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i am happy with dewalt's single speed router but i do not like their variable speed router so i bought porter cables 690 series. i have owned this router for well over 4 years and it has never let me down. when i dont need a variable this is the one i pick up.
There's also a place to hold both 1/4" and 1/2" router bits, and I also can fit a circular cut jig in the case as well. Edge guide also has vacuum attachment and for this I didn't need any adapters.This is a complete system, and for me it was perfect. I also purchased the edge guide, and the case which some people say is too big is just right because there's a place to keep this edge guide in it with even a clip on the lid to hold the bars. Highly recommended.
You'll need an adapter for most shop vac (1 1/2" to 3/4") to interface with this base. After reading the reviews, I settled on DW618PK, but I didn't like its feel, so I exchanged it with this one. I'll be using the fixed base for a router table, D handle base to do the edges (with edge guide), and a plunge base to cut holes. Now this thing rocks. I gave my Sears router that I had since college to another college kid who lived across the street, so I was looking for the very best router I can find to replace it. This seems smoother than DW618 but it might only be my perception. I'm getting a free D handle base as a promotion, and with it I have a finger trigger (something you can't normally have with a multi-based router because the handle is separate from the motor) made possible due to removable power cord for this router. Now when I need a router, all I need to do is just grab this case, because everything I need is in it ().
Each setup can be used with dust collection system (fixed base on the router table will have vacuum on the fence) which alliviated the mountain of dust that spread everywhere when I was using my old router. I was in the market for a new router after a failed attempt at using RotoZip (Junk: Broke after using the first bit). There's only 1 amp difference (DW618 12A, DW616 11A) between the two motors, and I can't tell the difference in power. Plunge base comes with a vacuum attachment and accepts a 3/4" hose (it also comes with a centering jig for alignment).
The pre-Ryobi Craftsman, which I bought almost like new at a yard sale for $13, uses no-longer-available brushes and I was afraid it would quit mid-job so I looked for a new state-of-the-art replacment. If there is such an animal, it's not the Dewalt.The Craftsman has a nice bright work light built in (so nice), a "trigger" on/off switch on the handle (so convenient), and a one-wrench bit changing system (not great, but I like it).
It just wasn't designed with the care and forethought of my old Craftsman.I'm gonna use the Craftsman until its brushes give out, and then I guess I'll have to, unhapplily, get used to the Dewalt. Yeah, it's nice having the plunge base, but I know how to do plunges without that if I have to.
Rated at only 8 amps, it nonetheless has plenty of power.The Dewalt has none of these wonderful features (except the power - but not much more that I can notice), and I can't see that any advances have been made since that old Craftsman was made. I don't like the thing.
I bought this Dewalt router to replace a Craftsman that must be 20 years old at least. Hah.
And the Dewalt surely will last for years.but so what.
I have Porter also, and this DeWalt one works as well if not better. Very easy to change the motor, adjust, etc.
I have to agree with a previous reviewer, though: the case is maybe a little unnecessarily humongous. A router is essentially a pretty simple tool, and the DeWalt keeps it simple. As far as HP, I don't miss it, though I've not really thrown anything too solid at it. Also a concentricity guide is included, which Bosch sells as a seperate accessory. I've been wanting a second router to dedicate to under a table, so I decided while my Bosch was in the shop to pick up this DeWalt.
All told, I've found this router kit a pleasure to work with and a great value. My impression is that it could handle most medium-sized routing tasks with ease.The plunge base is the smoothest I've come across and the motor itself feels solid. I'm really happy with it; the only feature I prefer in the Bosch is the soft start; the DeWalt tends to give a little jump when it's switched on. I bought the Bosch 1617EVSPK 2-1/4-Horsepower Router Combo and was impressed until, after approx 5 hours of light usage it simply quit on me. The next model up has more HP and I believe incorporates the soft start feature.
Switching between bases is easy, depth adjustment is easy and intuitive.
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