Plunge depth systems compared
| Router or base | Turret | Fine adjustment | Speed (rpm) | Collets | In a router table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch RA1166 base on the 1617EVS | Steps 1/8 in apart | 1/32 in a turn, 1/128 in a mark | 8,000–25,000 | 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 in, 8 mm | Not recommended; damage may occur |
| DEWALT DW618 plunge base | Five positions, one adjustable | About 5/128 in a turn | About 8,000–24,000 | 1/2 in, with 1/4 in insertable | No statement in the manual reviewed |
| Milwaukee 5625 (dedicated plunge) | Steps 1/8 in apart | Depth adjustment knob | 10,000–22,000 | 1/4 and 1/2 in | Never |
Each row is that maker's own figures. Milwaukee's manual lists its 48-10-5600 plunge base for the 5615 and 5616, separately or in kits. Not a ranking.
What to compare
- The turret. How many stops, how far apart, and whether one is adjustable. Bosch's and Milwaukee's steps are 1/8 in apart; DEWALT's turret has five positions, one adjustable. Step spacing is the maker's, not a pass depth for every bit — see plunge routers.
- Fine adjustment. How far one turn moves the final depth: 1/32 in on Bosch's RA1166, about 5/128 in on DEWALT's DW618 plunge base.
- Kit or dedicated machine. A plunge base sharing a motor with a fixed base (the DW618PKB, Bosch's 1617EVSPK) gives both kinds of router; Milwaukee's 5625 is built as a plunge router.
- Collets and speed. 1/2 in for large bits, and a low enough bottom speed for them; see the speed chart.
- Dust and guides. DEWALT lists a dust shroud for its plunge base and a universal edge guide; check which are in the box.
- Springs and lock. Milwaukee says not to use a plunge base whose motor does not rise when released, and never to remove the caps over its springs.
Equipment notePaid link
Router combo kit
Bosch 1617EVSPK
One of the two kits named above that put a plunge base and a fixed base on one motor.
Paid link — BenchRoot may earn a commission if you buy through this link.
Plunge routers and tables
If a table is in the plan, a plunge router is rarely the one for it. Bosch says its RA1166 plunge base is not recommended in a table; Milwaukee says never to put its plunge-base models in one. DEWALT's manual reviewed here says nothing either way. Bosch's table pages do list some plunge routers, Bosch's own 1613 among them, while the RA1171's page also carries the note 'Fixed Base Models Only'. The router's own manual decides; when it is silent, ask its maker. A table and the router for it are compared in choosing a router table.
Before buying a plunge router
- A turret and depth rod you can set and read
- Fine adjustment fine enough for your work
- Motor rises freely on release; lock holds
- Collets and speed range for your bits
- Dust shroud and edge guide that fit
- Not planned for a table unless its maker allows it
Mortises and stopped cuts with a plunge router are explained in plunge routers; full-size routers in general are compared in choosing a router; the family is mapped in the router guide.
Sources
Specification-based: every figure is the maker's own for the router or base named. Turret steps are each maker's spacing, not a depth to take in one pass. Current is listed as published and not used to compare performance. No router was tested, none is ranked, and no prices are given.
- 1.
1617, 1617EVS, 1617EVSPK, 1618EVS Operating/Safety Instructions. Bosch, 2018.
Used for: The RA1166 plunge base for the 1617 motor: depth rod and turret with steps 1/8 in apart, fine adjustment of 1/32 in a turn and 1/128 in a mark; collets for 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 in and 8 mm; 8,000–25,000 rpm on the 1617EVS dial; the plunge base not recommended for table use as damage may occur.
- 2.
DW616, DW618 Router System, Instruction Manual. DEWALT.
Used for: The DW618 plunge base: depth rod and a five-position turret with one adjustable stop, fine adjustment of about 5/128 in a turn, a plunge lock lever, a dust shroud; the turret never changed while running; 1/2 in collet with a 1/4 in insertable collet; dial settings from about 8,000 to 24,000 rpm; no bit over 2-1/2 in; no statement on table use.
- 3.
DW618PKB 2-1/4 HP EVS Fixed Base/Plunge Router Combo Kit. DEWALT.
Used for: The DW618PKB kit's fixed and plunge bases on one motor.
- 4.
Heavy-Duty Routers, Cat. No. 5615-20, 5616-20, 5619-20, 5625-20, 48-10-5600, Operator's Manual. Milwaukee Tool.
Used for: The 5625 production plunge router (15 A, 10,000–22,000 rpm, soft start, feedback control) and the 48-10-5600 plunge base; turret steps of 1/8 in; never using the plunge base without the motor rising on release, nor removing the caps over its springs; 'NEVER use the Plunge Base Router models in a router table'.
- 5.
RA1181 Benchtop Router Table. Bosch.
Used for: Plunge routers a benchtop table lists — Bosch's 1613 and 1619EVS, Porter-Cable's 7529.
- 6.
RA1171 Cabinet Style Router Table. Bosch.
Used for: A table page listing plunge routers beside a 'Fixed Base Models Only' note.
About this buying guide
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