Bosch 1619EVS.
largest bit opening and a spring defeat and whole lotta power.
largest bit opening and a spring defeat and whole lotta power.
Best router for a router table
Looking to buy a router to mount in a router table and would like to know the best router..
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Hi, chin aleong,
Do you have any router(s) now? If not I recommend starting with a router kit that includes 2 bases. That way you can put the fixed base in the table and have the plunge base for free hand. If you get one of the more popular brands(porter cable,bosch,hitachi,etc),you can usually find spare bases on ebay fairly cheap. I have 1 router motor,1 plunge base,and 2 fixed bases.
If you've allready got a good handheld router and are just looking for a larger one for a table. The hitachi m12 seems to be pretty popular here as you get a lot of hp for the buck. I plan to get one someday, but so far hav'nt found the limit of my 2.25 hp hitachi.
Rusty
Do you have any router(s) now? If not I recommend starting with a router kit that includes 2 bases. That way you can put the fixed base in the table and have the plunge base for free hand. If you get one of the more popular brands(porter cable,bosch,hitachi,etc),you can usually find spare bases on ebay fairly cheap. I have 1 router motor,1 plunge base,and 2 fixed bases.
If you've allready got a good handheld router and are just looking for a larger one for a table. The hitachi m12 seems to be pretty popular here as you get a lot of hp for the buck. I plan to get one someday, but so far hav'nt found the limit of my 2.25 hp hitachi.
Rusty
The Bosch 1619EVS was top rated in the most recent router test of 3+ HP routers and suggested as the router to buy if you could only afford one. Members are pleased with this model and with the Hitachi M12V2. The old standard was the PC 7518 and mine cuts like a bulldozer going through butter. Having said that, unless you plan to build many projects with raised panels you could save some money by going with the Bosch 1617EVSPK which includes both a plunge and a fixed base to mount to the table. This model was top rated in the most recent test of the 2+ HP combo kits. Members are happy with this model, the Hitachi KM12VS, and the PC 895.
aniceone2hold said:The old standard was the PC 7518 and mine cuts like a bulldozer going through butter.
Yep. The Porter-Cable 7518 *IS* the industry standard. It has a long proven track record and is powerful enough to do raised panels in a single pass. I use one in a table, never had a need for anything else. Couple the #7518 with a router lift and you have a very nice setup that will rival a professional shaper for performance.
router table
hi
Have a craftman 2 hp router, with 2 bases.. -- only holds 1/4" bits, one speed, no soft start..
And have a Porter cable laminate trimmer..
Would like to set up a router table and still planing to you the craftman for plunging work.
bye
dennis
hi
Have a craftman 2 hp router, with 2 bases.. -- only holds 1/4" bits, one speed, no soft start..
And have a Porter cable laminate trimmer..
Would like to set up a router table and still planing to you the craftman for plunging work.
bye
dennis
18243015 said:Hi, chin aleong,
Do you have any router(s) now? If not I recommend starting with a router kit that includes 2 bases. That way you can put the fixed base in the table and have the plunge base for free hand. If you get one of the more popular brands(porter cable,bosch,hitachi,etc),you can usually find spare bases on ebay fairly cheap. I have 1 router motor,1 plunge base,and 2 fixed bases.
If you've allready got a good handheld router and are just looking for a larger one for a table. The hitachi m12 seems to be pretty popular here as you get a lot of hp for the buck. I plan to get one someday, but so far hav'nt found the limit of my 2.25 hp hitachi.
Rusty
I just got a Triton 3.25 hp after much reading and agonizing. Like you I wanted a dedicated table router, So far I couldn't be happier with this unit.
Hello Chin -
I have used several Craftsman routers... (only fair), a Porter Cable (very good). These were all stolen last year, but one old Craftsman. I got a Bosch 1617EVS kit with both fixed and plunge bases. I am very pleased with it (Best of all the routers I have ever owned). Works great in the tables and out.
Roger
(Roefa)
I have used several Craftsman routers... (only fair), a Porter Cable (very good). These were all stolen last year, but one old Craftsman. I got a Bosch 1617EVS kit with both fixed and plunge bases. I am very pleased with it (Best of all the routers I have ever owned). Works great in the tables and out.
Roger
(Roefa)
LOVE my Milwaukee 3 1/2 hp router. Don't need any kind of secondary router raiser with this one as it comes built in. You can raise or lower the barrell right through the top of the router table plate.
Bosch, Triton, Milwaukee, Porter cable does it really matter, if it is a 12-15 amp router it is more than adequate for a table? I would look at these four and just go on the best price.
If you can get a Hitachi M12V and do not mind an older router style with less options it is a work horse. Any of these will be fantastic in a table and again I would just get the best price on anyone of them and you will be happy.
If you are going to pull the router out of the table then you have a little more to think about.
My personal favorite in a table is the Milwaukee although I have had trouble with the on/off switch intermittently, working which is a known issue. But still there is just something about the sound and power I like.
If the Bosch popped out of the base like the Milwaukee I would choose it. I hate that you have to unscrew the entire unit if you want it out of the table(or use the table insert as your router plate) and can not just toss it in another base. I just prefer the type of router that slides out of the base unit.
And the HP rating are ridiculous.
The Bosch is a 3 1/4 HP and the Milwaukee a 3 1/2 HP, but they both pull 15 amps? They are the same go by amperage not HP.
If you can get a Hitachi M12V and do not mind an older router style with less options it is a work horse. Any of these will be fantastic in a table and again I would just get the best price on anyone of them and you will be happy.
If you are going to pull the router out of the table then you have a little more to think about.
My personal favorite in a table is the Milwaukee although I have had trouble with the on/off switch intermittently, working which is a known issue. But still there is just something about the sound and power I like.
If the Bosch popped out of the base like the Milwaukee I would choose it. I hate that you have to unscrew the entire unit if you want it out of the table(or use the table insert as your router plate) and can not just toss it in another base. I just prefer the type of router that slides out of the base unit.
And the HP rating are ridiculous.
The Bosch is a 3 1/4 HP and the Milwaukee a 3 1/2 HP, but they both pull 15 amps? They are the same go by amperage not HP.
Best Router for a router table
I like the Porter Cable Routers. I've been using them for a long time. Never had any issues. I currently have the 890 series set up in a Jessem lift in the side table on the TS and also have the 7518 set up in a Jessem Mater Lift router table. Both are incredible routers. Tim
I like the Porter Cable Routers. I've been using them for a long time. Never had any issues. I currently have the 890 series set up in a Jessem lift in the side table on the TS and also have the 7518 set up in a Jessem Mater Lift router table. Both are incredible routers. Tim
Definitely DON'T go by amp ratings. Do you really think the 15-amp sawzalls of today are twice as powerful as the 7-8 amps of a few years ago? It's all smoke and mirrors. They rig the wiring for higher amp ratings without actually feeding more power to the motors. Tool company marketing is a dirty business. It's best to go on reputation, research and reviews, IMO. What I'm really wondering is now that they've got 15-amp pencil sharpeners and can't go any higher, what the heck is the new stat they're going to play games with?And the HP rating are ridiculous.
The Bosch is a 3 1/4 HP and the Milwaukee a 3 1/2 HP, but they both pull 15 amps? They are the same go by amperage not HP.
Limitation on tool power has a lot more to do with gearing, quality of the motors and overheating than how much juice you can suck out of a power outlet.
I'm glad you like the Milwaukee and the M12V though. I've got the latter and it was a brief dilemma over the former but the Hitachi was too cheap for a new one given its scarcity to pass up.
The Milwaukee seems built for a router table and I'll bet it lasts until the end of time if you buy a few replacement switches for it. (why does EVERYBODY have switch problems?) I'd consider Bosch and Makita's high-power routers too. I think Dewalt has a well-liked 2.25 but I'm not sure how their higher-powered router compares. I'm wary of newer PC stuff but that might not be justified.
I think I may actually just use my Hitachi for freehand and pick up the Milwaukee fixed-base for a table when I have the money to burn. The Hitachi has a rather silly setup for templates that get in the way of more shallow depth setting for wider bits. You can always cut them off but as heavy as it is, I actually like free-handing with my Hitachi and the plunge-action seems nice. I've got a Craftsman from the '70s I can use for the 1/4" bits.
Hello chin,Looking to buy a router to mount in a router table and would like to know the best router..
I own both the Bosch 1617EVS and the 1619. The 1619 is dedicated to the router table and I love it. If you do not want to spend that much for the 1619 then go with the 1617 EVS they are both great routers. I also have had great luck with Bosch customer Service. I recently sent in my 1617 for a Body change to the Stainless because of the corrosion on the old magnesium frame. They not only replaced the body but the Bearing and Switch. No charge plus they paid for shipping. If you are not sure about how you would like the Bosch or any router then go to several stores and see how they feel in your hands. That is what I did and loved how the Plunge and Fixed bases felt for hand work. My next router purchase will be another 1617 for sign making. I am also going to make a large Base plate for it. That is my 2 cents. To me the best router is what you can afford and how it feels in your hands.
porter cable 7518 or 7519 the bestLooking to buy a router to mount in a router table and would like to know the best router..
If the router is going to spend it's life under the table then go for the Porter cable 7518 with a lift system like the Jessem or the Woodpeckers master lift, with this combo thiers nothing you cant do on a router table.
If you're like me swaping bits on a regular basis then it's worth going with the lift hands down. I would suggest a 2 1/4 hp plunge router for bench use, I do use the Triton routers and have no complaints yet.
Cheers
Glen
If you're like me swaping bits on a regular basis then it's worth going with the lift hands down. I would suggest a 2 1/4 hp plunge router for bench use, I do use the Triton routers and have no complaints yet.
Cheers
Glen
I agree with Glen on that one a great choice of combinations there
update...
Brought a pc 7518 router, Jessem lift, freud raised bit set...
Yet to start making routertable..
Any suggestion on table size, etc? or pics of tables
dennis
Brought a pc 7518 router, Jessem lift, freud raised bit set...
Yet to start making routertable..
Any suggestion on table size, etc? or pics of tables
dennis
I went with the Porter Cable 2 1/4 HP model with fixed base that allowed raising and lowering through the base. I wasn't sure if that would be enough horsepower for my router table, but so far I have no complaints at all. As for favorite routers, I also have a Milwaukee (1 3/4 hp bodygrip model) and a Bosch 1617EVS with the two bases, and they are all great. It would be hard to pick just one, but if I was forced to pick, I'd go with the Bosch.
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