[Kevtron]

I am setting up a garage DIY shop. I was at a local pawn shop and they had a new in the box DW618PKB router kit for $130 with tax. Since I purchased it I been looking online and there seems to be a lot of issues with the speed control magnet failing especially if the router is mounted in a table. Did I make a bad purchase? I would like to make a router table and mount this router in it but now I am having second thoughts. Does anyone have experience with this router mounted in a router table?

 

[Kevtron]

First, welcome to the Forum. I don't use that router. I wasn't impressed by the raising and lowering mechanism. Did the kit come with a plunge base, or just the regular flat base?

I just searched YouTube for a video on table mounting that router, and didn't find a single one! That is amazing to me. Other DeWalt routers were shown. I would do a search of router plate makers to find out if they have one pre drilled for the 618.

Another possibility is to use the router hand held, and buy another just for the table. A Bosch 1617, for example, can be purchased as motor only, and then add the
BOSCH RA1165 Under-Table Router Base with Above-Table Hex Key
View attachment 403811
Amazon's price is about $67 and it will allow you to adjust the router height easily from above the table. That is a great convenience.

Keep the DeWalt, which is a very nice hand held router, and use the 1617 only in the table. You will find many different brands of plates pre drilled for the 1617 base.

The kit I got came with both the fixed and plunge base, which is why I thought it was a good deal. I will look into the Bosch option the $67 mount seems like a good inexpensive way to adjust the height. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Kevtron]

Thanks for this post…I was just about to buys the DW 618, to go with the Rockler Convertible table. I have very little room and right now, I’m just doing small projects. I’ll have to read into it more…or take DesertRatTom’s advice and look into the Bosch motor.

That is a cool looking table and currently on sale. I see the router plate will accept the DW618 and the Bosch 1617.

 

[Kevtron]

I have the DW618.....I got the 3 base kit. I mounted it in my DIY router table. I have an extra fixed base which is permanently mounted in the table top. I use the router both freehand and in the table but most of my work is done with the router in the table. I have also read that mounting the DW618 router upside down is not a good idea because of the direction of air movement. I've had the router for almost 20 years. Just recently the magnet ring broke. A new OEM magnet ring cost less than $3 and is a very easy fix. Also, there was virtually no dust inside the router when I opened it to replace the magnet ring. In the table I have routed a lot of MDF and Red Oak.
I am a DIYer and other than a Makita compact router and an old Sears router I have no experience with other mid-sized routers.
I didn't see a lot of complaints about the magnet ring but would be interested to read them. Could you provide some info on where you saw the articles. Thank You.

I went back searching today and didn’t find as many as I did during my previous late night searching. Here are a few that I found again.

Buyer Beware - DW618 not suitable for router table

Dewalt 618 Router Problem

Dewalt 618 router

Recommendation on a new router under $150