BOSCH 1617EVSPK Wood 12 Amp Router Tool Combo Kit - 2.25 Horsepower Plunge Router & Fixed Base with a Variable Speed Motor

BOSCH tools are superb tools. I have four of their routers and have never had issues. Each is OVERPOWERED for the job they do, and makes whatever bit they hold last forever. Some people complain about their weight. If you want a light weight tool, then buy a light tool.... but you get what you pay for. A heavy BOSCH usually means it will be with you pretty much forever, and you'll passing it along. Don't know about their service department because I've never had one break. The plunge capability allows me to cut mortises repeatedly.... given a super sharp blade, the process is effortless.

This router is a great product and the kit is well worth the price. The motor has ample power and the unit handles very easily. I had an issue that required me to contact Bosch Customer Service. They provided resolution quickly and completely. I highly recommend this router. I also use Bosch router bits which also perform admirably.

What is the key feature that makes this router especially useful for some tasks compared with others I own? It's the depth setting adjustment, shown at the left side of the first image. It covers a wide range with fairly granular control of the depth steps.Why is this useful to me?This current project is a good example- speaker cabinet front panels fabricated from hard rock maple ply. This is serious stuff for power tool woodworking, cabinet grade MDF is like butter or cardboard in comparison. So, it's pretty mandatory when doing a deep route to use a number of shallow steps and a slow feed. This fixture makes that very straight forward, and very repeatable when doing multiple routes of the same dimension (second image, routing cut outs in progress for the inner front panel of an LF module for a high end speaker system.It's easy to calibrate for a consistent starting point and getting very exact results for a number of operations.Now, no router I've found is the perfect router for every job. This Bosch tool is very well built, has excellent torque and speed control, and with the additional fixed base can handle a variety of jobs. Where some might find it lacking is having a comprehensive dust collection feature built in with a clear dust dust shield over the working area, like some DeWalt and Porter Cable 1/2" shank routers I own. But that same dust shield can limit the utility - specifically, the depot of plunge for the router, and the depth of cuts. Here, on this project, I'm working with 1-1/4" maple ply and 1-1/2" maple ply, and doing cuts between 1" and 1-1/4". This isn't possible with the routers featuring the dust collection and dust shields, because of the limit these place on plunge depth with multiple passes.This is why I tend to have multiple routers chosen and setup for specific jobs, and leave them that way once things are dialed in. I have three of the Bosch 1617EVS now for that reason... two with plunge base setup, one with fixed base.The other thing I have found very useful with this Bosch model is the accessory template guide adapter and templates. Here are pictures of the base with the template guide and a short adapter for 1/2" solid carbide spiral up cut bit installed, in the "baseline" position and extended. One of the 1617EVS is always setup with this adapter.What I find the fixed base configuration useful for is trim functions using follower bits of various types- from setting the rebate for a high frequency driver after boring the original hole with a Forstner bit, or trimming a side or inner route flush using a 1/2" shear trim bit. I have jobs for which this configuration works better than my 1/4" shank trim routers.

I’ve always liked Bosch tools for their quality. When we found out we’re going to be grandparents, I wanted to make something for the kids nursery. Naturally a new cabinet / dresser necessitated the procurement of a new tool :) and since I’ve been eyeing this model for a while, it was time to buy. When I first used it, WOW, what an impressive machine. Plenty of power to go thru oak, 1/4 and 1/2” collets, solid base, plunge base, and storage case to store guides and a selection of router bits. What really impressed me was the micro adjustment for the depth which is adjustable not only from the top but also via a hex socket on the base when using this in the Bosch router table (which I also bought). A well thought tool and highly recommended.

This thing is a beast. Plenty of power even in hardwood with large bits. Plunge works smoothly, and it can lock at depth. The only downside is that it can be a bit heavy. It is easy to swap between the fixed and plunge heads. Read the instruction manual if you aren't familiar with routers.