Reddit reviews DEWALT Router Fixed/Plunge Base Kit, Variable Speed, 12-Amp, 2-1/4-HP (DW618PK)

This is the router that came fairly highly recommended back in the day when I was looking then I got a down spiral cut bit for my plunge cuts (1/4" since that is what the jasper jig uses), a few roundover/chamfer bits, and a flush trim... Bosh makes pretty good bits for the price so I usually stick with them. Looks like amazon is even running a $20 off dewalt tools right now too.

As far as a "bench" you don't need anything fancy most of my work has been done on a piece of 2'x4' ply on saw horses. With powertools you don't have much lateral force so you don't need something as sturdy as you would if you're using planes, hand saws, and chisels. You just have to be careful about making sure things are balanced and clamped properly so you don't accidentally tip your work surface. Bonus is that it can be folded up and stored easily and if you need a special spot to clamp just right I just cut into the ply.

Honestly, this question can be asked about any tool. Should a hobbyist buy cheap tools just to get started or spend more on quality tools, but buy fewer of them at first?

For the most part, I'm in the "buy quality tools" camp. I started out on the cheap tools (Skil, Ryobi, etc) and they made a lot of tasks harder than they needed to be. That is, a skilled craftsman could have gotten quality results from those tools but I certainly couldn't. I found that the quality of my work jumped dramatically when I switched to precision tools.

Now... in your case, none of three routers that you're referencing would be in the cheap crap territory, as far as I'm concerned. You'll do fine with any of them.

Some thoughts, though:

The Bosch 1617EVSPK is often considered the gold standard for mid sized routers. Many many woodworkers have that one and love it. You will absolutely not regret getting it.

The DeWalt DW618PK is a direct competitor to the Bosch and holds its own very well. Lots of very satisfied users of that model, too. Another that you'll definitely love.

The Hitachi models... are almost surely worth getting as well. I'll be honest, though -- they aren't talked about as much as either the Bosch or DeWalt.

One final thought: Depending on how you'll use a router, you might consider a "trim" router like the DeWalt DWP611PK. I've found that one to be notably easier to handle than my mid sized and it has handled everything I've thrown at it with aplomb. Really, the only downside is that it can only accept 1/4" shanks and most of my bits are 1/2". If I had more 1/4" bits then I'll likely use the DWP611PK almost exclusively when not on the router table.

Bosch 1617 Fixed and plunge base kit or the Dewalt 618 Combo kit

I own them both (and 9 other routers) and they're both solid and versatile kits:

• 1/4 and 1/2 collets
  
• Fixed and Plunge bases
  
• Decent warranties
  
• Good power
  
  But I'd go with the Bosch because it's currently on sale. I'm not really a fan of the fixed bases knobs though.
  
  And if you've never used one, please read up on safe practices and avoid climb cutting.

This is the router I use. Better dust collection in the plunge base than the Bosch, plus the hard case, and is otherwise pretty comparable.

The Skil is one I'd stay away from. They're not known for their quality, the plunge base feels pretty flimsy, it lacks some of the nicer features of the other routers. When you're going to be spinning high-speed steel at several tens of thousands of RPMs and that much HP, quality becomes a safety consideration.

I'd go with the DeWalt, but the Bosch is a good alternative if for some reason you don't want the DeWalt.

The easiest router table to build is a hole drilled through your workbench and a board clamped to it for a fence. Attach the fixed base underneath the surface pointing upwards and you're done. Anything nicer than that is optional. Norm's plans from New Yankee Workshop are a favorite, and a lot of people have similar designs available for free on the net. Dust collection and easy fence adjustment are the two key features in a table I'd say.

I've never joined the WWGA. Never saw a need. They have plans and stuff, but there are plenty of free plans for everything on the net, and I usually just make my own anyway. YMMV.

Good luck with your endeavours!

Personally I would spent my money on the router - many seem to like THIS ONE and it's been on my wishlist for quite a while now.

And then build your own router table which can be done very cheap from a sheet of melamine and a t-track kit from rockler which goes on sale for about $20 sometimes.

I invite you to check out MY BUILD from about a year and a half ago.
I would probably make the fence nicer now and use what I learned to make it neater - but it works great and is VERY accurate.
If you decide on that route go on Pinterest and look up router tables and get some inspiration before you start so you now what's out there and don't regret maybe not integrating a feature that you would've really liked in the after fact.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00006JKXE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503877361&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dewalt+router+618&dpPl=1&dpID=41l029-sITL&ref=plSrch


Happy with my dewalt here.

If you live close to the border, you may want to order the US price (U$D189 = CA$194) and save yourself almost $50

I have the Dewalt DW618 and I really like it.

http://smile.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW618PK-12-AMP-Fixed-Base-Variable-Speed/dp/B00006JKXE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452215648&sr=8-1&keywords=dewalt+618

I also recently got the 1 1/4 HP Dewalt DWP611, and I am really surprised by how powerful it is for its size.

http://smile.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWP611-Torque-Variable-Compact/dp/B0048EFUV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452215796&sr=8-1&keywords=dewalt+611

While in school, I made this router table. Love it. I had a cabinet I had already made in class and jsut made the top, fence, and other parts for it. Took the top drawer out of the cabinet and put in a tip-out tray for the collet wrenches.

I use this dewalt router on it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JKXE/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the one I have.

which bosch are you referring to? Why don't you like the of1400? Before I was considering it, I had pretty much narrowed things down to this dewalt.

I have no interest in a festool router table. what makes festool routers not work well in other tables? I'm pretty much ready to pull the trigger on buying the TS55. If I'm going with a festool dust extractor it seemed like a good idea to also get the of1400 for dust collection purposes.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW618PK-12-AMP-Fixed-Base-Variable-Speed/dp/B00006JKXE/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1480635974&sr=1-2&keywords=dewalt+router

Plunged and Fixed Base.

Canadian Links

Hitatchi Combo

Bosch that is on sale actually a pretty good price

Dewalt

Please don't buy that router, instead buy a DW 618PK or a DW 621.

Also consider a bit from Eagle

I just bought this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006JKXE/ref=pe_385040_121528360_TE_dp_1

Love it so far.

I'm not saying you can't build floor to ceiling book shelves with out a table saw... but I can pretty confidently say I wouldn't be able to build quality shelves with out a table saw. Even a crappy bottom model contractor saw will help you do a lot of things.... If you're wondering check out

www.woodworkingformeremortals.com (i think I got that typed in right) and look at Steve Ramsey's videos up till about 2010 when he upgraded his saw. it's a crappy craftsman contractor saw but he makes some pretty cool stuff with it.

as far as saws go - I have the Ridigid one with the cast iron top - I can't think of the numbers at the moment. the reddit community seems fickle on this saw, some weeks reddit loves it, other weeks reddit seems to think it lacks balls. I personally have had it ~ 6 months and I love it. before that, I had a contractor saw and avoided table sawing as much as I could. Now, I find excuses to use it. seriously, I go out of my way to cut stuff on the table saw that would have been much easier with some other method. The other day I made a fresh loaf of bread and actually had to talk myself out of putting it on my cross cut sled. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

for a router I have this Dewalt. I actually got it for Christmas this year and so far haven't had any problems other then finding dust collection that will attach to the plunge base, but it's a minor problem really and to be honest, I haven't looked very hard.

Also since you didn't mention it in your tools list - get a 4 foot level if you're going to make a book shelf out of sheet goods possibly an 8 foot (but that's excessive). you're going to want a really good straight edge to help break down your ply before you try to mill it through a table saw or anything else.

Also - and it can be pretty cheap - compressed air with at least a brad nailer. I've found compressed air to be perhaps the most convenient luxury to have in the shop - others here might disagree.

Hope all this helps.