DEWALT DW618B3 12 Amp 2-1/4 Horsepower Plunge Base and Fixed Base
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List Price: Our Price: $249.55 You Save: $228.87 (48%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $219.60 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of DEWALT DW618B3 12 Amp 2-1/4 Horsepower Plunge Base and Fixed Base
Customer Review: Great Router
Summary: 5 Stars
I really like this router. The soft start is great as well as the ease of use. I guarantee you won't find a better router kit for the price. The router bits that come with the kit are decent...but you'll need a set of carbide bits. It is a breeze to change bases and this has the great feel of a solid piece of machinery! Can't wait to use it again! Nice case too! You will be pleased...I sure am.Customer Review: Great Router
Summary: 4 Stars
Great Router. Had some troubles with it already. The brushed burned out and needed to be changed. Dewalt fixed them under warrenty, if it wasn't under warrenty it wouldn't have been to expensive.Customer Review: Great Value
Summary: 5 Stars
With the exception of the edge guide, this is everything you will need to to accomplish professional routing work. To have everything stored in one kit box should not be underestimated. Highly recommended.Customer Review: Great tool DeWalt!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, this is my first "yellow" tool. I am a "blue" tool guy but I did not like some of the features on the new Makita routers, they are excellent tools with rave reviews but I did not like the entire motor turning when you adjust the depth. The problem was also compounded that nobody made a D-handle, plunge combo kit. I handled them all, every top name in the business. I took a look at the Dewalt 3piece combo and fell in love with it. It's a very well thought out system. Plus it's the only router brand that I know of that includes all three bases in one kit. Pros:
Smooth Power, Soft start, very quiet for a router.
Three bases with great ergo design.
Awesome depth adjustment, motor does not twist.
Power cords are detachable.
Easy snap in and out bases.
Spindle lock.
Great value, D-handle base only costs you about 40 bucks with the three piece kit, retail is about $90!!
Fixed base in the router table, D-handle and plunge for freehand work, what else could you want?
Operate the power switch with your thumb without taking your hands off the router on the fixed base and plunge, not an issue with the d-handle.
Cons:
None, well ok, for you really picky people the case is larger than other routers, but remember there are three bases in there.
I did originally purchase the Milwaukee Body grip and loved it before I picked up the DeWalt. The ONLY reason I did not keep it was because I wanted a plunge base and the "red" company does not make a PB for the 5616. I did not want to spend another $200 on a plunge router, and still not have the D-handle option. This is my first router and I could not think of a better kit for the DIY homeowner to have.
Customer Review: Missing both collets, centering guide, wrench, and now dust hose adapter!
Summary: 3 Stars
I selected the DeWalt after considering the comparable Makita, Bosch, and Porter-Cable kits. The DeWalt made it by a hair due to the D-handle base and favorable comments on the plunge base, the two bases I anticipate using the most.
I ordered on December 16. The kit was backordered and did not arrive until Dec 30. The nice molded kit storage box was received secured closed by a cable tie. When I opened it I soon discovered both the 1/2" and 1/4" collets were missing, the centering tool cone and pin were missing, and there was no wrench. The router was unusable for the 3 day New Year's holiday weekend.
Amazon understandably referred me to DeWalt who was closed for the 3-day weekend. I informed DeWalt on Saturday, Dec 31 via their customer support email of the parts I did receive and what appeared to be all the missing parts. They promptly replied on Jan 3 that "The parts you requested have been ordered, please allow 10-14 days for delivery. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you. If your question remains unresolved or if you require additional information please update this incident."
On Jan 9 I received a box with only the 1/2" collet plus paperwork with a blank under backordered items. Dismayed, I immediately emailed DeWalt again regarding the other missing parts. They promptly replied the following day "The alignment base is not available at this time that is why the order is held up, I will have the 1/4" collet, wrenches and the sub base alignment cone sent and once the alignment base is available it will be sent out."
On Jan 17 these items arrived, almost exactly one month after I first ordered the kit. I eagerly started following DeWalt's instructions only to now find the Dust Extraction Hose Adapter for the plunge base was missing (it is not illustrated on the box, only the instructions). I've emailed DeWalt customer support once again.
The router seems OK and it is very convenient to have a kit box that holds all 3 bases, the oversize subbase, both collets, centering tool, wrench, etc. together securely in individually molded places. However, the delay in getting all the parts makes me wonder if numerous kits went out missing all these parts. Furthermore, if kits are missing these many obvious parts, what is the quality control on the build quality of the router and bases?
DeWalt's one page oversize fold-out instructions in small print in 3 languages are not as well illustrated, written, or convenient to use as Bosch's multipage booklet. The bottom of the D-handle base is not flush with the clear plastic router subbase, so by itself the D-handle does not provide that much extra stability for working along an edge. I will either buy the offset subbase that Pat Warner's router accessories site sells or make an equivalent one for use with the D-handle.