Late last month, someone wrote in about the Bosch 1617EVSPK router kit being on sale, and indeed it was. The next day, I was preparing to post about it, but the price went back to its usual $219.
I checked just now, and the router kit is on sale again, at $189. I believe the last sale price was $179.
Advertisement
I have the Craftsman Professional rebranded version of this router, and it’s a very good tool. It’s powerful, easy to control, and quick and precise to adjust.
It’s *almost* everything I could want from a router. I saw almost, because my Craftsman-rebranded version seems to have a different sub-base, and as such it won’t work with the same guides and all the same accessories, at least not without modification. At least this is what I read a few places over the years every time I looked into it. Of course, Craftsman hasn’t carried the router or any accessories for it in years.
It also doesn’t work with any brand’s guide rails, something that my Festool test sample has spoiled me on a little bit. But there are ways to guide a router like this, it just requires a little planning and DIY jiggery.
In a nutshell, this is a very good router. If I had to start anew, and was looking to buy a 2-1/4 HP router with fixed and plunge bases, this is the one I’d get, hands-down.
When I bought my Craftsman Pro router combo, I had pined over this Bosch combo for quite some time, but it was well above my budget. Eventually, I went with the Craftsman Pro because it was on sale or clearance, and I had a nice sized gift card that covered a majority of the cost.
I sometimes regret not waiting longer and getting the Bosch version, but it might have been “wait for the Bosch or don’t use a router for anything” for a few more years.
Advertisement
Holiday discounts are coming soon. If I had to guess, I’d say we’re bound to see $25 off $100+ promo. There were times when Bosch and Amazon offered a $40 off $200+ promo, but that hasn’t happened in a few years.
It’s hard to say whether we’ll see a better discount on this promo. Will we see it sell for $179 again, or is $189 the lowest it’s going to be for the foreseeable future?
I can’t answer any of these questions.
All I can tell you is that this is a very good and highly recommended router, and it’s currently on sale for $189, from its regular price of $219.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Thank you to fred and Ktash for comments about the previous deal! I am sure someone else emailed me about it directly, but can’t find the email. If you are them, please remind me so I can give you credit and a “thank you” for the deal tip!
fred
I posted about it on the Community Forum site when it was priced at $179 on Amazon.
https://discuss.toolguyd.com/t/first-time-wood-working-tool-recommendations/929/22
Rockler was selling it on sale at that time for $189
The $179 seemed like an exceptional price. Even if this is not the most modern router in Bosch’s lineup – it has been a solid performer – and is well suited for use in a router table – with its optional under-table base – that I also linked to.
https://discuss.toolguyd.com/t/first-time-wood-working-tool-recommendations/929/22
Lack
With a bit of work, you can get $40 off $200 from Lowes’.
Stackable with often discounted Lowe’s gift cards makes this even better.
A W
I have this kit, it’s fantastic. Bosch sells a nice edge guide that works well for straight cuts, and I’ve read that it can be modified to fit the DeWalt rail guide system.
Brian A
Its on sale at Lowes $189, 10% or 40 off 200, gets you a nice deal
Chrisk
I’ve had the 1617 for a couple of years. I resides in my Bosch router table and does a great job.
DJA
Mine has been under a Rockler table/lift for years. Miles of oak run thru this with zero problems. However, the switch on these is notorious for dust penetration and failure, but mine is on an external paddle switch so the switch has never been used. Just a solid and strong tool.
DJA
BTW, $189 @ Lowe’s is not a sale, it’s the new price. That could change of course, but it’s not time limited at this point.
Brian A
Lowes “new lower price” is almost never permanent, temporary but usually for a few months.
fred
The switch is indeed an oft reported problem – particularly, it seems. when mounted in a table. It might be that this orientation favors dust infiltration. Like you – mine is always in the on position – in favor of an external switch on the router table.
clayton
what the lowes deal? 40 off 200? or 10%?
clayton
whats
johnny bright light
I love this tool. It is a joy to use. And at $179-189. A real bargin. If you get it, you won’t be disappointed.
Robert
I have this unit. I will say that when using it in a router table and adjusting depth via the “above table adjustment” it sucks. Bosch uses a clip washer that is constantly popping out of place. I had to grease the router housing so that it would slide in the base a bit easier, it helped some but still would un-seat. Finally gave up and got a Incra lift.
Now I have no complaints
Nathan
This is good to know as it’s one of the features that draws me to this model. I also looked at the newer model Bosch and other than price I was liking it too.
My other favorite is the Dewalt with the twist body. and the Porter Cable. My skil that I have now is just uneven and doesn’t seem to hold adjustment.
Bill
I have this combo. I have always liked the ease of use, power, etc. The one thing that I have had an issue with is that, switching bases back and forth as I have done, the nub that guides the motor seems to have gotten worn down and it is getting harder and harder for them to line up. Perhaps just normal wear through use. I am beginning to think more and more that it might be better for me to have two quality routers (plunge and fixed) rather than a combo.
fred
It is probably worth reading the online reviews and comments of woodworking forums about this router set – depending on how you intend to use it. The alignment pin, aluminum housings and issues with dust all suggest that this is not the perfect router (if one has ever been made). My almost exclusive use in a under a router table has not tested it in areas where negative comments suggest that it may have problems. Many others (beyond Bill above) suggest that if you plan to switch back and forth between bases – you may need to take precautions relative to the guide pin that will wear down, mar the aluminum housings and may ultimately render the router useless. Aluminum mating with aluminum may also not be the best design feature of this router set. Some suggest that the parts need better finishing (fine sanding??) and lubrication/waxing to prevent seizing. Since I now use mine in a lift, I can’t really comment on how effective any of this is. Mine is now about 12 years old and still working – it was originally mounted directly in a router table – but more recently I upgraded to a better table with a Jessem lift. Being 12 years old – mine may have been produced in a different factory/locale than the new ones – but I think mine was made in Mexico.
Bosch also sells a base without handles for table mounting. I linked to this on the Community Forum site. I guess this is market to those who want to have something permanently mounted in their router table. It is not a necessary accessory for that purpose – since you should be able to mount the fixed base with or without its wooden handles in most router tables. It is obviously not a router lift – nor would I expect it to be as it cost a small fraction of what I spent on my Jessem setup. Offset collet wrenches (Bosch ra1152) also make bit changing easier in under-table use.
Finally on the issue of dust – I have not really stressed the on/off switch – using an external switch instead. I typically run dust collection on my router table and vacuum and/or blow the router out after use. Dust collection was apparently not an integral part of the design for this router – but there is an edge guide (RA1054) and hoods (RA1172AT and RA1172AT) that have dust extraction ports. I think the newer Bosch M23 router may have a different dust extraction base.