Customer Reviews

Milwaukee 5619-20 1.7-Max-Horsepower D-Handle Router Kit

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had been looking for a "D" handle router and was in the process of deciding on the Bosch or the Makita when I came across Milwaukee's router. Both of the previous two have good reputations, and I'm sure I would have been happy with either, but what caught my eye was the features on the Milwaukee... and it didn't hurt that it was several dollars cheaper. My primary reason for wanting the "D" handle is that I prefer having that motor switch right at my fingertips.

One feature I like, is that the base is tightened down to the motor, or loosened, with a metal lever that snaps open and closed. This is easier than twisting a knob, and once closed, you have a positive lock. (yes, I have failed to tighten a knob securely enough on another router and had the base come loose while operating it). Removal of the base is done by pressing a button and sliding the motor out of the base. "Coarse" adjustments are made the same way. A knob is provided on the top side for making fine adjustments. Though the adhustment is not a fine as on my plunge router, I find it to work very well. The collets require 2 wrenches to install bits, and the wrenches provided are the forged type rather than stamped metal, a definite plus.

All in all this router is a pleasure to use, and my past experience with Milwaukee service has been very good.

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 Body comfort 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...

Well, I must say Milwaukee scored a home run with this new router. I love the ergonomics of the soft grip handle. The motor is smooth and very powerful. The threaded rod height adjustment system couldnt be any smoother. I love my old PC 691, but I think it will now start collecting dust. Hopefully, they will come out with a plunge base for this router like all the other manufacturers have. Also, would like to see a soft start/variable speed version offered. Thanks Milwaukee for another great product.

It's simply a nice machine. I've been holding off on buying a D-Handle but finally gave in. I'm glad I did. Milwaukee makes it easy to spend money...because they make such solid machines. Even though my old ELU is pretty much table mounted for life...the fact that they thought about coming up with a way to adjust depth from above the table...made me look at this router. I've never had a problem with anything from them...and their on-line service is the best. I realized after I got it that there may be a way to convert to a BodyGrip by buying a few extra parts. I sent a message and within hours I got a reply with an attached illustrated parts pdf file on how to do it. Now how many times have dreamed about that kind of service? If you're in the market...buy it. You won't be sorry.

I received my new Milwaukee D-handle router the other day and am very impressed so far. I have quite a stable of Milwaukee tools that have given both faithful and flawless service over the years and expect this one to be no different. As a proffesional residential building contractor I will not only use this router in the shop for end tables, dressers, entertainment centers, and whatever else my wife threatens to buy if I don't build; but also on the job site. I used this router the other day to cut out window openings in plywood wall sheathing 26 feet up in the air hanging from a ladder, and thats where the D-handle with on-off control at the tip of your finger is so nice. I did'nt have to take my hand off the ladder to turn the thing off. Its' also relatively light and very powerful. The 1-3/4 hp at 24,000 rpm is more than I will ever need. If I have one gripe it's the fact that there currently is no impact resistant carrying case available with it like Milwaukees' body grip router with the same motor. I guess I will have to pony up ...$ to buy a contractor bag that their cordless combo kit comes with. All in all though I think Milwaukee has another winner.

The selection of a router has always been a difficult thing for me to do. Yet when I discovered The Milwakee 1-3/4 h.p. router it was pointed out to me that it was well thought out and had some unique features that others didn't have. The offerings by other brands had all the bells and whisles that make them unique and while all in a vast field of routers have there own merits the Milwaukee stands out from the rest in the field as to its power rating and size.
Why? you might ask did I chose to buy this router over such a crowded field? The design at first looks like some of the more well respected competion. But when close examination you find the little things that count the most. Simplicity of use should be a real consideration and yet this is a soficated design as well. I needed a good router that will work all day. I use this device to make lots of Hive bodies for my infant beekeeping operation. I have to, the bills are piling up on supply house wood ware equipment that use nothing more than finger joints for the standard of the industry. Surfice it to say the Router under review is a good place to start.
The device has some really redeeming qualitys that make unique in what Milwaukee Tools supplies. The wrenches are the first thing that comes to mind. Some others don't even offer or have eliminated tools that should come with machines that use them. Milwaukee didn't disappoint me and sent the right tool to take the bits on and off. Those 2 wrenches are a good sign that someone was watching "Router Work Shop" and the design also refelects on that as well.
If this tool is to be used in a multi-versital roll, like all routers should be, then this router has no real equal as of yet.(Notice nothing stays the same any more.)Since the router has now been defined as a unique tool that someone who works in wood has to have in order to conduct such things as rabbiting, and jointing this tool is at home above the work surface and well as bellow the surface. Why bother buying addtional gismo's when you have them built into the power tool in question. The Router table plays a big part in what I have to do. This means that adjustments to the depth of the tool bit and working surface has to be made simple not complexted.(Thank you "Router Work shop" for the simple method that you employed to do just that.) All router must be inverted and the controls of the depth must be adjusted in order to preform such taskes. This tool has devised a way into there design to do this without removing the router from the surface. It isn't much at first glance but both the normal router in this area and the "D" handled model do have an adjustment bolt that is 3/8" and a simple socket wrentch is all that is needed to make those adjustments at the surface.
This above feature and the "Router Work shop" should make itself self evedent that the design is a big improvement and a real time saver when someone has to make an adjustment without changing tool bits. The router in qestion has a very slight "kick" when starting but then even the "soft start" features on other routers sill have a "kick" when doing so. The whole device is well fishised in a nice Powder Coating and information on the housing tells the operator just what direction the rotation is. The concern to the operator is also definded in both models with contols of the hand and the vibration that occurs in all power tools. Ergonomics as a field should always help the user of power tools to achive control of the device at all times. This Router has, in my mind, all the applied features and considerations to the operator who has to use this tool everyday at prolonged intevals that it will not do lose control of this device. The Milwaukee Tool company should be comended on the consideration of the worker who uses there product.
While I have not used this device under real curcumstances it has no "Gyro-Effects" in what ever position that I place it with my control of the tool in operation. This makes me belive that it has been "balanced" to such a degree that the operator can control the device in any position that he wants to. Ther is no element of surprise with this power tool. Milwaukee Tool makes fine power tools for the heavy-duty crowd who make their living operating their tools under difficult positioning situations in order to achive construction of buildings and other edifices. (Plumbing and Electrical trades.) Their experance in those fields to design were not overlooked in this tool. Long hours of use is expected in those devices and I belive that the consideration in design were such that they didn't overlook those considerations in this tool as well.
So all in all I have chosen a safe and reliable tool that will out last me in the service or wood working and construction of my Hive bodies and other wood ware that I have to make on my own. While it is a minor problem the locking down of the power tool in the "D" handle is just a little to small for my fingers that just might be a "Plus" when consideration for such a feature is employed. (You can get by it with a firm application to it by the use of your thumb or a pen or pencil if handy.)
Since all that is specified is I feel that this tool is a good investment and shouldn't be overlooked in the overall consideration of a simple router with more features than normal.
Respectfully Submitted

Harvey Gussow
Desert Meadows Apiary/ Desert Meadows Honey
Tucson, Arizona
85715

Seems well made. I like the method for raising and lowering the router in the base. The wrenches work well. It seems like a solid product.

I really like my new router. It will do everything I need it to do. The adjustment and tightening lever are the way to go. It comes with a 2 1/2 inch base you should know the 1 3/16ths base is what is needed to use any guides. Nice adjustments and easy use, plenty of power.

I have only had this router for a month or so now, but so far everything has been working smoothly and I am impressed with the quality of all the Milwaukee tools I have so far. I bought this router based on its high praise and it has lived up to all the acclaim.

At first I hated this thing because I was so used to my other router. Now I see why it had great reviews. I now like this one much more than my other Milwaukee router. I have better control with this one instead of my other one. It's built tough and it makes routing alot more controlable. I would diffently recommend this router to my own mother (if she were still alive).