DEWALT Router, Fixed Base, 12-Amp, 24,000 RPM Variable Speed Trigger, 2-1/4HP, Corded (DW618)

This is my go to router for slab flattening. It has ample power and does not show any signs of slowing down or straining to do the work. It has 2 1/4 horsepower, which is more than adequate for most router operations. Dewalt has always been a name I trust and this tool is no exception. It is a real work horse and meets all my needs. Not only that, but I find it to be much quieter than some of the other routers I own.The router comes with both a 1/4" collet and a 1/2" collect. Any bit your might have in your shop with fit in this router. It also comes equipped with the standard router plate and an additional router plate that has a 2" hole that will accommodate larger bits, such a large spoilboard bit.In short, you can't go wrong with this router and it won't break the bank.

Obviously this thing has some bad reviews on Amazon, which made me hesitant. After reading some of them and then noticing an improvement over 2012 I took the plunge (pun intended) to buy this fixed router. There are no bells and whistles on this thing but I love the cut. Cut some rabbets and then did some template work. Felt safe and very secure. Messy little beast, but it does the job. Will change my post if the motor burns but as one (negative) review reported using this 3-4 days a week for over 3 years before burning out. I'd say that is within my expectation for a buck fifty router. Adjustment is super easy. Briefly put it in my router table and got a great cut, although this is not the primary intended use for me. This is a very standard router. If the motor does hold up for at least a year, I'll probably buy another one with a plunge. I have a multitude of various name brand tools, though I must admit that more of my tools are looking yellow. Will update if things change.Update: I've now used this router considerably for making trim, template work, dados, tongue/groove cuts, roundovers, and more. It continues to run very well. Whatever issues were noted in the past, I have had no problems with this router whatsoever. I'm actually planning on buying another one just like it since my jigs are now made to go with these measurements.Update 11/19/2013: I've continued to use this router as a hobbyist weekly/monthly on projects. I just used it to trim and profile a 10 foot 1 1/4 inch thick walnut countertop I constructed. It continues to run smoothly with no problems. I really like this router. I don't use it in the router table anymore just because I upgraded to a triton 3 1/4 hp router, but still my go to hand router. I just threw my two cheaply made craftsman routers away. It wasn't even worth trying to sell them to anyone because I have to sleep at night.

You simply can not go wrong with this DeWalt router! I was using a “cheapy” from another brand which quit in the middle of a project on me. When I started working with the DeWalt I was amazed at how much stronger it was.

Muy bueno

This is a great router replacement route for my Porter Cable that has burnt out motor. I rate this purchase at a high level but a purchaser must understand what it comes it comes with to make it work. This router does not come with all the size collects needed. You need to order the Collet And Nut replace for Dewalt DW6214 DW616 DW618 DW621 DW625 router ( Amazon) . This router doe not come with a plunge base base. You need to order the DEWALT Plunge Router Base for DW616/618 Routers (DW6182) ( Amazon). And most important the router base plate is compatible with all Porter Cable and Rockler guide bushings needed for template routing.

The instruction manual doesn't say how to attach this to a router table. This might be obvious to some, but wasn't immediately clear to me. I have a Ryobi table. It has many different pre-drilled attachment points but it was not clear at all how to set this up with the DeWalt router. Here's how - the DeWalt uses a three hole pattern. I circled them on the photo. Just take the sub base off the router and mount the router using the three holes . The bolts that came with it would have worked but with the thickness of my router table surface, were a bit short in my view. I got three slightly longer ones at the hardware store. Easy. When I first mounted the router to the table, I realized I had oriented it so that the router speed dial faced the back. I took the 3 bolts out and rotated the router so the dial was visible and I had easy access to all functions. Took maybe 3 minutes to attach it. Plenty of power, relatively quiet. I also purchased a dedicated 1/4" collet on Amazon, so I don't have to fiddle with the collet that came with it when I switch down to the 1/4 collet (the one that comes with the router has a 1/4" bushing that fits into the 1/2" collet - I'm sure I'd misplace that insert just when I needed it!).

Contrary to the product description (what it said on 1 March 2025), the DW618 does not come with both a 1/2 collet and a 1/4 collet. It ships with a single collet with a 1/4 sleeve installed in it. To take the sleeve out, you will need a 1/4 bit. I've given it a one-star rating (it has plenty of 4 and 5 star ratings) just so the erroneous information in the product description doesn't get so easily lost in the shuffle.

Buena maquina