Have had PR20EVS kit for almost 15yrs, those attachments have saved me more than once. Particularly the belt drive offset base. I've used that to trim cabinets for appliance and sink installs more than once. Probably used it to mortise 100's of door hinges, strikes and latches. Edging all manor of trim, rounding or beveling edges on caps, recessing electrical boxes and HVAC vents, the list is endless. This and a Fein Multitool and anything is possible.
I have one myself and they are great little machines. I am not a woodworker. If anything my dad did a lot of stuff like that when he passed away and I moved to a place of my own I kept that tool. I am in a townhouse and saved that just in case one day I decide that some of the wood needs a round over or other profile. It only works with 1/4 inch bits and is a fairly light duty router but it would be good for all I ever plan to use it for. I mainly kept it because it is small and easy to store and could be useful if I decide to give this place a new look. If I am ever in need of cash I can get _something_ for it, it won't be a lot but better than nothing.
Thanks for the excellent review, I just unpacked my new Colt 1 horse. I'm not totally new to routers but I'm no expert either. Your video helped greatly concerning the features of this one.
Thanks for the video. Just picked this tool up the other day and am new to routering. Amateur question...due to the fact the router bit is spinning in one direction, aren't you only supposed to move the router in one direction? It seemed like you were moving back and forth along that side edge. Again, total newbie but I feel like that is what I've been told. Just want to make sure I'm using the tool correctly. Thanks again!
yes, it better to go in one Direction, i some times go back and fourth to remove some of the chatter marks left on the product. you also have to be careful when routering wood, some times, especially if its older and extremely dry wood it can tear out on you. so finding the right speed is key, enjoy!
They have this router alone at Lowe’s for 89.00 or 139.00 with a edge guide and a router case. But I’d rather spend 89.00 because I just bought the Bosch 1617 evs for 120.00 open box at Lowe’s Saturday
Thanks for the video. Safety recommendation: you want to be more careful where you stick your fingers when this thing is plugged in. I speak from experience. The switch is very easy to flick. That was a bad day for my thumb.
Good video. I'm guessing you don't use the edge guide that often? Ha Ha I have a bigger router mounted in my table but I think this is a good trim router to get. It's not too expensive but I don't think I'll be making a collection of them. For me, the only down side is now I have to order all new router bits since all of mine are 1/2" shank. I'll mostly use it for trimming and and cutting away wood for putting hinges on doors. Thanks for the interesting video. Nicely done. Barry
I just pulled mine out of the box and I'm not super impressed to be honest. The lock/unlock mechanism is finnicky and mine only came with the acrylic. The fine tuning is nice but the hassle of the twist lock/unlock makes me feel like it'll be fine at home but isn't jobsite ready. I picked it up cause it was the only handheld with variable speed I could find locally. So far I'm feeling kinda meh about it... we'll see
I’ll be honest, I haven’t used mine in years. I’ve been using my cordless dewalt and Milwaukee. I can’t stand cords, so it’s just collecting dust now. But it did serve me well when I was using it.
Hi, I'm looking to build my own amp cabinet, and looking for all the tools ill need, I have a lot of Bosch tools already and trust them. Would this work for cutting out speaker holes and doing round overs on about 1 inch thick pine and poplar slabs? Thanks and Happy New Years 🎉
Sounds like a cool project, and yes, this router is perfect for tracing templates or doing all kinds of round overs, dados etc. basically any 1/4” bit works nicely.
Send Bosch and email, tell them how happy you are with this router and ask them to send you a hard case for it, who knows? maybe you get lucky! Always take very good care of your tools. Again, always take very good care of your tools. My dad was right, it does pay off.
No it’s just a palm router. You could make a base for it and drop it in a table. I’m not sure if any of the router tables accommodate the screw pattern on this. I’ll look at my Bosch table. If it works I’ll let you know.
The slots in the guide allow you to modify your fence for a better length when routing. I've had my trimmer for more than 10 yrs and its still running strong. What most reviews forget to mention is if your bits are sharp. If they are dull you will get burns on solid wood, ŵith somthing this size should not be a problem.( hand plane is always my go to for a simple roundover) . but for those lacking the hand tools for this application i would say, yes. The micro adjustment could use a little tightning on the threading though for finner adjustment
One reviewer commented that the central axis of the motor ends up not being square to the bottom of the base when the latch on the base is latched. This was apparently noticed when using a laminate type trimmer with a long straight shape. Have you or any of your viewers noticed this or is this not correct?
actually yes, I thought i had perhaps dropped it, but I have found that if cutting on one side works perfectly then if I rotate the router 180deg it is a bit different. very strange
My comment if simple, I’m not in the market and have no need for a router, I just happen to come across a woodworking video and I watched the whole damn thing… well done!
I own several different brands and I’m happy with all of them two cordless ones a Milwaukee and a Ryobii don’t laugh the Ryobi was my first router and it was necessary for my job at the time and it worked well for a last minute availability. But I waited for all the others to go on sale. I bought a WEN plunge and fixed base for a router table I was planning on building. I picked up a kobalt router table complete on sale. And I got the Bosch colt and the 1617EVS on sale. The best deal I ever got was a metabo 2.25 hp it was under 90.00 that was cheap it works fine the point is that I can keep the same bits in each one to keep moving in my shop.
That’s definitely a lot of routers to choose from. I only have Bosch ,Milwaukee, Dewalt, rigid, Freud And festool. I work the same way. I hate changing router bits and like to have a router for each process except for when it comes to my festool. then I love changing bits on that, the ratchet system is pretty sweet.
You can use the fence either way, but like i said, like any routery tool you will only see the results in the "bit" you use. The tool itself i have used on .5 inch or 12.7 mm. It dose struggle with .5 inch and would never do more than that. And do not advicat doing that either.
Have had PR20EVS kit for almost 15yrs, those attachments have saved me more than once. Particularly the belt drive offset base. I've used that to trim cabinets for appliance and sink installs more than once. Probably used it to mortise 100's of door hinges, strikes and latches. Edging all manor of trim, rounding or beveling edges on caps, recessing electrical boxes and HVAC vents, the list is endless. This and a Fein Multitool and anything is possible.
I have one myself and they are great little machines. I am not a woodworker. If anything my dad did a lot of stuff like that when he passed away and I moved to a place of my own I kept that tool. I am in a townhouse and saved that just in case one day I decide that some of the wood needs a round over or other profile. It only works with 1/4 inch bits and is a fairly light duty router but it would be good for all I ever plan to use it for. I mainly kept it because it is small and easy to store and could be useful if I decide to give this place a new look. If I am ever in need of cash I can get _something_ for it, it won't be a lot but better than nothing.
Thanks for the excellent review, I just unpacked my new Colt 1 horse. I'm not totally new to routers but I'm no expert either. Your video helped greatly concerning the features of this one.
Great video. Very relaxed, thoughtful 🧐 and detailed. Thanks 🙏
You’re welcome, thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video. Just picked this tool up the other day and am new to routering. Amateur question...due to the fact the router bit is spinning in one direction, aren't you only supposed to move the router in one direction? It seemed like you were moving back and forth along that side edge. Again, total newbie but I feel like that is what I've been told. Just want to make sure I'm using the tool correctly. Thanks again!
yes, it better to go in one Direction, i some times go back and fourth to remove some of the chatter marks left on the product. you also have to be careful when routering wood, some times, especially if its older and extremely dry wood it can tear out on you. so finding the right speed is key, enjoy!
Thanks for this post! Yours is the cleanest woodworking shop on TH-cam for sure! :)
They have this router alone at Lowe’s for 89.00 or 139.00 with a edge guide and a router case. But I’d rather spend 89.00 because I just bought the Bosch 1617 evs for 120.00 open box at Lowe’s Saturday
They sell cases with foam I bought one at the depot for my 3 laser levels.
Great video dude! I would like to see you using all the accesories in one more video. Thx
Thank you! And thanks for the video idea.
Cheers
Thanks for the video.
Safety recommendation: you want to be more careful where you stick your fingers when this thing is plugged in. I speak from experience. The switch is very easy to flick.
That was a bad day for my thumb.
ouch, I'm always afraid of that happening
Thanks man! I’ve had mine for a few years but couldn’t figure out how to use the edge guide
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Nice workshop Brad.
thank you
Great video. Thanks. Just bought the router on Amazon. Haven't tried it yet.
Nice! Great little router. Enjoy 👍
Good video. I'm guessing you don't use the edge guide that often? Ha Ha I have a bigger router mounted in my table but I think this is a good trim router to get. It's not too expensive but I don't think I'll be making a collection of them. For me, the only down side is now I have to order all new router bits since all of mine are 1/2" shank. I'll mostly use it for trimming and and cutting away wood for putting hinges on doors.
Thanks for the interesting video. Nicely done. Barry
haha yup, i don't need the guid that often. I'm using my Festool a lot more these days and my 20v dewalt.
I just pulled mine out of the box and I'm not super impressed to be honest. The lock/unlock mechanism is finnicky and mine only came with the acrylic. The fine tuning is nice but the hassle of the twist lock/unlock makes me feel like it'll be fine at home but isn't jobsite ready. I picked it up cause it was the only handheld with variable speed I could find locally. So far I'm feeling kinda meh about it... we'll see
I’ll be honest, I haven’t used mine in years. I’ve been using my cordless dewalt and Milwaukee. I can’t stand cords, so it’s just collecting dust now. But it did serve me well when I was using it.
@@hammerandhomeI think that will be me when I'm done this project haha. I needed one ASAP though. thanks for coming back to reply :)
Should have mentioned the well known issue, with the micro adjustment stripping the threads. Bought it a week ago will be returning it.
Interesting, I have two and never had that issue. Maybe I don’t use them enough. Thanks for the info
Hi, I'm looking to build my own amp cabinet, and looking for all the tools ill need, I have a lot of Bosch tools already and trust them. Would this work for cutting out speaker holes and doing round overs on about 1 inch thick pine and poplar slabs? Thanks and Happy New Years 🎉
Sounds like a cool project, and yes, this router is perfect for tracing templates or doing all kinds of round overs, dados etc. basically any 1/4” bit works nicely.
Useful information. Thanks. Can I use this router for hinges ? Are there templates for hinges?
thanks, yes this router is great for hinges, there are many different manufactures of hinge template guide, or you can make your own with some MDF
Send Bosch and email, tell them how happy you are with this router and ask them to send you a hard case for it, who knows? maybe you get lucky! Always take very good care of your tools. Again, always take very good care of your tools. My dad was right, it does pay off.
are there any tables compatible with this router? i’ve been trying to look but can’t seem to find one that lists this router
No it’s just a palm router. You could make a base for it and drop it in a table. I’m not sure if any of the router tables accommodate the screw pattern on this. I’ll look at my Bosch table. If it works I’ll let you know.
The slots in the guide allow you to modify your fence for a better length when routing. I've had my trimmer for more than 10 yrs and its still running strong. What most reviews forget to mention is if your bits are sharp. If they are dull you will get burns on solid wood, ŵith somthing this size should not be a problem.( hand plane is always my go to for a simple roundover) . but for those lacking the hand tools for this application i would say, yes. The micro adjustment could use a little tightning on the threading though for finner adjustment
Really helpful. Thanks for the video.
You're welcome!
One reviewer commented that the central axis of the motor ends up not being square to the bottom of the base when the latch on the base is latched. This was apparently noticed when using a laminate type trimmer with a long straight shape. Have you or any of your viewers noticed this or is this not correct?
actually yes, I thought i had perhaps dropped it, but I have found that if cutting on one side works perfectly then if I rotate the router 180deg it is a bit different. very strange
My comment if simple, I’m not in the market and have no need for a router, I just happen to come across a woodworking video and I watched the whole damn thing… well done!
That's a great compliment, thanks so much!
I own several different brands and I’m happy with all of them two cordless ones a Milwaukee and a Ryobii don’t laugh the Ryobi was my first router and it was necessary for my job at the time and it worked well for a last minute availability. But I waited for all the others to go on sale. I bought a WEN plunge and fixed base for a router table I was planning on building. I picked up a kobalt router table complete on sale. And I got the Bosch colt and the 1617EVS on sale. The best deal I ever got was a metabo 2.25 hp it was under 90.00 that was cheap it works fine the point is that I can keep the same bits in each one to keep moving in my shop.
That’s definitely a lot of routers to choose from. I only have Bosch ,Milwaukee, Dewalt, rigid, Freud And festool. I work the same way. I hate changing router bits and like to have a router for each process except for when it comes to my festool. then I love changing bits on that, the ratchet system is pretty sweet.
You can use the fence either way, but like i said, like any routery tool you will only see the results in the "bit" you use. The tool itself i have used on .5 inch or 12.7 mm. It dose struggle with .5 inch and would never do more than that. And do not advicat doing that either.
Have you used the new Bosch colt? What do you think of it?
I haven't yet, I really want to try it out.
Very accurate review, though
Thank you!
Thank you .
Hey Brad. Appreciate the video. What did you say the container was that you stored the router in? I see them in the back as well.
Dewalt T stak, there are other brands that are the same like craftsman Versastak or the Stanley. All the same
Is this useful to draw straight line grooves in wooden shelves ? 2-3 feet long ?
Definitely
@@hammerandhome thanks!
Thanks for the tool video.
LOL you’ve had those Bosch routers for years but then you installed the edge guide backwards. that’s says a lot.
Is maximum bits works on this?
I’ve never used them, but any 1/4” router bit will work on this.
Does anyone know what the size collet nut is?
Does the micro threads strip?
Mine hasn’t. I have two of them and they still work great
@@hammerandhome Thanks
I love the unit for price but am very hesitant because of the square base. Much less useable than a round base!!!
mine is six months old, barely used and the micro adjustment doesn't work at all
That sucks! Try and oil it up perhaps
You need to put the bit all the way in. Not where you think it goes. You cant be precise if the tool isn't accurately installed.
I see 1000 of video and noone say what bit can use, 1/2 or 1/4 bit😂😂
All palm routers are 1/4”. Larger routers are 1/2” and 1/4”.
He talks too slowly. Had to speed it up 1.5.
Thaaanks foooor waaaatttching 😂
Total CRAP after 6 months of use, leave it in the store or the dumpster where it
belongs
Can I start in the middle of the board to draw out a chessboard?
You can but start really shallow. And use a guide if you can