Comments on: DEWALT DW616 1-3/4-Horsepower Fixed Base Router

By: Jack L. Reynolds

Jack L. Reynolds — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 10:40:11 +0000

A Good Router in a multiple Router Shop I purchased this router for two reasons:1) I was tired of taking my Bosch router in and out of my router table and wanted to dedicate a router to the the table2) I wanted a router with a clear base that would accept Porter Cable style guide bushings so that using various jigs would be easierThe other router in my shop is a Bosch 1617 and I’ll compare it to the Dewalt.Bosch pros:The height adjustment is easier to micro adjustThere is more room between the motor and base for removing bitsThe two wrenches and collets are a little easier to manage.Dewalt pros:Clear lexan base is great for seeing what’s going onBase accepts Porter Cable guide bushingsI like the feel of the rubber handlesAlthough the Bosch is 2 1/4hp and variable speed, I find that the Dewalt has plenty of power for most routing and the single speed is fine for most of the routing that I do; dovetails, mortising, edge profiles, small…

By: Smaug "Jeremy"

Smaug "Jeremy" — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 10:21:51 +0000

Pretty Good, But Not UL Listed! I was after a good all-around router. I had already had the DW621. (their 2 hp electronic plunge router) I sold it a while ago, and I wanted a budget replacement that would have flexibility down the road. The Porter-Cable 690 series is the most popular in this area, but they have made some changes recently that I didn’t like; going to a rocker switch in lieu of a toggle switch, for instance.The switch in this one is the toggle switch, which protrudes more and is easier to find without looking. Also, it is dust sealed with a rubber fitting, so dust isn’t a factor. Porter*Cable was just trying to save a couple cents per router by using a cheapo rocker switch. Bad call. When there’s a router bit spinning at 24,000 RPM and you’re holding the router with one hand while you look for the switch, you don’t want to have to look or feel around too much to turn it off, especially in case of emergency.Like the PC 690, this DeWalt has a flat top, which you set the router…

By: Aaron D. Daley

Aaron D. Daley — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 10:16:39 +0000

Perfect Evolution I have owned 4 different DeWalt routers which I enjoyed despite limitations that I found in all of them (weight, power, ease of use, etc.) I still, however considered the previous DeWalt routers to be superior to both Porter Cable and Bosch routers.When DeWalt came out with their new 1 3/4 and 2 1/4 hp routers with multiple bases to compete with PC, I had to try them.I decided on the 1 3/4 hp, as I have their 2 hp, and have never liked the weight of the unit. It always felt cumbersome doing light work. Upon receiveing this little router, I mounted the fixed base underneath one of my router tables, and kept the plunge base out for travelling work. Here are my impressions:1.) This has plenty of smooth power to run virtually anything you fire its way. I was able to smoothly run a cabinet panelling bit through MDF (I would not dare to do so through hardwood that is what the 3hp router is for). On sit I ran 3/4″ roundovers, 3/4″ straight fluted bits,…