Customer Reviews

Bosch 1617EVS 2-1/4 HP Variable-Speed Router

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Like other Bosch tools I have used, this router is terrific. I use it in a router table, where it is delightful: it's light enough to handle when installing under the table, it's controls are easy to get to, and the height adjustment is fabulous. More on the height adjustment of this router -- I have used many other routers, but none adjust their height as precisey and smoothly as this Bosch. All you have to do it unlock the adjuster, then turn a turret, and the bit raises and lowers slowly for you. Then you lock the adjuster and you're set. The soft-start feature is also wonderful. The speed adjustment is very responsive and has many settings, which is good if you're doing raised-panel doors. As far as cutting goes, I am very pleased. The router keeps the speed constant through the wood, whether you're cutting a dado or routing a shape on the edge of a board. Once again, I have nothing but praise for another Bosch power tool.

I do a lot of routing, and I've owned a lot of routers over the years. The Bosch 1617EVS is, by far, the best fixed-base router I've ever owned. The design, coupled with the exceptional manufacturing quality, will meet or exceed anyone's expectations. Its variable speed, light weight, comfortable handles, large bit capacity, and power are just the beginning. The crowning achievement is the height control. This is absolutely the best in the industry, with no competition that I've found. You really have to try it to see for yourself-- rings and racks found on the competiton not only don't compare, they're not even in the same class. Plus, this system works equally well on the router table as well as in free-hand use. The Makitas, Porter-Cables, etc., need to wake up and take notes. By the way, if you're looking for a plunge router, there is still nothing that compares with the Makita 3612C, even after 20-plus years of production. Bosch 1617EVS fixed-base, Makita 3612C plunge-base -- this is the combination the serious woodworker wants.

As you can tell from the title, I am impressed with this router. I have had this router for about a year now and have not attempted a project that I have been any less than pleased. It is quiet and the noise it does make is smooth and almost muted compared to the high pitched PC 690 that I also have. The unit is very nicely built. Precision is a word that comes to mind. I use this one under my Rout R Lift and the D handle ( non variable ) for freehand work. Despite the fact that I love the maple handles, I still get too nervous with my hands being so close to that 25,000 rpm spindle and bit, especially after using the D-handle for sometime now. Anyway, when changing a bit this unit drops down from my Rout R Lift with a smooth controlled descent,then just release the sub base lever, depress the thumb latch a 1/4 twist and the motor is out. You can just tell by looking at this unit that it is chock full of exceptional engineering and thoughtful detail. The variable speed is very handy, the Microfine adjustment is just that, and the 2 HP is more than up to any tasks ( including some raised profile work ) that I have asked of it. Ironically, I also purchased a few BOSCH router bits, that have been excellent as well, quite the compliment to a superb router. Strong, lightweight, quiet and precise. Truly a great product that will not disappoint.

I own a cabinet business and we use 7 different routers on a regular basis. This router is without question the worst. When it's working properly, it is powerful, balanced and easy to operate. However, it is rarely working properly.

The height adjustment is always jamming forcing us to take the entire assembly apart in order to clean it. In addition, the on/off switch often times does not work.

I can honestly tell you that we spend more time repairing this router than we spend using it.

If your interested in a simple, easy to adjust and trouble-free router, consider the Porter Cable 9690LR.

No one router is all things to all people. This Bosch comes close. I have the 1617EVS, and liked it so much, I bought the 1617EVSPK, combo pack as well, with the fixed base and the plunge base. The motor easily slides out of one, and into the other. The slide out feature is built into the 1617 whether you are buying the combo pack, or the fixed base router. Makes it possible to add a plunge base, or remove it easily from under a table. It's so easy, I change bits that way.

I have a Fein RT-1800, the Bosch 1619EVS, and a Porter Cable laminate trimmer router as well. I can't say enough about each one of them.
The thing that makes the Bosch line, especially the 1617 so special is two features: One is the bit centering feature. The other feature which sets is apart from the others, is the fine adjusting knob. Typically, you get close to the setting you want, on a regular router, but it is off by a little bit. So you loosen the clamp, and it jumps completely away from your setting. In frustration, you try again, and realize it is still off a little bit.

What did Bosch do? They allow you to get a gross setting, that you lock in, by releasing the spring loaded motor locking lever, then you are able to fine adjust your setting with the fine adjusting knob. Once you get it precisely where you want it, you lock the clamp. If you make a test run, and it is off a hair, no problem. You loosen the clamp, without losing your setting, and tweak the fine adjusting knob, and reclamp it. Takes about 30 seconds to get the perfect setting that way. Once you experience the fine setting you can get with this router, and so easily, their is no going back. You have to love this router for that feature alone. One critical note: For under the table work, most fixed base routers, including this one, have a shifting anomalie. When loosening the collar to change a setting, the router is capable of shifting slightly off axis, leaving a slight angle to the work. Machinist level accuracy without controlling that variable is tough. It may not show in your work, but if you want a base that keeps total accurate alignment, as in now swaying left to right, you need a plunge base router to do it. Unfortunately the plunge base that comes with the Bosch two base kit, does not have any kind of fine setting adjustment to it at all. The Bosch 1619evs 3 1/4HP behemoth is great for that, and with the spring defeat button, enables you to make adjustments without fighting a spring upside down. Porter Cable in their 8529 2HP plunge router came up with a simple idea to take care of that as well. They made their adjustment knob work independently of the plunge. That way when you loosen the collar, you do not lose a setting, and are able to fine adjust and reclamp.
Back to the Bosch. The soft start is nice, so it doesn't try and torque it out of your hands. The smart electronics is nice too. That way you pour on just the right amount of power, to keep the bit running at a constant speed.
I also like the way the maple handles look. All in all this is one sweet router. No wonder everybody raves about it.

I had never bought a Bosch product before and needing to replace my cheaper craftsman ...router I did a lot of research. I went to a wood worker show and let PC, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee etc tell me about their routers. After the reviews and the sales pitches I bought the 1617EVS. I love the variable speed, not only for the softstart, power and speed adjustment for various size bits but also it adjusts the power to maintain a constant speed when the bit is under load. The contant speed mean a lot when routing Hardwoods - there is no burning in the softer areas due to bit speedup. It is extrodinarialy light weight and easy to handle. The bits are self extracting (no stuck bits) and they are dead center. Adjusting the height and depth is quick and the fine adjustment is in the thousands of an inch. The only thing I wish they had is a locking hub so you didn't have to fiddle with 2 wrenches to change bits. It also came with a quick release attachment for various size router ring inserts. Finally when mounted in a table you can drop the motor out of the mount with a simple quick release lever (no wrenches here) and change the bit and then replace the motor with very little effort.

For a change I feel like I made the best decision. Now I'm planning on purchasing the Plunge attachment that should be available soon. No buyer regret here!!! I'll be buying other Bosch tools if they are of the same quality as this. I already own there 5" orbital sander.

I have read the other reviews and all they say is true but no one has mentioned the neatest feature of all. Many other routers have some of the features incorporated in this unit but none to my knowledge have the bit cetering feature. If one is using a dovetail jig or in fact ANY jig it is essential to have the collar perfectly concentric with the bit. This one does it and as a result it is the only router I reach for when doing these operations. Also, as nearly as I can tell, the outside of the base plate is concentric with the bit. This allows me to use the base plate as a guide for my dado cutting jig.(see Shop Notes for this jig) Last but not least, great thought was put into designing this router to keep it SIMPLE. This straight forward design makes it easy to use.

Powerful, easy to adjust quiet and comfortable. What more could you ask of a router? I have used mine for about a year now and it just keeps going. The two collet sizes allow greater flexibility and their self extracting feature makes bit changing a dream. The depth adjustment is the best on the market. The only drawback is the switch mounting. The power switch is mounted near the top of the case and you almost have to let go with one hand to operate it. I don't think it is unsafe but it would be easier if it were mounted closer to the handle.

Oh sure this router will impress anyone who sees you using it, what with it's wooden handles and beautiful magnesium body, but more importantly it will impress you. The smooth start-up helps prevent that jarring twisting motion which can leave an ugly mark in your work. The 1/4" and 1/2" collets are nice, and give you versatility (but given the choice, go for 1/2" bits). It works great both free hand and attached to my router table. This machine is also very tough. Yesterday, I dropped from my 4 foot workbench, not a mark on it. Today, not learning from my prior mistake, I knocked it off one of my shelves, about 6 feet from the cement floor. It broke my home-made offset baseplate, but the router had not a mark on it. Some words of advice, when setting the router down, retract the bit and place the router face down on its baseplace, not on it's top which is tempting. I also purchased the Freud 91-100 13-Piece 1/2" Shank Set, which is a perfect compliment to an excellent tool.

I purchased this router with the intent of leaving it permanently in my new router table but it's to nice a tool to do that. The depth adjustment is the finest I've ever worked with, capable of very precise work. The handles are comfortable and, even though they are set low to the base, the balance is excellent. The soft start feature is a good side benefit that makes the machine easy to control on startup.
To make it easier to shift in/out of my table, I also bought the Bosch undertable base. It's esentially the same as the stock base, less the nice wood handles. The bonus is that it has the same great depth adjustment plus and extention for the adjustment knob to make it easier to use. I'm very happy with both items and recommend them.
Be careful if you order the undertable base, it only fits certain Bosch routers.