Replies

1. 
   milanuk | Dec 29, 2003 12:54pm | #1

   I've got the same pack, the 2.25hp 1617EVSPK, w/ pretty much all the accessories (got the additional dust collection shrouds as well). The router itself is great so far. Huge step up for me from my $60 Craftsman fixed router. No more ARHA! The soft start is very nice, the plunge base is very welcome after fussing around doing plunge cuts w/ a fixed base. The handles on the fixed base are nice and low, offering good control for me. Pat Warner (www.patwarner.com) offers clear plastic bases milled to be completely concentric, w/ the option to accept PC template guide bushings if you want. Also offers an off-set teardrop shaped base plate which is handy for maintaining control on edge work.

   I guess my biggest gripes, such as they are are these: The extension knob for the fixed base that fits in the fine adjust mechanism has to be removed to pull the motor from the base. I had ideas of having the fixed base in the router table, w/ the extension knob in place, but I have to remove it every time I pull the motor. Wouldn't be quite as much of a PITA, but the O-rings on the extension make it a very tight fit. Maybe some o-ring lube grease would smooth it up a tad. More of a minor annoyance, but since you mentioned having it in a table, I thought I'd mention it. The other is that the circle jig is part of the edge guide. As far as I can see, you have to kind of partially disassemble the edge guide, reassemble it configured as the circle trammel, and it attaches via a plastic cup that you tape in place over the center mark. Pretty fiddly, but it works. Kind of limited on how small a circles you can make. Nothing smaller than about an inch bigger around than the router baseplate itself, so about 7" or so. So far for smaller stuf, I've just made do w/ a piece of hardboard, a brad nail, and some carpet tape. Works.

   All in all, it's still a great router, the soft start, VS, and the multiple bases are very nice and work well. The one thing that it didn't come w/ that I wish it had was the centering guide, for centering template guides to the router collet. I ordered them and the Bosch template guide holder from the local Lowes. Works well, no problems w/ fit, finish, or function.

   Hope I didn't nitpick it too bad ;) Just the stuff off the top of my head that I wish that they'd done different.

   HTH,

   Monte

2. 
   Mongo | Dec 29, 2003 06:18pm | #2

   My first Bosch router (1617) fired up right out of the box, then never fired again...took it apart to discover a bad switch.

   Seemed to be just bad switch design, as the switch housing had a small hole in the side of the switch casing that allowed dust to enter, the debris would quickly foul the contacts. Newer routers have re-designed switches that correct the design error.

   The metal on the housing and base tends to oxidize a bit, creating a bit of friction between the motor and the base. Was a slight pain, as their micro-adjust feature is really nice, but over time, the added friction from oxidation would make it a slight pain to adjust, negating the niceness and accuracy of the micro-adjust feature. A bit of steel wool and paste wax took care of that as well.

   Been in touch with Bosch and they know about these problems...

   Overall, it's a fine router. Ergonomically is feels pretty good, operationally it works well. I have seven or eight routers, the Bosch is the one I usually reach for when routing hand-held. I just bought another Bosch at the WWWarehouse sale last week.

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Dec 30, 2003 09:26am | #3

   Thanks guys! Very well researched responses! I am resting easier.  Sounds as though the issues are relatively minor, and resolvable.

   I hope I like it better than the old, (but powerful and electronically controlled)Ryobi. pretty safe bet I will!

   Thanks!

   Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT