DeWalt Router DW618B3

[germdoc]

The Bosch kit is now available at Menard's for ~$215. I'm feeling a strange attraction to those maple knobs....

[LarryG]

quote:Originally posted by germdoc

The Bosch kit is now available at Menard's for ~$215.

Until 14 February it's $195 at amazon.com after the usual $25 instant rebate, and they throw in some accessories worth a claimed $139 (deluxe edge guide, centering cone, 5/8-, 7/16-, and 5/16-inch template guides, plunge base, dust hood, and fine adjustment extension knob). Free shipping, too.

Only drawback: "In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served."

Them maple knobs are purty, shore 'nuf.

[knight_01]

quote:Originally posted by 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 ...

That free sander isn't variable speed? This changes the picture completely. Dang. Just kidding. When have you need to turn down the speed on your ROS. Is it absolutely necessary. Can the RF1101 accept wide panel bits (3 inch)?

[LarryG]

No, the free sander isn't VS ... it's the 5010; the VS variant is the 5012. The slower speeds are nice for sanding plywood -- helps keep the thing from chewing through the veneer before you realize it -- and softwoods. Also, some use the slower speeds to buff out glossy finishes, but I've not yet tried that with mine. VS is nice; I don't know that I'd call it necessary. If you were buying a sander, I'd advise paying the extra $20-30 for VS. If you were getting the sander free, well, that's maybe a little different.

Yes, the RF1101 will accept 3" panel-raisers, assuming the hole in your router table, plate, or lift is big enough (you wouldn't dare use a big honkin' bit like that freehand). You might have to make one or two passes more than a 3+HP router would need, but it'll get the job done.

[PeteFohl]

Well, I called all the Home Depots in the area, and none of them stock Makita, Bosch or DeWalt routers. So, I decided to just go ahead and order the DeWalt from the HD website. But, it now shows that the item can no longer be ordered online. My suspicion is that they got a bunch at a discount, and ran out. But, I called one store (the new one in Lompoc, which I haven't been to yet, but was going to go to tomorrow) and the person in the tool corral seemed to think I could order it through the special order desk and they would honor the price. I'm skeptical it will work out that way, but I printed the offer on the web and will bring it with me.

Wish me luck!

[Holbren]

quote:Originally posted by PeteFohl

But, it now shows that the item can no longer be ordered online.

I almost bought this kit from HD yesterday and it was available, that message must be new. I did end up ordering it from Amazon with the 10% price match. Came to $229.12 with shipping. Not much less than HD and it doesn't have the edge guide (I forgot about that or I would have ordered from HD for the extra few dollars).

The key though is they will tell you they don't have any in stock but when I told them the web site says "ships within 24 hours" they found some in "the other warehouse". If you call them, don't mention the price match until you confirm stock.

Good luck, $229 w/o edge guide is still a good deal for a nice 3 piece kit.

Brian

[PeteFohl]

So I went to HD today, and, as usual, completely changed my plan once I was there. I thought I would check out the routers they did have, to get a feel for them. While doing that, I noticed they had a Ryobi 2HP 3 base kit on sale for $90. At that point, I started questioning my thought of buying a high end kit right off the bat, when I don't really know what I am doing, and everyone seems to think that no matter what you buy, you will end up getting more later. Then I started thinking about what else I could get for the $125 dollar difference. Like a ROS, and a basic bit kit. And still spend less.

So I decided on the Ryobi. Problem was, they were out of stock. The clerk asked if I wanted to buy the display model. I asked how much, they checked with the manager, and said $80. My wife pointed out that the display model is missing the edge guide, which is $20 by itself, and suggested to the clerk $70 was a better idea, so I could buy the edge guide as well. He checked, the manager agreed, so I got the kit for $70. I didn't buy the edge guide, since I don't think I need it at this point.

Only one problem remains. Some of the parts are missing, but I think I can deal with that. I would like some advice from any owners of this kit, so I've started a new thread with a discussion of the missing parts here.

I think I've made the right choice for a beginning woodworker.Thanks for all the advice!

-Pete

[Holbren]

I received my 618B3 from Amazon today and it looks like a nice setup.

I was surprised though to find a 4 piece Dewalt wood chisel set in the big black plastic case. Maybe HD got the edge guide as a giveaway and Amazon got the chisel set.

Anyone else get the chisel set?

Brian

[RickLab]

quote:Originally posted by Holbren

Anyone else get the chisel set?

I see nobody answered you so I'll throw this in - I did not order this from Amazon but I know for a while they were offering a chisel set when you ordered this router.

[GaryA]

I did order mine from Amazon, and got the chisel set as well! Nice surprise... The only thing is that they dropped the price slightly and my wife (Valentine's gift!) forgot to plug in the promotional code for the extra $25 off....so I've got to call them and see if they will refund me the difference.

I haven't used it yet...and REALLY want to....I want to mount it in my accessory table, and know it doesnt bolt up....everybody says just to thread new holes, but I must be missing something....new holes in the aluminum plate to match the clear sub-base or remove the sub-base and bolt the fixed base directly to the plate? If so, how do I know what screws specifically will thread to the holes in the fixed base? Is that something I need to purchase from DeWalt? Newbie question, I know Any help is appreciated!!
(I tried to attach a pic, but getting an error)

[RickLab]

Gary, to attach a router to the accessory mounting plate (you have the one from the accessory kit, right?) all you do is remove the clear sub base and use it for a template to mark the holes - they do not need to be threaded. You do not need that clear sub base for router table use - send it to me. [8D]

The screws will be screwed down through the plate and into your router. You will need to countersink the holes so they don't interfere with the accessory table. You also may need longer screws depending on their current length and how much you can countersink the holes. Make sure the router is centered perfectly around the large hole in the aluminum plate or your bits will not center in the reducing rings.

[LarryG]

quote:Originally posted by RickLab

Make sure the router is centered perfectly around the large hole in the aluminum plate or your bits will not center in the reducing rings.

Just to clarify, the router mounting doesn't have to be PERFECTLY centered, with machine-shop precision; if it's a few thousandths (or even an eighth of an inch) off center, that will not affect the accuracy of the work. But as Rick says it does need to be as well-centered as possible, so the bit centerline will be more or less concentric with the hole in the accessory table.

IOW, use reasonable care and get it as close as you can but if you miss the center ever so slightly, it's NBD.

[RickLab]

Larry,

I agree - didn't mean to imply that it really matters that much. I was just trying to throw out as many thoughts as I could that might help him. I DO know that when I put my 1/2" bit in my router and the 1/2" reducer ring I am glad that I was pretty close or I would now have an oval.

EDIT: Ahh, I see I used "perfectly" above and that's a little bit much.. it just needs to be a decent job of centering.

[GaryA]

Thanks guys! Going to give it a try as soon as I get over the flu and back in the shop! [V] Thats exactly what I needed to know though. Guessing drill press would be the way to go...

[ErikS]

quote:Guessing drill press would be the way to go...

Yes, 100%!

As Larry mentions if the router is a tad off center it's NBD (I eyeball it)........HOWEVER.......if the router isn't perfectly perpendicular to the table (i.e. the holes aren't drilled straight) it IS a big deal. The router has to exactly prependicular to the table top to get good (& safe) cuts. If it's off even a tad you won't be happy with the results.