Curious myself, on their lesser hp models, I found the plunge mechanisms a bit sticky/clunky feeling compared to others, but maybe this beefier model is better.

 

I have all the current plunge models of Bosch routers available in the US and they all work smoothly. The MRC23EVSK and the 1619EVS both draw 15 amps so they should have the same hp. There are internal differences so it is tough to tell. If you are not in a hurry next month we will be doing comparison testing on 3+ hp models and the results might be worth waiting for.

 

Looking forward to this review Mike. I have mainly PC's in my shop. The 890 series and they are good for me. So this should be very helpful for all the members.:thank_you2:

 

"Is the Bosch 1619EVS still a best buy?"
************************************
Best buy = ? Quality/lb, Lbs/$, what?
In my view, it is the most powerful plunge router in the USA.
It is also the biggest.
But a tool with more favorable ergonomics, facility and control: Maybe DW 621.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Consider trying out the Makita RP 2301FC. It is a rock solid router, very smooth, very powerful, and the balance is very good. looks are functional though.

 

The 1619EVS has the largest base opening and the most plunge depth of all the 3+ hp routers. The plunge lever has a secondary lever built in to defeat the plunge springs for table use. The depth rod has a ball fitting on the end that can be inserted into the key hole in the turret; the turret is then twisted one position to lock the depth rod into place for continuous depth adjustment above or below the table. These features are all unique to the 1619. I will be sure to include photos of these features when the Detroit area forum members do the 3+ hp router comparison testing next month.

 

The 1619EVS has the largest base opening and the most plunge depth of all the 3+ hp routers.

Hi Mike

Largest base opening, maybe in the USA, over here in the EU the Trend T11 tops it easily at over 70mm. The Bosch isn't the deepest plunger, either. The Trends (T10/T11) and deWalt DW625 both beat it at 70mm plunge depth (the Bosch is 65mm) whilst the Festool OF2200 trumps them all at fantastic 80mm plunge depth

Not saying it isn't a good router (I think it is), and it is certainly quiet against the DW/Trend designs, just that it has lots of competition

Regards

Phil

 

Not just blowin' smoke here with respect to the 1619.
Knew the engineers at Bosch when they dynamo-ed the 1619 vs 7518 (the most powerful extant fixed base).
Amps is amps but which motor stands the most stress before it blows up is the more practical query.
And Bosch, in the lab, would beat out the 7518 for every sample.
**************
Again you're right about Festool. I meant to say the tradionally named US machines.
(Milwaukee, PC, DW, & Bosch, not Sumos, Aussies nor German Shepards)

 

Good to hear the DW625 plunge depth is greater as well, didn't know that. I don't need that much power yet, the DW621 2hp meets my specs & requirements for now and like it's bigger cousin the 625 has a superb human engineering design for the plunge release/lock, trigger, etc.

While Dewalt isn't the tool it used to be several years ago before B&D bought and they've traded owners since, they have a few decent tools still. Same can be said for tool quality with Makita, Wilwaukee, Bosch and Porter Cables, biggest complaint about all of these brands besides the general cheaper designing is quality, noteably brushes & triggers. But I talk to many with all of these brands that swear by them.

I'd love to get my hands on a Festool & Trend router to test-drive, not sure around here who has them in-store. Are the Trend power tools better than other Trend tools? For example: Trend mortise/tenon jig, subpar by comparison to other comparable m/t store bought jigs. Just curious.

 

I'd love to get my hands on a Festool & Trend router to test-drive, not sure around here who has them in-store. Are the Trend power tools better than other Trend tools? For example: Trend mortise/tenon jig, subpar by comparison to other comparable m/t store bought jigs. Just curious.

Hi Brett

I've only ever gotten my mitts on an OF2200 at a Festool trade day. They are big, the build quality is superb, the accessories are really useful, they are very powerful (against an 1850 watt earlier DW625) - but they cost a fortune! I can buy 2-1/2 DW625 for one of them (which means I can't justify buying one - at the moment!)

The only Trend power tools I can talk about are the T5, T10 and T11. The T5 comes from the same factory (same production line) in Slovenia as the Perles OF3-808, Virutex FR278 and deWalt DW615 and many of the components are interchangeable. Whilst these tools are basically an updated version of the old Elu MOF96e (3304 in the USA) the quality has dropped somewhat since the days when they were manufactured in Switzerland. The T10/T11 are basically rebadged deWalt DW625e routers built in the same Slovenian plant as the T5 (and incidentally the current DW625 typ 6) and as such share most of the components of the DW model. The main difference is that Trend has actually had some engineering input into the bases of "their" routers which make them somewhat better IMHO (e.g. the T11 has a massive opening and above the table adjustment in router tables). Once again quality has slipped since the days of the Swiss-built Elu MOF177e (3339 in USA), but having said that they still aren't too bad (better, I'd say then the P-C 690s I had new about 12 years back) and both "families" are still a lot better put together than any of the Chinese routers we get over here. Can't say about the T4, though, as I don't have one, nor have I used one, but there are plenty of users on here who will comment, I'm sure

I'm surprised about your comments about the Trend accessories, though. I regularly use the Trend lock jigs, hinge jig, worktop jig and sometimes their stair routing templates and N-Compass. Overall I find that they are all well up to trade use, admittedly with a few niggles here and there. Once again I can only comment based on my own experience, but that is over a number of years of professional use

Regards

Phil

 

One question, though. Really, what is the advantage of the larger base opening? I never retract my panel raiser into the base anyway, and I don't have any other bits large enough for that to matter! Hopefully, not too many users are running that size bit handheld. Is it really that big of an advantage?

 

"that size bit handheld. Is it really that big of an advantage?"
************************
(Commenting on cutter size)
************************
In my view: NO
Routers, whether upside down or right side up, should not see cutters >2" in length or diameter. And that's pushin' it.
Big cutters have long been the domain of shapers where the skill, fixturing and power demands can easily be met.
Whence those west of the 135th starting copying and reducing/producing shaper cutters for router use, adversity in RouterDOm began.
Routers can't handle the stress, collets can't hold the cutters & they run the cutters out of round, balancing issues had to be addressed, routers needed to be redesigned and at the expense of facility in normal use, & ER visits were far more frequent and hand surgeons have had their field days ever since.

 

Routers, whether upside down or right side up, should not see cutters >2" in length or diameter. And that's pushin' it.

Hi Pat

I'm pretty much in agreement with that. There have been the odd jobs (e.g. Corian counters) where I've had to use massive oversized round-over bits, but those jobs have always required the router to be strapped onto a large, heavy piece of MDF as an oversized base (with extra handles) and the cuts with those sorts of set-ups are made extremely gingerly. Fortunately very few tasks require that sort of approach

Whence those west of the 135th starting copying and reducing/producing shaper cutters for router use, adversity in RouterDOm began.

Please humour me on this one - what is "west of the 135th"? Are we talking West Coast?

Regards

Phil

 

The information I mentioned is from the last magazine testing of 3+ hp routers. I will have to go digging to find the article. (Where is BJ when you need him?)

Oh and Brett, see photo.

 

Oh and Brett, see photo.

Awesome Mike thank you, that's what I WON right? I'll get you my shipping address right away...:dance3:

 

Meh, Phil disregard my comment about the Trend mortise/tenon jig, I should have stated what a few reviews were saying about it. I have zero first-hand experience with that jig and it seems they are only minor shortcomings compared to the infamous overly priced Leight FMT Pro which I'll never buy. I'm sure in the right hands one can overcome, adapt and improvise any tool with any shortcoming.

I'm looking at the Trend routers online...holy cow.

Trend T10EK 1/2" Router Variable Speed 2000W 230V Kit Box
T10EK, not sure which price from lbs, but converted to US, the higher lbs price was $390, not bad for that beast of a router.

 

I'm not sure what to think of Triton, is it ok to speak about reviews without firsthand experience?

I mean I think they look beastly and have read several good things about Triton. On the other hand the biggest complaint seems to be they feel cheap and plasticky.

What router today doesn't feel plasticky though? Back in the 40s & 50s tools were cased in steel or alum housings until people were tired of being shocked, lol.

 

Don't take me seriously.............

I'm not sure what to think of Triton, is it ok to speak about reviews without firsthand experience?

I mean I think they look beastly and have read several good things about Triton. On the other hand the biggest complaint seems to be they feel cheap and pasticky.

What router today doesn't feel plasticky though? Back in the 40s & 50s tools were cased in steel or alum housings until people were tired of being shocked, lol.

Your comment are noted, Brett.

without firsthand experience?

:haha::haha::haha:

But I totally disagree......LOL

There seems to be that some , not you, that just seem to want to bash anything not made in the US? I wonder why? Have they read the label on their new tool?:no:

 

"Please humour me on this one - what is "west of the 135th"? Are we talking West Coast?"
****************
Step over the 135th meridian and you're in China.

 

Best I can find.
135th meridian west - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Thanks for the intel Phil, I still want that truck in your avatar btw. :yes4:

 

"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead""
**********************
Indeed too quick on the key borard. Meant just west of the 135th east meridian.
Which would put you in east Manchuria, China.

 

Exactly right Duane. The best way to know which router is the right choice for you only comes from handling it. While all the routers mentioned work the controls vary from model to model. I think the photos of the features on each router along with comments from forum members who try them all in a side by side hands on comparison test should be of value to members looking to make a purchase. The more information you have when shopping the happier you wil be with your selection.