Bosch 1617EVSK adjustment in table

[agent511]

I was reading the thread on whether 2 1/4 HP for a Router Table is enough, and I did not want to hijack that thread to ask my question.

I have the Bosch 1617EVSK mounted on a router table. My model was made right before they came out with the above-the-table adjustment, but the below the table Extension wand works plenty fine.

As someone said, you have to release the motor clamp, make the adjustment, then reclasp the motor clamp - which needs to be done below the table.

My question is this - when I adjust the router height to perfection, then I reclamp the motor clamp, the act of reclamping tilts the motor a bit, and changes the height just a bit, but significantly. I need to make guesses and account for that change on a hit-or-miss basis in adjusting the height.

AM I missing something basic somewhere? Or is the design so poor that height adjustments are made on a guestimate basis? Are other routers similar in this defect?

Is this why they sell router lifts?

[drumpriest]

Yes, that's why they sell router lifts. All of the routers I've ever used in a table has this issue. The bosch actually does quite well, the PC is worse, in my experience.

The best setup for that router is the router-lift fx, in my opinion.

[LCHIEN]

I was reading the thread on whether 2 1/4 HP for a Router Table is enough, and I did not want to hijack that thread to ask my question.

I have the Bosch 1617EVSK mounted on a router table. My model was made right before they came out with the above-the-table adjustment, but the below the table Extension wand works plenty fine.

As someone said, you have to release the motor clamp, make the adjustment, then reclasp the motor clamp - which needs to be done below the table.

My question is this - when I adjust the router height to perfection, then I reclamp the motor clamp, the act of reclamping tilts the motor a bit, and changes the height just a bit, but significantly. I need to make guesses and account for that change on a hit-or-miss basis in adjusting the height.

AM I missing something basic somewhere? Or is the design so poor that height adjustments are made on a guestimate basis? Are other routers similar in this defect?

Is this why they sell router lifts?

yes, that's the way it is. Don't loosen the clamp all the way or tighten a bit as you make the last adjustment the shift will be less and be more predictable.

You can also buy a new table mount base, its the new fixed base with the above-table lift, and T-wrench less the maple handles.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/bsch1165rvu.html

You can get it for around 40-something dollars, I think.

[Tom Hintz]

having to release the motor clamp is part of the compromise when using a regular base as opposed to a true lift plate. this is true with all brands. The Bosch 1165 under table mount helps, but it also has the motor clasp. I did find that you can flip the clamping lever, but not all the way, make the adjustment and then close the lever. That seems to limit the amount of change caused by re-clamping the motor in the base.

[agent511]

Thanks for the advice as to partially tightening the clamp before finishing adjustments. Getting a new base would not change the clamping procedure. It is good to know that the fault is in the design and not something big that I missed.

[Ken Massingale]

If you can swing the $$$, the Woodpecker Quicklift with the Bosch 1617 is a great combo, quick course adjustments and easy very precise fine adjustments. It takes 10 seconds to remove the router if you need it for hand use. Along with your 3650, you're set.
ken

[BigguyZ]

If you can swing the $$$, the Woodpecker Quicklift with the Bosch 1617 is a great combo, quick course adjustments and easy very precise fine adjustments. It takes 10 seconds to remove the router if you need it for hand use. Along with your 3650, you're set.
ken

Well I can't wait for my Bosch 1617. But, in the meantime I bought a Woodpecker lift for my PC router (got a deal on the lift, figured I'd get the lift now and hold up on any more purchases for a while). I thought I saw that the JessEm Router Lift was on sale on Amazon. I think that can accept a 1617 with the right adaptor... It's about $150 I think with the discounts floating around. More expensive than the table base from Bosch, but may be a better solution...

[bigsteel15]

Well I can't wait for my Bosch 1617. But, in the meantime I bought a Woodpecker lift for my PC router (got a deal on the lift, figured I'd get the lift now and hold up on any more purchases for a while). I thought I saw that the JessEm Router Lift was on sale on Amazon. I think that can accept a 1617 with the right adaptor... It's about $150 I think with the discounts floating around. More expensive than the table base from Bosch, but may be a better solution...

If your lift fits the PC 690 motor it should fit the 1617 as well. At least the Jessem does that. Also fits the most common Dewalt motor. All without any adapter rings.

[MBG]

I currently have an M12V w/Router Raizer but had a 1617 for about 3-years in my router table. For me the movement of the bit after clampling wasn't a problem. I usually took a measurement of the bit height in a clamped position - determined the adjustment needed and used the scale on the adjustment knob (I also used the extension for this). I really see no huge advantage of the expensive lifts.

Mike

[AlanWS]

Just pull down on the router as you adjust, and as you reclamp the router. That will get rid of any slop in the adjustment.