Bosch 1617evspk 12 amp 2-1/4-horsepower plunge and fixed base variable speed router kit with 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets

 

Best Price bosch 1617EVSPK Router For Sale. Buy Now!.

I purchased this router with the intent of using it for a variety uses. I have been pleased with the performance of the router and its flexibility. The only concern that I have is the limitations it has for using the larger router bits used in making raised panel doors. They will not fit in the base of the router. I will likely purchase a 3 1/4 HP router to mount "permanently" in my router table.





Very high quality product. Almost got the Porter Cable set instead, but very happy i went with Bosch. Fixed base router has pass-thru hex socket so you can adjust height from above the table if so mounted. no need to buy the table mount that Bosch sells, same functionality here. Also, my router set came with a FREE RA1054 Edge guide set, so don't buy one separately until you get your product. You might be in for a nice (free) surprise!





I have no previous experience using a router. With a modest amount of practice, I was able to use this router effectively on a large outdoor project.





I've used this for 5 years or so. The regular base is great for someone needing a moderate power router - it's not a high power router for heavy regular use. The plunge router is poorly designed making for continual need to tighten bolts on the handles. The switch has gone out twice on my machine. First time I bought a new one after looking for awhile online. 2nd time I realized that YOU CAN FIX THE SWITCH: pull it out, file the contacts off (it's faulty probably because of the wrong metals used in the switch causing sparks and carbon build up on the contacts thus reducing it's ability to conduct current).



All in all it's a pretty faulty product with some strong elements. I've used a Porter Cable 3+ HP for years professionally and they seemed way more solid than this machine.





I agree with the many favorable reviews of this router. The quality, power, and handling are excellent. The plunge and fixed base are mounted and removed easily, and once in place are secure. The wood handles are comfortable, and the unit's balance is good for hand held work, even with delicate cuts and designs. I am pleased with this purchase.





I bought this router in Dec 2004. In Jan of Feb of 2005 I had to send it into Bosch because the on off switch only worked sporadically. It worked fine for about a year and I had to send it in again for the same problem. Both times it was fixed under warranty but I still had to pay to ship it to them. Well its broken again same problem it has been acting up since February and has finally quit altogether. Fortunately I have a 20yr old Black and Decker that I paid less that $50.00 for as a spare. It is not nearly as fancy but when I press the start switch it works. I will be looking for a new router but it won't be a Bosch. The one I have now is a $225.00 paper weight.





The dust collector plastic window was broken in half when received out of the box. There should be a mechanism for getting this small part without sending the entire package back. The router package itself was excellent, and I am using both the plunge router and fixed base for many projects.

Thankyou, Martin Decere (madecere@aol.com)





Very happy with this router works beautifully. Only comment is the way the case is designed it has already marred the wooden handles. No big deal just a shame.





So far,I've only used the plunge router (to make a router table) and it's done everything I've asked, routing perfect mortises, over and over. Plenty of power to do inch and a half deep mortises in three passes.





I gave it a 4 star review because the 1/4" collet was defective when I first used the router. The collet-router assembly was replaced and the new router worked just fine. There is nothing about the way it works that I can now fault. And I just love some of it's features.

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About Bosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets detail

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7864 in Home Improvement


• Brand: Bosch


• Model: 1617EVSPK


• Number of items: 1


• Dimensions: 14.50" h x 19.50" w x 6.25" l, 18.20 pounds

Features

• Electronic variable speed plunge and fixed base router kit; soft start, micro-fine depth adjustments


• 2-1/4-horsepower router combination kit; variables speeds of 8,000 to 25,000 rpm


• Aluminum construction; wooden handles on fixed base; soft-grip handle on plunge base


• Includes plunge and fixed base, collet chucks, wrenches, template guide adaptor, chip shields, carrying case


• 6.2 by 19-1/2 by 14-1/2 inches; 19-1/2 pounds; 1-year warranty

Read more Bosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets

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Porter-cable 513 1-1/2 horsepower lock mortiser

 

Best Price Porter Cable 513 For Sale. Buy Now!.

I do not own this thing but have used it and seen it used numerous times.

Pros:
Strong motor with good bearings.
Automatic centering of clamping mechanism with heavy-duty reverse-twin threads...
Lever-driven vertical motion is smooth and easy
Heavy-duty STEEL guide rods--- At first glance, it looks like you could penetrate a bank vault with it!

Cons:
Weight--- this thing is so heavy, you have to really clamp down hard to keep it in place, and holding it while clamping is a three handed job. The faces of the clamps are plain aluminum or magnesium, so they need friction tape or cork or sandpaper to help them hold on. The weight of the machine PLUS the significant lateral forces involved in routing add up quickly. The clamps WILL hold, but I have seen how this thing leaves indentations on the door surface. It needs much larger surface plates for the clamps.

Cable-driven vertical motion--- Instead of continuing with cheap-but-reliable threaded rod, (as they used for the clamping mechanism) they chose to use cable and pulley system. Why??? ... cable stretches so you have to coax the final micrometers of cut in the upward direction. Obviously, this is less of a problem when you do the sensible thing and rout with the door on the floor, with the lock facing up. That helps with the weight / clamping issue too, but it negates the assumed efficiency of routing in place with the door hung. For this kind of dough, they could easily have used Acme style threaded rod throughout.

Cutter is good but replacements are expensive and because of the design, (it can't accept standard up-cut spiral-bits) cutter choices are limited. Replacements are certainly NOT easy-to-find at your local home-store.

Fine-Adjustments are finicky and non-intuitive. Requires tests cuts in pre-sized scrap. That totally defeats the implied efficiency, especially if you have several different sizes of doors and locks to mortise. ( as in most restorations)

No provisions whatsoever for dust collection. Are they kidding? They want to sell a tool with a street-price of one-grand, presumably designed for routing mortises in place, but there is absolutely NO thought given to the mess this machine makes. Milled mortised are one of those places where missing-matter from black-holes magically reappears. It's funny how a four-inch mortise can make a three-foot pile of wood-chips and fill a freshly painted and carpeted room with dust. If you need kindling, this is the machine to have!

Cost... I just can't see a thousand bucks worth of metal or machining here. Perhaps I am just too old, too cheap or too experienced... but I can make a similar tool for less, and that's paying retail for premium parts: hardened stainless-steel guide rods, acme twin-threads, handles, machined parts, welding, router-motor... everything. Lots of people have more metal working experience than I do, and they could probably build one faster than I can.

As it is, when I have to do deep mortises in fancy hardwood doors (for Lawyers offices, historic buildings and recording studios, etc.) I use a simple plywood jig and a big-plunge router like the PC Speedmatic. Simple stop-blocks reliably set X-Y axis travel-limits, cheap C-clamps with padded cauls hold the jig in place and I cover the whole caboodle with a clear plastic box attached to my shop-vac. Admittedly, I cannot rout a mortise with the door in place, nor will my biggest router go four-and-a-half inches deep. ( All my drill-bits do though!) But it only takes a minute to pull the pins and clamp the door over some saw-horses or a portable bench. And if the specified lock-set is the antique square-corner type, we still have to finish the mortise with a chisel anyway... so where is the advantage?

When I first saw this thing on a job-site, it looked like that post-industrial Porter-Cable design-magic was back... Then I saw its owner reading the manual, fussing with adjustments, cussing, more adjustments, more cussing. He asked for my help and we got it to work. But for all the time it took, I could have gone to my truck, got my home-made jig and finished three doors.

He got his used, ( the previous owner used it only once) so he has no chance of returning it. Even at five-bills, (what he paid) I can't see the value, even though it looks as tough as a '55 Buick.

It is a great-looking heavy-duty tool, and will definitely HOG out some massive mortises... once you get it set-up. But... The adjustments are not fast, the clamps are not quite big enough, there is no way to collect or contain the mountain of dust it makes, it is cumbersome and (for the noble working-stiffs) WAY overpriced.

There are better, more versatile and much more practical products / methods for deep-mortising.
For well over thirty years, I have done the same types of mortises with a square, a marking gauge, a drill (with a fifty-cent chunk of wood for a guide-block) and a sharp-mortising chisel. If you have only one mortise to do, that is just as fast and far more economical. And if you have twelve doors to do, spend thirty minutes making a routing jig. Don't forget to buy a cheap clear plastic bin from Target. Use a utility knife to cut holes on the sides for your hands to go through so you can hold the router. Attach your shop vac hose with a two-dollar fitting hot-glued in place. It's amazing how well that sucks up the dust and chips!

Assuming you already have a router and some know-how, you can build a better contraption with plywood and a plastic bucket for less than thirty bucks worth of time and materials.

One last point... the entire purpose of this thing it to do DEEP mortises in pre-hung doors. Of the countless doors I have built and hung, the ONLY time I have needed deep mortises for specialty lock-sets are in high-end installations or restoration work. For the high-end new stuff, we do everything in the shop then install the door on-site. For restoration work, dust is ALWAYS an issue. Half of the problem of getting the bid is guaranteeing a clean and safe work-site. (that means NO dust) And if the work is on a public building ( like restoration of historic museums, court-houses, banks or battleships) many times the restoration committee insists all the work is done with hand tools or off-site anyway. You can buy a really good mortise chisel or two for a hundred bucks. You already have a square, a pencil and a hammer, right?


Great Tool. We had (14) custom mortisse locks to install in white oak doors. No room for error. Once set up correctly (took some practice runs in scrap wood), the tool did each lock cut out in minutes. Expensive, yes. It is a great tool if you have a large # of deep mortisse locks to do.


This is a door mortiser and thats all. It's a lot of money to pay for a tool with only one job but there is nothing else in the world that can do the job it does in the everyday world. Set up is a little slow but when all adjustments are complete it seldom runs over 20 seconds and its job is done.The depth adjustment came broke on my first one. Amazon leaned over backwards to get it swapped out and we went on with business.


I have to say that when doing a home full of custom doors with mortised hardware this tool was worth its weight in gold. I found the set up to be a bit frustrating because of finding the tools initial alignment but once it was established it was perfect. The only down side was that the tool has to be used in the vertical position which b/ of its weight makes it a bit awkward. The only problem I had with the tool was after about 3 doors the switch toggle stopped working and I had to unplug it to stop it. I played with the toggle and got it working again, but it was frustrating and potentially dangerous. Overall. I am happy and found it to be a real time saver. I highly recommend the face plate template too.


If you are a finish carpenter, door/hardware installer, or door shop that does a lot of mortise lock prep, this is THE tool! Together with the PC 517 Lock Face Template, this stuff preps wood doors for mortise locks quickly and accurately.<p>Why only 4 stars?<p>One: Price; it's pretty spendy. Purchase both tools and you spent something like $.... The occasional mortise lock installer should stay away from this equipment unless you think it might grow into a Specialty Skill. <p>Two: Adjustability; Adjusting back and forth between different lock configurations can be a hassle until you figure out the learning curve. The markings on the frame for mortise height, and the stop rod for mortise depth, are "not that accurate;" takes a bit of time and practice to figure this thing out.<p>And this: You spend this much on a fine tool, you sure don't want to lug it around in the cardboard box it came in. Build a nice wood box, a place for everything and everything in it's place. Why PC has the nerve to sell this tool for so much money and not provide a decent storage box, even if it's blow-molded plastic, is a mystery to me. Sign of the times, I guess.

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About Porter-Cable 513 1-1/2 Horsepower Lock Mortiser detail

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29462 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Porter-Cable
• Model: 513
• Dimensions: 19.00" h x 16.50" w x 20.50" l, 34.45 pounds

Features

• Heavy-duty 11 Amp mortiser makes cutting box locks a breeze
• Mounts doors as thick as 4-1/2 inches and centers automatically
• Cut mortises up to 7 x 1-1/4 x 4-3/4 inches (LxWxD)
• Weighs 37 pounds; Made from a durable steel and alloy material
• Includes height rod assembly (4 rods - 804960, 1 stop - 800203, 1 nut - 800204), wrench, 3/4-inch bit, 1-inch bit, Allen wrench, operating manual

Read more Porter-Cable 513 1-1/2 Horsepower Lock Mortiser

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Porter-cable 893pk 2-1/4-horsepower fixed- and plunge-base kit

 

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I purchased the Porter-Cable 893PK package here on Amazon.Com and couldn't be happier. My main project that I purchased it for was a rather complicated loudspeaker design involving lots of templates, MDF, solid cherry, veneer, etc. I can say that my expectations have been greatly exceeded. Combined with good bits, the PC has produced wonderful results. I have used both bases and I'm impressed by how smoothly and quickly the bases can be switched out. The soft-start feature is really nice because there is really no kick back, despite such a powerful motor. The clear base makes template work go very smoothly. I also used the unit for trimmning veneer edges with excellent and precise results. Recently, I used the router to trim sheathing on a shed project and was amazed at how quickly this unit and a 1/2 x 3" straight cutting bit could trim the edges on 8' ply and OSB panels, giving perfect edges on the shed cladding. Another feature that I think is really cool is the built-in dust extraction system on the plunge base. While cutting down a bunch of MDF using a template, I noted a huge amount of fine dust produced by the router. Then, I read the manual and discovered how to use the dust extractor with my ShopVac. This was very effective in eliminating most of the dust, although it required frequent cleaning of the ShopVac filter. MDF dust is probably the worst for clogging ShopVac filters. A true dust collection system would help here. Overall, I think this is a very capable router package and one that will likely serve me for years of wooodworking projects. Yes, this is a bit more expensive than other offerings, but the feeling of quality was evident the first time I opened up the package. I think the extra expense is well worth it.


Great product for both the router table & hand work! The soft start and variable speed are nice upgrades to the older P/C and the additional Hp is nice too. This is a powerful tool that does develop heat! if you enclose it in a table and don't provide adequate ventilation for it to keep cool, it will burn up.
The new dust extraction system (optional) for the fixed base is impressive. It carries away most of the dust and stops debris from being thrown up and out at you. Keep up the great work P/C.

Advice to others who had problems: 1) Read the owners manual. 2) Keep the machine cool if enclosed in a table. 3) Don't buy cheap bits that break and fall into the housing.

TA


Router does it's job. Plunger had to be sent into the manufacturer upon receiving it for repair. It wouldn't slide or lock lock.


I really love having this dual purpose. I have the fixed base mounted in router table. It is very simple to remove motor and place in plunge base when I need to use it outside of the router table.


I purchased this router for the intial job of routing a juice line on a maple cutting board. It worked like a champ. The dust collection was amazing, probably sucking away 95% of the chips. My only concern/gripe is with the rubber sleeve on the plunge base. While changing the plastic converter to connect my duct collection hose, the sleeve dropped down which if left in that position would allow dust to get into the mechanism. I do plan to contact PC and see what they recommend. I was able to slide it back in place but am not convinced that it won't be a continuous issue. The power is ample and it starts and stops very smoothly. The bit changing is easy with the spindle lock mechanism. I was not planning on purchasing a PC router b/c many of them do not have the spindle lock. I stumbled upon this particular PC model and ordered it right away. I don't spend hours everyday in my shop but I like to purchase top of the line tools, and this falls into that category, so when I am working on a project, I get good results. Overall I am very satisfied. If I can solve the sleeve problem this becomes a 5 star rating. I hope PC can help me fix it.


After 10 years I had to replace the old PC 690 router. Bought this new model and love it! The action is smooth, speed control is easy and working with it is a breeze. I enjoy feeding in hardwood and hearing the speed ramp up to match the load being imposed.

A definite thumbs up to PC on this router!

Jim


I needed a router with a bit more Horsepower - my old 1-1/2HP machine was just getting worked too hard. I should mention that I already owned 3 routers - 2 at 1-1/2 HP, and a small "trimmer" type that I use a lot - more as a router than as a trimmer.

I used one of the old routers in my router table, with an accessory variable speed control. I had already decided that a plunge base was in my future, because there were just times when nothing else was a better option. I decided to order the new Porter Cable 893PK, which, at 2-1/4 HP was a significant boost in horsepower. It included the plunge base at a better price than buying things separately. It has electronic variable speed, and a "soft start" feature that is wonderful - very little torque at start up. I was amazed at how much more quiet this machine is, than my old ones. Motors and mechanical things rotating at more than 20,000 rpm's tend to generate high frequency noise. Porter Cable has done a great job of minimizing the noise - the usual high pitched whine is gone.

I mounted the fixed base to my router table and keep the plunge base for other jobs. Of course, I still own all the other routers, so there are options aplenty.

I cannot say enough good things about the design of this tool. The depth adjustment in the fixed base is just fabulous - you just move the lever and make large or coarse adjustments. Fine adjustments are precise, quick and easy, and can be easily reached under my router table. Both the fixed and plunge bases lock or release instantly with the movement of a finger. The variable speed is smooth and maintains the power, even at the slower speeds. In fact, you need to carefully listen and look at the cut when using larger bits - the electronic control keeps a constant speed, so when you begin to really "work" this tool, it is not easy to tell - no telltale slowing down as in the past, just an instinctive feel that you are stressing the tool.

It has a spindle lock, so only one wrench is needed. The clever collet design eliminates the old "sticking" issues - you simply loosen the nut and the bit and collet comes away easily. I cannot think of a single thing that I would offer as an improvement to this design. Five stars might not be enough.
Ron Owens


I've been using PC products for 16 years and have loved every one of them until now. My last router was getting a little tired so I thought I would upgrade from a 690 to the new 893 and am appalled that PC put this unit on the market, it is a total waste of money. Here's what it comes down to: the motor itself is great, lots of power, smooth starting, and much quieter than the 690's, this is where the good review ends. The main problem I've found is that the bases are very poorly designed and constructed. It seems like PC was trying to add a bunch of new feautres to them and ended up sacrificing quality for nifty gadgetry. The new clear plastic base does not glide well over most of the woods that I use, instead it chatters causing rough choppy cuts. I tried waxing it, cleaning it with alcohol and even sanded it with 1200 grit paper and nothing seems to help with this problem. The bases are made from a very thin metal and do not seem like they will hold up well to the rigors of long term use. The plunge base has many problems including: depth adjustment/stop moves/comes out of adjustment when doing several of the same depth cuts in a row, the release lever seems to be desinged in a couter intuitive way and does not release in a consistent manner. The main guides that control up/down movement do not opperate smoothly and it's hard to tell if you've reached the stop or are just hung up in a sticky spot. I took this apart, cleaned it out and waxed everything and this did not solve the issue. The view on the measuring gauge is obscured by the tensioning knob for the gauge. All and all I thought these new features would work well
and was looking forward to the next generation of PC routers and what I found is that if this is it, Porter Cable has sunk to or below the level of Ryobi. I see there are several good reviews here and not much critisism, do yourself a favor and look at the reviews for the PC 895PK before buying this router, it is the same unit with an added feature or two. Alas do not be too discouraged by this, the 690 series are still great products, what I would consider to be the industy standard, buy one of these instead and you'll get many years of trouble free use from it. Oh I almost forgot, I contacted PC customer support to see if there was any way to exchange this for a 690, they were unwilling to do anything and were not even the least bit apologetic about the issues I am having.
Cheers!
J.


I set it up within a few minutes to make a name sign with the plunger. Thats was just to get a feel for it. Happy is all I can say. If it works for years like my old routers it will be a miracle, but its a HUGH improvement over my 30 year old craftsman in functionality. The depth adjustment on the fixed base RULES, what a GREAT piece of engineering. In the table is its most used position. Again the the depth adjustment is just
the best.


I just got this router kit becuase my makita kit plunge base fell off a bench and bent so badly it would accomodate the router motor anymore. The new part would have been $75 so I bought this one. First impression is very positive: Very smooth soft start, vibration free, even tho tall and hefty seems well balanced as hand held with plunge base. I routed a truss rod channel in a guitar neck I am building (first time routing a truss rod channel) and it went perfectly. Good plunge action altho. a little stiff. I also bought the micro adjustable edge guide. Hardly ever do I get it right the first time.
Very well behaved in the router table except the dust collection is not as good as the makita in the router table, but much better with the plunge base(no dust at all when hooked up to vacuum. Took some adapting tho.
Seems to have more power than just 1 amp would give difference between this one and makita.
Maybe I'll use a router more now.
I am just impressed with how well it is made.
kudos, porter cable. Actually 4 1/2 stars, maybe more or less with more experience with it.

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About Porter-Cable 893PK 2-1/4-Horsepower Fixed- and Plunge-Base Kit detail

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11690 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Porter-Cable
• Model: 893PK
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 21.75 pounds

Features

• Efficient, low-noise motor with superior electronic feedback and variable speed to maintain power
• Built-in dust collection for improved visibility
• Simply move the lever to make large or coarse adjustments
• Weighs 21.8 pounds; 1-year warranty on all parts and accessories
• Comes with carrying case, transparent sub-base, 1/4-and 1/2-inch self-releasing collets, a wrench, and an instructional CD-Rom

Read more Porter-Cable 893PK 2-1/4-Horsepower Fixed- and Plunge-Base Kit

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