Customer Reviews

Milwaukee 5615-20 1-3/4-Horsepower BodyGrip Router

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The depth adjustment on this router is the best I have ever used. I purchased the router mainly for use in a router table, and the access from above the table to adjust the depth of cut is just wonderful. The motor is powerful enough for large cuts. The tool is very comfortable to operate, with the power switch in the perfect position to access whether using the body grip or the handles.

I have the Porter Cable 690 (a fine router) and the Makita 3612BR (also a fine router) but this Milwaukie puts them both to shame. It is much quieter than either of the others and more comfortable to use freehand. The depth adjustment is wonderfully easy. And placed in a router table the above table adjustment is a breeze. Other reviewers have stated their wish for variable speed and soft start but I find this router starts very smoothly, (the Makita just about rips itself out of your grip) and I use a shaper for larger shaping operations so I find I don't need variable speed. I also bought the baseplate with the 1 1/4" opening so I can use bushing guides (the standard base opening is to big for standard bushings. I wish I had the choice of which baseplate to get as I don't need the larger opening of the standard baseplate and they are kind of expensive. I do think it is great that both bases are available for those that run larger bits. Overall I think this is the very best router available anywhere near this price. Milwaukie has a winner.

I have several routers (Proter Cable, Hatachi, Bosch, DeWalt and Ryobi) ranging in Hp from 1 1/2 - 3 1/4. Each of these routers have outstanding features, but the one I would rate over all is the Milwaukee D and the Bodygrip models.

When it comes to control these two routers give the feeling of complete control over what you are doing. The startup is smooth and the power is above average.

I would recommend both of these routers highly.

Well done Milwaukee...

After reading all the non-plunge router reviews I could find, and looking at each model in local stores, several tool features sold me on this unit. It helps living in a large metropolitan area, as numerous local stores sell professional-grade routers.

1. This is the only mid-sized router I could find that is designed to be controllable with one hand, with quick access to the off/on switch using your right thumb. (If you hold the router in your left hand, the switch won't be in the right place for your thumb.) This is important to me, because when routing dovetails, I hold a vacuum hose in my left hand, and the router in my right hand, so a two-hands-needed router won't work.

2. Router bits stay in the precise center of the base, even when bit depth is adjusted. This may sound pretty basic, but this is the only (non-plunge) router I could find where this was true. E.g., in ALL of the units I looked at where height adjusts via the motor assembly screwing into the base, the router bit shaft is hardly ever in the very center after you tighten the motor housing clamp. While this may not be critical for most router applications, it is whenever using template guides. E.g., to make dovetail joints or use door hinge templates.

3. Router is relatively light and easy to handle.

4. Model 5615-21 comes with a well-designed case and a clever built-in removable router base (click on customer photos above). There is no need to remove the bit from the router - as it is protected from damage while sitting right side up on the base, either with the base in the case, or with the base removed from the case. The case provides outstanding tool protection and has extra space around the tool for storage. Model 5615-20 is JUST the router - no case and no router base.

Soft-start was not important, although that would have been a nice plus. In fact, fast stopping of the bit would have been even more useful - i.e., it takes several seconds for the bit to stop after switching the tool to off.

I bought this router primarily to use with a Leigh 24" dovetail jig, although it's used for other purposes. It hasn't been used enough to testify to its longevity, but so far, it's just what the doctor ordered. The micro-adjusting screw is perfect for doing dovetails or door hinge routing, where you're typically moving the bit in or out, but 1/100" at a time. As with any well-designed router, you can set it upside down, because nothing sticks out.

Owning 5 routers of various types, I can assure you that there is no "perfect" router for all purposes. For example, I use a 3 hp plunge unit in a large router table - it's soft-start and variable speed, with plenty of power for those super-large panel door cutters, and bit changing needs but ONE wrench from the table top - because the tool's drive shaft can be locked. This Milwaukee unit needs TWO wrenches (included) to change bits; and while it's amazingly simple to insert or remove bits with the router sitting on a bench, that wouldn't be so if it was under a [router] table. Besides, it would be underpowered and too high-speed (for large bits).

The reviewer whose unit vibrated too much might have had a defective router - mine hardly vibrates at all. If I sit my router flat on a bench (with no bit), and turn it on and let go, it just hums, doesn't wander at all - and runs smooth as silk, although it's hardly quiet.

Since through dovetails need two routers to be set up (for productivity), I'm thinking of buying another one of these...

I needed a router for a router table. I set one up on the table saw so that I could use the rip fence for both. This router works great the height adjustment is a snap. The low noise is also a plus. If I did not have a shaper I might look for a router with a speed control so that I could use larger bits at a lower speed. I wouldn't use larger bits with this unit but for what I needed it's perfect.

I am a fiish carpenter who uses 4 routers set up with different bits most days. I have owned this router for nearly 2 years and find myself reaching for any other router other than this one. The strap idea is great, however it takes longer to pick it up, get comfortable and go. The height adjustment is also a good idea, but in the everyday world doesnot offer an advantage over other systems, unless you dedicate this to a router table.

My big gripe about this tool is the bearings have failed on me twice in the past nine months. Keep in mind I use this tool only when another router is not available and I have not experienced this problem with my other routers.

I can't believe it. I've found a replacement for my Porter Cable router. I took this router out of the box, put it in my router table and it works great. The adjustability is unbelievable. Simply twist the knob. Adjusting the height in micro incriments has never been so easy. What a relief. NICE!!

A fine tool lacking only 'soft-start' and variable speed control features,I have found this tool to be both strong and relatively quiet when installed to a router table.

Although the bit height can be adjusted from the top of the table, similar to commercially available add-on router elevating devices sold by Jessum, I have found it simple enough to adjust from the bottom.

If variable speed is desired, this non 'soft-start' motor's speed can be controlled by using a seperate speed control, which is adequate for my purposes.

Typical of Milwaukee tools, which are made in the U. S., the material and workmanship of this tool is of high quality.

A nice enhancement for this tool would be a "Quick Change" tool holding attachment, similar to the Porter Cable adapter. Should this type of adapter ever become available, I would be the first to purchase it.

First of all I have to say the outstanding feature of this router is the depth adjustment. I chose this router over a cheaper one that had the same power, but required that one turn the body to make height adjustments - in router table use this would irritate me each time I used it. One comment in another review was that the depth adjustment stuck and gave the owner a lot of grief. Mine responds flawlessly, and is perfect for table use.
It doesn't come equipped with a base plate that will accept 1 3/16" template guides and this was a complaint someone had. The connection pattern on the bottom worked with a third party baseplate I already had that is drilled to fit a wide range of models. I haven't tried it in a dovetail jig because buying this router allowed me to dedicate the old one to that use, but it might be a solution for others. Bottom line - I like this machine and am glad I bought it. I'm giving it 4 stars because somehow it didn't impress everyone who commented.

I bought this tool on clearance from Lowe's. I must say Milwaukee has great customer service and supplied me with the missing wrenches for this tool. I like having the ability to hold the router with one hand with ease. I must agree with another reviewer about it being difficult to get your hand in the strap. I would prefer the PC model with the D handle. This model was on sale for $50.00! I wished the router had a soft start. This router has a lot of torque at start up. Very powerful router. I removed the velcro strap and the handle on that side. It has been a little difficult to get my hand in and I find is so easy just to grab the router without the strap. I removed the handle to allow me to get into tighter spaces. I can always put it back on if I need it.