Hey everyone,
I want to buy
I think I’m leaning twoards the Bosch. Does anyone have a roccomendation / opinion either way?
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Replies
I spend most of my time on the Knots side of the fence as I focus on woodworking. Many of the discussions over here capture my attention and I know some day I will remember the information when i find myself in a construction jam. Now onto the router....
I have owned a Bosch 1617EVS for about 3 years now and can't say enough good things about it. You can really feel the quality built into it. I already had an older PC plunge router and so I only bought the fixed base Bosch. I have used the newest generation PC routers and while they are great routers I would always reach for the Bosch.
Ryan
I've got the bosch set (1617EVS) also, and i think it's great. I bought it reconditioned from CPO Bosch for around $150. The first one i got had some alignment problems, but they sent another one the day that i called them, along with a return shipping tag. Great service.
One thing i wish it had was a fine adjustment for the plunge base.
I haven't tried many other routers, only a couple big 3 1/4 hp plunge routers, which seem like overkill for most jobs.
You might want to check out patwarner.com (i think that's his website), he makes all sorts of accessories for routers, and his favorite router is the yellow set of the same size as the bosch.
zak
I think I posted this exact same post last year. I was pretty set on the PC until I actually tried both out at the store. The PC had really sticky travel on the plunge base. I chose the Bosch and have no regrets. I even bought the bosch again when my first one was ripped off about 8 mos. after I bought it.
One thing about the bosch though, if you use it alot in a table you may have a problem with the power switch. It gets full of sawdust and becomes a little difficult to turn on until you blow the sawdust out.
I have that PC set & I'd buy the Bosch.
Hangs up in the base, changing it is a bitch. That super soft aluminum body grows burrs and sticks in the base.
Router works fine, but I like my little Makita plunge better.
Joe H
Ok, I think I'll end up getting the Bosch
About this time last year I stood looking at the same choices you are today, I bought the Festool OF 1400 EQ.
No regrets.
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
I have the Bosch 1617EVS kit and love it.
Had problems with it for the first time today though. I was using it one minute, next minute it didnt work. Wierd. I tested the power supply which was fine and checked that the router was getting power in the chord. I called Bosch and they said there has been some problems with the switch in the 1617EVS sold in the last year or so.
I'll be putting it in to get repaired on Thursday, covered by the warranty.
I like all of my Bosch tools so I'll let them off with this one and continue buying their tools.
don't limit your thinking too much. owning a router doesn't have to be a monogamus relationship.
I have three PCs, a bosch, ryobi, B&D and I think there might still be an old craftsman kicking around...manyt of them bought at sales and yard/garage sales. Having several let's you produce without spending as much repetitive setup and adjustment time.
Believe it or not, That plastic B&D is one of my favorite routers...
so start by walking that bosch down the aisle and then build a full harem around her...some are better for certain kinds of work
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Glad to know I'm not the only one who buys tools at yardsales! I took heat from my daugher just the other day ("Dad, you've dropped in my estimation - you have a "Craftsman" router!" ...see what I get for babbling this jobsite propaganda in front of her tender ears!) for one of my yardsale tools. The guy I bought it from said it was stored next to the pool chemicals, and it looks like crap - but it works just fine. Yardsales are also a great source for job rags and sheets.I've also got an old Skil router, which is set up for doors. Problem is, the cheapie goes a little cockeyed when you lock it, because the depth lock is just on one side. So you have to make sure the side facing up when you mortise the jamb is the same side facing up when you mortise the door!Needless to say, I've been around the block a few times with the cheap thrills, but I'm looking to settle down soon. Bosch is sounding like a good choice for a long-term commitment!
Edited 12/27/2005 10:09 pm by Huck
for cheap thrills buy cheap bits. Just like a SAD, they can ruin your relationship with the best of routers
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Seasonal Affective Disorder?
context, son, context -
sexually acquired disease
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I have the Bosch double base kit. Very satisfying...and with the double base, it's like getting two routers! I set up my fixed base upside down on a panel that fits on my Bosch 4000 table saw, making a cool shaper table of sorts with an adjustable fence.
So far so good on the switch.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Ah, some of the old ones were just fine; anyone else still using their old Stanley ?.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
You dont say what your main task is going to be with the router so.........
I have 4 PC 690's, one with the plunge and I never use that.
The Bosch plunge 1619EVS, best plunge router out there, JMHO of course.
PC 1002, 7/8 hp, use it just for the Omni jig.
PC 7518 VS, I use this just for my router table, but if it ever craps out on me I think I'll replace it with the Milwaukee 3 1/4 hp, for a router table it adjusts from the top of the table, that can be nice and others say that its a work horse.
Then I have a little B&D, comercial grade, that baby fits in my had so nice, think I gave $20 for it at a garage sale, Piffin aint got no monopoly on yard sale tools! <G>
Couple little PC trim routers to top it off.
With the exception of maybe the 7518 I wouldnt trade any of these for other brands, they each have a place.
Like piffin says, dont be monogomus with your choice.
Doug
I have the Bosch set, and love it. I did have to take it in under warranty to get the switch replaced, and that pissed me off a bit, but aside from that, great tool. I'd buy it again.
Young, poor, and eager to learn
I have the Dewalt kit - bought it for a deal with three bases. I've looked at the Bosch kit and like it better - much better precision in adjustment.
If you buy the Bosch kit make sure you get the (newer?) version that comes with the standard base that allows for above the table adjustment. There are many kits out there that have the base that will not adjust above the table - and perhaps they are sold within the same model #.
The way you can tell is that the threaded rod on the adjustment knob is longer and reaches almost to the base. The base that doesn't feature this has no exstension of the threaded rod beyond the adjust assembly itself.
My local Costco's had the kit for about $190, but it did not have the above the table type standard base.
Good Luck!
Julian
Just a FYI, I went to Blowes yesterday and picked up the Boche router kit and they had the deluxe fence shrinkwrapped to the box as a bonus. Price was $220. By the way just finished a large window trim unit with the router and I really like it. Just like all my Boche tools, very percision.ForrestCraftwork Construction LLC