DeWalt DWP611 Compact Router, Fixed Base

We make hand carved wood signs with this router. Excellent router. Bought another to keep from having to change bits. Will probably buy a third. First...it is quiet. Don't need earplugs with this router. Second... easier to control those fine line cuts we make with sign lettering. Third... precise control of the router bit depth is achievable. All routers ought to have this kind of adjustment setup. Fourth... We run these routers for hours on end. They get warm but not hot. Nice. Only con: Needs handles like the big routers. Will probably modify ours with add on handles also, needs a two-inch hole on the backside of the base to allow for chips to escape and let light in on the cutting blade.

My rating is downgraded from excellent solely due to its 1/4"-ONLY collet availability. P-C/DeWalt did this to preclude use of extra-large bits that are only made with 1/2" shanks because they are so large in the first place, as if they think we all don't know enough not to use router-table-only size bits in a lightweight less-than-industrial size P-C 7500 Series router, free-hand or otherwise. Most Pros and serious amateurs have almost all 1/2" shank bits and after adding one of these routers then have to duplicate existing bit inventory in smaller-shank versions, a completely needless expense. A warning label not to use over 1" or 1-1/2" bits would be sufficient without wasting customers' money on duplicate bits, and nudniks ignoring safe operating directions are on their own as to consequences of doing so. Anyway, among other things, these routers 41767 and fixed-base in the 41770 Combo are OUTSTANDING for use routing door hinge, latch plunger and striker plate mortises, due to much lighter weight and more slender profile which make it much easier to control and balance by feel both on narrow edges and when using hinge and latch-&-striker templates such as Porter-Cable's 59370 & 59375 respectively, plus, these template packages also include the required bits which just happen to only have 1/4" shanks - a perfect match-up. Overview suggests using the "plunge base, sold separately." That is not necessary, plus doing so adds another manipulation to the operation that could be tricky while balancing the router on a narrow lightly attached template. The bits usually used for this have a guide bearing, and a guide bushing typically used with plunge bases would probably not match uo with the available templates meant for use with the bit with guide bearing. Plus it isn't necessary to plunge, just lower the preset depth-adjusted bit with router on or off carefully into the template or freehand if you so dare and follow the template with the bearing on the bit.