Hi,
I'm currently writing a review for a magazine on the Bosch Colt
PR20EVS laminate trimmer and I'd like to validate and confirm a few
glitches I found so far with other owners of this product. Please feel
free to let me know any additional issues you may have encountered
with this product.
1. The bits are tough to remove from the collet. I need to wrap them
up in a rag in order to pull them out safely without cutting myself.
Does this problem goes away after a while?
2. The micro adjustment knob is not that smooth. At some points it
gets very difficult to turn it.
3. At first, I liked the idea of having specially designed areas on
the base to put my fingers on for added stability. When l used it for
the first time though with a router bit raised fairly high in the base
(I was cleaning an hinge), I realized there's no protection at all in
the event the router kicks. The base is wide open and one can get
seriously injured if they happen get a finger in there. I would have
appreciated a clear plastic cover that would have protected my fingers
as well as help on the dust management. Anybody else share this
concern?
4. The carrying box is way too big. I understand we usually like to
have a little bit more space than just the tools and its original
accessories but this one really goes way over. After all, we only need
to store a few more 1/4" router bits, it doesn't take that much space.
Thanks for your feedback.
Happy New Year to all woodworkers!
Greg D.
The problem is possible related to the fact that in Europe, standard
bit sizes are 6, 8 & 12 mm, but in North America they are 1/4"
(=6.35mm) and 1/2" ( =12.7mm) - the problem being in the extra .35 &
.7 extra respectively. Most router collets have at least that much
take up, but it seems Bosch may be shipping collets that are much
closer to European spec. than in the past.
Just a SWAG on my part, I'm saving up for one of the new Triton 2 hp
jobs, I have 3 x 1/4" routers already.
regards
Bruce
On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 10:34:02 -0600, Chris Friesen
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Dave Jackson wrote:
>
>> 1. Removing the bits in ALL newer Bosch routers that I've used, this one
>> included, is somewhat difficult. I've just gotten used to using the handle
>> end of the collet wrench to gently pry (not on the carbide, of course!) the
>> bit loose.
>
>Hmm...don't have this problem with my 1617. The 1/2" bits are a bit
>snug, but I can still pull them out by hand.
>
>Chris
Dave Jackson wrote:
> 1. Removing the bits in ALL newer Bosch routers that I've used, this one
> included, is somewhat difficult. I've just gotten used to using the handle
> end of the collet wrench to gently pry (not on the carbide, of course!) the
> bit loose.
Hmm...don't have this problem with my 1617. The 1/2" bits are a bit
snug, but I can still pull them out by hand.
Chris
I bought one about 6 weeks ago and have only used it about 10 times so my
"review" for you is limited.
1. Removing the bits in ALL newer Bosch routers that I've used, this one
included, is somewhat difficult. I've just gotten used to using the handle
end of the collet wrench to gently pry (not on the carbide, of course!) the
bit loose.
2. The micro adjust on mine seems to work fine, but I've only used it a
couple of times to "dial it in".
3. I like the grips on the base, it feels comfortable. I never felt as
though my fingers could be in danger. I do use the clear guard on my 1617
(plunge base), but it can flip down when I need to see (or clean it) and
flip back up when cutting.
If a guard were to be added to the PR20, it should be fairly easy to
remove/replace for line of sight and cleaning.
4. I must agree with you on the case, it's large for that little router. In
fact, I've carried it into a job a couple of times mistakenly thinking it
was my Bosch jigsaw!
5. The power of the machine is has seemed quite adequate, and it seems to
be of the same good quality as my larger Bosch routers.
Sorry I don't have more to add for your review, the router is still
somewhat new to me, so I haven't had a chance to try it out in numerous
different applications. I plan on doing some inlay work in the near future
and thought this machine may work well for that (the reason I initally
purchased it) However, it has just been used at work for edge treatments,
etc. thus far. --dave
"Greg D." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I'm currently writing a review for a magazine on the Bosch Colt
> PR20EVS laminate trimmer and I'd like to validate and confirm a few
> glitches I found so far with other owners of this product. Please feel
> free to let me know any additional issues you may have encountered
> with this product.
>
> 1. The bits are tough to remove from the collet. I need to wrap them
> up in a rag in order to pull them out safely without cutting myself.
> Does this problem goes away after a while?
>
> 2. The micro adjustment knob is not that smooth. At some points it
> gets very difficult to turn it.
>
> 3. At first, I liked the idea of having specially designed areas on
> the base to put my fingers on for added stability. When l used it for
> the first time though with a router bit raised fairly high in the base
> (I was cleaning an hinge), I realized there's no protection at all in
> the event the router kicks. The base is wide open and one can get
> seriously injured if they happen get a finger in there. I would have
> appreciated a clear plastic cover that would have protected my fingers
> as well as help on the dust management. Anybody else share this
> concern?
>
> 4. The carrying box is way too big. I understand we usually like to
> have a little bit more space than just the tools and its original
> accessories but this one really goes way over. After all, we only need
> to store a few more 1/4" router bits, it doesn't take that much space.
>
> Thanks for your feedback.
>
> Happy New Year to all woodworkers!
>
>
> Greg D.