Router Depth-Stops Simplified

Woodworking router combo kits combine one motor with two bases: a fixed base for table-mounted and trimming work and a plunge base for cutting grooves in the middle of a work piece. This 2.25-hp Bosch router kit earns top ranking in more comparison reviews than any other model by a wide margin. Reviews say the scales are easy to read, bit changes and depth adjustments are easy, and the Bosch excels in overall comfort. You can adjust bit height from above a router table; a major convenience. The warranty is for one year.

The 2.25-horsepower Bosch 1617EVSPK woodworking router combo kit earns top ranking in more comparison reviews than any other model, leading the pack by a wide margin. (Woodworking router combo kits combine one motor with two bases: a fixed base for table-mounted and trimming work and a plunge base for cutting grooves in the middle of a work piece.) Reviews say the Bosch scales are easy to read, bit changes and depth adjustments are easy and the router excels in overall comfort. The newest version of this model lets you adjust bit height from above a router table, a major convenience. If you don't need both bases, you can spend less on the Milwaukee Body Grip 5615-21 (*est. $150), which has a fixed base only.

We found the most recent comparison review of the Bosch 1617EVSPK at Wood magazine, where it's tested along with 11 other router combo kits. Popular Mechanics compares it with six router kits, and though the comparison review in Taunton's 2007 Tool Guide is based on even earlier tests, it also reports rankings from a survey of over 6,000 readers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. Reviews at ToolsOfTheTrade.net and About.com cover the earlier version of the Bosch 1617EVSPK that lacks the above-table depth adjustment. Over a hundred owners review the Bosch 1617EVSPK at Amazon.com.

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Bosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets List Price: $439.00 Sale Price: $189.99 You save: $249.01 (57%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 7 new from $189.99  2 used from $159.99

Description

Handle a broad range of routing applications with the versatile Bosch 1617EVSPK Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit. This router kit includes a powerful motor with advanced speed control technology, precision bases, and plenty of advanced features to help get a variety of jobs done quickly and accurately...

Features

• Electronic variable speed plunge and fixed base router kit; soft start, micro-fine depth adjustments
• 2-1/4-horsepower router combination kit; variables speeds of 8,000 to 25,000 rpm
• Aluminum construction; wooden handles on fixed base; soft-grip handle on plunge base
• Includes plunge and fixed bases, collet chucks, wrenches, chip shields, carrying case
• 6.2 by 19-1/2 by 14-1/2 inches; 19-1/2 pounds; 1-year warranty

Reviews recommend this 3.25-horsepower Bosch wood router for heavy-duty routing even on hardwoods, praising its soft-start variable-speed motor, dust control and self-releasing collets. As a plunge router it can start grooves or cuts safely in the middle of a board, so it's versatile. Despite its 13.2-pound weight, reviews say this router maneuvers well for handheld use, yet also works well mounted in a router table. The large base opening and 2.56-inch maximum depth make it usable with large bits. It comes with a one-year warranty.

Reviewers praise the 3.25-horsepower Bosch 1619EVS as the best wood router for heavy-duty work -- even on hardwoods. As a plunge router, it can start grooves or cuts safely in the middle of a board, so it's versatile. Reviewers like its soft-start variable-speed motor, dust control, two-stage adjustment and self-releasing collets. Despite its 13.2-pound weight, reviewers say the Bosch 1619EVS maneuvers well for handheld use, yet also works well mounted in a router table. The large base opening and 2.56-inch maximum depth make it usable with large bits. The warranty is for one year. If you don’t need this much power, reviews suggest the 2.25-hp Bosch 1617EVSPK router combo kit (*est. $250), which comes with a plunge base (for cutting grooves in the middle of a work piece) plus a fixed base.

We found the best comparison review of big routers, including the Bosch 1619EVS along with other big routers, at Workbench magazine. An earlier comparison review at Woodworker's Journal provides plenty of detail, but doesn't rank or rate each router. At NewWoodworker.com, Tom Hintz provides the most detailed review of the Bosch 1619EVS, but notes no drawbacks. Several of the two dozen or so owner-written reviews of the Bosch 1619EVS at Amazon.com do note a few drawbacks and quality-control problems, as do the handful of reviews at Epinions.com.

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Bosch 1619EVS 15 Amp 3-1/4-Horsepower Variable Speed Plunge Base Router with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets List Price: $609.00 Sale Price: $299.00 You save: $310.00 (51%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 6 new from $299.00  1 used from $249.99

Description

Bosch has combined power and performance to create a plunge router that's ideally suited for virtually any application. The powerful 3-1/2-horsepower Bosch 1619EVS offers variable speeds of 8,000 to 21,000 rpm and a soft-start feature that minimizes startup torque...

Features

• 3-1/4-horsepower electric plunge router; soft start, micro-fine depth adjustments
• 2-Inch sub-base opening for large bits; variables speeds of 8,000 to 25,000 rpm
• Aluminum construction; wooden handles on fixed base; soft-grip handle on plunge base
• Includes plunge router, collet chucks, collet nut wrench, template guide adaptor, dust extraction hood, vacuum hose adapter, fine adjustment control extension
• 6-1/2 by 12 by 13-1/2 inches; 14.2 pounds; 1-year warranty

If you don't need to do plunge work, a fixed-base router costs less and can be easier to learn to use. This single-speed, 1.75-hp Milwaukee wood router lacks dust control, but does have self-releasing collets, so bits are easily changed. Reviews recommend it as an excellent choice as a first router. It's designed so you can hold it with one hand, and at 8.8 pounds, it's lighter than most. When mounted on a router table, reviews say height adjustment is still easy. Like most Milwaukee tools, it comes with a five-year warranty.

Reviewers recommend the Milwaukee Body Grip 5615-21 as an excellent first router -- easy to learn to use. It's designed so you can hold it with one hand, and it's lighter than most routers at just 8.8 pounds. This single-speed 1.75-hp Milwaukee wood router lacks dust control, but does have self-releasing collets, so bits are easily changed. Reviewers say height adjustment is easy even when the router is table-mounted. Like most Milwaukee tools, it comes with a five-year warranty. For more versatility, consider the more powerful variable-speed Bosch 1617EVSPK router combo kit (*est. $250), which includes a plunge base as well as a fixed base.

We found the best review of the Milwaukee Body Grip 5615-21 wood router at Popular Mechanics, where it's tested in comparison with six other routers. The single-product review at NewWoodworker.com adds excellent illustrations and more detail, but notes no drawbacks. Owner-written reviews at Amazon.com (plus a handful at Epinions.com) are more balanced, noting pros and cons plus a few apparent quality-control problems.

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Milwaukee 5615-21 1-3/4 Max-Horsepower BodyGrip Router Kit List Price: $294.00 Sale Price: $191.90 You save: $102.10 (35%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 2 new from $191.90  1 used from $159.99

Description

The Milwaukee 5615-21 churns through wood as well as any router in its class, but it's not the powerful 11 amp motor, the 100-percent-sealed bearing construction, or even the durable, machined-aluminum motor housing and base that make this router unique...

Features

• Exclusive BodyGrip design features a tactile handgrip molded-inch to the base of the router
• Linear depth adjustment system makes both coarse and micro-fine height adjustments quickly and accurately
• Router sub-base-includes a special access hole for above-the-table depth adjustments
• Package-includes 1/4- and 1/2-inch self-releasing collets

How Many Routers Do I Need?

Default Featured items Bestselling Price: low to high Price: high to low Alphabetical: A to Z Alphabetical: Z to A

	Bosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets List Price: $439.00 Sale Price: $189.99 You save: $249.01 (57%)
	Description Handle a broad range of routing applications with the versatile Bosch 1617EVSPK Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit. This router kit includes a powerful motor with advanced speed control technology, precision bases, and plenty of advanced features to help get a variety of jobs done quickly and accurately...

	DEWALT DW618PK 12-AMP 2-1/4 HP Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit List Price: $412.06 Sale Price: $199.99 You save: $212.07 (51%)
	Description Featuring a 12 amp variable-speed, soft-start motor, the DEWALT 2-1/4-Inch Fixed-Base/Plunge-Base Router Combo Kit is packed with smart design features that make routing easy. Depth adjustment and base changes are tool free, and integrated dust control keeps work spaces clean and improves cut line visibility...

	DEWALT DWP611PK 1.25 HP Max Torque Variable Speed Compact Router Combo Kit with LED's List Price: $350.24 Sale Price: $168.00 You save: $182.24 (52%)
	Description Combining power, ease-of-use, ergonomic features and innovations designed for visibility, control and overall performance, the DEWALT DWP611PK compact router can handle a variety of applications--from small bevel cuts to large edge profiles and heavy flush trimming...

	PORTER-CABLE 693LRPK 1-3/4 HP Fixed Router and Plunge Base Kit List Price: $415.88 Sale Price: $209.00 You save: $206.88 (50%)
	Description The Porter-Cable 693LRPK 11 Amp fixed router and plunge base kit utilizes a hefty 1-3/4 HP motor to generate a mind-blowing 27,500 RPM for ultra-precise cuts. The six-position adjustable turret makes stepped plunge cuts quick and easy, and motor transitions between fixed and plunge base extremely fast...

Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets List Price: $327.07 Sale Price: $179.00 You save: $148.07 (45%)

Description The Hitachi KM12VC 2-1/4-Peak-Horsepower Fixed/Plunge-Base Router Kit is made for fine groove cutting, chamfering, window cutting, trimming, shaping, and pattern cutting. Featuring Hitachi's ergonomic styling, a powerful motor that is the quietest in its class, a two-state motor-release clamp, easy base changes, quick depth adjustments, and more, this router kit is a valuable addition to any workshop...

	MLCS 8377 15-Piece Router Bit Set with Carbide-Tipped 1/2-Inch Shanks List Price: $69.95 Sale Price: $41.52 You save: $28.43 (41%)
	Description The MLCS 8377 router bit set is a perfect, economical, all-purpose starter set for your woodworking hobby. It has quality, carbide-tipped bits with 1/2-inch shanks and comes with a wood storage box.

	Dremel 335-01 Plunge Router Attachment List Price: $37.96 Sale Price: $23.61 You save: $14.35 (38%)
	Description Anyone who's ever used a router understands the satisfaction that a cleanly cut rabbet or mortise can give. But if you're working on small-scale projects, such as jewelry boxes or models, that monster three-horsepower fixed-base router with the 1/2-inch bit is simply overkill...

	Makita RF1101KIT2 2-1/4-Horsepower Variable-Speed Plunge Router Kit List Price: $407.00 Sale Price: $249.00 You save: $158.00 (39%)
	Description The Makita 2-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router Kit features an ultra-quiet motor along with convenient fixed and plunge bases. It also has a variable speed control dial of 8,000 to 24,000 RPM, matching the speed to the materials...

PORTER-CABLE 450PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Fixed/Plunge Combo Kit Sale Price: $159.00

Description Porter-Cable's 450PK 1.25-horsepower compact router kit includes both a fixed base and a plunge base to tackle a wide range of woodworking applications (view larger). Porter-Cable’s 450PK 1.25-horsepower compact router fixed/plunge combo kit delivers a lightweight yet powerful palm-grip router that can tackle a versatile range of light to heavy-duty woodworking applications thanks to its fixed-base and plunge-base capabilities...

	Black & Decker RP250 10 Amp 2-1/4-Inch Variable Speed Plunge Router List Price: $123.20 Sale Price: $72.32 You save: $50.88 (41%)
	Description The Black & Decker RP250 10 Amp 2-1/4-Inch Variable Speed Plunge Router gives you all of the functionality of a fixed router--and much more. Not only can it create decorative edging like a fixed router, but its unique construction allows you to start work in the middle of a piece of wood, rather than at the edge, which lets you create cut-outs, inlays, and more for stunning results...

Router Table Tricks for Deep Cuts

Default Featured items Bestselling Price: low to high Price: high to low Alphabetical: A to Z Alphabetical: Z to A

	Bosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets List Price: $439.00 Sale Price: $189.99 You save: $249.01 (57%)
	Description Handle a broad range of routing applications with the versatile Bosch 1617EVSPK Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit. This router kit includes a powerful motor with advanced speed control technology, precision bases, and plenty of advanced features to help get a variety of jobs done quickly and accurately...

	DEWALT DWP611PK 1.25 HP Max Torque Variable Speed Compact Router Combo Kit with LED's List Price: $350.24 Sale Price: $168.00 You save: $182.24 (52%)
	Description Combining power, ease-of-use, ergonomic features and innovations designed for visibility, control and overall performance, the DEWALT DWP611PK compact router can handle a variety of applications--from small bevel cuts to large edge profiles and heavy flush trimming...

	DEWALT DW618PK 12-AMP 2-1/4 HP Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit List Price: $412.06 Sale Price: $199.99 You save: $212.07 (51%)
	Description Featuring a 12 amp variable-speed, soft-start motor, the DEWALT 2-1/4-Inch Fixed-Base/Plunge-Base Router Combo Kit is packed with smart design features that make routing easy. Depth adjustment and base changes are tool free, and integrated dust control keeps work spaces clean and improves cut line visibility...

	MLCS 8377 15-Piece Router Bit Set with Carbide-Tipped 1/2-Inch Shanks List Price: $69.95 Sale Price: $41.52 You save: $28.43 (41%)
	Description The MLCS 8377 router bit set is a perfect, economical, all-purpose starter set for your woodworking hobby. It has quality, carbide-tipped bits with 1/2-inch shanks and comes with a wood storage box.

	Dremel TR750 3-Piece Straight Router Bit Kit List Price: $20.08 Sale Price: $11.99 You save: $8.09 (40%)
	Description For routing, inlaying and mortising in wood and other soft materials. Made of high-speed steel. For use with the Dremel Trio Tool.

Festool TS 55 EQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw

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10 of Our All-Time Favorite Woodworking Tips
Woodsmith magazine has been around since 1979 and ShopNotes since the early 90’s. When you factor in Workbench (which is celebrating its 50th year in 2007), that means there are literally hundreds of tips to choose from for this seminar. We left it up to Craig Ruegsegger, senior editor and videographer for all three publications, to whittle down the thousands of tips available to come up with his “Ten All-Time Favorite Woodworking Tips!”
What he came up with is a mix of timely tips for most of the major operations in a typical home shop. You’ll find tips for cutting panels down to size on the table saw, to simple ideas to make installing drawer slides easier. As an added bonus, he’ll offer some ideas for protecting your investment by documenting your shop with video and photos.

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Black & Decker BDC120VA100 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Drill
Kit with 100 Accessories

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Black & Decker BDC120VA100 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Drill Kit with 100 Accessories List Price: $139.00 Sale Price: $89.99 You save: $49.01 (35%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 3 new from $89.99  2 used from $79.65

Description

Lithium power, compact size, and ergonomic features combine to create a powerful, lightweight, drill/driver from Black & Decker. This drill/driver features lithium-ion battery technology and because of Black & Decker’s exclusive smart charge technology, can hold a charge of up to 500 days between projects...

Features

• Lithium-ion battery is always ready and holds a charge up to 18 months
• 24-position clutch prevents stripping and over driving screws
• 100-piece assortment of accessories ideal for all your needs
• Ideal for drilling through or screw driving in wood, metal, and plastic
• Includes the drill, one battery, a charger, a ratcheting screwdriver and an accessory kit

Nothing dresses up a cabinet like crown molding. The best way to fasten the molding is with glue and brad nails. Check out these tricks for keeping your crown molding installation neat and professional looking.