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I had to send it in to Bosch TWICE to get it to work again. Its the best in its price range.(Plus those maple handles just look so damn good).----EDIT----FYI.Just after writing this review the router just died. It was ten months old. I've had this router for over a year now, mounted under a table. Very disappointing. I'm only working with hard woods and it has never bogged down or frozen any bits. So far it has done everything I have asked of it and more. More than enough power.
Quite frankly, this unit is probably more than a DIY amateur like myself requires. The Bosch is really meant to be heavily used by professionals and serious woodworking hobbyists. I wanted a basic router with adequate power to do some simple remodeling jobs around the house and this model has been perfect. Although I am not familiar with them, the Skil and Craftman routers would probably serve my purposes and be far cheaper. But if you have the money, I recommend this model highly. I do not need to make blind dados and therefore did not need a plunge unit. I do not use larger bits and therefore did not require variable speed.
I've cut rails and stiles and raised panels with it in a router table and it handled it like a champ. Nice. and the handles feel great. This router is perfect. Bosch make the best fixed base router on the market, Hands Down. More than enough power. I was going to spend the extra for the 2HP version but I tested this one first. It comes with a 1/2" and 1/4" collet.
Great Service.The more I use this router, the more I like it. I needed a fixed base router for my Leigh Jig and was originally going to purchase the P.C 690. The 690 was called the "Screaming Dinosaur". The variable speed version of this router has electronic feedback which maintains you horsepower while reducing the speed.
When you run larger bits (which this machine can handle) you need a slower speed. Router speed controls cut you horsepower as well as your speed. I know where to set the jig, and the dovetails come out perfect every time.For general purpose use, I highly recommend spending the extra money on the variable speed model. This router is so precise and consistent, I do not need to make test cuts for the dovetail pins on my Leigh Jig.
Someone even commented that it torqued it's way out of a router table. The machine is relatively quiet (for a router)and the quality of construction is top notch. After some inquiring on a woodworking bulliten board, I decided not to purchase the P.C. It is very powerful, and the depth adjustment is very precise, very easy to use and just cant be beat.
Fortunately, Bosch was the seller and they rectified the situation by sending me a brand new non refurbished model. It was an outdated design, very noisy, and underpowered. Ouch.I picked up a refurbished Bosch 1617 at an auction and when it arrived it was damaged.
But with what I've done thus far I find adequate power, and all else appears to be in order. I, like many, started 'routing' with a PC 690, but the price in the zshop for a referb Bosch 1617 was to compelling. I'd buy another refurb machine in a heart beat. I really like the big wood knobs. I like the quick change giude gizmo, I'll really like it when I get the adaptor plate and can use the PC guides (Where does one find Bosch guides). I am very used to yanking the motor out of the base on the PC to change bits and this Bosch machine is not so easily saparated from the base.
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