DEWALT Router Fixed/Plunge Base Kit, Variable Speed, 1.25-HP Max Torque (DWP611PK)

I bought the DEWALT DWP611PK Compact Router Kit for usage in tight places but specifically for finishing up a Speaker Tower build I’m working on. This router worked perfect for cutting out the entire speaker recesses, Banana Input Terminal Plates, 2” Round Speakon Terminals, and Tube Ports I had to finish in this build using 3/4" MDF. The router’s variable speed was maxed at 6 to do this and there was plenty of power at that setting for my needs. All cuts and depths were perfect, the ports I used needed a 5-1/4” thru hole with a 6-1/4” round 3/16” recess which I’ve built a jig to use to do this. Where this router really impressed me was with cutting out the 2” rounds 5/16”recesses for the Speakon connectors that my jig couldn’t handle, too small for the jig. This left me with drawing the circles and free handing these with the router. This was a breeze mostly due to the LEDS that the router has and made it very easy for me to follow the lines with, my drops were perfect and I’m glad I bought the Round Sub Base for this.Another nice thing to note is that this kit came with a Dewalt soft case which isn’t advertised and something I really wanted, I didn’t want to carry it around in the box it comes in.I didn’t need the plunge base even though I could have used it if I had wanted too, but I did play with it and really like how it is sprung. It is setup to keep the router high off your material until you need to use the plunge feature. The travel is very smooth and precise with the ability to set your stop point, very nice!The only complaint I could consider would be power, this isn’t a 2 -1/2HP or more router and it can’t be to remain small enough for tight places and retain its ability to be easy to handle. If you need a little more power though in a compact router the Porter would be your better choice, which I also have, but with that it’s not as easy to control as this router is. There’s always a tradeoff to consider.Absolutely love this router

I just finished a loft bed for my daughter which included having to mortise the legs and rails to accept the rail mounting hardware. While the hardware worked great, it was a real pain to figure out how to mortise the long rails to accept the pin plate. It took about 45 minutes setting up my big PC router, for each ends of the 3 rails, and I ended up "hanging" it along the horizontal axis with a edge guide. Muscling that beast around while trying to make a precise cut began to make me regret my choice of hardware. Perhaps a pro would have had a better way to do it, and it turned out great, but I swore it will be a good while before I made another bed.My next project was to make a new table saw runoff table and that required plywood and applying Formica tops. After watching a couple of YouTube videos to get a feel for applying Formica, I noticed everyone had a compact router that just seemed to zip along. I decided to make the investment, and I sure wish I had it several projects ago.It seems powerful, the LEDs do a great job shedding light on the piece, and most of all, it is very maneuverable while still having enough weight to be stable. Kind of like a big dremel tool, it easily made it around both of the pieces, and hardly seemed to slow at all. Granted, I have only used it on trimming Formica to this point, but I have certainly resolved my mortising concern as I would be very confident this would do a great job with shallow mortises. The depth adjustment system seems very intuitive, but I have not yet used it or the plunge base (needless to say, I am looking forward to an opportunity).In all, I really like my purchase. My only regret is having waited so long . . . .

Very happy with the ability to "dial-in" the height of fixed base router with the bezel ring style adjustment. The rack & pinion method of my other mini router is more difficult to "finite" the accuracy of the depth of cut.The fixed base could have been designed with a little more of an open cavity to see into the tool base however, the twin LED lights really help illuminate with the ability to see the cut being made.The plunge base seems smooth with easy hand access to the control knobs & plunge lever.The motor is easy to remove from either base and the 'lock button' easily locks the spindle - so only one collet wrench is necessary.I do wish that an edge guide would have been included - that would have been polite of DeWalt to include in the kit.I like a larger fixed base plate so I bought an extra fixed base from "Dave's - Palm Router Acrylic Router Base Plate Compatible with DWP611 MADE IN AMERICA"Works great, easier to hold and handle a smaller router when working on edges.