Customer Reviews

Milwaukee 5625-20 15 Amp 3-1/2-Horsepower Fixed Base Variable Speed Router with T-Handle Height Adjustment Wrench

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I needed to replace my 1.75 horsepower router and chose this Milwaukee model based on a review in a woodworking magazine.

The high level of workmanship on this Milwaukee router is impressive, as is the obvious quality of the materials from which it is made. I love the soft-start feature, speed control, and the graduated-knob depth adjustment.

I mounted this 3.5 horsepower beast in my router table. It zipped through hard maple without so much as getting hot. I crosscut a bunch of .75 inch dados with ease. The through-the-table height adjustment works great. I can raise the router sufficiently to change bits from above the table.

I am 100% satisfied.

Update - 5 months later - This router is terrific. It has become a mainstay of my shop. Cope & stick joinery is no problem. Raised panels are no problem. Dovetails, grooves, etc are no problem. The height adjustment is the greatest faeture. Still 5 stars.

I have 10 routers. This is by far the best. It screams QUALITY. I looked at the Porter Cable, and did not buy it. I did not like the variable speed handle, and it felt heavy and akward compared to the milwaukee. I also have a highly rated Fein, which I can't complain about, but when you handle both at the same time, the milwaukee is simplty light years ahead in fit and finish. This is the best router value--it is worth every penny.

I purchased the router from Amazon and received it in just 3 days. Tonight I used it to cut a hole in a router table top made of 1.5" MDF. Here is how it performed...

Having the PC standard base for template work is nice. The T-handle wrench is good. The collet wrenches are beefy but raw metal. I wish they had some coating. The collets seem fine.

The soft start is essential in a router of this power as is the speed control. I was using a template for this project and found the handles to give me great control and comfort. They are placed low which make the router very stable. I needed to control my depth of cut accurately to inset the router plate. The fine screw depth adjustment was excellent! With one button I could slide the base off to change guides. It was just as easy reinstalling the base over the motor. Run down time when you shut off the unit was acceptable.

There was plenty of power to cut through this 1.5" MDF. I can't wait to try some raised panel bits.

Overall the router seem excellent to use & well built. Be carefull if you mount it in a table...one push of a button can send your motor to the floor. I am building a movable stop under my table to prevent an accidental drop.

Happy routing!
Dave

When I first used this router it was so smooth I was reluctant to put it in my router table, the reason for which I purchased it to begin with.
It replaces a Bosch 3-1/2 hp plunge router that I had for 16 years. I just got fed up with beating the bits loose from the collet in the Bosch. I also have a Fein RT1800, but needed to leave that portable, and did not want to put in my router table.
After reading everything I could find including reviews on Amazon I decided on the Milwaukee 5625.
At first it was great. It still is a great router with two caveats:
1. The main selling point and the reason I bought it. The table top adjustment feature no longer works. You can lower it from above the table, but not raise it. The split nut feature that allows quick adjustment and facilitates the above table raising/lowering mechanism failed. It is made of plastic. It has stripped out.
2. Yesterday the power switch failed. Sawdust had entered the switch. I blew it out a few times with compressed air and finally got it working. Since it is mounted in a table and I use an auxiliary switch I don't intend to ever switch it off again. I'll just unplug it.
Don't get me wrong. This is easily the best fixed base router I have ever mounted in a router table, but the reason for which I purchased it, the above table adjustment, turned out to be NOTHING BUT ADVERTIZING HYPE, AND I AM NOT PLEASED!!!
By the way, just for clarification, in the six months since I have had it I have only used this tool a total of five times. I would estimate that this tool has a total operating time of about three hours.

If you purchased one of these machines,,,,be aware that the raising and lowering mechanism is susceptible to slipping. Milwaukee has come up with a solution so that it will not slip or you can have it correted at an authorized repair center. The new ones that are being manufactured are already corrected. Unfortunately I purchased one of the first ones made. It worked great for 6 months,,,,,then slip, slip, slip.

Other than that, I really like the machine. It is a horse that performs beyond expectations.

I fell in love with this router when I received it about 8 months ago. My intent was to use it as a table mounted router and I have it mounted to a Woodpecker's table mount.

I liked the idea of having an integrated lift mechanism built into the router - however, this is also the problem. After 6 months of use, the lift mechanism no longer works properly.

The power switch keeps failing. When used in a table, the router is upside down, and it gets sawdust in the switch and fails. I normally use an aftermarket external switch anyway, so it is possible the reason for the switch failing is that I do not use the router-based switch that much. A sealed switch should be used here.

I ended up giving up on the router's lift mechanism and bought a Woodpecker Universal lift.

If Milwaukee would fix a these minor things, this router would be the king of all routers.

Great router, but the lift mechanism and switch needs some help.

This router has some serious power! The soft start is a wonderful feature. The lower speeds are great for panel work. The feedback circuitry and the 3.5 hp motor can tackle some serious projects. I would give this 5 stars, yet my only complaint is the bulk of the machine and the large handles. They make it a bit hard to manuever, but I guess with this amount of power, you need a serious grip on this machine. Highly recommended!

Milwaukee's upgraded the HP rating of the 5625-20 (It was 3.25 HP last year). I've used one for over 6 months, and I've received my second one today. This latest one is to replace a porter cable router that screams so loud you need shooting muffs when you use it (failing bearings). Anyway, the only thing you need to look at on Milwaukee routers is the electrical connections. They are crimped on and wiggle loose, and then the router stops working. Once you tighten (or solder) those, these routers are damn near perfect in every way. I currently have 6 table-mounted router setups, all of them USA made routers. The modern Milwaukee routers are the best I've ever used.

I've had this router mounted in my main router table for about 3 years now and still performs like the day I bought it.
I've read some of the other reveiws on this router and the only complaint I see is the adjustable lift.When I change bits and pull the motor out of its base I take an air hose and blow all the sawdust out.When the router starts to get a little sticky and any resistance in puting the router motor back in its base I'll clean the base and motor housing with mineral spirits to remove any pitch.Works like new again and I call this process MAINTAINING your tools.
No complaints with this router at all.

If you want a router for your router table,one that can handle the biggest bits you can throw at it,I highly recomend this router.

What can I say it's a Milwaukee tool. Have had this router for about 6 months. Haven't used it on many freehand operations(any bits need 3+ HP shouldn't be done freehand), but under the table this tool has produced flawless cuts with mediocre bits. I have ran horizontal panel raising bits with backcutters and couldn't even get a hint of a bogging motor. One downside if you see it as that is the similarity of a jet engine noise level(but I see this as proof of it's tremendous power). The soft start works great. The only other thing I see wrong with it is when mounted to a 3/4" MDF board for table operation some bits just barely have enough clearance, but this goes for pretty much any router. Milwaukee's depth adjustment is far above the rest in my opinion, because the actual router body is not turned, a definite plus for table operation(controls are always in the same stop. I haven't used the above the table access much but when I do it works great. I would have to say if you have the money to spend this router is definitely worth the price. It can handle anything thrown at it(including shaping operations). Definitely 5 stars!!!