kit). I like the 69x, but the other models have newer designs with some handy features that aren't quite as good on the 69x. The Bosch is another great router kit, as is the Dewalt.

With any tool that you expect to use much, I highly recommend using (or just holding) each of the items that you are considering and seeing how you like things like the feel, balance, power switch operation, height adjustment, etc. (things that you don't see on the specification listing in a catalog/website.

All of the routers that you listed are good quality routers and are priced close enough to each other that it makes sense to go with the one that feels best to you.

[JimD]

I have two PC690s with four bases (1 plunge, 1 D-handle and 2 fixed bases). The PC690 series is kind of the old reliable. You have to use an allen wrench to remove the motor from the plunge base. Some of the older fixed bases have a simple wing nut like arrangement to lock the depth (the newer ones have the snap cam lock arrangement). My older one has a simple toggle power switch that has failed once for me. My newer one has a dust protected switch that is harder to determine the on and off positions (I kind of still like the old style switch).

Newer models like the PC890 or the Bosch (plus possibly others) have some advantages over the older PC690 series. I think the situation is best summed up by what I read in a review of all these mid-sized router packages. They said they were all good. If price is the same, I would buy the Bosch or PC890 series. The same article rated them in a tie for best all around. If you can find the PC690 series significantly cheaper, it is still a nice router. Some have reported deals as low as $139 recently, for instance. That would be a great deal for a very nice router kit. I would not pay $200 for the somewhat out of date PC690 series, however, instead of getting a Bosch or newer PC890. If I saw a great deal on the DeWalt, I would be interested in that too. I have seen no reviews of the Hitachi so I cannot comment on it other than to say it is the ugliest thing I have seen (but others may find it attractive). I do not buy tools based upon appearance but still...

Jim

[jhart]

Recently bought the DeWalt 618 3b when Amazon had it $75 off sale. Went around to various stores and did a hands on with all of the above mentioned. Came down to the Bosch and the DeWalt.

Ended up with the DeWalt as the plunge on the sample I tried, seemed just about as smooth as the Bosch. The DeWalt also has a locking button for changing bits, which I have on one of my other routers and something I really like versus using 2 wrenches.

As mentioned, all of above are good units. It mainly depends on what you want to use it for and what accessories you might want to use.

[Tarheel]

I too have the DW618B3. I would echo everyone else's opinions about the Dewalt! One thing that I would add is the low center of gravity on the Dewalt. I find it to be very easy to control, even on very narrow work (handheld of coarse). I also find that the D-handle base is slick and is usually the first base I reach for! Also. The VS and soft start are excellent features!

If this is the combo that you are interested in, keep an eye on Amazon.com and I am sure that a deal will pop up. Got mine last year for $240.00 shipped to my door.

Good Luck,

Wayne

[LarryG]

All are good choices.

I have the Makita, and like it very well. If I were shopping today, and the prices of the kits were equal -- say within 10% of each other -- I'd buy either the DeWalt 618 or Bosch. Most likely the DeWalt as it has the thru-handle dust collection, and a little lighter plunge action than the Bosch. The only thing I've found that I don't like about the DeWalt is that getting the motor into the plunge base is awfully fussy (or at least it has been on the three or four units I've handled in stores). BTW, note that the 616 is a single-speed router; not what you want for the most versatility.

OTOH if I were quite literally shopping today, and could get the P-C 694VK for $139 after rebates, I'd grab that baby and wouldn't look back.

Spindle locks vs two wrenches is highly personal; I greatly dislike the former, much prefer the latter. One of the things I like about the DeWalt is that while it has a spindle lock, it can be removed. Of course the Bosch and PC 69x series use two wrenches, so no demerits there.

Alex mentioned the Bosch's power-to-weight ratio, but note that with routers, MORE weight is actually a virtue, at least up to a reasonable point, since it enhances stability and control.

I've read a fair number of scare stories about the electronics on the P-C 89x series, enough that I probably wouldn't take a chance on it.

Gotta agree with JimD on Hitachi's what-were-they-smoking? styling. (That applies to their cordless tools as well ... those things are just flat bizarre.)

[r1968]

Hitachi or Bosch

Have both M12VC set and the older Bosch 1617EVS. Hitachi is among the quietest and has 5 yr warranty and is probably the cheapest of bunch.

--raj