Milwaukee 5616-24 2-1/4 Max-Horsepower EVS Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base

This is a fine router. It has two bases and a huge carry case. It is quiet compared to the router it replaced. It runs without vibration. It has lots of power for any wood. I don't do raised panels and large molding on a router so don't need a larger machine. It takes two wrenches to change bits, but I don't mind. The collets are well made and strong. The controls (switch, plunge lever, depth stop, and depth adjuster) took getting used to but this is a great higher end router.

I'm a beginnner wookworker so I can't offer a detailed analysis like some of the other reviews here. All I can say is I have put this router through what I would consider a decent amount of work in its first year, and it is still running strong. The motor seems like it is built to last, which I guess is what you would expect from a Milwaukee.The only complaint I have is with the depth adjustment mechanism. The black knob which holds the depth adjustment bar in place has a tendency to vibrate loose during operation, causing the router to plunge to an inaccurate depth at times. During the first six months of use, I actually lost the black knob because it vibrated loose when I was flush trimming the edges on a project, and it fell in the grass and was never found. Also the case is somewhat large, and I feel like it doesn't hold the router accesories very well considering its size, but I didn't take any stars off for that.

Routers can be quiet? Yep. For many years, I used a Craftsman 1/4" shank fixed base router. I thought all routers screamed. Then, after 30 years, the Craftsman had an unfortunate incident where the locking pin for changing bits contacted the lock on the shaft while it was operating. No injuries, but now I have the Milwaukee.What a difference. Lots of power, quiet, easy to do height adjustments. This kit comes with the fixed base and the plunge base. I installed the fixed base in a router table. Changing from the plunge base for freehand work, or the fixed base for router table work is easy due to good design of the lock and height adjustment. And bits are changed using two wrenches; no locking pin.As a side note, I ordered this kit from an Amazon vendor, Big Red Toolbox. They sent me a different router, a Milwaukee but with no plunge base, and at a lower power (1 3/4 hp). When I contacted them, they informed me that it was a listing error and they don't sell this kit. I filed a complaint with Amazon, who facilitated a rapid refund, so thanks to excellent Amazon service. I won't order from Big Red Toolbox again. I ended up ordering this kit from ToolBarn.com at a lower price than any Amazon vendor that actually carries it.

I bought this for my buddy as a wedding present (since 98% of the presents are 85% for the bride anyway); I knew he'd like it because he likes mine! We had put quite a few meters of cherry through this baby making some steps for his house (among plenty of other small projects), and not once did it act imperfect in any way.Somehow, although the depth gauges are fairly intuitive, it's something I have to think about every time, but they are precise and work nicely.I had to drill a hole in my Bosch router table to access the fine adjustment; the hole is not at the most convenient place in that case, and I had to remove the plastic cross-slit cover covering the hole in the base to keep from having to make the hole bigger. Anyway, not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. The router does fit the Bosch router table right out of the box, though. I love that I can keep the fixed base on the table and switch to the plunge base easily and at will.I usually pass over Milwaukee for Bosch or DeWalt based purely on spec to price ratio, so this is my first Milwaukee product, but I am quite pleased with it.The case is such an issue of contention for some people. It is large, and I thought that would be cool at first, but I have my own case for a bitset so I don't need that, and since the fixed base is always on my router table, it is kind of taking up a lot of space for nothing. I also have the guide rail that fits in the case, but always comes away from the side to bump my plunge base every time I open the case. If I ever get a larger router for the table and use this as an all-in-one portable kit, then it will be great, but as it is I find it a bit overkill.Comes with (2) 1-1/8" wrenches that could stand to be a little bit longer for access while attached to a table. Just nitpicking now, but despite the few tiny grievances, it certainly deserves five stars.

Just I love it.

Easy to work with, all the power you need, and versatile. Very happy with it! Pretty much like every Milwaukee Tool. Reliable.