Over at Amazon, the Bosch 1617EVSPK woodworking router combo kit is back on sale.
It was $169.15 for Prime Day, but sold out rather quickly. At the time of this posting, there’s a ~4-week shipping ETA, which suggests it’s been backordered.
The Bosch router combo kit comes with a 12A 2.25 HP motor, wood-handled fixed base, and a plunge base.
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The router motor features a variable speed dial and can operate at 8,000 to 25,000 RPM. It’s compatible with 1/2″ and 1/4″ router bits, you just need to use the correct collet – both are included.
This is the router combo kit I purchased, and I’d buy it again today without hesitation.
While $169 and change isn’t the router combo’s all-time low price, it’s better than the typical sale price of $179. The router combo was $177 to $179 last year on Black Friday.
Most other retailers have the router combo kit priced at $199 right now.
Sale Price: $169.15
Bosch has come out with newer and more modern designs, but this model remains my favorite. I’ve used the same motor in my router table and with the handheld bases, and it’s great either way.
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Silas
… November ship date…
Stuart
Right.
This is what I said in the 2nd paragraph:
Amazon’s shipping ETAs are sometimes conservative.
Silas
Thanks. I totally blew past that paragraph.
Stuart
I’m sure you’re not the only one.
Also, the way things work, the ETA might get pushed back depending on how much of an anticipated shipment sells out. Amazon will usually keep pushing things back until they sell x-number backordered units.
Andrew
Menards currently has this setup for $177.11 after rebate and is in stock.
MoogleMan3
Again, my absolute favorite router.
I have a couple PC 690s that just won’t die. They’re reliable but single speed. I have one in a small router table setup.
I also have a dewalt 616 (single speed) and 618 (variable speed). The 616 has been fine, but the 618 had the dreaded speed control ring pop so now it’s just a single speed. It’s been running fine for years that way though. I just removed the cover and took out the broken magnetic ring bits and it’s been a full speed ahead trooper for quite a few years now.
As much as I love the bosch 1617, the plunge base isn’t my favorite; that would be the dw6182. The bosch router fits that plunge base. Best of both worlds.
fred
My PC 690 is still my favorite handheld of the 14 (routers and laminate trimmers that I own). But I might be persuaded to give my Bosch 1617 that honor if it were not mounted in my router table. If the 690 were to finally give up the ghost – I might buy another 1617 – or look at a Makita D-Handle tool.
Koko The Talking Ape
What about the DeWalt base do you prefer to the Bosch? I’m shopping for a plunge base.
fred
I see that Coastal Tool may have some sort of Makita promotion going on – putting the RD1101 (D-Handle) router at $269 – compared to the $309 at most other retailers.
https://www.coastaltool.com/products/makita-rd1101-router
Coastal Tool was a bricks-and-mortar store that we used to frequent when we had a job in the area.
Nate
Fred, thanks. This is a great option to consider to get the “classic Porter Cable” feel. Makita’s corded products are generally really well built and bulletproof.
fred
Acme Tools’ listing says that it’s made in Australia. The $269 price at Coastal Tool is 13% ($40) off the regular price – so you might wait to see if Acme or others repeat a 15% off deal which could save you an extra $6.35.
MT
Glad I ordered when I did—mine’s supposed to arrive tomorrow. Thanks for the heads-up, Stuart.
Nate
This is a great router. I have it in my router table. I have two other routers. A DeWalt trim router (1.25hp) and a Festool OF1400. I’m very happy with all of them. The OF1400 has some really nice features and dust collection. I like that it works on my Festool track and MFT. If the OF1400 dies and I couldn’t fix it, though, I may not buy one to replace it. I will buy another Bosch router to replace my 1617, though.
Bonnie
I don’t have a Festool, but I’m similar with a 1617 in the table and a DeWalt 611 for around-the-shop tasks. I’ve got an older 2HP Bosch plunge, but almost everything I might do with that I prefer using the smaller 611 for.
jayne erin defranco
I have this exact router. I’ve never even used it. and a Kreg router table. I don’t even know why I bought them. Sometimes I ‘m such a airhead.