Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW618D 2-1/4 HP Electronic Variable Speed D-Handle Router with Soft Start

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a home woodworker and wanted to by a new D-handle router with the latest features. When DeWalt's new line of routers came out, I sprung for the 2-1/4 variable speed model. I'm not a router expert, but loved it from the get-go. It's very comfortable and managable, easy to hold and route with one hand. The detachable cords are a great feature. I just love the variable speed, makes me feel like a pro using this router! Now, I'm also a mechanical engineer and I can be fairly critical with a tool purchase. This DeWalt router does come with a case. And it should, it's a beautiful tool, and I like to keep it that way. The collet lock button is in the most awkward location, hard to get at with even my slender fingers. I think it could have been oriented in a more open direction. And there are no clear plastic side shields to snap in place to limit the extent of sawdust that this router can kick out. My old Sears router has this feature. Would these things have prevented me from buying the router had I done a hands-on before buying? Probably not. I still think DeWalt makes great tools. They just don't take it to 100% to give the woodworker all the creature features. But for all I know, maybe some of these issues exist with other brands of routers at the same category/ price. Knowing things like this ahead of time will at least prepare you for some of the unexpected things that you can probably still accept and claim it as a good purchase as I did.

I've owned this DEWALT DW618D router for about 5 months, and I have to say I love it. I've used it on several projects and it works very well. The 2 1/2 HP is plenty strong, and the D Handle fits very comfortable in my hand. At first I was disappointed It didn't come with a case. But now I'm glad, usually the case is to big and takes up to much room..

I am new to woodworking and had never used a router before. Based upon a lot of reading, I learned that three features are very important for making routing easy and safe for first-timers. The D-shaped handle, variable speed motor, and the on/off switch. That being said, I found this router to be perfect.

This router has an on/off flip switch on the motor, but you start and control the speed of the motor with the trigger in the D-shaped handle. The point is, I don't have to take my hands off the handles to start the router and I can easily keep a good stable grip. Next, the variable speed trigger is nice as you can work the bit up-to-speed slow and easy. Other routers kick-on full speed and can "jerk" the router somewhat. Now imagine if you have to take your hands of the handle to start it AND it jerks when you start it. Not good. This router doesn't have either of those problems. I found the D-handle grip easy to manage, but people with small hands might find it hard to use. I really like the trigger lock for routing long pieces of wood.

Comes with 1/2 and 1/4 collets which is very nice as it will accomodate most any size bit. The router comes with a spindle-lock so you only have to use one wrench to add/remove the collet. I didn't find this difficult to do.

Documentation was very good. Clearly written by someone whose primary languange is English, not Chinese.

I love this thing!

I purchesed this router to cut aluminum doors for new locks. Using a special carbide router bit the locking nut continued to loosen and apparantly the collet was defective. I called customer service and they shipped me a new one...so the real test will come next time it is used. The router itself is very smooth and balanced and with the D handle very easy to control...until the nut loosened anyway. Now if the new collet and nut hold up the next time I use it I'm sure all will be well.

Works great. only complaint would be that the directions are printed on one very large sheet, hard to use, hard to ignore the non-English versions