Best all around plunge router for both woodworking and finish carpentry?

[Phillip Mitchell]

I'm interested in hearing opinions about the most versatile plunge router to have around the shop for woodworking, but also for taking on jobs sites for finish carpentry tasks (pattern routing, flush cut trimming, mortises, rabbets, grooves, etc for custom doors, any odd-ball finish type tasks you can think of where a plunge router may be used on a jobsite.)

I think a 1/2" collet capacity is a must. I have a Dewalt DW611 with the plunge kit, which would be the perfect all around router, but it's only 1/4" collet. I also have a PC690 with a plunge kit, but I need to buy or make a new round baseplate for it; the stock baseplate is off center (in relation to the bit) enough to mess up any sort of template jig (used "bumper style") accuracy. That was a frustrating discovery to find out the first time after wondering why my mortise/housing template jigs weren't coming out right....The 690 is a bit of a crude affair, but I do find it useful for a general purpose router where accuracy isn't absolutely critical.

I don't think a 3+ hp size is necessary, but may be misguided? They tend to be too heavy and bulky sometimes to be useful in certain applications.

To sum it up, I want to find a 1/2" collet plunge router that can handle pretty much anything I throw at as far as woodworking and finish carpentry, not be too heavy and bulky, and be designed well enough so that I don't get annoyed with using it often. New model or used model, doesn't matter to me. Effective dust collection options would be a plus, but not having it isn't a deal breaker.

Fire away, gents.

[Neil Gaskin]

Ok. I'll bite first. Opinions are going to vary greatly.

I really like my Festool 1400 but The price is high. I really like the functionality and mechanics of it. I wouldn't buy it as my only router though.

I would buy a 3 pc kit like the Bosch or Dewalt options. Porter Cable is not the same as it was back in the day. There older plunge base is too clunky for me. A kit with a fixed and plunge base plus motor. Most of the time when using the router for profiling I don't want to use the plunge base but for many applications it's needed.

I do love the porter cable 691 with a D handle. That's what we primarily have in the shop.

Milwaukee makes a 1.75 hp body grip router I'm taking a liking to but it does not have a plunge base that I know of. It does have a sweet fine adjustment though.

[Mike Heidrick]

1617 bosch does not have d handle as the cord arrangement does not allow it to attach to d handle base. That is a 1618 bosch for d.

I like my 618 DeWalt 3 piece sets. Only have one where the speed control went out. Even it is fine as its full speed.

[George Bokros]

Milwaukee makes a 1.75 hp body grip router I'm taking a liking to but it does not have a plunge base that I know of. It does have a sweet fine adjustment though.

Plunge base for 1 3/4 ho Milwaukee router

https://www.greatlakespowertools.com/Milwaukee-48-10-5600-Router-Plunge-Bas

[John Lanciani]

Excluding Festool, I personally think the DeWalt 621 is the best midsized plunge router available. It is very smooth running and feature rich, and I like the ergonomics.

[Derek Cohen]

I would also vote for the DeWalt 621. I have the Elu version (MOF 97), but it only goes to 1/4", and I would love it to be 1/2" as well. I find it well balanced and the dust extraction is excellent. My 1/2" machine is an Elu 177e (same as DeWalt 625), but this lacks the level of dust control.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Michelle Rich]

dewalt 621 had it for yrs and yrs. my go to router. I like the flat sided base. One can easy run it to a fence vs. a round base.

[Robert Parent]

I personally like Bosch routers and have about a half dozen various models...

Robert

[Prashun Patel]

I have a Bosch, a Hitachi and a Milwaukee. I see almost no practical difference. They have all lasted many years.

From what I read, routers appear to be like portable drills; everyone seems to love the one they have. IMHO, the better question to ask here is:

Which brand/model should I steer clear of?

[Chuck Saunders]

That's easy Prashun, the Freud V2000 - the most ergonomically difficult plunge router made.
Chuck

[Mike Cutler]

Bosch 1617 EVSPK.
I don't own this router, but have admired it for a long time now. If I ever have to make a run of dovetailed drawers again, I'm buying a pair of them It's a very nice package. The DW 621 is also very high on my list.

If you were closer I'd lend you my OF2200. It might change your mind about "big routers", used "in hand". I actually prefer it to my OF1400.
The first couple of times you use the OF2200 with a big bit in it is a little unnerving. You keep waiting for it to bite and rip your arm off, but it is so smooth. As soon as you let loose with the death grip, and let it do it's work, it's pretty cool. :cool:
I've never really been swayed by the dust collection claims for a handheld router. No matter what, they still tend to spew dust everywhere, no matter what you do. The OF2200 and OF 1400 have about the best DC available on a router, but it's not perfect. I use a Fein Turbo II vac with them, and have a mask on.

[Michael Alu]

I read good things about the Bosch 1617evspk but a few months after purchasing it I hated the plunge base on it. I had racking in my plunge base and the handles had some "play" in them. You also have to buy add ons to get the standard Porter cable guide bushings to fit. I will be mounting that router in a router table once I build one.

I also have the DW611PK and would buy it again in a heartbeat. This little sucker is amazing.

My next purchase will be an OF1400 from Festool.

Just my opinion you will end up with at least two handheld routers eventually. One dedicated smaller work with a 1/4" collect, hence the 611. And one for larger work with a 1/2" collet.

[John TenEyck]

The Bosch 1617 EVS has the largest fixed base opening of nearly any router, so you can run large panel raising bits in it, as I sometimes do. The plunge base is very smooth and overall the router is a pleasure to use. Speed regulation is top notch. There are many accessories available for dust collection, collets, etc.

John

[Mark Wooden]

I have the early (Elu) version of the Dewalt 626 3hp plunge router and have found it to be a pretty easy to use router, although a little heavy. It came with 2 collets and I got a threaded adjusting handle to use when I want it to set up like a fixed base. It's pretty accurate for repeatability and has an adapter plate for standard PC style guide bushings; they center up nicely. I guess if I wanted an "all around" site router, I'd take this one.
But I've also got a 20 yr old Bosch 1604 fixed base that's my go to router, still runs great, so you probably can't go wrong with a Bosch set up either.

[Jim Becker]

Festool OF1400 (best dust collection and very versatile, IMHO) and if that's not possible, as others have noted DW621 plunger or one of the 12 amp multi-base kits from the manufacturer you like the best. (I have the DW618)

[Tom Bain]

Another vote for the DW621. I would like to try a Festool router one day, but haven’t taken the plunge yet ... see what I did there :p

[Mick Simon]

+1 on the DeWalt 621.

[Bill Graham]

I'm in the DW 621 camp for best all-around plunger along with the rest. Pat Warner (http://web.archive.org/web/20170204234737/http://www.patwarner.com/dw621.html)(RIP, Pat) thought the same. I have a lot of routers including the Festoy 1400 and the 621 is my go-to plunger. For heavy work the OF2200 can't be beat.

Here's my router shelf, there are a few more scattered about in drawers and Systainers:

373104

Hi, I'm Bill and I'm an addict. And a student of Pat's to boot. :)

Yes, that's a USA made P-C 7539 in the back left corner in case you're curious, ditto for the motor in the 7518. :D

[Phillip Mitchell]

Ok, hearing a lot of noise about the DW621. As I said in my original post, if the DW611 was 1/2" and slightly more powerful then I wouldn't be asking this question. I really love that router. So if the DW621 is close in overall feel and features to the DW611, I will likely be happy with it. Does it have an LED light built in?

I've used a Bosch 1617 EVS plenty of times and wasn't crazy about it overall. I just don't love the ergonomics of it and some of the plunge components wore prematurely, which was annoying.

Festool is out of this discussion bc of price alone. No way that I can justify double or triple the price of every other choice just for potentially better dust collection and a fancy case. Festool is top quality, but their prices are just too high on most items.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that I will only have 1 router to do every task. I already own 2 and use them both...Just asking, in your opinion, what the most versatile 2 hp sized router is for both woodworking and on-site finish carpentry. I will likely always have a smaller trim router around for edge work and smaller work like hinge mortises, etc where the smaller weight and size is advantageous.

[Bill Graham]

Phillip,

I haven't played with the new DeWalts so I can't comment on the 611. I still use my old B&D 7616, a fixed -base 1/4" router that was the predecessor of the DW 610, best handling router I've ever owned and at 30 years still running. If the 611 can carry on that legacy good on it!

Like I said, I'm a big fan of the 621. It has decent power, I like that the DC connection is at the top instead of dragging a hose across the work and it handles very comfortably. The switch takes some getting used to, its' only drawback as far as I can tell. It doesn't have an LED built in. It handles well, has decent dust collection and doesn't break the bank. I'd much rather use it than my OF 1400.

I also have the Bosch 1617 and MRF23 routers but only in fixed base. I prefer the MRF because it's quieter but I keep both, one set up with a straight bit and the other with a dovetail to use with the Leigh jig. Sometimes it's the little things that make life worth living. ;)

[Larry Edgerton]

Bill, a man after my own heart. At last count I had 27 routers. Why change bits?

[Bill Graham]

Bill, a man after my own heart. At last count I had 27 routers. Why change bits?


Only if they wear out! ;)

[glenn bradley]

I just don't love the ergonomics of it and some of the plunge components wore prematurely, which was annoying.

This is probably more important to a router meeting your satisfaction than any other feature. Like a hand plane, a hand held router is very personal and one that fits my hands well may feel like a handful of spaghetti to you. After I tried my first Milwaukee 'body grip' I was hooked and have a half a dozen various Milwaukees; some have been running over a decade. They had a popular spurt and I read that the quality dropped but, cannot say from experience as all of mine are older.

I love the Bosch intelligent design and features but, they feel awkward in my hand. This is a good example of something that I should like but, do not. If the De Walt ergonomics and adjustments/controls (I like the height adjustment ring but, the quality just wasn't there for the 618 combo) feel good to you I would stick with that. You already know what you like. You just need to choose the power level that you want.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Ok, hearing a lot of noise about the DW621. As I said in my original post, if the DW611 was 1/2" and slightly more powerful then I wouldn't be asking this question. I really love that router.When I bought my DW611 a few years ago, I thought long and hard about getting rid of my single speed fixed base Porter Cable 690.
Then I thought about it and decided to hang onto the 690 - in case I needed a 1.75 HP w/a 1/2" collet.
So far, that need has yet to come about.

[Jim Becker]

Ok, hearing a lot of noise about the DW621. As I said in my original post, if the DW611 was 1/2" and slightly more powerful then I wouldn't be asking this question.

The DW611 (single speed) and DW618 (variable speed) are great general purpose routers, especially with having three different bases to choose from. The DW621 is a little more of a "workhorse" ... and sounds to be a good fit for your stated need and budget. It's been around for a LONG time and is a proven tool.

[Jim Dwight]

My mid-sized are two PC690s with 4 bases and home made base plates. If I was to buy another today, it would be the DW621. I've never used one but the late Pat Warner really liked it as do a lot of you. I like my PCs but they do throw dust around the shop. It would be nice to collect even part of it. Both are single speed at this point so I might break down and get another router some day.

[lowell holmes]

Well, you guys do realize that he who dies with the most tools wins don't you?

My issue is that with Harvey and my fading memory, I don't always remember what's what.

Also, talking about routers brings back memories of Pat Warner. I enjoyed watching his videos.
You might go back and visit his videos.

[Osvaldo Cristo]

I'm interested in hearing opinions about the most versatile plunge router to have around the shop for woodworking, but also for taking on jobs sites for finish carpentry tasks (pattern routing, flush cut trimming, mortises, rabbets, grooves, etc for custom doors, any odd-ball finish type tasks you can think of where a plunge router may be used on a jobsite.)

I think a 1/2" collet capacity is a must. I have a Dewalt DW611 with the plunge kit, which would be the perfect all around router, but it's only 1/4" collet. I also have a PC690 with a plunge kit, but I need to buy or make a new round baseplate for it; the stock baseplate is off center (in relation to the bit) enough to mess up any sort of template jig (used "bumper style") accuracy. That was a frustrating discovery to find out the first time after wondering why my mortise/housing template jigs weren't coming out right....The 690 is a bit of a crude affair, but I do find it useful for a general purpose router where accuracy isn't absolutely critical.

I don't think a 3+ hp size is necessary, but may be misguided? They tend to be too heavy and bulky sometimes to be useful in certain applications.

To sum it up, I want to find a 1/2" collet plunge router that can handle pretty much anything I throw at as far as woodworking and finish carpentry, not be too heavy and bulky, and be designed well enough so that I don't get annoyed with using it often. New model or used model, doesn't matter to me. Effective dust collection options would be a plus, but not having it isn't a deal breaker.

Fire away, gents.

Recently I changed my 25+ years old Hitachi TR-12 by a new Bosch GOF 1600CE (https://shop.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/product/router-gof-1600-ce--23292). It came with 1/4", 12 mm and 1/2" collets. I transform permanently the 12 mm one into 8 mm with a reduction sleeve because I have a lot of tools with 8 mm shank. With 1,600W motor it has a plenty of power.

The main reasons that motivated my "upgrade" were variable speed, height adjust also under the base to use in a router table and something quieter. The bonus was a much better placed on/off switch in the handle, not in the motor body, an efficient dust collection and the LED that provide a pilot warning if the tool is plugged.

The plunge mechanism although equal or slightly better than my Hitachi's is not so smooth like I found in the similar router model from Makita... but it is not difficult to cope with it.

I like to have two routers: one heavy duty and another light duty (trimmer). This year I changed both of them (Hitachi and Porter Cable old models) by Bosch and Makita (respectively).

Modern tools are so great compared with older ones that is difficult to go wrong now a days.

All the best.

[johnny means]

I like my Bosch combo. That being said I do own all the other major brands and their really isn't a huge difference between them. The Bosch is marginally higher quality, but this was reflected in the price.

[Larry Edgerton]

This is probably more important to a router meeting your satisfaction than any other feature. Like a hand plane, a hand held router is very personal and one that fits my hands well may feel like a handful of spaghetti to you. .

This! Of all my routers the ones that are most comfortable for me are the Big Porter Cables. I have five. To me the angle of the handles is perfect, the fine adjustment on the fixed bases is simple and precise, and the handle/trigger/lock on the big plunge is perfect. Some complain about the weight, but to me the weight is my friend. Things that upset lessor routers don't even make the beasts flinch.

I have a 1010 and a 1400, nice, but I absolutely hate the lock mechanism. The fussy adjustment is a pain, I use brass gauge blocks. They run nice. I like the drop down shoe, but I hate the lock. I think I said that.

Trying to find one good router for everything is like trying to find a vehicle that is good for canyon carving and hauling manure.