- Overview
- More Info
- Reviews
Put power and precision in the palm of your hand!
- While it may look like a laminate trimmer, this compact (7-1/2"
high) and lightweight (3.3 lbs.) router is more than shop-worthy with a 1.0
HP (max.), 5.7 amp motor — the highest rating in its class.
- 16,000-35,000 RPM.
The Colt is perfect for hinge mortising, edge forming, slot cutting, dovetailing, window cutouts, decorative inlays and more.
- Variable speed dial lets you match speed to workpiece and task.
- Soft-start reduces start-up torque.
- Constant Response Circuitry monitors and maintains speed under
load.
- Quick-Clamp System allows motor to be easily adjusted or moved
from base to base.
- Convenient front spindle lock for fast, easy one-wrench bit changes.
- Rubberized grip and unique finger support pockets provide additional
support when trimming edges.
- All-metal straight-edge guide directs router along edges of workpiece
or up to 3-5/8" from edge.
- Fast and precise depth adjustment system with micro-fine adjustment
dial.
- Accepts 1/4" shank bits.
- Includes motor, aluminum fixed base, straight-edge guide, 1/4" self-
releasing collet, comfortable drop-forged wrench and carrying case.
#21423 Round Sub base accepts threaded template guides. #22142 Round Sub base accepts the Bosch RA-Series Template Guides.
#37072 (RA1100) Template Guide Adapter for threaded templates allows use of conventional threaded template guides with the #22142 (PR009) round sub base. Allows you to use Porter-Cable template guides in the following Bosch Routers: 1613, 1613AEVS, 1613EVS, 1614, 1614EVS, 1617, 1617EVS, 1618, 1618EVS, 1619EVS
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Customer Reviews and Photos for:
Bosch Colt™ Variable-Speed Palm Router Kit
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Average Rating:
4.4
(22 customer reviews)
$124.99
Add your review...
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1) Submitted by
Michael, from Vestavia Hills, AL
on 8/23/2012
Customer Rating: 
I've had mine since it was first introduced-it was a love at first use thing. I just can't find a fault with the router as it does everything I ask of it with ease and without strain. The craftsmanship is excellent and the micro-adjustment is great. All of the controls are within easy reach and it is really a pleasure to use. For what it is worth, I would highly recommend this router not only for finish and detail work but for general use as well-it is a very capable tool that will not disappoint you.
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2) Submitted by
Frank Day, from Ipswich, MA
on 1/19/2011
Customer Rating:
This is my first experience with a router, and I am very pleased with its performance and usefulness. It has all the power and capability that I need at the present. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who has been intimidated by routers...as I was. I am careful and respectful of it, but I am not as afraid of using it as I thought I would be. A truly fine product for relatively small scale woodworking projects.
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3) Submitted by
Dave, from Waynesville, OH
on 10/21/2010
Customer Rating:
I have had this router for a year now. It is great for any edge work, round over and chamfers are no problem.
I also use it to trim the waste from the tops of pocket hole plugs. Made an "L" shaped base to slide over the pocket hole plug and can trim them almost flush.
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4) Submitted by
Charles Vosseler, from Mattapoisett, MA
on 3/28/2010
Customer Rating:
My first small router and I love it. Hardly ever use my large router any more. The extra sub-base is fantastic. Glad I bought it.
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5) Submitted by
Doug Pinney, from Monument, CO
on 8/29/2009
Customer Rating:
My first trim router. It took a little while to get used to the tool, but new I used the router all the time. Excellent for installing hinges. I would recommend the Colt router. The Colt's power surprised me, the tool plows right through 3/4" particle board for cut outs.
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6) Submitted by
Bob, from Goodyear, AZ
on 2/22/2009
Customer Rating:
Bought a reconditioned unit that looked like new. Never tried a palm router before. Always thought that it wouldn't have the power. This model is great, however. Has plenty of power for my needs. I especially like it for edge routing with bits w/bearings. It just feels more stable on the work surface than my "two-fisted" models because of the way it is gripped in operation. I think it will be the router I grab first on almost all projects. The optional sub-base for use with router guide bushings is well worth the added cost.
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7) Submitted by
Larry Stobbs, from St. Joseph, MO
on 4/29/2009
Customer Rating:
I bought this for use with the CNC Shark I bought from Rockler. When I got it in I had my doubts as to how a router that small would hold up with a CNC system. All I can say is that this is a top of the line unit. It has handled everything with ease and is the CNC Shark is also great, Rockler has tech notes for it which was even nicer thatn what came with it from the factory. If you are buying this for the CNC Shark system, the only upgrade I would recommend is the advanced collet system for this router, Rockler doesn't carry it but you can get them at precisebits.com. If you are using it as a regular router, the factory collet will work just fine.
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8) Submitted by
Joe, from Wooster, OH
on 10/10/2008
Customer Rating:
I have looked at trim routers a million times but never "wasted" my money on an undersized tool that won't have enough uummph to get the job done. Boy, was I wrong! I have 3 other routers in my shop but this is now the first one I reach for on most jobs. It's just so comfortable in your hand. It has the power I need for most jobs without the weight & awkwardness of 1-3/4 hp routers.
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9) Submitted by
Tom Christensen, from Lakewood, CO
on 6/12/2008
Customer Rating:
I have had mine for a little over a week now an have not had some of the trouble that some have had the lock works both for tightening and losing the chuck,The first time I used it, it did get hot but I had the speed set to high (max) with a large core bit turned the speed down and it works great I love this little router, a lot faster to set up than my other routers.
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10) Submitted by
Alex, from Suffern, NY
on 2/1/2008
Customer Rating:
Just bought it and I used it on a bed to do final finishes. It works great. Power is great. Light in weight. Very comfortable in hand. Can't wait to use it on other projects.
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11) Submitted by
Richard, from Boston, MA
on 1/14/2008
Customer Rating: 
Have had this for a year. The first one had the button detent fail, and it was replaced by Rockler with no problem. The button detent is still the weak part of this. Tend to use this more than the porter cable because of the soft start and variable speed.
Also realize that this does not take standard P/C router bit bushings, which is a pain, but with the flip side that the hole in the base is larger diameter, and I have needed that a couple of times.
Altogether a good item with a few weak spots.
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12) Submitted by
Mike from WA
on 1/8/2008
Customer Rating:
I agree changing out the bits a little tough. When my hand mixer quit, I made an adaptor for the router and it worked great, plus it cuts laminate like butter. It's another shop tool that I can't live with out.
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13) Submitted by
Phil Brown, from East Corinth, VT
on 3/4/2007
I love the soft start and the variable speed along with built in grip and it's light weight. The only draw back I see in this router is the button lock to change the bit, it is quite hard to push in far enough to lock.
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14) Submitted by
Bert, from Murrieta, CA
on 8/13/2006
I needed a laminate trimmer that could also double as a small router to occasionally route smaller edge profiles (such a chamfers and round-overs). I did some research and found the Bosch Colt to have the most favorable reviews.
I could not be happier. In fact I find myself using it more for quick routing jobs that don't require a bigger motor, than I do for laminate trimming. I prefer to route on a router table, but when I can't and I don't need any more power than 1HP, I usually end up reaching for my Colt. It's great for routing mortises for hinges, making rabbets for back panels, freehand cutouts, chamfering, softening edges with roundovers, etc.
It's very quick and accurate to adjust, and locks down rock solid. The motor is more than adequate for most jobs that I use it for, and the spindle lock is great for bit changes. The finger pockets in the base really helps with support and control and makes a difference when routing on narrow edges. The router has a hefty and sturdy feel yet is light weight. The soft start feature and variable speed makes it versatile in a variety of routing situations.
It does have one drawback. The upper part of the main motor housing is made of plastic and has a rubberized form that acts like a handle and fits well in my hand during operation. The bottom part of the motor housing is made of metal, either aluminum or magnesium. When I use the router for more than 10 minutes of routing, it get very hot. And because that part of the router slides and sits in the base, the base also gets very hot... kind of a heat sink effect. And if you're using your other hand on the base, it can get pretty hot to handle. However, the upper part of the main motor housing (with the plastic and rubberized handle) does not seem to get that hot. I usually use form fitting gloves when routing so that usually takes care of the heat issue. I don't know if it's a design issue or just a problem with my particular router. This heat however, does NOT seem to affect my router's performance in any way, so far.
Other than the heat issue, I absolutely recommend the Bosch Colt. It won't replace my bigger routers by any means, but for what it does, it does it beautifully and more. And for the price, nothing can beat it!
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15) Submitted by
Fred, from Aberdeen, SD
on 3/11/2008
Customer Rating:
I wanted a small, light weight router for trimming and other jobs where wrestling a 3hp unit is tough. This certainly filled the bill. The only trouble I had was tightening the chuck as other reviewers have noted. I am going to get a thin wrench (or grind one down) so that I am be assured that the chuck is tight. Using it the first time, the chuck came loose and fell off. Had a little difficulty locking the motor into the base; probably did not read the manual close enough. Bosch makes great routers!
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16) Submitted by
Bruce Long, from Cincinnati, OH
on 8/13/2006
This Palm router is very comfortable to hold and easy to control. The power is good for a small router. I have two complaints though, the on/off switch is not easy to reach while holding the tool and the coarse height adjustment does not move smoothly. The fine adjust is just that, very fine and precise.
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17) Submitted by
Eric Shonts from MI
on 8/14/2006
One more minor complaint. On mine, the amount of force to push in the spindle lock button is too high, and you really have to "bury" the button to get the lock to engage the spindle. I know they're trying to keep it from engaging accidentally, but seems a little overdone. Other than that, I love it. I have not noticed the heat issue, but have not used it alot yet. I think this will be a GREAT router for building canoes and kayaks, especially when template routing in thin plywood for stitch and glue boats, and for cutting hatches in all types. Also looking forward to using it for cutting pick-up pockets in a guitar body someday. Very happy I bought it!
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18) Submitted by
Paul , from Seaford, VA
on 4/20/2007
Why I never brought this one earlier I will never know. I used to fight my big
DeWalt doing door mortises. Now with the cheapie PC mortise jig and this Colt mortises are a breeze.
And as for trimming laminate, I love it. Wish I had it on my last few counter top jobs.
As for the heating issue, I have never trimmed anything longer than a few minutes so I can't comment.
Like the snap release for the collar. Great idea.
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19) Submitted by
Bob VanBishler, from Damascus, OR
on 6/7/2007
Customer Rating:
I'm very pleased with the Bosch Colt with just one exception. While the spindle lock works reasonably well for installing a bit, it doesn't work at all for removing a bit. Although I haven't disassembled it, I believe that I'll find the notch that the locking pin fits into has a straight side on one side and a sloping side on the other. Result: it can lock in only one direction which means you need two wrenches to remove a bit. I contacted Bosch and they told me they would send another wrench (hmmm, no fix - just a wrench). I told them I had already ground an open end wrench to fit the spindle and was using that. Bosch said that was the best they could do and were planning on fixing this problem at some point in the future but those of us already owning the router were stuck.
I can't believe that no one else has reported on this -surely if they are freely sending wrenches out this must be more than a single router having this problem.
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20) Submitted by
George P. Bertrand, from Wilmington, DE
on 4/9/2010
Customer Rating:
I wish it came with a 3/8" collet. I have mine mounted in a CNC shark and I have Boo-Koo 3/8" - 1/2" bits, but no 1/8".
Editor's note: The Bosch Colt comes with a 1/4" collet.
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21) Submitted by
Joseph Schutz, from Portland, OR
on 3/30/2011
Customer Rating: 
I like the product in most ways, but am very concerned about the very large opening in the base which exposes the bit to fingers that may wander the wrong way. This is especially relevant on tall bits that are only cutting a bit into the wood. I would like this product much better if there were a lexan safety shroud to keep fingers safe.
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22) Submitted by
R Stephenson, from Smyrna, GA
on 1/15/2008
Customer Rating: 
Had one for over a year, bought this as our second in place of a trimmer. First week our fabricator didn't install a bit deep enough and collet broke and shot bit across shop. []But otherwise they are good tools. Just make sure the bit shafts are seated in deep enough.
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