Bosch’s bearings aren’t as good either unless you rebuild with quality SKF high speed bearings like I did with mine. I had to replace my Makita router and I bought the 1617 Bosch unit after reading the reviews and boy am I happy I did, powerful, precise, smooth and accurate, I am pleased with my purchase and would recommend this router! Reading the normal stuff is confusing because of the contrasting answers and comments for people looking for lifts for their 1617.

I understand that there is no perfect tool but I only have 1 shot and need to get the best I can afford. You can see two slots on the bottom black piece, with the 2nd one appearing a little wider which may fit the Festool rail.This kit has the exclusive quick clamp system allowing tool-free movement of motor from base to base. The professional blue power tools from Bosch are engineered for excellence – meeting the highest standards in speed, precision and robustness for great, professional work results. Another great feature include variable speed, soft-start, and constant response circuitry that maintains speed under load.

on this and after a lot of reviews on the ones I narrowed down to I have decided to go with the Bosch. The hand router’s variable speed dial allows you to set the optimal speed for the routing task and material. I am not a hardcore woodworker, but routing is something that cannot be done by hand and the few times that I may use it you need the right equipment; it's value is immeasureable.

What I find the fixed base configuration useful for is trim functions using follower bits of various types- from setting the rebate for a high frequency driver after boring the original hole with a Forstner bit, or trimming a side or inner route flush using a 1/2" shear trim bit.

Flat top makes for easy bit changes and ensures that router does not turn itself on for those of us who do not unplug the unit (bad habit). If you have a bad back and a enclosed router table and use your router daily, a lift may be worth the money to you.My next project after this is to make my Bosch Colt with plunge base into a "quasi domino machine" and have it ride along the back of the rail as a guide and then set up "stops" using custom made stops that will use the LR32 rail to set them up at the precise width of mortise that I need.

I have heard of the sticking issue before, I think it was on older models due to different materials and is no longer an issue with current model (I think). I can’t get the depth of the bit to be exactly what I want unless I DON’T use the fine adjustment feature of the router. My favorite weight is rolls of pennies since it's relatively cheap and if they don't work I can spend them or deposit them.Hi all, space I was able to adjust my Bosch 1617 router to fit the Festool lr32 system here are a couple of pictures of how I did it. It's been a while and I no longer own a 1617 but I think I had to rotate it so the flat edge of the plunge base is against one of the knobs, at roughly 45d angle (vs.