Routers

[jackellis]

It's time to bite the bullet and get a decent router for hand work and dovetails. After looking at the Bosch EV1617 and the PC 89x series I've got a few questions.

Is the GripVac attachment on the PC894 effective? Does it get in the way? How about the dust hood on the Bosch? I have a Craftsman shop vac with a very flexible hose that should attach to the dust port and it would certainly save a lot of cleanup time.

Anyone have any experience with how they compare usage-wise? Does one have any significant advantage over the other?

From photos on the Amazon and the respective web sites, it seems the Bosch kit comes with more accessories than the Porter Cable packages. And yes, I did see the long thread on the Bosch EV1617 special package.

Also, any thoughts on buying new vs. refurbished? Refurbs appear to have the same warranty and I wouldn't be surprised if most of them were returns that had hardly been used.

[Ken Massingale]

Perhaps someone that got one of the Dewalt sets will sell to make a few bucks? I saw one offered on Woodnet for, I believe, $185.
ken

[JR]

I just got my Bosch 1617 yesterday, so I can't offer any prectical feedback yet. I thought the price of the EVSPKE package, minus $25 and free shipping from Amazon, was just too good compared to available pricing for the P-C, so I never seriously considered the P-C.

I was underwhelmed by the accessory package, though. I got the edge guide, which is very nice. I got one template, but I had thought there were supposed to be more. I got two different dust ports, but am not sure what exactly each one is for. And a t-handle hex wrench for above-table height adjustment. Oh, and a centering tool and one or two other bags of screws and knobs.

All in all I think it's a fine package. The value for money seems to be about as good as you'll see on a regular basis.

JR

[LarryG]

I was underwhelmed by the accessory package, though. I got the edge guide, which is very nice. I got one template, but I had thought there were supposed to be more. I got two different dust ports, but am not sure what exactly each one is for.

Underwhelmed? Seriously? I'm thinking you and the next person who says that will make two.

The edge guide, bought separately, costs ~$40, which is why many of us think this item alone makes the slightly higher price of the "E" variant kit worth it. But the real attraction is that for some inexplicable reason, it's the more expensive "E" variant on which amazon.com periodically runs the lowball sale price, enabling one to buy this more complete kit for way less than the more basic two-base kit. (I understand that you decided not to wait for this to roll around again.)

If by "template" you mean guide bushing, there should be at least two, maybe three (can't remember, can look tonight if you want me to).

One dust nozzle mounts to the edge guide, the other (if memory serves) fits the plunge base. Or maybe the fixed base, but I'm pretty sure it's the plunge. Anyway, I seem to recall that it fits only one, not both.

[JR]

If by "template" you mean guide bushing, there should be at least two, maybe three (can't remember, can look tonight if you want me to).

Yeah, that's what I meant. I only got one, but expected three.

Oh, I forgot to mention the bushing adapter. It's a slick piece of engineering.

Still haven't fired the puppy up yet, though. I've been doing some finishing work in the shop, so have temporarily put making sawdust in abeyance.

JR

[jarhead]

Yeah, that's what I meant. I only got one, but expected three.

JR,
My kit did include three guide bushings.

[Garasaki]

I bought the Bosch EVSPK, as a refurb from Toolking.com

I've never used a router before (so I can't compare with anything), but so far am happy with this one. It's really quite easy to use, and has produced excellent results on some ~30" long dado's I've cut, as well as some freehand messing around making a hook to hold up this welcome sign on my porch (out of 2x4 material). Very smooth and dosen't seem to lack any power.

As for it being a refurb, mine obviously had seen some use. There was some wooddust built up in the collet area and the motor has quite a few scratches where it inserts into the bases. However, I did get the 1161 fixed base (with "above the table" adjustment) which was a nice bonus. The router definately works flawlessly, so I do not regret buying refurb (despite the small asthetic imperfections).

So I am quite happy with my refurb 1617EVS.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I have to agree with Larry, the 1617EVSPKE kit accessories are a great deal. The edge guide is the best and a $40 value alone.

Only problem I could see with refurb is that there are two known problems with older Bosch 1617's. 1) The magnesium body can corrode and may need to be replaced with the newer bodies and 2) the switch in the older units were not sealed and will result in failure. Bosch has been very good about taking care of both issues. I personally have had switches replaced in both of my 1617's. I have not had a problem since. I have 1 unit that is Mag that has not had any corrosion problems. The other is the newer body and of course has had no problems.

[drumpriest]

I have the Bosch 1617evspke, fantastic router. I've also used the pc 890 series routers. I like them both. I think the Bosch plunge is much nicer though, best I've ever used.

My kit came with 3 template bushings, 2 bases, dust hood, edge guide, etc... Nice setup. The edge guide is pretty slick. The dust extraction does work fairly well, though not perfectly. It's easy on/off though, so that's a bonus. It also depends upon what you are routing. It's not going to be affective using a dovetail jig, because of the bushing being in the way, but for general routing, it's better than not having one.

[JR]

FWIW - it appears Amazon has discontinued the EVSPKE, in favor of upgrading the EVSPK package. At least that's what it looks like. I searched for EVSPKE, and also clicked on my recent order, and it went to the package without the E.

JR

[JimD]

It is not the newest model but if I saw a good deal on the older 69x PC series, I would seriously consider it. I have two and no complaints. When I bought my second one PC was running a special that got me a free edge guide. So I got 3 bases and the edge guide plus one motor for $200. It does not have the above the table height adjustment but I have a lift on my router table so that mean much to me.

If you like the Bosch, you may also want to check out the Craftsman red version. Same router except for the color and often a better price.

Jim

[JR]

Yeah, that's what I meant. I only got one, but expected three.

After having emailed Amazon, who wanted to do a full swapout, I called Bosch. A very business like individual handled my problem, shrip-shrop. In the mail this week I got the full 7-piece templet set.

I've also had the chance to use the 1617 in the table, flying a big panel raising bit. After scaring the bejeepers out of myself when the bit first took i hold, i managed to make some nice cuts. It's a great router.

I guess I'm fully whelmed at this point.

JR

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I've also had the chance to use the 1617 in the table, flying a big panel raising bit. After scaring the bejeepers out of myself when the bit first took i hold, i managed to make some nice cuts. It's a great router.

Make sure you are making at least two passes when you are using the larger raised panel bits with this router. I set the fence forward of the bit bearing by about 3/8" and make passes around the outside of all the door panels, then make the fence flush with the edge of the bearing and make the final pass.

[MBG]

Make sure you are making at least two passes when you are using the larger raised panel bits with this router. I set the fence forward of the bit bearing by about 3/8" and make passes around the outside of all the door panels, then make the fence flush with the edge of the bearing and make the final pass.

I must be a chicken because I usually make at least 4-passes and still occasionally get chip-out in red oak. Also, I have an M12V mounted in my table now but when I used the 1617 I actually was able to stall the motor once trying to take out too big of a hunk.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I must be a chicken because I usually make at least 4-passes and still occasionally get chip-out in red oak. Also, I have an M12V mounted in my table now but when I used the 1617 I actually was able to stall the motor once trying to take out too big of a hunk.

4 passes in red oak would not be out of line. You need multiple passes there due to tear out. Flat sawn red oak seems to incur much more chip out than QS.

2-3 is my norm in the woods I work with including hard maple, cherry, and walnut. I could easily stall the motor on the 1617 in a table using a raised panel bit on hard maple or walnut if I only took one pass. I guess that is why I have stuck with 1617 in my table ie to encourage multiple passes on large profiles. If I had a 3.5 hp I would plow through and cause tear out as that is the type of jerk I am !!! LOL !