DEWALT Router, Fixed and Plunge Base Kit, Soft Start, 12-Amp, 24,000 RPM, Variable Speed Trigger, Corded (DW618PKB)

Updated Review to 5 star: 16 Aug 2021 I had not seen any of the reviews here about a missing collet or two before I purchased it. I didn't look at the reviews because DeWalt generally makes very sturdy tools. I've had some for 10+ years with daily use and zero problems. On arrival, my box was completely sealed and the bags inside were still sealed shut. The device did not appear to be used or a returned item. ----Product review---- The 1/4" collet with the solid base and plunge base work great. Very easy to set up and there is almost no start-up torque (kickback in your hands when turning it on) regardless of what speed you start it at. The unit seems to get pretty hot though but so far has not impacted anything with the performance from what I can tell. I have about 60 minutes of run time on it now and it's still like new. I love it so far. If DeWalt can just send me the 1/2" collet, this unit would be an easy 5 stars. -------Missing 1/2" Collet------- Everything on the included parts list arrived except the 1/2" collet. I contacted DeWalt and they sent me an email asking for proof of purchase, serial number, and my email address. I sent them everything they asked for just to get another automated email from them asking for the same proof I just sent them. So far my only replies seem like a copy/paste scenario they run through with many other customers. I now have 3 different customer support reply emails, each with a different support agent name, all asking for the same things I already sent them in the first 3 emails. All 3 emails are identical minus the names so I doubt they are reading anything. ---- Updated 16 Aug 2021 ---- After 3 weeks of missing emails, different responses from different agents, and finally getting through to a human on the phone who didn't ask me to fill out a form online with no answers -- I've finally got the missing part in the mail. DeWalt shipped it out 2 day delivery and apologized for the poor comms with their other agents. I'm not sure if they saw my review but I can say they did not reach out to me through Amazon. Thank you DeWalt for holding up on the customer service end of things. With the missing collet, this router is amazing for the price and 5 stars. Would highly recommend if DeWalt can fix their supply chain / Q&A problems by checking the box contents.

This thing works great! Very powerful! I got a really good deal on a "Used Very Good" offer. I received the package, which you can tell the box had previously been opened. But that's it. Nothing damaged, nothing missing. (INCLUDING THE INSTRUCTIONS) I am guessing this is one of the units that were returned because people didn't bother to read or understand the instructions. This unit comes with one 1/2 inch collet and one 1/4 inch adapter insert. This one came with the adapter installed in the 1/2 inch collet. To use 1/2 inch bits, simply remove the adapter. It is plainly shown in the instructions. (See attached photos) I ordered this unit only after reading all the negative reviews and coming to the conclusion that people simply did not know what they were reviewing. I am extremely happy that I got such a good deal because someone else failed to read the instructions, or even bother to look at the pictures!

Love this router. Total quality. Easy to adjust.

Dewalt tools are undoubtedly the best on the market, and every tool in my shop proudly bears their name. This router continues that tradition of excellence. Dewalt always prioritizes ergonomics, safety, and quality in their designs, and this router is no exception. The soft start feature ensures a smooth activation without any sudden jerks, while the plunge springs operate seamlessly with just the right amount of tension—no need to apply excessive force. The provided bag is a practical addition, offering convenient storage for all the accessories. One standout feature is the innovative dust collection system, which efficiently extracts dust through the column containing one of the plunge springs. This thoughtful design makes the router truly exceptional. Dewalt has delivered yet another outstanding tool!

The helicoidal device to lift gets stuck frequently. On the other hand good product

The description of collets was not clear. It did arrive with both 1/2 and 1/4 inch collets

I bought this router when my old Makita had a cracked handle which could not be replaced. The Dewalt is excellent - an improvement in every way. I build high-end custom cabinets and doors for homeowners as well as historical wooden boats for the film industry. The ability to switch the base from fixed to plunge is a real plus. The machining is really quite amazing. Do yourself a favor and add the attachable fence to the order. If you plunge route, you need a fence eventually. The interchangeable chucks (1/2 and 1/4) are kinda neat to have. But, you're still going to want a smaller trim router for the 1/4 work. Don't let the lower power fool you. It has plenty of power to do any reasonable job. Plus, that smaller motor means the machine is lighter. That matters when you use a tool for hours at a time. I don't miss my big HP Makita one bit. Before purchase, I was concerned about the detachable power cord. That was, until I used the tool. By detaching, it really makes to tool easier to use when changing the setup and storing (detachable means no kinking the cord). So, it turned out to be a big plus. One tip I may offer to the Dewalt product managers: Sell the router as a complete kit with a fence and a proper sustainer hard case box that actually fits all the awkward pieces along with a tray for router bits and tools. While you are at it, make that box fit your existing line of sustainers.

I have an array of Dewalt power tools, albeit mostly the older 18V products and corded saws/drills. I have used and abused these tools over 10 years and they have not only lasted but outperformed my expectations repeatedly. However, that level of quality is clearly no more. I bought this router as I needed a 1/2 inch collet and a more powerful motor to be using in the construction of a post frame building. My current 1/2 inch collet Bosch router was left in storage at my old house several states away, and won’t be delivered until I finish construction. Since I’ve had a really positive experience with Dewalt’s smaller 1/4 inch collect DWP611PK, I decided to try this larger model. In summary, I have nothing positive to say about this router and I’ve listed all those items down below. Please note that these findings are after 2 weeks of usage, albeit heavy usage in basically routing 6in by 24in squares 3in deep in 20 wood posts. Some of the issues are attributed to using a longer bit, but even if you take small cuts all the issues still remain. - Fixed base housing is too small, and any bit longer than an inch sticks out longer than the bottom base. - Both of the base housings and the router, heat up excessively in 90F. This also occurs even in cooler days when in direct sunlight. The heat causes the collet to expands which loosens the bit so your cut is no longer the same depth. This metal expansion also applies to base’s latches that locks the motor down. The latch loosens just enough to allow the motor to free-spin around while being used. - Fit and finish of the plunge base is rough on both the plastic and metal housing that clamps the motor. I cut my hand on the plastic and the metal cuts into the router base every time I try to slide it in. - None of the screws on the plunge base had thread lock applied so every screw starts to wobble out. The thumb lock even popped off while it was locked during usage causing the screw to shoot off and become lost. I ended up buying a new screw from the local hardware store and applying thread lock myself. Note, my fix worked much Dewalt’s assembly plants effort for the screw never loosened again even after heavy usage. - Power cord vibrated loose and came off even though it’s suppose to be a twist “lock” for security. - Plunge base adjustable stop is unreliable for repeat usage. During use, the vibrations cause the micro end stop to shake just enough such that a repeat plunge is not at the exact same depth. Also, with each plunge the micro end stop twists slightly such that the depth constantly changes while not even being used. - Plunge base thumb lock was not tight enough to hold the base in position and came loose. My fix of buying a new screw and using thread lock ended up fixing this issue as well. - Plunge base thumb lock works opposite than on their smaller DWP611PK router. On that router the plunge base thumb lock auto locks with the lever being there to releasing the lock. However, on this router the housing is in free movement mode with the thumb level being there to lock in the current position. - Plunge base motor lock was too loose. Even after removing all the machinery grease on both the motor and housing, the motor stills spins in the housing even when locked. The lock mechanism is also subpar or more cheaper in comparison to the smaller router is housing lock in the DWP611PK. - Getting the motor into the plunge base is one heck of an ordeal, for it doesn’t align straight and you have to force it in. I think this is a manufacturing defect as the top part of the metal sleeve is too tight to push the motor into it but not tight enough to hold the motor from rotating. There’s also no alignment marks or pins, but the router still has to be installed within 1/8 inch of a specific point otherwise it hits the exhaust collection tube and won’t seat properly. - There’s no LED lights on this router like the DWP611PK, or other competitor’s routers at this price point - The plunge base starts out being really smooth, but after a week of usage it’s less so. However, the spring mechanism is still too strong and requires too much force to compress for a fine dialing in of the cut depth. You have to use the micro adjustment to dial in the depth, but since the end stop moves you can’t get precision. - The spring cover that surrounds the dust port and steel support rod came unsecured and and flopped around. I wasn’t even using the router when this happened. - The cover on the dust collector routinely pops off during usage. - To tighten the collet you have to use a push bottom plus 1 wrench. While this sounds good and works very good with their smaller router, it doesn’t work with this model. Since the motor free spins in the plunge base, you can’t tighten the collet while the motor is installed. Had the design require you to use 2 wrenches or have a locking pin in the housing, you could have counteracted the motor free spin and still be allowed to install bits while it’s in the base. - On/Off button is a cheap toggle switch (as opposed to a rocker switch) and is literally identical to the one used on Harbor Freight’s router. - Manufacture location unknown? So the Dewalt cardboard box has a sticker attached that states this item was built in Mexico, but every single component of this kit from the router to both housings to the power cable state manufactured in China. I guess the Mexico sticker is there because they put the Chinese made stuff inside the yellow cardboard box?