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But that is what it is supposed to do. There is something about the metal that sticks. The plunge mechanism is great. My one complaint is that the metal casting sometimes grips the motor housing too well, when the user wants to extract the motor and replace it in a stationary base. If you keep it well dry lubed or waxed this problem goes away. The user can repeat the depth to the preset over and over. I have plowed mortise after mortise on production runs with excellent results.
It does the job, is well constructed, and has several clever features, such as the clear plastic guard that can also be positioned out of the way for changing bits without removing it from the base, thereby minimizing chances for losing it. If I had to whine, I can see two areas for improvement: First, the 1618 comes with a very short cord on the router motor, and it plugs into the D base, which provides a trigger and long cord.
Second, the markings on the fine adjustment mechanism are raised pointers on a chrome "nut", and can be difficult to see if the light isn't optimum. Would be nice if this base had the same facility.
Some time ago I acquired the 1618 D handle version of this router and have been pleased with that purchase. The lock lever was easy to reach without removing one's hand from the grip.
I'll be applying daubs of paint to mine, suggest Bosch do the same. I recently found myself in need of a plunge router's functionality, so added this base.
The turret stops and fine adjustment mechanisms also work smoothly and well, as does the plunge action.
Simple, direct, versital, accurate, repeatable, stable, well balanced. A good deal, and this plunge base is what a plunge base should be. I use it often, and glad I do. I began using this base about 5 years ago when I got it as part of a Bosch kit. This along with the 1617EVS with fixed base, and case.
No worry about bit cuts wandering if the base is running against a fence or pattern as you run your router. When you place the router into the base the bit is dead on center. The motor slips in and out easily but can't fall out by accident.
I eventually mounted the fixed base to my home built router table. The base also has fine depth adjustment (1/64") marks so you can actually adjust within 1/128th depth. I purchased the Bosch fixed based router last fall before the combo kit came out.
The unit stops are easy to read and adjust. The plunge base works smoothly and the lock mechanism is easy to use.If you have the Bosch EVS router then use your fixed base in your table and buy this to make your unit quickly portable again. It is a bit of pain to remove the base from the table when I wanted to use it freehand.
Since Bosch created a reat quick release for the router motor I decide to Purchased the plunge unit for portable use.
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