Looking to buy a new router for my router table.  Narrowed this down to 3 choices. I'm not really concerned about the router base as I will just be using the motor in a JessEm router lift.

I like the Bosh but leaning towards the Hitachi with a low noise rating. Any help with reliability and performance is appreciated. All routers are over 2hp.

 

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW618-Electronic-Variable-Speed-Fixed-Base/dp/B00006JKXB

 

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Variable-Speed-1617EVS-4-Inch-Collets/dp/B00004TKHV/ref=asc_df_B00004TKHV/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726541131793&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ZZWXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A29PHU0KPCGV8S&psc=1

I remember that model Dewalt had some problems with the VS control for a while. They may have solved it...or not.

Hitachi uses cheaper bearings.  I replaced main bearing on mine recently. Not a hard job but I did find a upgraded bearing set verses the original.

 

Myself I prefer  Bosch.  

I have a Bosch 1617 EVS in my table and have had zero issues.  Like Gunny, I’m a Bosch guy.  I have 4 of them. 

I had the Hitachi M 12 and it was a good router, but it did have one issue that you might be of concern to you. The diameter of the motor is smaller than other routers and most router lifts wont accept the router. Otherwise it  is a quiet router and worked well with the fixed base and plunge bases.  I have the Bosch 1617 EVS in my table today. You won't go wrong with either router as far as performance is concerned.

 

I have a Milwaukee 5624 router in my JessEm router lift.  No issues with the 2nd one.  1st one was only good for 1/2 hr.  It had a VS issue 7-1/2 yrs ago.

Danl

I have a Makita in one and a Porter Cable in another and the biggest Porter Cable in the Legacy Ornamental Mill which is about the same as an over head router set up and the wood moves under the router while turning a crank!  So I would go with the best warranty which can be carried out close to where you live....Sending things a long distance like over the ocean might get a little expensive!

If its going in to a router lift make sure you get the right size router to fit the housing.

 Thanks guys for all the replies. I have a Ryobi R600 3hp fixed speed plunge router mounted to a 1/2" Lexan base in my table. I use my router table regularly & it is a good router but the downside has always been reaching under the table for adjustments. I can lift it out of the table make the adjustments & put it back as long as I didn't have a fence in place over the base but that's was rare.

 There are quite a few router lifts on the market now that weren't available years ago and after searching through those I decided on the JessEm lift. All the routers listed are will fit one of the 5 lift models.

 I can eliminate the noise factor and the would push me over to the Bosch side which is probably what I'll do.

Again thanks for all the input. 

Here's a good discussion on the subject.

 

 Thanks @John Morris I had read this awhile ago & that's where I got the tip from @Gene Howe for the JessEm lift. I decided on the Bosch 1617EVS to pair up with the lift. The router should serve my needs and if I have a need for a raise panel bit I can just revert back to my Ryobi. Just standing up to make height adjustments is going to be a plus for me. 

7 minutes ago, DuckSoup said:

 Thanks @John Morris I had read this awhile ago & that's where I got the tip from @Gene Howe for the JessEm lift. I decided on the Bosch 1617EVS to pair up with the lift. The router should serve my needs and if I have a need for a raise panel bit I can just revert back to my Ryobi. Just standing up to make height adjustments is going to be a plus for me. 

My mini cabinet router has this. Definitely a big plus.

That Jessem lift is a Cadillac. I'm pretty lazy so I bought a length of the hex rod that they use for their crank and keep it permanently installed in a yard sale $5 B&D cordless drill. About all a B&D drill is good for.

My Table router is a 3 1/4 HP PC 7518 VS motor only. I've never regretted buying the biggest router available at the time. If you can find one, I'd highly recommend buying it. 

On 1/25/2021 at 9:22 AM, Gene Howe said:

About all a B&D drill is good for.

I have to respectfully disagree.   My old 1/4" drill....i was drilling holes in hard maple from a bowling alley and it got so hot the grease all ran out...   let it cool off, refilled it with new grease and it still works fine.   my pro 3/8" drill works a champ.   never a problem and lots of power.   thank you

15 minutes ago, p_toad said:

I have to respectfully disagree.   My old 1/4" drill....i was drilling holes in hard maple from a bowling alley and it got so hot the grease all ran out...   let it cool off, refilled it with new grease and it still works fine.   my pro 3/8" drill works a champ.   never a problem and lots of power.   thank you

 

I believe the one Gene has is much newer model compared to yours. Older B&D with grease in them held up well. My Dad still has one.

 

A friend gave me a B&D 20volt max.  I use as dedicated 1/8 pilot holes and it has done okay on most woods.  Not a job or heavy work load drill though.  Even for the one armed guy. 

2 hours ago, p_toad said:

I have to respectfully disagree.   My old 1/4" drill....i was drilling holes in hard maple from a bowling alley and it got so hot the grease all ran out...   let it cool off, refilled it with new grease and it still works fine.   my pro 3/8" drill works a champ.   never a problem and lots of power.   thank you

 

2 hours ago, Gunny said:

 

I believe the one Gene has is much newer model compared to yours. Older B&D with grease in them held up well. My Dad still has one.

 

A friend gave me a B&D 20volt max.  I use as dedicated 1/8 pilot holes and it has done okay on most woods.  Not a job or heavy work load drill though.  Even for the one armed guy. 

The B&D I have is an anemic plastic cordless one. Likely made within the last 10 years. Certainly not the heavy duty one P_Toad describes. I've never used any B&D product manufactured in the last 15 years that was worth a crap. I thought that maybe their acquisition of PC would have brought some quality to their line but, I sure ain't seen no evidence of it. Maybe they have a better line but, I don't know about it. 

Once burnt I never buy that brand again. B&D and Freud are both in that category. Life's too short for that kind of BS. 

 

3 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

The B&D I have is an anemic plastic cordless one.

 

 

Now that you have said that everytime I grab the thing I am going to think, yup, anemic.

9 hours ago, Gunny said:

 

 

Now that you have said that everytime I grab the thing I am going to think, yup, anemic.

Not even a massive infusion of Geritol would help.  Although, it does it's job of raising the router for bit changes. 

On 1/25/2021 at 9:22 AM, Gene Howe said:

That Jessem lift is a Cadillac. I'm pretty lazy so I bought a length of the hex rod that they use for their crank and keep it permanently installed in a yard sale $5 B&D cordless drill. About all a B&D drill is good for.

My Table router is a 3 1/4 HP PC 7518 VS motor only. I've never regretted buying the biggest router available at the time. If you can find one, I'd highly recommend buying it. 

 

 I did run the lift up & down yesterday and you can spin that crank with one finger but at 1/16" per crank I was quickly thinking of a power method. For under $200 this lift is a bargain. The model lift I purchased will accept the PC motors & that may be down the road. I was really surprised by the amount of exhaust air blowing towards the bit of the Bosch router. I will definitely be installing a dust port in my router fence.  My 3hp Ryobi is still in working order and in a pinch I can cut 1/4" off the lexan plate, L&W, and it will drop into my new table. 

The Dewalt 625 had trouble with the speed controllers. Use to be a $35  problem , not it's a $75 problem. Not sure if the newer ones are better.

Edited February 16, 20215 yr by BillyJack