DeWalt Router DW618B3

[PeteFohl]

I'm looking at the DeWalt 3 base router kit at Home Depot, on sale for $215.20 until Feb 9. I read the Pat Warner review of the 618PK, which looks to me like the same thing without the D-Handle, and he seemed to think well of it. Amazon has the 618PK for $239.99.

This will be my first router, and I know I want both a fixed and plunge base, and my budget is $150-250. I'm planning on setting up a router table when my acc. kit arrives, and probably something custom-made later on when I know more. The timeframe is correct, because I was planning to buy in the next few weeks anyway.

Is this a good choice? I've only used a router once before, helping a friend round off the edges of a set of home-made stage monitors. My immediate needs are edge-shaping some shelves and some mortise-and-tenon work. I'd rather not pay more, but I'd be glad to pay less if this is more than I need. I am looking for versatility, though. Any advice?

-Pete

[knight_01]

Good choice. But from what I've heard the best choice is the Bosch 1617 EVS kit with fixed and plunge base.

[PeteFohl]

Oh, I forgot to mention I have a $100 HD gift card from Christmas that is upping my current tool budget. So HD is preferred.

[monte]

I have a friend who has the Dewalt set. I think it's as good as any other you will find.

[knight_01]

HD carries the Bosch right? I say Bosch.

[knight_01]

Although the dewalt dw621 was the best plunge base only router in a Wood review last year I believe. I think I read the review of multi base kits this year and Bosch won.

[Tamarack]

Don't overlook the value of the D-handle base, I've often wished that I had one for my PC 690. I like the safety aspect of shutting things down just by releasing a trigger!

Paul in Idaho

[technimac]

I paid $200 for the DW618 "soft start" Plunge and Fixed base set last year and love using it. At present, I am currently in the process of mounting the fixed base under my Ryobi BT3100 router table (drilling holes in the mounting plate to match the DW base pattern). I use the plunge base strictly for hand-held duty.

The additional D-handle fixed base would provide another welcome hand-held option here - it is extremely stable and easy to operate with the on/off trigger switch on the handle. In addition, the edge guide alone is going for $35 on e-Bay (I didn't get one with the two base set). So, I'd jump at this deal if I was in the market for a multi-base router set.

THe Plunge base dust collection feature is invaluable when working with MDF or chipboard and the variable speed feature allows the use of much larger (i.e. raised-panel) bits on the router table. My $.02

[RickLab]

Dewalt 618PK vs. Bosch 1617EVSPK

It's really a matter of personal preference - both are well made and will serve you for years. I would suggest you go to the store and "try them on" to see which feels better to you. I did just that and decided on the Bosch because the Dewalt at the Lowes I went to was hard to change bases (It's not usually as I found out later - that one was apparently abused). When you're there do NOT, I repeat do NOT try out the new Porter Cable because it's [u]NICE</u> and that will just confuse you further.

I ordered the Bosch and before it was delivered I placed a low bid on a Dewalt on Ebay and ended up with both [:I]

Now that I've tried them out I'd have to say there are good and bad points to each. Just a few things I can think of:

The Bosch does not have the d-handle base. Some people (yes, you know who you are ) don't like a d-handle but there are some uses for it - such as with template guides on the edge of the work. If you were going to buy or make an offset base anyway just make it and attach it to the d-handle base and you're done - it will never be in your way but is there when you need it, hidden under the handle. Of course having the trigger is good in some instances too. Once again it just depends on you. Bosch makes a d-handle router but it cannot be used with this combo - it is a separate router.

The Dewalt has detachable power cords which is really a nice touch. You can remove the motor and hold it in your hand and easily change bits etc. without dragging the cord around.

I can change bases much faster with the Dewalt - if anyone has some hints for making the Bosch easier to change please bring 'em on. Not that it's hard, but the Dewalt is easier.

The Dewalt also has clear bases that the Bosch does not.

I would say the Bosch plunge base has better adjustments and you can read the scale, which you cannot easily do on the Dewalt - the "down rod" that hits the turret blocks the scale.
The Dewalt base has "through the plunge tube" dust collection, which seems better than the Bosch add-on guard.

Even though I really love the look of the Bosch wooden knobs I think I prefer the feel of control I get with the Dewalt knobs.

So far on the fixed base I prefer the Bosch depth adjustment.

On a side note: Although the Dewalt system for the fixed base works in a similar fashion to the Ryobi routers everyone has, it is in another league compared to that one and will not stick in place when it gets cold, hot, lonely or whatever that one seems to want to do.

You need to remove the adjustment ring from the Dewalt to install the motor in the plunge base - although it's a minor pain you do not have to do this with the Bosch. By the way if you get the Dewalt always put the ring back on the motor first - do not try slipping the motor into the ring while it's mounted on the base.

That's all I can think of right now and as I read this I realize it sounds like I prefer the Dewalt router but that seems to change each time I pick one of them up, so obviously I cannot help anyone decide. As mentioned above, go try them out because this is a prime example of where YMMV.

good luck!

[mater]

After reading Rick's reply comparing the routers I would choose the Dewalt. This same set is $265.00 on Amazon without the edge guide.

[Troy Webber]

I bought the Bosch 1617 kit.It is really nice,but I would have preferred the Dewalt set.I got a chance to use the Dewalt at a friend's shop,and I really like it alot.The through the plunge tube dust collection seems really well thought out.

That is a really good price on the 3 base set.I'm sure it will serve your needs if you get it.

[PeteFohl]

Thanks for all the great feedback, especially Rick's side by side comparison! I'm going to take his advice and try them out for "feel" (very important) when I go to HD next week.

BTW, what is up with the "list price" on Amazon? HD says the list price is $269. Amazon sells it for $265, but claims the list price is $598!?!? What a bargain! [:0] Am I missing something? A degree in marketing, maybe.

[RickLab]

Good deal - I'm glad that helped! Believe me, no matter which way you decide you won't be wrong so let us know which way you went and what you think of it.

[knight_01]

Alright then, I'm gonna throw a new wrench in the motor. Check out the Makita RF1101 while you're at it. You can get it for 225 on amazon.com and it comes with a free Makita 5" ROS. That ROS is worth 70 bucks alone. Tail spin. You gotta love it.

[LarryG]

And the Makita 1101 is one fine router, too. It's a little old-fashioned by current standards -- basically, it's a Porter-Cable 690 with teal green trim -- but that's exactly why I like it. I debated long and hard over the 1101 kit vs the Bosch 1617 kit, eventually chose the Makita, have never regretted it one bit.

That free sander is highly regarded as well (I have the VS version of it).

Ah, yes, those danged monkey wrenches ...