Possible new router

[Melvin Gates]

I was wondering if anyone would have any opinions about a Milwaukee 5615-24 router. It seems to have a rather good price on Amazon.com. I like the idea of a fixed and plunge base. Right now I own a Hatachi M12V that is dedicated to my router table. Also have 3 "crapsman" routers but none with a plunge base and 1/2" collet. Actually, I'm just looking for an excuse to buy the thing.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Why do you need an excuse? :confused:

Okay, I'll give you an excuse. I don't own that router, but I always wanted one.... I don't think Milwaukee makes anything that qualifies as "junk" or "carp". They make quality stuff. Maybe not the best, but good. If it fits your budget, buy it.

[Jerome Hanby]

+1. If I had the $$$ in my toy fund, I'd order it at that price.

[Donald Hofmann]

Pretty good price but if you plan on turning any large bits the single speed's not too good

[glenn bradley]

Let me put it this way; I have a 5615, a 5616-24 and a 5625 plus some other brands. When the Amazon deal got below $100, I bought one. I was going to buy another plunge base (the 5615 and 5616 can use each others bases) and they are $99 so, I asks myself "why not get the fixed base, second motor, both collets, and the wrenches for free?". I did.

[sean m. titmas]

For a table mounter setup I recommend the Porter Cable 7518 VS 3.25 hp (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020159/18196/Porter-Cable-7518-3-14-HP-Motor-Only.aspx) router motor and put it in the JessEm Mast-R-Lift (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004354/8842/JessEm-Mast-R-Lift-With-Small-Plate.aspx).

The combination of these two powerful top quality tools can handle anything you can throw at it. Its almost like a small shaper in a router table.

[Bob Hallowell]

I just bought 2 of them, makes 4 routers for me, A big bosch in the table. A smaller dewalt which will now be a dedicated dovetail jig router and these 2. They seem very nice.

Bob

[scott spencer]

Melvin - I had a 5615 (http://www0.epinions.com/review/Milwaukee_1_3_4_hp_Router_5615/content_209968074372) for a couple of years and really liked it. It got sold to finance my bigger 5625, but I recently bought the 5615-24 combo kit at the sale price because I really like that 5615 for hand work...the plunge base is excellent, the Body Grip feature is great, the motor is very stout for it's amp rating, and it's built like a tank. No frills, single speed, old school bit changes, etc., but is an excellent router that accepts the standard PC pushings. Because of the bare bones electronics, it is a good candidate to add an aftermarket speed controller to if necessary. Hard to go wrong at current pricing.

I also have a Hitachi M12VC that I like. The Hitachi is lighter and has variable speed, but IMO it's not quite as well built as the MW, but few are.

[Matt Burst]

This might help you decide.

http://www.internationaltool.com/Plunge-Routers/Milwaukee-5615-24.aspx

[Ben Martin]

This might help you decide.

http://www.internationaltool.com/Plunge-Routers/Milwaukee-5615-24.aspx

Must resist, must resist.....

I need a medium sized router to do mortises on my upcoming morris chair project.

[Jason Beam]

Let me put it this way; I have a 5615, a 5616-24 and a 5625 plus some other brands. When the Amazon deal got below $100, I bought one. I was going to buy another plunge base (the 5615 and 5616 can use each others bases) and they are $99 so, I asks myself "why not get the fixed base, second motor, both collets, and the wrenches for free?". I did.


+1!!!!

I have a 5615 and a 5616-24 as well. I got the 2 1/4hp because of the plunge base. I was VERY pleased when it came out and even more so when I had it in my hot little hands. They're both VERY good routers. I keep the 5615 in the table, where the non-soft start doesn't bug me as much and the 2 1/4hp with soft start usually ends up in the plunge base. :)

[glenn bradley]

Must resist, must resist.....

I need a medium sized router to do mortises on my upcoming morris chair project.


Resistance is futile. The reason I wanted the second plunge base (and therefor bought this combo) is that I swap my 5615 into the plunge base I got with my 5616 to use the lighter router with my Mortise Pal; lightweight and smooth motion.

[Melvin Gates]

Thanks for all the advice. When the VA pays me Thursday, it's a done deal.

[Ben Martin]

This might help you decide.

http://www.internationaltool.com/Plunge-Routers/Milwaukee-5615-24.aspx

Matt,

Wanted to say thanks for posting that link for me. I finally recieved my router yesterday in the mail (over two weeks for delivery...). Long story short, I got sent a 5616-24 instead of he 5615-24 that I ordered.; shhh, don't tell. I think I got a heck of a deal for $99 since the 5616-24 lists for $239.99 on their site...

[glenn bradley]

You will love that router. Cool deal on getting the VS version with more ponies.

[Ben Martin]

You will love that router. Cool deal on getting the VS version with more ponies.

I should thank you to Glenn for pushing me over the edge!

[Scott Hildenbrand]

I really need a good router.. The one I have now (Skil) has nothing to be desired.

I'm wondering, would this work well mounted in a router table? I've got a sheet of corian(sp) down stairs I got for $20 from Lowes on discount [was $300, special order] that I want to use as a table on my tablesaw and need something decent to mount in it.

That brings up the question though of a base plate. Any recommendations on one for a decent price? I know SQUAT about routers, really.

[Jason Beam]

I use mine in the table all the time. The only thing about the body-grip base with "above table" adjustment is that you have to reach under and unclamp the motor first - this has a little backlash sometimes, if you're not careful to only turn the adjuster when unclamped.

[Scott Hildenbrand]

Ok... So... Unclap motor, adjust height, reclamp motor. Gotcha. That or spend the $$$ for a router lift.. But I'm too cheap for that yet.

[Jason Beam]

Yep - right on, there. I picked up a Rousseau lift (made by jessem) for it not too long after I built my souped up router table. It's a dream to use, now :D

[Scott Hildenbrand]

I figure I'll upgrade later... Looking at choking down $170 for a router bit rail and style set, sooooo.... Hmm...

[glenn bradley]

I should thank you to Glenn for pushing me over the edge!

No worries. I have a few Mils including their locomotive 5625 in the table. Very happy with all of them. I have others but the Mil's are my go-to guys.

[Brad Westcott]

All the great things I heard on this forum about Milwaukee routers helped me to decide when I upgraded my table router system recently. Bought the 5625-20.

Man, makes my old Porter Cable seem like it was filled with sand and only running on 60 Volts. Man, what a difference!

[Ben Martin]

I use mine in the table all the time. The only thing about the body-grip base with "above table" adjustment is that you have to reach under and unclamp the motor first - this has a little backlash sometimes, if you're not careful to only turn the adjuster when unclamped.

Didn't even know that it had above the table height adjustment....

[Jason Beam]

Didn't even know that it had above the table height adjustment....

Yep - there's a hole in the base that aligns with the micro-adjust knob on the side. They sell a special T-handle wrench to get in there (but I think a standard socket on an extension would do just as well).