DEWALT Router, Fixed/Plunge Base Kit, 12-Amp, 2-1/4-HP (DW618B3)

Dewalt Routers are well-known for their quality and reliability. This set is no exception. Good power, easy to handle on startup thanks to the now-standard "ramp up" startup function, and constant speed make the 618 series a winner. I'm quite pleased with my purchase. I chose this set as I needed both fixed and plunge bases, and was intrigued by the D-handle base. As a set, it was affordable due to the sale at the time, and far cheaper than buying the D-handle separately (something I can assure you would not have happened). So it was a pleasant surprise to find that I've actually used it more frequently lately than the fixed base. No, not for the same reasons I'd normally use a fixed base (edge routing comes immediately to mind.) But dados? Especially LONG dados? With my jig? Well - yes. The remote trigger function makes turning it on and off an instinctive thing, but I was pleasantly surprised to see how stable it could be - even one-handed as I reach across a 30"-plus path. Mind you, I DEFINITELY recommend a two-handed approach wherever possible. But using it one-handed was - surprisingly - not scary. Just pay attention, and use a jig. A little "locked-wrist approach" and it's really pretty easy to keep in control. So no, I'd probably never have purchased the D-handle separately. But in this kit, the added cost was minimal. And I LIKE the D-handle - I really do. But I could have lived happily forever without it. And I would have missed out on something pretty cool.

I started out with the bar set pretty high, my first real router was a Porter Cable 693 Variable Speed, fixed and plunge base kit. That is a fantastic router, but I wanted a little more power and a pistop grip base. I went back and forth on getting the new PC 890 series kit, but ultimately, the Dewalt went on sale and I just could not resist. It is tough to imagine for me, but I like this route better than the PC 693, which is practically bullet proof. The motor is relatively quiet, but everyone should be wearing hearing protection in the shop anyway, so noise shouldn't be a big factor. One of my favorite features is the soft start. The PC has soft start, but the Dewalt actually has a 1/2 second to a second delay from the time you pull the trigger to when the motor starts spinning. This threw me at first, I am used to hitting the switch, and having the motor start immediately, but I like the delay. Accidentally hit the trigger on the pistol grip base, and if you don't hold it down, it won't fire up. The base is smoother going over wood that the Bosch pistol grip router I have. The Bosch is going to be a permanent dovetail router going forward. The single wrench bit change is very nice, easy to use, you just need to position the motor in the base where you can get your finger to it. I did not receive the chisels that were advertised with the router kit, but a quick email to Tool Crib, and then a call to Dewalt and they were on the way. Without a doubt, I would suggest that anyone needing a true full use router kit purchase the Dewalt. Why no one else has a fixed, plunge and pistol grip base kit offering is beyond me, but the competition is missing out. If you need it, buy it, you won't be sorry.

This was a great purchase

This router with the three different bases has capable features and is well-engineered with decent features. I've owned and used Porter-Cable, Bosch and Festool. The Festool is good and has not died. Others tend to die. The Festool plunge setup is precise and feels well-made. The Dewalt plunge base has the same plunge-depth guage and works well despite looking less refined. Here are a few things that have impressed me about the Dewalt and make me suspect that it will outlast my other routers. - it has a standard toggle on-off switch encased in rubber at the base so dust won't get it. That was very smart. - the hand grips on the plunge base are large rubber knobs, very good grip. - the parallel fence guide works well for this router. The plunge handles are oriented 90 degrees to the direction of a cut, instead of parallel as on the Festool. That's fine. - the router bases are well-constructed and have a couple different clear plexiglass bases to choose from. - the pistol-grip base is a great design. - all three bases avoid a built-in electrics trigger-pull on-off system for good reason. While useful and elegant, this adds complexity and the possibility of failure. The trigger-pull grip base has a corded plug to access the router motors. I approve of this. Of course, a dedicated plunge router unit doesn't face this challenge. This would be the Festool plunge router. The Bosch that died had a removable motor from the base, and a built in trigger. So electricity had to be routed from the base, to the motor in a sliding power / electric application. Great, until the router dies. - the plunge base has a vacuum port that routes through one of the plunge pistons. That is great and I think it is superior to the Festool. This is allows you to suspend a vacuum hose from above and attach to the top of the router. This is ideal and worth the extra effort since having a vacuum hose tugging off the side of a router and dragging on things is less helpful. - the actual router unit with the motor can be purchased separately from all the bases. That is a good idea. Overall I think this Dewalt offering is a win; it seems to show that Dewalt has a very competitive engineering department that knows its customers well. I can imagine that they make way fewer of these than things like cordless drills. I'm sure glad they go to the trouble of making this since it may well end up being my favorite fine woodworking router. I'll probably buy an extra motor for a simple router table application too. - lastly and significantly, this whole system cost only small fraction of the festool. If I had known of this router and of its comparable performance years ago, there wouldn't really have been a need to buy the Festool. Festool does have a good US-based repair department. But Dewalt tools don't usually break down. So there you have it. A great, versatile router system at an outstanding price. Anyone newer to fine woodworking can be encouraged to proceed with this system, knowing that it can handle a great majority of routing tasks with reliability.

Un inmejorable jugo de bases para sacar todo el potencial de un router. Excelente calidad

Love it

No problems at all with everything in the package, all bases are true, router performs perfectly in any of the three bases used and works great in my router table. Very happy with the purchase and shipping was extremely fast. I would recommend this 100%

Todo ok

Increible juego de routers y al ser Dewalt la fascilidad de uso, robustez y calidad de sus herramientas excedieron mis espectativas (como siempre)!!!!