Looking for some advice. I own a Bosch 1617 router with 2 fixed bases (one permanently attached to a nice Woodpeckers router plate), a plunge base, and the edge guide.
I frequently move the router motor between the plunge base, the fixed base, and the fixed base attached to the router plate.
My plunge base has seemingly failed. The plunge mechanism started to wobble. I removed the plastic handle and spring, and found a brash bushing is deformed and I can't get the brass bolt to work smoothly anymore (not to mention the black plastic
handle that contacts the brass nut head as wearing). Pretty disappointing given it is < 5 years old with very occasional use. Note the height adjustment hexnut on my fixed base is starting to strip out (which I frequently use for height adjustment on the router table). Appears I can possibly buy repairs parts for the plunge base, but disassembling it is a complete mystery. No idea how to get the rods removed.
Right now I'm inclined to buy a new plunge router. This makes my Bosch edge guide useless, and makes my Bosch 1617 my permanent router table motor (and I have the second fixed base to use once the one height adjustment on my existing one is fully stripped out...sigh).
Triton MOF001C??
Otherwise I'm considering a refurbished Bosch 1617 combo kit that gives me yet another fixed base (a third one!), a new plunge base, and another 1617 router motor for $180. But I'm concerned about continuing to buy into Bosch where I'm having wear problems.
I'm a weekend warrior. I have used the Bosch for very occasional heavy panel bits. But probably only a few times a year for that. Otherwise right now I'm trying to use the plunge base to cut 1.5" deep mortises, and mostly use it for other cavity and roundover routing. Seems I can get away with the 1617 motor for my occasional panel bit use and that a smaller plunge router would work fine for my other jobs. (Though cutting 0.5" mortises 1.5" deep is kind of heavy).
I frequently move the router motor between the plunge base, the fixed base, and the fixed base attached to the router plate.
My plunge base has seemingly failed. The plunge mechanism started to wobble. I removed the plastic handle and spring, and found a brash bushing is deformed and I can't get the brass bolt to work smoothly anymore (not to mention the black plastic
handle that contacts the brass nut head as wearing). Pretty disappointing given it is < 5 years old with very occasional use. Note the height adjustment hexnut on my fixed base is starting to strip out (which I frequently use for height adjustment on the router table). Appears I can possibly buy repairs parts for the plunge base, but disassembling it is a complete mystery. No idea how to get the rods removed.
Right now I'm inclined to buy a new plunge router. This makes my Bosch edge guide useless, and makes my Bosch 1617 my permanent router table motor (and I have the second fixed base to use once the one height adjustment on my existing one is fully stripped out...sigh).
Triton MOF001C??
Otherwise I'm considering a refurbished Bosch 1617 combo kit that gives me yet another fixed base (a third one!), a new plunge base, and another 1617 router motor for $180. But I'm concerned about continuing to buy into Bosch where I'm having wear problems.
I'm a weekend warrior. I have used the Bosch for very occasional heavy panel bits. But probably only a few times a year for that. Otherwise right now I'm trying to use the plunge base to cut 1.5" deep mortises, and mostly use it for other cavity and roundover routing. Seems I can get away with the 1617 motor for my occasional panel bit use and that a smaller plunge router would work fine for my other jobs. (Though cutting 0.5" mortises 1.5" deep is kind of heavy).
