Out of these 3?

I’m rather partial to this one myself:
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-5616-24-Max-Horsepower-Multi-Base-BodyGrip/dp/B000QV1CXW/ref=sr_1_99?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1254437346&sr=1-99

but of the 3 you listed I would lean towards the Bosch.

Ditto what MarkwithaK said. Bosch got good reviews from Wood magazine. I have a Makita combo, but I got it new in the box for 100.00. Lowe’s close-out ;)

-- Rick

I would check out Porter Cable

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

I have the Bosch router combo and highly recommend it. I work at Lowes part time and this is our number one selling router combo. Thanks for asking.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

I also have the Bosch router combo and it is everything that it is made out to be. I would buy it again if the need araises.

-- F.Little

Of those 3, I’d go with the Bosch or DW. There’s really no advantage with the Ridgid other than the light. Given my druthers, I’d take Mark’s suggestion and go with the Milwaukee….Ridgid’s parent company’s top line. Go with the one that feels best in your hands, and/or has the most features that you like.

I’ve been using this PC set for a few years now and I would buy another if needed. http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-895PK-4-Horsepower-Fixed-Plunge/dp/B0000DCBKN/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1254450541&sr=8-3

-- Dan-- Info for all @ http://www.hoistman.com

I’ve got the Ridgid set. It’s very good, and fits Porter-Cable edge guides and accessories. It is very heavy, however, and there have been times where I wish it wasn’t so heavy. If the Dewalt set is indeed nearly ten pounds lighter and you don’t care about the Ridgid warranty, then I would get the Dewalt. Be prepared to pay through the nose for Dewalt accessories, however.

I believe they all have some sort of dust collection attachments. I don’t think there is a 10 pound difference between the three. I have the Ridgid combo. It was one of my first purchases for “finer” woodworking. It’s tall and somewhat top heavy. The on/off switch is a bit tight, which is ackward when you try to turn it off running at full speed, or even a lower speed. May just be my machine. The plunge base is not as smooth as I’d like, can be jerky. I’ve always wondered about the bosch, dewalt and porter cable. I’m a hugh bosch fan nowadays. I just bought their 12V drill/impactor set for $149 at Lowes. Great deal. I degress.

For routers, the world revolves around porter cable, especially for accessories. While buying new has some real advantages, you can find some great deals on ebay. A non-commercail use 2 or 3 year old porter cable fixed or plunge base router or a combo set on ebay is usually worth a look. Alot of people buy a router, use it once or twice, then let it sit in the garage until they decide to sell it. They are like new. You can always buy a separate base usually on the cheap. I’m just saying.

I do believe you’ll be happy with whatever you buy. The differences are usually small.

-- david roberts, houston area, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but that has never been a problem for me."

David Roberts makes a good point about the world revolving around PC when it comes to accessories.

Personal opinion on the 3 you asked about. I would go Bosch or Dewalt with Ridgid as last choice, but I would still be willing to give the Ridgid a try.

To keep my opinion in perspective, I am a pro and I favor the big name brands because they rarely let me down. Of the various most popular brands, the decision comes down to what feels good in my hands and does it have the specific features that I desire? What accessories are available afterwords.

Of all the tools that I have ever bought. The worst performing brand has been Milwaukee, but statistically I would say that this is not the norm. I have had poor performance from their router, drill, and rotary hammer and I am a remodeling contractor not a heavy construction guy. I also take very good care of my tools. At this point I will not buy another Milwaukee based on my personal experience.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I have the Bosch combo and would buy it again without looking at another brand, hands down works great for me, never had any issue with it.

I have previously owned the following router brands: craftsman, ryobi and makita

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

PC

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

I have the Porter Cable plunge and it has been great. When I bought it, it came with a fixed handle as well, and at the time they had a special going and they sent me a D handle for free.

I was having this exact same debate (PC vs Bosch) when I bought my router kit. I couldn’t settle it any other way than just going to Lowe’s and playing with both. See how they feel in your hands, do you like the plunge action, where’s the power switch, is it easy to switch bases, etc.

I ended up deciding on the Bosch and love it. I have no doubt I would have loved the PC as well. It’s highly subjective, but I just liked the way the Bosch felt when I handled it in the store.

-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio

I like the Dewalt. They are shorter than the Bosch and I like how it feels in my hands, stable and not too tippy. The detachable cord is great if you leave it mounted under your saw’s wing. I like its height adjustment but it’s a subjective thing, I think it’s easier to dial in an adjustment quickly.

-- Ed

Wow, thanks guys. Lot’s of information to read but its all very helpful. So far the consensus is the Bosch which is what I was leaning to, eventhough I have bought nothing but Dewalt lately. The experience I have had with Bosch hasn’t been good, I bought one of their hammer drills and after a few uses the gearing went out of it, but I think it was just a 1 time deal. The Porter cable had crossed my mind but I’m thinking of putting that into the table when the tim comes. I wish the Lowes near me had display models of them so I could look at them up close. If I did get the Bosch, does anyone know if the PC assesories fit it? As far as bits goes, Woodcraft will be seeing be very soon.

There’s a very cheap adapter that Bosch makes to use it with PC style guide bushings. I don’t believe the edge guide fits, although I haven’t tried. I’ve heard of people modifying a PC edge guide to fit.

-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio

I agree totally with David. I have 5 PC routers, 2 of them are plunge/fix kits. I bought 4 of my PC off of ebay for around 60.00 a piece counting shipping. I have paid exactly 209.00 for both of my plunge/fix kits, one off of ebay and the other off of CL. And I have a frued (last years 99.00 woodcraft sale) in the table, great for use in table but the power button I hate. My PC routers are all great, they are all interchangeable and I never need to change bits or height adjustments. My vote is ebay, you can get the 690 model in the 2 base kit like new condition for at most 140.00 shipped if you watch and are patient. I paid 109.00 on ebay with free shipping for mine. Anyway you go, I think I would try to stick with that same manufacturer so the parts can be interchangeable.

-- Jerry Nettrour

I have the Porter Cable 690 kit. But I have a Bosch palm router and I love it.

I bought PC because it is the industry standard. I love it too.

After reading aobut these deals on ebay I may buy another one now for my router table.

;;
J

-- Professional kitchen designer, amature woodworker.

Well guys I went ahead and pulled the trigger and went up to Lowes to see what the had in stock and after a while of looking over the display models I ened up getting Bosch kit. I like the feel of it better than the Dewalt and the price was a little less. So far my impression is it will serve me well, its well built, and will get a whole lot of use. Thanks again for the information guys, it helped a ton.

i just typed up a whole post on my opinion and then just noticed you bought it….d’oh!!!!!!!

-- Good, better, best; Never let it rest until your good is better and your better best! Mark, Windsor, Ontario

good thing we can delete them

-- Good, better, best; Never let it rest until your good is better and your better best! Mark, Windsor, Ontario

bosch here too,love it…i use their palm router even more (the colt) that thing rocks. i just wish i could find an inexpensive/reasonable plunge attachment for it.

-- Matthew,Long island ny. www.tribalwind.com

Hey Bothus,

About your wish to buy a PC for your router table. Rockler is selling a reman PC router with a base that has above the table adjustments for 149.00. Seems like a decent deal for that table router. I just love the above the table height adjustment and bit change ability with my Frued router and I am sure the PC on rockler would be just as good. Here is the link.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22160&TabSelect=Details

-- Jerry Nettrour

This was a great discussion with lots of info. I was looking at router kits also. Thanks.

-- Father of two sons. Both Eagle Scouts.

I had a Bosch 1617 in my table and did my best to work it to death. Highly recommended.

-- Thos. Angle