Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW618 2-1/4 HP Electronic Variable-Speed Fixed-Base Router

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I have to admit I REALLY like this router. It has that high-quality-durable-well made feel that we all look for and appreciate in a tool. There is nothing "cheap" about the DW618. I've had an old Craftsman router literally since I was a kid and it got the job done but I needed a more powerful machine with a 1/2" chuck for various tasks I'm faced with while building our new house. This included having to flush-trim 32 feet of 1-1/8" T&G plywood. It was hard work (of course) even for the 12-amp motor of the DW618 and I blew the power line's 20-amp circuit breaker at least once. Nevertheless, it got the job done, something that would have been impossible for my other router. The soft start feature is fantastic. The ergonomics are great. The overall quality is first rate. And the price is reasonable. However, it IS NOT perfect. Number one irritation was the center hole in the plastic base was too small to use a 1/2" round over bit!!! I'm still blown away by this idiotic nonsense. DeWalt sells a base with a bigger hole, but why should I have to spend money for something that obviously should have been included? I ended up having to make my own base out of Bakelite because I could not afford to wait for a new base to come in the mail. Naturally, it wasn't hard to make, but it was very irritating. Another thing I don't like about this router is there is a significant amount of free-play in the height adjustment system. This is really a shame on such an otherwise high quality tool. Therefore, rather than for very precise work like cabinet making, I think this router is best used in the construction trades. Lastly, I don't like the push-button collet lock. I would prefer that it used the two-wrench system. This is a powerful router that uses big, nasty cutting tools. I DO NOT want one coming loose. If I had it to do over again, I'd consider the Bosch 1617EVS-46 as it seems to address all of my complaints. Nevertheless, I'm very happy with my DeWalt. I can't imagine a more rugged router.

I debated between this router and the comparable Bosch model for a while before finally choosing the DeWalt. Three things sold me on this router: the depth adjustment ring, the easy motor removal, and the power.

After using it in my router table I can say that all three of those features are absolutely top notch. I really like the depth adjustment ring - this makes changing bit height in my router table VERY easy and precise (no more spinning the motor housing). The easy motor removal is a plus too - all you do is release the motor lock (one handed I might add) and then squeeze the quick release tabs on each side of the motor housing to cause the motor to slide right out of the base. Thats it - it could not be simpler.

As for power, I have not tried to spin any huge bits in this thing, but I have used some serious ogee bits in white oak, poplar, and pine. In every case, the motor handled the cuts in one pass without bogging down at all and the cuts were super smooth and burn free (I use Freud bits). In my experience, the electronic variable speed works very well.

The only drawback of this tool (and the reason I am not rating it 5 stars) is that I find the bit changing to be cumbersome. I have an older Ryobi router with a fantastic spindle lock that allows you to "lock" the spindle and then use both hands for the bit change. On this DeWalt, there is a spindle lock, but it consists of a spring loaded button that must be held in WHILE you are turning the wrench with the other hand. I feel this could have been designed better.

Overall, this is a great tool at a fair price. If I could do it all over again I would buy this same router.

Had this router for 3 years...used it on avg 3-4 days/week for moderate tasks. I thought overall it was a great tool until first, a bearing went bad, then about 6 months later the fan attached to the motor armature and the piece securing the collet to the body broke into pieces during a slight chamfer cut in clear, soft REDWOOD! It's going to be $100+ to fix it, and I, like another reviewer above, didn't know whether to have it repaired or buy a different tool. However, after reading the other negative reviews and reports of motor failure, I am convinced that this tool doesn't belong in a professional woodshop.

I purchased the 618PK (fixed & plunge base kit) two years ago. I researched all the comparable 2.25 hp models (porter cable, bosch, etc), and decided this was the best. I've used it a lot over the last two years, both free-hand and table mounted. I've had no complaints whatsoever...until two weekends ago. I had it in the table using a 3/8" round-over bit on 3/4" pine, and was using a middle speed RPM. After a few passes, the RPMs spiked up to an EXTREMELY high level. I shut the thing off and checked it out. I'm not sure what happened, or why, but now the thing only spins on a dangerously high RPM; variable speed control does not work anymore. The RPMs it does spin at is higher than the highest speed setting, so something is obviously wrong with it. I can't use it, because it is spinning too fast. My local DeWalt service center said they have a standard router repair fee; $102, regardless of what is wrong. I think that is very steep, considering it is probably just the brake/speed control that broke and not the actual motor itself. So now I have to decide whether I want to pay $102 to get it fixed, or buy a whole new router (with fixed base; DeWalt said I can't just buy the motor assembly) for $170...

But up until my speed adjustment broke, I loved this tool. Here are my thoughts:

POSITIVES:

- Without question the best ergonomics of any router out there. Handle base/width is wide and comfortable. On/off switch and speed control located at top of router and function smoothly.

- Plenty of power. I've used a large multi-profile bit on oak, and the motor had no problems.

- Comes with a wide opening base, and small opening base to fit standard guide templates (my new Porter Cable router doesn't have the template-sized base)

- 1/2" and 1/4" collets are included; very convenient.

- the power cord detaches from the motor assembly. This makes it much easier to mount/dismount the unit from my router table insert plate.

NEGATIVES:

- The micro-depth adjustment ring works well, but when clamping the base closed on the motor, it oftens knocks off the depth a little but, thus requiring a depth readjustment.

- I do like the sturdy feeling toggle switch that is used for on/off. However, it would be nice if they put the on/off within thumbs reach of one of the handles.

- My freakin' speed adjustment problem...

All in all, I think this is a great router. I am generally a DeWalt loyalist and I think most of their products are top notch (except I think the blades they give with most of their saw products are absolute garbage: DW744S table saw and 12" dual bevel compound miter saw; definitely upgrade to Forrest WWII and 12" Chopmaster). I'm not sure what to do about my busted router, but I replaced it with the Porter Cable 894 (which I haven't used yet). Porter Cable is arguably the best name in routers, but I originally opted for the DeWalt due to my satisfaction in all of their other products I have. The second time around, I had to say no to DeWalt and go with the Porter Cable.

I have 4 pieces of Dewalt tools and this is the first piece that I review as near junk. The spindle lock is useless with plastic piece attached to a metal pin. You have to be Hercules to push the pin in and hold it in while trying to tighten the collet. Then if you DO press it in hard enough to tighten collet it has a habit of being bound and not releasing. Absoluite junk design that certainly won't last a weeks worth of work. The best part about it was that it only took 3 screws to remove the whole lock mechanism that will give you better access to using two wrenches. Of coarse Dewalt only provided one wrench so you have to use your own.

The more serious problem was that the motor has a lightenig storm inside it brushes. The unit gave out over the coarse of about 30 minutes of ON time over a weekend. The thing sstarted squeeling like a banshee and then it started slowing down in easy material. Back to the depot. Maybe get a Hitachi instead.

Bought the router about a year ago. Just started using it on a regular basis a few weeks ago, and sure enough... it broke. Magnetic ring. This tool is a P.O.S. Don't buy.

Just adding to the LONG list of people who bought this router and watched it burn up after little to moderate use. I had mine for 3 yrs and am not a pro. THis router only saw occasional use over 3 yrs. The ring broke (as soon as the warrentee ran out of course)....made a ton of noise but kept running for a while. Then the lightning storm on the top and motor fried. Stunk up the whole house and now Im stuck with this pile.
I have a lot of good tools and thought dewalt was a good brand, but Dewalt has now been added to my 'Never Again' list.

I unfortunatly bought the 618 pak with all 3 bases and the nice case...which are now all a huge waste (anybody wanna buy em cheap? email me at [...]
Im not going to pay to fix this thing..its a poor design and will only break again down the road.

I guess ill buy a Bosch? Avoid Dewalt...maybe they 'used' to be good, but its clear from the experiences on this thread that they build a junk router.

It doesn't matter if this one is your first or tenth router. You're going to be in for a treat. Smooth,quiet, powerful and accurate. This one does what you bought it to do. Not a bunch of bells and whistles just a complete well-made working tool that won't bust your budget.** The only negative preventing a full five star review is the switch location but you will adapt to it quickly. DEWALT DOES IT AGAIN!

This router has some features that set it apart in the fixed base router category.

Ergonomically, it's small but solid, very nice feel. The variable speed is nice because you can slow it down, which greatly reduces wood burns and saves you sanding time later on. Especially at lower speeds, it is sooo quiet.

One cool thing about it is that if you remove the plastic base plate, it will accomodate bits up to 3-1/4". This is larger than any router that I have, and I have 4. Is 2-1/4 hp enough for a bit that big? Indeed it is. I have used it to cut out box miters with a mega-bit, and it does the job in two passes on hardwoods, eating out a good deal of wood in the process.

I usually have mine mounted under a router table. The height adjusts fairly easily, and the ring you turn is graduated in 1/64" increments.

Now, it's good to look at complaints about this router. First, the motor. I have had mine working hard for 8 months now, no problems. But others have had motor burn-out problems. From the complaints, it seems that if you are amongst the unlucky few that get a bad one, in most cases it burns out almost immediately, while it's still under warranty. I have also had a problem others have complained about, the pin on the collet lock coming loose from the plastic button that holds it, and getting stuck in the shaft. Yes, it can happen to you! I remedied mine with a few drops of superglue on the pin, on the end where it goes into the button. End of problem.

So, from me, it gets 4 stars, because--hey, Dewalt! You shouldn't be making such a cheesy collet lock, and the quality control on the motors seems to be lacking. But that said, if you are amongst the majority that get a good motor--it's actually a GREAT motor, quiet and solid. Remedy your collet pin problem, and this is a solid, quiet, powerful, versatile, ergonomic router that is such a pleasure to use.

I used to recommend DeWalt products to everyone who would listen to me because the ergonomics are so superior. Lately, though, the quality has gotten so bad, I have a hard time doing that.

My suggestion is to skip all the reviews by people who just pulled it out of the box, and read the reviews by people who have used it for a while.

I bought the DW618PK through Amazon several years ago. After about the 10th use, the plastic spindle lock button broke. I didn't care too much because it was a pain to use, so I started using two wrenches instead.

Then, everything went into storage for 2 years (past the warranty period). Later, after about the 20th use, the motor died. It turns out that the magnetic ring on the armature fell apart (apparently, a common problem), but the pieces took out the windings on the armature, as well. I called a DeWalt repair shop for an estimate. They want $20 to tell me what's wrong and then there will be an hourly rate plus parts to repair it. Also, they are backed up for weeks with work. It will be about a month before they can get to it. It may cost as much as a new DW618 (for about $170 from Amazon), so I'm trying to decide if I should buy another brand, instead.

If it wasn't for the quality problems, I still like the ergonomics. The handgrips are comfortable and the dust collection on the plunge base is great - as is the detachable cord, the quick-release latch for the motor, and the centering tool used when changing the subbase. When it runs, the motor is a good, strong motor, and I especially like the ability to easily switch between 1/4" and 1/2" bits. The spindle lock could have been better designed and it is much easier to lock the bit in using two wrenches, instead. A real spindle lock would have been nice.

If ergonomics are important to you, then buy this one and cross your fingers. If you want reliability, look elsewhere.