I recently purchased a Bosch 1617 dual base kit and I'm building a router
table based on the plans in the March 2003 American Woodworker.
My questions are as follows:
Since the kit has both fixed and plunge bases would there be any advantage
in permanently mounting the fixed base to the table top without using a
removable insert. I would assume this would simplify the construction and
better eliminate the possibility of the top flexing.
Is there any disadvantage in removing the router motor from the fixed base
to change the bit as opposed to removing the whole unit still attached to a
removable insert?
Is there any case where it would be a significant advantage to use the fixed
base rather than the plunge base for freehand, out of the table use?
Thanks
Yes, no, maybe?
I went trough this same dilemma a few months ago after building my table.
I have the dewalt 618 with fixed, D-handle and plunge bases. First I never
like using a plunge base unless I need
it, too top heavy. Having never used a D-base before and after much
experimenting I found I didn't want to use the fixed base
anymore the D-base seems to have a lower center of gravity and I think it
gives me better control. And I like having that trigger
right there at the end of my finger as God intended instead of having to
hunt for the switch is nice. Now quess were the fixed base is. GET THE
D-HANDLE BASE ITS ALMOST X-MAS GIVE A HINT.
Keith
"smd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:ZHWmd.249012$Pl.75810@pd7tw1no...
> I recently purchased a Bosch 1617 dual base kit and I'm building a router
> table based on the plans in the March 2003 American Woodworker.
>
> My questions are as follows:
>
> Since the kit has both fixed and plunge bases would there be any advantage
> in permanently mounting the fixed base to the table top without using a
> removable insert. I would assume this would simplify the construction and
> better eliminate the possibility of the top flexing.
>
> Is there any disadvantage in removing the router motor from the fixed base
> to change the bit as opposed to removing the whole unit still attached to
a
> removable insert?
>
> Is there any case where it would be a significant advantage to use the
fixed
> base rather than the plunge base for freehand, out of the table use?
>
> Thanks
>
>
I have the same 1617 router kit and built a table based on the same
plans. (with mods of course)
I believe the plans called for 2 pieces of 3/4 inch mdf laminated
together. I hope that's not going to flex too much, mine's been
stable. I used a Mule $30 table insert for the router mount.
I mounted the fixed router base to the insert and use the plunge base
for free hand work. I can get the wrenches into the fixed base
without too much problem to change bits.
I thought I read somewhere that you shouldn't use a plunge base in a
table?
I'd prefer the fixed base for free hand work.
Other notes on the router. Great router, had good reviews so I bought
one. Bad switch location, and bad switch assembly. I had my switch
clog with sawdust after less than a year. I thought it was totally
dead but fixed it on my own(just needed to be removed and cleaned).
I'll have to do it again in the future I'm sure. The metal case
(magnesium?) has already corroded and needed to be cleaned off with
steel wool.
Good luck
On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 05:47:37 GMT, "smd"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I recently purchased a Bosch 1617 dual base kit and I'm building a router
>table based on the plans in the March 2003 American Woodworker.
>
>My questions are as follows:
>
>Since the kit has both fixed and plunge bases would there be any advantage
>in permanently mounting the fixed base to the table top without using a
>removable insert. I would assume this would simplify the construction and
>better eliminate the possibility of the top flexing.
>
>Is there any disadvantage in removing the router motor from the fixed base
>to change the bit as opposed to removing the whole unit still attached to a
>removable insert?
>
>Is there any case where it would be a significant advantage to use the fixed
>base rather than the plunge base for freehand, out of the table use?
>
>Thanks
>
"Keith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1100759391.DS+yoELqGAZyHhxRtvtKcg@teranews...
> Yes, no, maybe?
> I went trough this same dilemma a few months ago after building my table.
> I have the dewalt 618 with fixed, D-handle and plunge bases. First I never
> like using a plunge base unless I need
> it, too top heavy. Having never used a D-base before and after much
> experimenting I found I didn't want to use the fixed base
> anymore the D-base seems to have a lower center of gravity and I think it
> gives me better control. And I like having that trigger
> right there at the end of my finger as God intended instead of having to
> hunt for the switch is nice. Now quess were the fixed base is. GET THE
> D-HANDLE BASE ITS ALMOST X-MAS GIVE A HINT.
> Keith
>
Echo exactly the same thing. Same router, same bases, same preferences,
prolly even the same insert. Wouldn't do it any other way. Well - one
difference, I mounted my router under one of my table saw extensions. Love
it there.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"smd" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:ZHWmd.249012$Pl.75810@pd7tw1no:
> I recently purchased a Bosch 1617 dual base kit and I'm building a
> router table based on the plans in the March 2003 American Woodworker.
>
> My questions are as follows:
>
> Since the kit has both fixed and plunge bases would there be any
> advantage in permanently mounting the fixed base to the table top
> without using a removable insert. I would assume this would simplify
> the construction and better eliminate the possibility of the top
> flexing.
>
With some simple bracing, the correct material and thickness top should not
flex, even with a plate installed. Plates need not be expensive, and they
make significantly simpler the task of accurately setting the bit cutting
depth.
Now, for a quick and dirty table, drilling a hole in a piece of plywood,
and screwing the router to the underside, works just fine. Clamp a
straight board to the top for a fence. Clamp the whole thing to a bench or
a Workmutt. Such a setup makes the building of your next router table
substantially easier. It may even delay the project for many months.
Patriarch,
who has a couple of these hiding under the bench to use with special bits
and small parts.
"smd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:ZHWmd.249012$Pl.75810@pd7tw1no...
>I recently purchased a Bosch 1617 dual base kit and I'm building a router
>table based on the plans in the March 2003 American Woodworker.
>
> My questions are as follows:
>
> Since the kit has both fixed and plunge bases would there be any advantage
> in permanently mounting the fixed base to the table top without using a
> removable insert. I would assume this would simplify the construction and
> better eliminate the possibility of the top flexing.
I do not know of an advantage but a disadvantage is that if you ever use a
larger diameter bit like a raised pabel bit, the hole may be too small to
accommodate. On the reverse side if you make the hole large it may be too
large for shorter pieces of wood that you may want work on smaller bits.
>
> Is there any disadvantage in removing the router motor from the fixed base
> to change the bit as opposed to removing the whole unit still attached to
> a removable insert?
Perhaps the room to easily drop the motor during removal. Also on that
particular router It may become a hassle aligning the index pin to the
correct space on the fixed base during insertion.
>
> Is there any case where it would be a significant advantage to use the
> fixed base rather than the plunge base for freehand, out of the table use?
When doing dovetails on a jig. The fixed bases IMHO feel more controllable
with lower handles.
On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 05:47:37 GMT, "smd"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>would there be any advantage
>in permanently mounting the fixed base to the table top without using a
>removable insert.
No. You need a thick top, for rigidity. You need a thin insert,
otherwise you'd be mounting the router 1/2" - 3/4" lower and using
that much usable bit length. You'll save a small amount of effort
and build something that annoys you for ever more afterwards.
--
Smert' spamionam
On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 05:47:37 GMT, "smd"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I recently purchased a Bosch 1617 dual base kit and I'm building a router
>table based on the plans in the March 2003 American Woodworker.
>
>My questions are as follows:
>
>Since the kit has both fixed and plunge bases would there be any advantage
>in permanently mounting the fixed base to the table top without using a
>removable insert. I would assume this would simplify the construction and
>better eliminate the possibility of the top flexing.
Most tool dealers and Amazon sell a Bosch "table kit" for about $40.
It's got an extra fixed base and an adjuster knob extension. You
could also look for a refurb'ed fixed speed 1617 for about $80 on
eBay. This would leave you both bases and an easy way to pop the
router in and out of the table.
I typically leave the 1617EVS in the table, but use the fixed speed
outside the table, as most hand routed bits are smaller and don't need
to be slowed down. The fixed base feels better to me, and is easier
to fine adjust, so I use it whenever I don't need to plunge.
>Is there any disadvantage in removing the router motor from the fixed base
>to change the bit
Not at all, I find this to be the easy way to change bits with the
base in the table.
>Is there any case where it would be a significant advantage to use the fixed
>base rather than the plunge base for freehand, out of the table use?
See above. The fixed base has a lower CG, a better fine adjust, and
simply feels better in my hands. Try them both and see if you agree.
You're going to want to test the machine on some scrap, as you don't
want your next project to be the first time you turn the router loose.
<G> Try both bases in the test.
Barry
On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:31:46 -0800, "Keith" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> And I like having that trigger
>right there at the end of my finger as God intended instead of having to
>hunt for the switch is nice.
D handles are very nice, but the OP has a Bosch 1617. The switch
dosen't move on those, and the user can choose to place it on the
right or the left. The 1617's motor dosen't rotate in the base like
many other routers.
Barry