Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW621K 2-Horsepower VS Electronic Plunge Router Kit with Carrying Case and Universal Edge Guide

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let me start by saying I don't believe a "perfect tool" exists, but the DeWalt 621 is close.

I admit, I'm not a spontaneous person when it comes to buying larger ticket item tools. This was no exception approx 18 months ago. I insist on good research. I tried to consider every possible use, quality, ergonomics, company reputation and overall long term investment along with price. First stop was here at Amazon.com, next Workbench Magazine (March/April 2001 issue, page 44.), followed by hands on inspection at local shops including Home Depot, Sears, Rockler and Tool Mart.

Out of a half dozen choices it came down to the DeWalt 621 or Porter Cable 7529. I did not like the electronics issues that plagued the P.C. (Porter Cable), and the fine depth adjustment rod is difficult to turn due to its very close proximity to the router body. Overall quality, ease of use and power were the priorities for my choice and then price. I would have gladly paid ...more for a mid-size router, if I felt it was truly better. I've heard from local woodworking shops that P.C. has addressed the electronics problems with the 7529 but with the higher cost (and weight) and lower usable power, the 621 was still the better choice. I decided to buy mine at Amazon.com as I did not have to pay shipping/handling or tax and I was assured of quick delivery. The base price here was competitive with other websites and stores and I received the edge guide attachment free.

When I received shipment the first thing that went through my mind was "Oh no, what happened!?" The outer shipping box had a huge 4" diameter hole in the right lower corner. Fortunately the router was encased in it's own box toward the rear of the shipping one. I immediately unpackaged and plugged it in. It's soft start electronics smoothly and quickly brought the router up to speed. The only noise heard was the soft whoosh of air from the motor's fan. It was music to my ears. Wheeew was the sound we both made!

I am a woodworder first and plastic/metal fabricator second. I wanted to really put this machine to test under a significant load. I am in the process of fabricating a 4" mini-table saw with a solid aluminum table top and needed to route two 1/8" deep by 1/2" wide miter grooves. Now obviously this is not likely to be recommended by DeWalt, but as I said, I wanted to test this machine under heavy load. A 1/2" shank ,1/2" straight carbide bit was fitted and the work began. The 621 sliced through the top without a whimper, slowing of the motor or excess vibration. The first wood project was a 1/4" roundover of redwood stock for some custom stackable shelves. The roundover was so effortless I thought I had missed the stock and had to turn off the machine and feel the edge with my finger to believe I had actually cut the surface. I was pleasantly surprised, the edge was perfect. Next job. 1/2" dados (using undersized plywood straight bit) to create tight fitting shelves in a birch cabinet followed by 1/2" x 1" deep mortises for tenon joints on a seperate redwood stand. The power and precision of this machine is impressive and with the lighter weight makes it nimble in the hands unlike the P.C. tank. The rack-and-pinion depth adjustment worked superb as did the three position turret, although six stops would be better. With power locked on and plunge raised, the 621 barely moved on my tabletop, a testament to it's ball bearings and smoothness. The fat spindle lock button was easy to use and much appreciated by my fingertip (and knuckles for those unfortunate without this feature).

The 95% efficiency regarding this routers ability to clear dust and woodchips you may have read is absolutely true! The large steel plunge rod (actually a hollow pipe) on the left of the machine is a cleverly designed vacuum tube (In this case different is better. Good job DeWalt!!). Attached to my shop vac, the suction works so well I have even used it to clear some of the excess dust on the table produced from my other machines. I just lightly pass the router over the dust and chips instead of detaching the vacuum hose from the router or blowing it away using my lungs.

As I said earlier I don't believe in any perfect tool and this router does have a few quirks. The base is different from most routers. Having two parallel straight edges gives it a smaller total surface area but also allows for easier edge guiding. The power switch is unusual to use and more complicated than a simple lever but is designed for safety as is the P.C. 7529 and like the P.C. just takes some getting use to. The plunge lock is also different from the others but easy to use without having to remove any fingers from it's grip so as to activate a lever.

The Pro's:

**Impressive Macro/Micro plunge adjustments
**Truly functional vacuum system (It really [has power]!)
**Smooth electronic controlled startup/feedback with ample power
**Good spindle lock and collett design
**Good quality of fit/finish

The Con's:

**Unusual base design with smaller surface area
**Unusual power switch (Designed for safety, but so has the P.C. 7529)

Summary: Maybe I like the 621 based on its ample merits or maybe because it's yellow color reminds me of my Tonka truck as a boy? It's definitely a very good tool. Or is it just an adult toy? Hmmm....

I recently purchased the DW621 to replace a two year old DW621 that was stolen. I use the DW621 as a hand-held router

Lo and behold, the new router is different. The plunge springs are softer making it easier to control during plunge cuts.

The switch has been redesigned with a more positive lock. With the older router, it was too easy to bump the switch off.

The plastic chip guard has been redesigned and is much more effective.

The bushing holder is easier to install and fits better.

Both routers have variable speed and soft start. The balance point of the router is to the left of the bit making it less 'tippy'. The motor is quiet and smooth. The power is deceptive.

I replaced the stolen DW621 with a new DW621 because out of all the tools in my shop, the Dewalt feels the best in my hands.

I have found the DW 621 easy to use and quick to set debth of plunge. It is easy to see what you are doing and the dust shoot really helps. The Plung spring is a little week and the trigger takes some getting use to, other wise it represnts good value and it should enjoy the durability of my other Dewealt tools.

I looked high and low to get the right power out of a router that wasn't too heavy. Considering it's a plunge router with 2 HP, I think this router feels perfect during use. The dust chute is very effective when used with a vacuum. The universal template attachment for the baseplate is very handy too for dovetailing and such. After shopping for nearly four months for the right tool, I would enthusiastically recommend this router for virtually any job you could throw at it.

Absolutely a great all purpose plunge router kit! As stated in other reviews this is not the best choice if you are focusing on primary use in a router table because of the on/off switch location. But, everything else is great! I'm very happy with the quality of construction and performance given me by this outer. This unit is definitely one of the best routers in its class. It has all the features one could possibly want. I recommend it!!!

DeWalt's 2 hp Plunge Router is the best choice for a middle of the road place for the plunge router. It's both basic and heavy duty for most tasks. The dust collection port is a added plus improvement over DeWalt's version of the Elu plunge routers. This is a plunge router that defintely has a significant place in my shop but, in my opinion, the plunge router is really not the best router to use for router table use if that's how you plan to use it. Best stick to a fixed base, if that's your need.

Works great until the switch wears out. The electronic speed control on my unit wore out with very low hours on it. I have a couple other routers that have done 10-50 times more work, and are still going strong. My friendly neighborhood DeWalt repair center fixed it for me. I went to pick it up... $175 for the repair!!! Keep the piece of sh**. $175 to fix a $190 router?!? I did some research, and found out that I'm not the only one with this problem. The electronic circuitry on these units are notorious for failing. I'd suggest a Porter Cable if you want a 2 hp router.

The hose connection for dust removal through the column will catch about 80% of the dust, but when you use the base attachment it is 99%,Rated # 1 or 2 by most woodworking tool reviewers, and from my view for the money it is # one. I own several DeWalt tools and love them all,very good tools for the money.But I have no use for there Black and Decker line of tools.

Pluses - Has a good motor, spins almost like a dentist drill. Good plunge action. I like its size. Good speed control. Good dust collection.


Minus - Base is poorly designed and I can't use a straight edge with it. The casting of the base is rough and not straight and the base plate edge is not a good reference for the center. My Porter Cable 8529 base plate is better referenced. At least it lands on a 32 inch gradient on my strait edge. I will make a base plate to use in conjunction with a bushing so that I can use a staight edge for dados in plywood.

The bushing center is off by about .025" toward the right (fixed handle). It is at least centered between front and back.

I hate the plunge lock mechenism. I want the handle to act like a handle that I can grab without fear of unlocking the plunge lock and having the router pop up. This would be real bad if using a splining bit or a keyhole bit.

I like the position of the PC 8529 dust collector better. The dewault dust port extension gets in the way when inverting the router to change bushings, bits.

I like the PC 8529 height adjustment better. The Dewault has two height adjusters. The micro adjust knob on the Dewalt is for veneer work or tweeking once you've set the main height adjustment and made a test cut. Also, one turn of the micro adjust doesn't correspond to a convenient gradient like 1/8". The PC height adjustment is one continuous thread and each turn is 1/8". Although cumbersome turning the knob, you can get 59/64" without a test cut. The PC height adjust is however, better suited for the router table

Great router kit. I first ordered from TylerTool.com only to wait and wait for nothing because they said it was in stock when you order, then they fail to let you know that they don't even have it in stock. I'm finding out that there is more and more online tool business like Tyler Tools that are doing this type of deceptive selling with attractive low price listings stealing time and money from buyers and legitimate sellers like Amazon. Anyway, Amazon had it in stock and I'm not disappointed.