Dewalt 618 vs Bosch 1617 Router Head to Head Review and Comparison Woodworking Routers Which is Best

[@aaronneira9355]

Just bought the Bosch on Black Friday.

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Nice! The 1617 is a solid router that can do just about anything. Thanks.

[@shawn6855]

Great review! Really appreciate how you include often overlooked features like how convenient the on/off switch is

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Thanks Shawn!

[@JohnMansfield-ky8if]

Bosch 1617 is the clear winner. Although I love Dewalt tools, I bought the Dewalt 3 base kit when I first started back in 2008 and had to glue a part back onto the router within the first hour of use (didn't inspire confidence). The motor always had interruptions in the voltage. It vibrated a lot too. I now have 3 Bosch 1617 kits. Why? Ultra smooth. Long lasting. Wood handles. Very stable and easy to use. Best plunge base on the market. Did I mention ultra smooth. Plunge base lock is spectacular. Chip guard is spectacular. There's a reason why you'll see the pros using this one.

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Thanks for weighing in, you make a lot of good points. I continue to use both brands, and haven't had any issues. I also use the Bosch MRC23 which is excellent, especially in the fixed base. Although it's a little heavier, I've never used a smoother router. Thanks again for sharing your experience. Glad you found a keeper (or should I say 3 keepers!) with Bosch. Best to you.

[@johnwangnao8262]

😊 😊nmmmm😊😊n😊n.nm 😊😊n n😊mmmmmnm M Mm.

[@ravenheart1439]

Got 4 DeWalt routers and absolutely love them, never used the Bosh but from what I understand you have to have their bushings and attachments where DeWalt works with everything, fact all Bosh tools are like this right? In that there's no way I'd own a tool that don't work with other accessories...

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

It's true that most Bosch routers require adapters to use standard guide bushings. Thanks.

[@johnmutton799]

Botch will fit Porter cable 698 router table and adjusts from above the table. But prefer the Porter cable routers on router lift. The fine height is better on Bosch. Dewalt moves. On fixed bases. When you lock the Bosch in the fixed base check to see if base is still flat !

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

A lot of routers these days let you adjust the bit height topside, but few do it well. Usually you can't raise the bit high enough to change bits. Freud FT1700 and the Triton routers are two exceptions, although the Freud is no longer made. Agree that the fine adjustment is better on the Bosch fixed base. Never had the height move on the Dewalt, but I don't like it in the router table, so I use it handheld. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ZachAshcraft]

I had the Dewalt crap out on me after about 2 years of incredibly light use. Past the warranty date and $130 to repair. I ended up replacing it with the Bosch on principle lol

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Sorry to hear about your experience mate. That sucks.

[@fisherman1353]

Porter cable is better than both of these,shame they stopped making it

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

I'm not so sure about that. I had the PC 890 and sold it pretty quickly. It felt top heavy compared to the others. But it had the best locking lever of the bunch, and I really liked that switch that turned the router off when upside down. Thanks for weighing in!

[@davidt8438]

I just bought the DW618B3 kit which contains three bases. The fixed, plunge and D-handle. It was missing the 1/2” collet right out of the box. This was more than a disappointment to say the least. Looks well made but I don’t know how it works yet since …it was missing the 1/2” collet.

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Dewalt (or Amazon) will take care of you. I would also order a dedicated 1/4" collet as well. I don't care for the collet reducer sleeve they use now. It never used to be that way years ago. Otherwise, it's a great do-it-all router kit. Thanks