This would be ideal for a CNC router!
First and foremost, I have put this router through its paces by utilizing it on a CNC router.
Like butter, I’ve cut steel, aluminum, sign board, and V-carved hardwood and soft wood.
I finally killed the bottom bearing after 2 years in the cnc and around 20 hours a week of continuous running by carving a 1.25″ solid piece of soapstone into an awesome grooved cutting board/serving tray.
The router is still working OK, but the dust that accumulated in the bearing caused it to become noisy.
After that, I operated it for another year before replacing it with a new one and sending it in to have the bearing replaced.
This router is a steal for $149.
In less than a month, I’ve burned through several Craftsman routers; the prior Porter Cable lasted almost a year.
I decided to give the Bosch 1617 a shot, and it hasn’t let me down.
Yes, two wrenches are required for bit changes, but in my experience with other routers with push pin locking and a single wrench, the push pin lock frequently breaks off after a short time, requiring the use of two wrenches…
It could benefit from the spindle locking mechanism used by the 1619evs (which I also own), but I’ve never had a problem with the two wrench approach.
Works well with the wooden-handled base as well.
Those who argue that the switch is in the wrong place are correct, however the switch is in the same location on all routers of this type, including PC, Craftsman, Hitachi, and others.
If you want to control a trigger switch, get a plunge router.
