BS

Ben Siders

31/07/2003 9:14 PM

DW621 router

I hate to keep asking tool questions, I'm sure you get them constantly
and get sick of them, but here's another one.

From all I've read, the DW 621 looks like sort of an unofficial
industry stardard for the mid-level router. What other machines in and
around this level/economic range would you recommend?


This topic has 5 replies

cc

charlieb

in reply to Ben Siders on 31/07/2003 9:14 PM

02/08/2003 12:47 AM

Larry Levinson wrote:
>
> Personally, I dislike the 621 because I find the ``on'' switch to be
> annoying to use. I have tried it twice at tool shows and each time I
> feel as if I am going to turn the handles the wrong way and have the
> ``plunge'' jump right out at me. To turn it on and lock, if I remember
> correctly, you have to push in, shift down and pull back to get it in
> the locked position. The DeWalt guys at the booth agreed that is was a
> somewhat intricate series of manuevers (sp?) for what you are doing,
> but ``you'' get used to it.'' For my money, you should not ``have to
> get used'' to something as basic as turning it on. I have a Bosch.
>

How do you feel about having to let go with one hand to get to
the on/off switch on top of the routers? Ever picked up a D handle
and accidently pulled the trigger - the torque kick'll get your
adrenaline going big time. How do you feel about getting your
thumb over to the to lock lever once you've plunged the spinning
bit into the wood?

The 621 has soft start so start up torque kick is minimal, locking
the plunge is less than one eighth of a turn on the left handle.
The on trigger pulled in with your trigger finger and the interlock
which must be pushed down with your thumb becomes second nature
after a practice dado or two. The interlocked on/off switch makes
it almost impossible to start the router by accident.

Changing bits with a single wrench because the 621 has a shaft
lock "button" is mighty handy, especially when the 621 is
mounted upside down in a router table - AND only one wrench to
lose rather than lose either one on a PC and you're screwed.

Two flat sides on the base, at two different distances from
the center of the bit, is handy - IF you pay attention. The
only drawback is that the base is narrower than on PCs and
initially seems tippy - again 'til you've cut a couple of
practice dadoes.

The plunge mechanism is silky smooth and done WITHOUT removing
either hand from the handles. The motor is much quiter than
the PCs but still requires hearing protection. The fine
depth of cut adjustment is a dream compared to the PCs. The
variable speed is also nice, especially in a router table
spinning a larger diameter bit.

The 621 is not a PC and, IMHO, that's a good thing.

just my two bits

charlie b

LH

"Lowell Holmes"

in reply to Ben Siders on 31/07/2003 9:14 PM

31/07/2003 7:23 PM

There are none.
I use a DW 610 for fixed base routing. I have the PC 690 kit and I only use
the router in a table with a foot switch attached.
I have the Pat Warner bases for all my routers.

"Ben Siders" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I hate to keep asking tool questions, I'm sure you get them constantly
> and get sick of them, but here's another one.
>
> From all I've read, the DW 621 looks like sort of an unofficial
> industry stardard for the mid-level router. What other machines in and
> around this level/economic range would you recommend?
>

EP

"Edwin Pawlowski"

in reply to Ben Siders on 31/07/2003 9:14 PM

02/08/2003 2:21 PM

> Larry Levinson wrote:
> >
> > Personally, I dislike the 621 because I find the ``on'' switch to be
> > annoying to use.

I agree it is not perfect, but it is far superior than to some others.

When looking for a router I picked up assorted models in the store. I could
not figure out how to safely hand a router with one hand, flip a toggle
switch with the other while a bit is hanging out now turning at 25,000 rpm.

In my table, I is OK as a different switch is used to activate it. Not the
way to do it in my hands though.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome


EP

"Edwin Pawlowski"

in reply to Ben Siders on 31/07/2003 9:14 PM

31/07/2003 10:18 PM


"Ben Siders" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> From all I've read, the DW 621 looks like sort of an unofficial
> industry stardard for the mid-level router. What other machines in and
> around this level/economic range would you recommend?
>

Bosch 1617 EVS
Porter Cable 690

I have the DeWalt and like it much better now that I have a Pat Warner
www.patwarner.com base on it. I also have the Bosch and it is mounted in my
table.

Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome


LL

Larry Levinson

in reply to Ben Siders on 31/07/2003 9:14 PM

01/08/2003 1:28 PM

Personally, I dislike the 621 because I find the ``on'' switch to be
annoying to use. I have tried it twice at tool shows and each time I
feel as if I am going to turn the handles the wrong way and have the
``plunge'' jump right out at me. To turn it on and lock, if I remember
correctly, you have to push in, shift down and pull back to get it in
the locked position. The DeWalt guys at the booth agreed that is was a
somewhat intricate series of manuevers (sp?) for what you are doing,
but ``you'' get used to it.'' For my money, you should not ``have to
get used'' to something as basic as turning it on. I have a Bosch.




"Lowell Holmes" <[email protected]> wrote:

>There are none.
>I use a DW 610 for fixed base routing. I have the PC 690 kit and I only use
>the router in a table with a foot switch attached.
>I have the Pat Warner bases for all my routers.
>
>"Ben Siders" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> I hate to keep asking tool questions, I'm sure you get them constantly
>> and get sick of them, but here's another one.
>>
>> From all I've read, the DW 621 looks like sort of an unofficial
>> industry stardard for the mid-level router. What other machines in and
>> around this level/economic range would you recommend?
>>
>

Larry Levinson
Talking up to the vocal ...
LLevinson*Bloomberg.net
(remove the star etc ....)


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