|
Milwaukee 5616-24 2-¼ Max HP EVS Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base
Milwaukee 5616-24 2-¼ Max HP EVS Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base
Milwaukee 5616-24 2-¼ Max HP EVS Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base Accessories
 Milwaukee 49-54-0700 9-Piece Template Guide Kit
Milwaukee 49-54-1035 Router Edge Guide with Micro-Fine Adjustment
Milwaukee 49-54-1040 6-Inch Diameter,1-3/16-Inch Center Hole Sub-Base
Woodworking with the Router: Revised & UpdatedProfessional Router Techniques and Jigs Any Woodworker Can Use
Kreg K3MS K3 Master Pocket Hole Jig System
Milwaukee 49-96-0370 Above-The-Table Depth Wrench
MLCS Woodworking 15 Pc. Carbide-tipped Router Bit Set, 1/2" shank
Mirka 23-615-AP 5-Inch 8-Hole Assorted Grits (10 Each Of 80/100/120/150/220) Dustless Hook-and-Loop Sanding Disks
Building Kitchen Cabinets
Milwaukee 5625-20 15 Amp 3-1/2 Horsepower Fixed Base Variable Speed Router with T-Handle Height Adjustment Wrench
Milwaukee 5616-24 2-¼ Max HP EVS Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base Reviews
It has plenty of power for the many cuts I am making and the bit appears to be centered (I can turn the router around and there is no difference in where the bit cuts). It comes with a fixed base and the plunge base. I look forward to trying out the plunge base on my next project. I needed a router for a furniture project and, based on reviews I found here, selected the Milwaukee 2616-24 router. I have only been using the fixed base so far on my project. So far, so good. I am very pleased with the tool.
I've got well over thirty Milwaukee tools and think very highly of all of them with this one exception. The plunge is smooth, the feel and balance of the unit is very good, the depth adjustment system is excellent, and the handles comfortable. For example I feel that the big 3 1/2 HP Milwaukee router (of which I own three) is the best router in the world for router table use. The problem with this plunge base is that the motor is insufficiently clamped into the base as this clamping is entirely achieved by the use of the over center clamp. I solved this problem by drilling and taping a hole into the plunge base for a set screw which I tighten against the router motor to lock it into place.
A plunge router however is a different animal as when plunging there is considerable vertical force working against this clamp trying to push the motor out of the base. I do think that the plunge release lever should be longer as it's a bit hard to actuate, but, the handles intrude into this space making the use of a longer plunge release lever difficult. All other multi based routers use this over center clamping system but augment it with a pin on the motor that fits into a slot in the plunge base to prevent the motor from rising up when the unit is plunged. On a conventional base router this isn't an issue since all of the load on the router bit is tangential. This works fine but something like this should have been done by the factory and not me.
The Milwaukee doesn't have this additional feature. There is no force trying to push the router motor out of the base. First off I am not a hater. It actually hurts me to badmouth this product since I have such a high regard for Milwaukee tools. Good unit with an unacceptable flaw.
Except for this major flaw the rest of the plunge base is good. When under high vertical load (like plunging a mortise) the motor backs out of the base.
Some will not like having to use two wrenches to change bits but this is no problem for me. The router is quiet, powerful, has a slow start feature, and is simple to use. This Milwaukee kit came up over and over as one of the best. I do recommend contacting Pat Warner (http://patwarner.com/) for his alternate base. I am a novice user and bought a set Whiteside bits. I am not a big fan of the three part case or the size of the case.
Finally, the switch is perfectly positioned for easy on and off while you are gripping the router. The router and bits are performing flawlessly. I researched routers by reading and talking to people who use them regularly. I have used it for a few weeks now and absolutely love it. Buy it, you'll like it. The body grip on the fixed base is wonderful for keeping a good grip on the router.
He has an elliptical base that fits this router (and others) that makes them more stable when using by hand.
i recieved this router and was very impressed with the quality and control it was difficult to decide what brand to by but i finally decided to go with milwakee because it was one of the only ones made in the USA
Fortunately, Amazon customer service took the old one back and sent a replacement. It looks like it was made in the same factory as the other router accessories. At the slowest speed, it pulsed about every half second and was strong enough that it would have disturbed cutting. The motor was also much louder than that of the 5615. It was fairly easy to remove, but Milwaukee quality control should have caught this. No rattle, but upon plugging it in and turning it on, there was a noticeable recurring vibration in the motor that increased with the speed adjustment. I contacted Milwaukee Tech Support and they simply said that this was a variable speed unit with soft start, and deferred me to the local service center.
Terrible. My only gripe is the cheesy stop rod and stop screw. The smaller case that came with my reconditioned router is much more handy. The motor housings are the same, just a different armature and field. Speaking of edge guide, they should've included one, although the Milwaukee guide looks cheaply made. When using the edge guide, the U-shaped piece is removed and the collector is held in place by the edge guide rods. The soft start feature is more like a delayed start. Plunge is smooth and controls are well placed, and it comes with the 1-3/16 clear sub-base installed.
If you look at the parts diagrams on the Milwaukee Web site, you'll see that the added height of the red cap is to accomodate the electronic module. The 1-3/4 and 2-1/4HP motors, bases, and accessories can be used interchangeably. Again, Milwaukee quality control should've caught the problem before shipping it out. Luckily, I discovered it before I plugged it in. It looks like part of a motor armature.
The dust collector looks and feels really cheap. The gargantuan case will probably go into storage. Although it was supposedly tested and inspected at the factory, there was a 3/4-inch long piece of metal rattling around inside the motor housing. The new kit arrived today and is smooth and buzz-free. My first purchase was a reconditioned 5615-81 1-3/4HP router. The height-adjustment wrench and dust collector are of limited use to me. The plunge base is excellent.
After flipping the switch, just as you start thinking that the unit is defective, the motor comes on. As for the rest of the kit, this and the 1-3/4HP kit are the best deal if you need both the plunge and BodyGrip bases and the clear sub-bases. After purchasing a Milwaukee Sawzall from Amazon and being very pleased with it, I was in the market for a router and was impressed with the Milwaukee height-adjustment design. Next, I decided to purchase this 5616-24 kit from Amazon. It is held in place by a U-shaped piece of metal which clamps to the edge guide holes. There is still quite a bit of starting torque transferred through the grips. I still need to reach under the table to loosen the clamp before adjusting the height.
|
