Help me finally pull the trigger on a router

[Rogers954]

Hey all, it’s been a while since i posted on here, anyway with Christmas approaching quickly my wife and daughter are asking me what i want and this year i want to keep it simple. I’ve needed a router well for aboht as long as i started making projects. Just one of those tools i never got around to buying.

Well it’s high time i added that to my arsenal so i wanted to pop in and ask y’all’s onion on the Bosch 1617EVSPK router set? Right off the bat I’ve been eyeing this set for years, and haven’t seen another router get the overall amount of praise that this one has gotten, so I feel confident that my $220 should i go this route will be money well spent.

However, it’s well known that this tool has been around a long time (why change the design if it works) and with my router experience being exactly zero, I thought it wise to maybe ask the question and who knows maybe there is a better tool out there that’s not on my radar. Really i just want a quality all around’er, it doesn’t need to be good at any one specific task, just need a tool that’s decent at doing most things and that will last.

Thanks for any help/advice, hope y’all are having a great holiday weekend.

 

[FTWingRiders]

Im my mind you’ve answered your own question… That bosch has been a staple in my shop for years. However, for quick jobs, my Makita 18v compact router sits there with a 1/4 round over a bit ready to go.

So in typical garage journal answer… You need two!! Lol

 

[Rccrawlerguy]

Are you set on buying the Bosch? I have one of the HF Hercules routers, it works for me. I am no woodworker, just use it a couple times a year for general home/hobby use. Plus side is that is less than half the price of the Bosch

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-am...d-base-router-with-plunge-base-kit-57368.html

 

[Rogers954]

Im my mind you’ve answered your own question… That bosch has been a staple in my shop for years. However, for quick jobs, my Makita 18v compact router sits there with a 1/4 round over a bit ready to go.

So in typical garage journal answer… You need two!! lol

You’re not wrong lol I’ve been eyeing this tool for a really long time, and i have yet to see someone who owned it say it’s junk, quite the opposite actually. But since it is a bit older i wanted to make sure i wasn’t ignoring what else might be available.

I’ve also seen a lot of people say the exact same thing that you did where it’s a great all around tool but it’s not the best quick mobile option. Pretty sure I’ll end up adding a m18 option eventually that is better suited for quick jobs.

 

[loganb]

The Bosch is the gold standard for the corded 2-1/2 HP router class...it's pretty bulletproof, great value and everyonee who makes router accessories of any level of success are compatible with it...I've got 3 I think lol..

Do agree though that with small jobs I reach for the 18v cordless option first

 

[cgrutt]

Solid choice be sure to get a 1/4 collet if it doesn't already include it.

 

[Davefr]

I agree that Bosch routers are excellent. Makes sure you get plunge capability. I wish my Bosch was cordless. It seems the cord is always in the way when routing.

 

[Steve_P]

Obvious question is what do you intend to do with it? If you're just going to add a 1/8 or 1/4 radius or chamfer to an edge on occasion, then cordless is fantastic. If you're going to make furniture, kitchen tables... and need to remove a lot of material, then different answer.

I'm not a woodworker but have the 20V DeWalt cordless and it's fantastic for light work like rounding edges. Not having a cord is amazing, especially for an amateur.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have one in my router table and I have another that's not in a router table.... It's a great router

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Buy the one you want... otherwise it's a compromise and the one you wanted will still linger out there whispering to your heart.

I have an old Porter Cable, it's monster, if I was in the market for a full size router..it would be the Bosch. I have a smaller Makita one too...the M18 fuel one is calling my name next, I just can't imagine I'd need a router and not have a plug available. Other than the convenience of not having to work around the cord, I can't rationalize it yet.

 

[ohhimark]

Can't go wrong with the Bosch, I've got 2 or 3. The Metabo/Hitachi KM12vc would be my other suggestion, I have 2-3 of those as well. I prefer them slightly to the Bosch, but the availability seems spotty. I don't use the plunge bases anymore, I use the depth adjustment for plunge cuts. The plunge bases take up lots of space and store awkwardly. The collet wrenches on the Bosch are nicer than the thin stamped ones often seen.

​

 

[niget2002]

I went through 3 cheaper routers before finally getting the Bosch. The Bosch is worth the price.

I do find I do a lot with hand routers, though.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Are you set on buying the Bosch? I have one of the HF Hercules routers, it works for me. I am no woodworker, just use it a couple times a year for general home/hobby use. Plus side is that is less than half the price of the Bosch

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-am...d-base-router-with-plunge-base-kit-57368.html

I have the HF coarded trim router and man it really kicks ***! Honestly you cant go wrong with it!

The OP has gone all these years without a router so I highly doubt he is going to pick up a router table and start making high end furniture. Realistically a corded trim router will probably do everything he needs.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I like the Porter Cable router.

 

[Old tool guy]

Porter cable used to be the standard for 1-1/2 hp. Bosch was equally good. Makita is good. Imho, if you get a palm size router, which is very versatile, cordless would be good. If you go for a full size router, or if you’re going to mount it in a table, get the electric version.

 

[kbeefy]

I have 2 of those bosches, I like them alot. One is in a router table and the other one has the plunge base.

I also have a small HF corded router I use for quick trim work. If I did more of it I would be getting one of the cordless ones (Dewalt 20v in my case).

 

[dnschmidt]

Having 50 routers I think I would quality as a router expert on this question. Bosch is very good as is DeWalt (from the artist previously known as Elu). Milwaukee is not as innovative as these other two but their stuff is good as well. Their 3 1/2 HP monster router is ideal for the router table as is the DeWalt 625. Prior to the debacle known as Metabo HPT. I loved the Hitachi TR12 and MV12 which was the variable speed version. I never really liked Porter-Cable, even when they made great routers not the **** they currently produce, because the height adjustment thread which always clogged up with sawdust. The best cordless trim router is possibly Milwaukee's or DeWalt's with Bosch coming very late to the game. Nothing against Makita but I only have one of their routers and it's fine.

 

[never enuf time]

You want the Bosch, get the Bosch. Life is too short to go cheap , if you can afford it. When I was starting out Porter Cable was the standard for jigs/patterns. Sound like Bosch took that over since PC downfall being owned by B & D.
Cordless is super convenient for edges, but has limitations.

 

[ohhimark]

Having 50 routers I think I would quality as a router expert on this question. Bosch is very good as is DeWalt (from the artist previously known as Elu). Milwaukee is not as innovative as these other two but their stuff is good as well. Their 3 1/2 HP monster router is ideal for the router table as is the DeWalt 625. Prior to the debacle known as Metabo HPT. I loved the Hitachi TR12 and MV12 which was the variable speed version. I never really liked Porter-Cable, even when they made great routers not the **** they currently produce, because the height adjustment thread which always clogged up with sawdust. The best cordless trim router is possibly Milwaukee's or DeWalt's with Bosch coming very late to the game. Nothing against Makita but I only have one of their routers and it's fine.

We're gonna need pics of this collection I'd like to try the Makita eventually.

 

[tarmy]

I have a little used Porter cable and a plung base for it as well that I will make you a good deal on. I bought a Festool plunge router (with a dust collection system/vac) shortly after I bought the PC one and haven’t used it since.

 

[Firebrick43]

What are you going to use them for? I have everything from a 5625 Milwaukee monster in a router table, the 1617 Bosch set, a DEWALT DWP611pk set with plunge, and a Bosch colt.

If we ignore the router table, my most used router was the little colt. Edge rounding and chamfers is the bulk of most wood workers.

The colts base really ***** in the adjuster and lock so I recently stepped up to the dewalt DWP611 and its base is the berries in comparison and has a little more umpf without much more size. And the plunge base in that size is awesome.

I did almost no work with my 1617 router in a fixed base before and now with the 611 with plunge base I haven't used the plunge base with the 1617 either. The smaller size 611 is so much more maneuverable, lighter, and lower center of gravity.

Now if I was doing most or all of my dados I would use the 1617 more due to its hp but I do all of them on my table saw with a dado stack.

I have actually been thinking about putting the 1617 set and accessories on FBMP as I just don't use it any more

 

[51dueller]

The base is better on the 1.25 hp Colt vs the 1 hp one. I have the bigger MRF23EVS for heavier work and like the handle trigger as you don't have to take your hand off to turn it off or on.

 

[Ohio Andy]

We're gonna need pics of this collection I'd like to try the Makita eventually.

I saw @dnschmidt at the Tools collectors anonymous meeting Sunday...

 

[dnschmidt]

I just don't like changing bits. What's wrong with the theory of one bit one router. Works for me.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I just don't like changing bits. What's wrong with the theory of one bit one router. Works for me.

Nothing, nothing at all. I knew someone who had two table saws, one with a combination blade and one with a dado blade.

I own four routers.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm a sucker for those wooden ball shaped Bosch router handles. Very comfy.

 

[Packard V8]

How's this for a deal? I've got a shelf full of older brand name routers, large and small. I'll send you one of each for cheap and you can move on to your next most wanted.

jack vines

 

[MoonRise]

I just don't like changing bits. What's wrong with the theory of one bit one router. Works for me.

Ah, the Norm Abram school of routers.

Back in the day (waaaay Back in the day), Port-Cable 690 was the usual go-to general purpose router. Not any more, PC isn't the same PC anymore.

Now, the Bosch 1617EVS is kind of the go-to.

I have a Dewalt EVS kit with fixed and plunge bases, the EVS fried itself and it only runs at full speed now. Not a whole lot of use on it either.

I replaced it with the Bosch, which I like better than the Dewalt. I don't always use the plunge base, but it is handy enough that I'm glad that I got the kit with the fixed and plunge bases.

I also have an ancient 1/4" collet only Craftsman fixed base that refuses to quit. That one lives in a light duty router table now. A bit annoying to adjust things, but like I said it refuses to quit.

Not discounting the not changing bits just change routers approach , but a palm router is darn handy for light duty edge treatments. And you can do a LOT with a palm router, just not hogging out lots a material in one pass or running bigger cabinet-type bits.

Put that one on your list to get too.

And a router table too, quite handy. Sometimes you bring the tool to the work and sometimes you bring the work to the tool.

Yeah, Bosch is late to the cordless router game but they do now have a 12v and an 18v cordless palm router.

Bosch is a solid choice IMHO for the router.

Unless you go all Festool.

 

[RonnieC]

If I remember correctly last year the BF price on the Bosch was $169. That was a great deal. $229 this year is a bit of a bummer.
My handhelds are the 1hp corded Bosch Colt, Milwaukee M18 cordless and a 3 1/4hp Makita RP2301FC. Having the cordless Milwaukee means I hardly ever use the Colt anymore, but it served me well.
Just picked up a 3 1/4 hp Bora motor for the router table.
I also have my dad’s 40 year old Craftsman aluminum bench top table and router combo. Still works but would not recommend.

 

[orangeblood]

You wont go wrong with a Bosch router. They are well made and feel balanced feel in your hands. I have two.

Router mishaps are spooky. Get one that has a very good reputation for quality construction (motors, collets, plunge base, etc.) and feels balanced and controllable in your hands. Get a Bosch.

Just my $0.02.

 

[RonnieC]

The Bosch 1617 combo kit is now $201 on Amazon for cyber Monday.

 

[toothpickmatt]

My brother and I have a Bosch 1617EVS and like it a lot. It was our go to router for both table and hand work till my brother bought a JessEm router for the table. Now we just use the Bosch for handheld work. Its a good router for either operation. In the table I've run up to a 1-1/4" radius round over bit in it for a project with 8/4 walnut and it never had any issues (did do it in multiple passes as there is some pucker factor with a bit that large).

If I was looking for another router with a 1/2" collet (and 1/4" too I would get another one no questions asked. There are other routers that are equally good but I like the Bosch and am familiar with it. Acme tools and others occasionally run good deals on refurbished models, which is how we got ours, so worth taking a look at. I would suggest buying the kit with both the plunge base as it is very handy to have. Bosch's fence system is not inclued, but is pretty nice. They also make a set of dust collection adapters (none are included with most kits) that come in handy.