Mixing Bosch 1617 Router fixed base with Craftsman professional router

sf_basilix

Hello,

About 2 years ago I purchased the Craftsman Professional Router (without the light) that looks just like the Bosch 1617EVS. The router works fine with the exception of tightening the collet - but I'll save that for another thread...

My setup consists of a Benchdog Cast Iron Router Table extension on my Grizzly 1023S tablesaw. When I tried to line up the holes for the benchdog router table insert to the Craftsman fixed base, nothing lined up even remotely. My base did not even come close to the Bosch 1617EVS router holes, so I ended up spending a few hours making my own lined-up holes, which was intense to say the least.

Well, as it turns out now, I need to insert a bushing for a 1/4" spiral bit, however the Benchdog router table insert does not accommodate for any bushings. The router plate itself is too thick and the opening is too large for the bushing.

So my concern now is to find a way to get this to work. My thoughts were that I was going to need to purchase a new router table insert for this router, but I know that I'm going to have the same struggles with no holes to match my craftsman router unless I go through that mess again drilling holes and lining things up. Not to mention, the bushing kit I purchased insists that the bushing must be *exactly* centered or the kit will not work. (Fairly obvious for any bushing kit I assume)

My thoughts were this - does anyone own both of these routers in their workshop? I was thinking if the bases looked the same between the Bosch and the Craftsman router (I've only used the Craftsman, not the Bosch) would the Craftsman router fit into the Bosch fixed base? If so, I would probably purchase a Bosch fixed router base and then not have to worry about what router table insert I go with. The router itself has a number of cut-out grooves that interlock into the fixed base for the adjustment screw that changes the height. There's also a small pin that has to be lined up before the router can be inserted into the base. I can take detailed pictures of my router if that could help anyone.

So after my long winded post (sorry!), does anyone know if this will work? Does anyone have these two routers that they can test this setup before I go ahead and invest any more $$ into my router? My only other alternative is to bite the bullet and purchase the Bosch Router set, but I was hoping to use that on something else that I didn't have in my workshop....

Many Thanks to all!
S.F.

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Dr.Zook

Welcome to the forums S.F.

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Dave
the "Doctor"

In woodworking there is no scrap, only firewood.

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Thank you.

Mike

SF, The Craftsman 26620 router you own is a clone of the Bosch 1617 with two differences. Yours uses the Craftsman style base plate and had the additional hole for above the table height adjustments that the origonal 1617's did not.(Current models do) Never having had the opportunity to compare the bases side by side I am not sure of the differences. Last time I checked my local store had one 26620 left in stock that was missing some parts. I will go today and compare the sub base plates if they still have it. It is possible to modify your mounting plate for an insert ring which would accept the Porter cable or the larger Router Workshop style guide bushings, you will find directions in a couple of postings on the forums. I will post the results of my Sears trip tonight.

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Mike
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sf_basilix

Thanks Dr.Zook for the welcome, glad to be here and to have found this place online!

Mike - I appreciate you looking into this!

Thanks!
SF

Mike

With all that is going on in my life I didnt make it to Sears today. I will tomorrow.

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Mike
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sf_basilix

Hi Mike,

The other day, I had posted this same question on another board elsewhere and someone just replied today. It turns out that they happened to have both with them and they do indeed fit inside each other's fixed base.

Looks like I'll go ahead and purchase the Bosch fixed base and use that to attach to the router plate instead of having to drill additional holes.

Thanks for all your help everyone!!

SF

Dave_Willemain

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[font=Georgia][size=5]Dave Willemain
Columbia, MD
DAve_Willemain@yahoo.com

Mike

All Sears had to do was use the Bosch sub base plate and they would still be selling this model. For those who did not know the 26620 routers are history and have been for a long time. Sears managed to make a few more bucks by getting B&D to build them a PC 890 series router with lower life span. I am not knocking the new Craftsman routers, they provide a lot of value for little cost.

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Mike
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Dave_Willemain

I have come to wonder if there are variations of the Craftsman. My Craftsman and Bosch 1617 & 1618 swap bodies and motors with ease. The sub-base also swap easily,. The only fuuctional difference seems to be that the Bosch requires an adapter for buishings.

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[font=Georgia][size=5]Dave Willemain
Columbia, MD
DAve_Willemain@yahoo.com

lgmonson

Bite the bullet and use the Craftsman for off-the-table work.

PS: The height adjustment screw from the Sears "look-a-like" router can be used convert older Bosch 1617 fixed bases to "above the table" adjustment. (It is the exact same P/N and when ordered from Sears they come in Bosch factory packaging) you just need to drill a hole in the base flange. Aluminum bases already have the hole parially drilled and it can be seen under the plastic base plate.

Another bit of info: The 1617 fixed bases are already drilled to accept the phenolic PC base plates then you can use the PC style bushings merely by installing a PC base plate.