DEWALT Router Fixed/Plunge Base Kit, Variable Speed, 12-Amp, 2-1/4-HP (DW618PK)

The router was delivered promptly and the packaging seems to be an original, unopened box from DeWalt. Although the description on the factory package indicate there is one 1/4 inch collet and one 1/2 inch collet, only the 1/4 inch collet is in the unopened and sealed bag of accessories. I have decided to return this and select another brand due to the additional cost I would incur to purchase the missing collet. I haven't used this product but I am confident it is a great router simply based on the many other DeWalt tools I own. ***UPDATE*** I must apologize, After going online and finding the owners manual, (I must admit that my 66 year old eyes couldn't read the one included with the product), I realized that the collets share a single nut that tightens onto the router. The 1/4 inch collet, the inner portion only, was inside the 1/2 inch collet. I was expecting each collet to have a nut. I am not returning this as stated above and I am pleased with the router. Also changing my rating to 5 stars.

I love this router! Never had a router before and I don't know how on earth I lived without one. Upon reading all the reviews, I was down to this one and the Bosch. So far, I've used the fixed base with some roundover bits to smooth edges on my son's IKEA bed and on my DIY workbenches in the garage. The router has worked very well. I've only taken the RPM up to 3 (goes to 6). I never felt like the tool needed more power. It's truly amazing to see this baby work. The fixed base height adjustment works pretty well. Just loosen the "snap clamp" and turn the big dial to adjust. Once it's where you want it, snap the clamp back in to secure it. I've probably done about 50 linear feet with this thing so far and no abnormal behavior from the fixed base or router motor. The smooth start is nice! The case it comes with is pretty large, but appears well-made. There are places inside to hold everything, including both sizes of bit chuck and the wrench. The router motor has a built-in lock for the shaft, so you only need one wrench. It takes a bit of getting used to, however. I found that I would grip the motor with my left hand, while letting my left thumb do the work of holding in the locking button. I would then use the wrench with my right hand to tighten or loosen the chuck. I do wish DeWalt would make the spring for the locking button just a bit weaker. It's on the stiff side, but perfectly usable once you get used to it. So far, no real issues with this router. Nice job DeWalt!

There is a lot to like about this router. When it comes to routers, less is more. The DW618 is pleasantly free of rack and pinion depth adjusters, work lights, edge guides, little plastic shields and other marketing gimmicks. On the positive side, the router provides a solid base, an accurate fine depth adjustment, balance, power and speed control. I need plunge capacity only occasionally. The combo kit provides an adequate plunge option for those occasions. Some things that I don't like: Lack of mounting options: A router is just a motor with a collet attached. It isn't much good unless it is attached to a jig. The standard router base is a kind of jig, but it isn't designed to be used by itself. Its function is to provide a solid base to which jigs can be attached. Jigs range from base plates and rub collars to larger fixtures such as router tables. The only usable mounting holes on the DW618 are the base plate mounting holds that are #8-32 by ¼" deep. In order to mount a jig, you will have to cut the screws to just the right length to avoid bottoming out in the holes. This is frustrating because the fix is so simple. Dewalt! Please drill the base plate mounting holes all the way through the casting. It would be even better if the screw size was at least #10-32 to provide a more secure mount (I have a router with 5/16" mounting bolts. Love it.). The depth adjustment ring is calibrated on the top surface. The markings should be on the outside edge of the ring where they would be visible from any position. Depth adjustments are often made with the router inverted. Due to the squat design of the router (which is a good thing as it lowers the center of gravity) the depth adjustment on the fixed base is limited. Fully lowered, the collet protrudes 1/4" below the base plate. At full height (with full contact with the locking ring) the collet clears the work surface by only about an inch; not enough for many router bits. It would be easy to construct a jig to raise the base a bit (see note on base plate mounting holes, above). There are very sharp edges on the casting under the base plate. You'll want to knock off the edges with some sandpaper. Blood stains are difficult to remove from your project. The flat side on the plunge base adds nothing and may get in the way. Round is good. The removable power cord is a nice feature, but you'll have to buy a replacement from Dewalt if it is damaged or deteriorates. Overall, this is a good router with accurate castings, adequate power and good balance. I paid under $200 which is an excellent value.

I have been using this kit for a few months now and I completely love it! Pros: ~ Excellent quality! People love to complain about Dewalt's products no longer being produced in the US, but I find no signs of that effecting quality in my purchases so far. I own several new Dewalt tools and they are very well built and packaged. Dewalt has responded to criticism by now returning some manufacturing to the US and actually branding their tools "Built in the USA with GLOBAL MATERIALS", but frankly in my experience the tool quality seems totally fine (produced in the US or otherwise). The action on the plunge base is smooth and easy. The adjustable height stops have a clean positive click for each stop. The handles are sizeable and comfortable to use. Even the toggle switch has a feeling of solid quality. Everything considered, this just feels like a substantial well made tool. ~ Soft start motor is perfect. An added benefit of the soft start is it makes this tool less scary to use for the inexperienced newcomer since it doesn't come screaming to life the second you hit the switch. ~ It has the all the required accessories for a kit in this price range: 1/4" & 1/2" collets, dust collection shroud, included wrench, hard case for storage, adjustable speed, etc. ~ I love that the power cord is detachable at the base. I have found with nearly every power tool I own, that interface--where the cord enters the tool-- ALWAYS eventually becomes the point of failure. Sometimes it takes years, sometimes it takes months, but this system will prevent that. The included cable is pretty durable, but if you were to damage it somehow, you can easily just purchase another and swap it out, no mess, no fuss. EVERY POWER TOOL SHOULD USE A SYSTEM LIKE THIS, PERIOD. Cons: ~ I think the dust collection shroud is a bit wimpy. It is just a small plastic piece and I often find it a bit clumsy to attach. Once attached however, it does work well. ~ Would be nice perhaps to include the edge guide. Even if that raised the price slightly its fine because I see this as being a router KIT and so many routing operations are well served with the edge guide. The hard case already includes a space for it, so why not include it for a few extra bucks. ~ Their claim that the solid base allows for 1/64" adjustments is frankly bogus. There is a large collar threaded onto the motor shroud and by turning that you are supposedly able to make 1/64" adjustments. There is just no way, and that isn't even a knock against the tool they just shouldn't say it in the description. If you need perfect 1/64" adjustments, you would never expect to get that from a collar threated to something like 0.5"/turn. Its just not that accurate for repeatable cuts, but it also shouldn't be, that's why its a fixed base. You might be able to get it with the plunge base, but I bet not even there could you make repeatable 1/64" cuts just on the basis of the measuring guide. You would have to make test cuts to actually ensure you got that level of accuracy. Its not a router lift, its a hand held router. In summary, I love this router and both bases. The motor size makes it big enough to tackle most any jobs within reason and still compact enough that it remains versatile for edge routing.

Great value and quality!

I needed a router for my router table. This router needed to be able to use large bits, such as rail/stile bits for cabinet doors. Those need some serious torque for best results. I read some of the reviews here that indicated it is a good router that may have longevity issues. I figured I would give it a try, since most tool brands nowadays are garbage except for DeWalt, Milwaukee, Hilti, and some other high-end brands. The Milwaukee routers seemed to have similar reviews to DeWalt, but Amazon had this one for cheaper so here we go. After a couple of months using it for some hobby weekend woodworking, I like it so far. I cannot speak to its longevity or how it would work after years of daily use. But it has enough power to plow through denser hardwoods with tongue-and-groove bits, straight bits making deep dado cuts, and others that can remove a lot of material at once. No burn marks, no whining from the motor as long as I feed at a reasonable pace. This router is a great compliment to my 1/4" trim router. If that is all you have, and you want to do woodworking, get a 1/2", powerful router to do the things the smaller one cannot. I do recommend this DeWalt, with the caveat that I have only owned it for several months. If it holds up like their other tools, I am sure it will work well for years. When you compare routers' power to each other, try to use amperage, not horsepower. For example: this model uses 12A, but is rated at 2.25HP. That amount of horsepower, at 120V, equates to approximately 17A. It has a NEMA 1-15P plug, indicating that in order to be UL-certified, it cannot draw more than 15A. In fact it might even need to be derated to 80% of 15A, which gives us the 12A it claims to draw. What this means is the math on the amperage checks out, but the horsepower rating is complete nonsense. Pretty much every other corded power tool has the same garbage horsepower math, so ignore it: compare amperage instead. 12A is probably about the highest amperage rating you will find on a router or other power tool until you move up to tools designed for 20A or 240V circuits. Those are much less common, so this router will be one of the most powerful models you will have an easy time finding.

The kit arrived missing both collets, so right now I am unable to use it. I contacted Dewalt by phone, then got lost in the complex phone menu system. It had me on hold for awhile, then offered to call me back. I gave it a try, and it asked for the best time to call. I entered a time and it said that was beyond the calling hours. It wouldn't let me escape (usually dialing "0") will get you to the root menu or an operator. Not here. Nothing I entered would satisfy the system. Gosh, I miss human operators. Next I tried the website. It asked a question I didn't understand (which version? 1 or 2? How should I know). I tried to describe the problem in detail and listed the missing parts. I didn't notice anything about a response time. They charge $35 for just one collet, so if they don't send me one, I'll return the router. After over an hour, I've still not received a conformation email, so we will see how this goes. I usually buy the red brand, with a few blue brand items, so this is my first experience with DeWalt. I'll update the review once support contacts me. Update - After several emails, they won't send me the missing collets, and told me to return the router. It appears they will not honor the warranty if you are in the return period. I guess return it and buy a different brand. The shocker is I see reviews where missing collets are a common problem, so they know this is an issue and decided to do nothing about it. I'd suggest avoiding this router and get a Bosch or Milwaukee.

I researched a long time for a versatile plunge/fixed combination and chose this. The case is great for organizing the router and some (not included) accessories like the edge guide. The plunge base attaches quickly and has a nice spring action. The variable speed is nice for different woods, and the slower startup keeps me in control rather than having it kick away with a hard start. I like the handles and long, detachable power cord. I had looked at several and this unit fit my hands and felt the most comfortable. Setting the depth via the screw is a breeze, is accurate when compared to my measurement bars and it didn't move once I locked the depth in place. I mounted the fixed base on my router table and use the plunge for freehand routing. Works great with guide bushings especially when working with hinges. Definitely are great router compared to the 10 yr old C-man router. Always wanted a plunge router and this fits the bill for sure.