Replies

1. 
   Dorsett | May 02, 2008 05:22pm | #1

   I purchased one about a year ago.

   No doubt it is a very good router. The slow start is great. The adjustable speed works well. It will cut through just about anything with ease. The plunge mechanism works well, but takes a little getting use to.

   I have had a couple of issues, however.

   While in my RT, when I adjusted the bit upward the entire router occasionally tilted to one side. It was not the table, and not the bit. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that saw dust coated parts of the height adjustment screw (this with full DC on the table). The difference was enough to tilt the router. At first it was frustrating, and couldn't believe the German engineers missed this. Eventually I worked around the problem.

   The micro adjustment mechanism is so fine at times it can be frustratingly slow.

   The dust extraction hood works very well, and comes with the router. Unfortunately, it sticks out at a 45 degree angle. When routing a longer piece I had to pull the DC hose along with the router. Eventually I rigged a spring loaded harness from the ceiling to keep the DC hose moving yet out of the way.

   Be careful when you're finished, and the dust extractor is attached. I laid the unit on its side and snapped the extractor at its base. Super glue repaired the break, but I bought a replacement just in case.

   Check out Amazon. There are 27 reviews. They contain some good comments.

   At $100 off I would recommend buying it.

   Dorsett

2. 
   Garry | May 02, 2008 06:46pm | #2

   For 100.00 off, you can't go wrong. I have had one for about 3 years and it is usually the first plung router I grab. I leave it in the plunge base because I have an older one and the motor sticks in the base which makes it a bear to try to switch bases.

   The plunge base works much smoother than the other plunge routers that I have (Makita and Hitchi).

   http://www.superwoodworks.com

1. 
   quinlanmw | May 03, 2008 12:14am | #3

   I have had this router for a few years and am generally satisfied.  I have a couple of issues with the plunge base:

        - The plunge stop is spongy, depending on how hard you depress the plunger.  This can cause problems with repeatability.  I corrected this by inserting a washer beneath the stop and torquing down on the screw.

        -One of the handles developed play and I can see no way to get into it and tighten it up.

   Neither issue is a show stopper but both are annoying enough that I would probably not purchase this again, although for $100 off I might ignore it.  I've seen the same comments on the Amazon reviews which leads me to believe these are design deficiencies.

   Mike

    

3. 
   Knotscott | May 03, 2008 07:03pm | #4

   Hi Paul - I've used the 1619 in a friend's RT.  It works well, but I don't see many advantages over the MW5625 for table use...the 5626 and PC7518 are typically considered the top choices for table use.  The 1619 is awefully big for handheld plunging, and as you mentioned, it rarely goes on sale.  I bought my MW5625 on sale for < $200.  What's drawing you to the 1619?

   
   

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   Edited 5/3/2008 12:09 pm ET by Knotscott

1. 
   PaulGC | May 03, 2008 07:56pm | #5

   Two things draw me to it:

   1. I've read good things on it a couple years back.

   2. It has a 3-3/4" base opening.

    

   paul

1. 
   joespehar | May 04, 2008 09:14pm | #6

   I used to have a Bosch 1619 EVS in my old router table. I had to remove the plunge springs to install a RouterRaizr. It worked just fine, with plenty of power. However, the few times I used it hand-held, it seemed too big, heavy, and unwieldy. I also have a Bosch 1613 EVS and several other routers in the 2-hp range. They are much better to use hand-held. For hand-held use, a baseplate opening of 3 inches or more is not really necessary because bits that large in diameter are not really safe to use in the hand-held mode. If you use it in a router table, you will probably remove the baseplate anyway. The router table insert or hole that you cut will determine how big a bit you can use. You would screw the router directly into the metal frame after removing the baseplate.I built a new router table and put in a Woodhaven lift with a Milwaukee 5625 motor in it. I like it better that the Bosch, although that was adequate. I sold the Bosch with the old table. If you can get the Bosch for less than $200, it is a good buy. But I notice that they are running closer to $300 right now. I got mine about seven years ago reconditioned (maybe from Tool King of Denver) for less than $200.