Bosch 1617EVS vs. Makita RF1101 (again!)
Gilbert Smith
with plunge base. The Makita has been particularly elusive on the local
scene but I got a factory rep to bring one in so I could look at it.
Everything I've read in the previous threads on these routers is
basically true IMO, but there's nothing like hands-on to bring it all
into focus. My observations:
The Makita RF1101 is noticeably smoother running and quieter than the
Bosch. I sat the Makita on it's base on a formica table running at top
speed and it never walked even a little bit. The Bosch is relatively
smooth and quiet, too, but it doesn't quite convey that "Lexus" feel of
the Makita.
Height adjustment of the Makita in the fixed base is crude compared to
the Bosch, IMO. "Fine adjustment" means turning the motor housing "real
careful" till you get it where you want it and then clamping down on it,
in contrast to the threaded adjustment screw of the Bosch which moves
the motor up or down without rotation. This was one of the main reasons
I wanted to get my hands on the Makita. I have a 30-year old Craftsman
that uses a similar adjustment method and I didn't know how I'd feel
about the Makita system, and now I know........I don't like it any
better than the Craftsman.
I'm not an expert on plunge routers, but I'd say the Bosch base is
superior. For one thing, just installing the motor in the base is much
simpler and quicker. The particular examples I handled would make me
believe that the Bosch has a smoother plunge action and is better
ergonomically, but then what do I know......I've never even used a
plunge router. The Bosch just seems better "engineered".
The main reason I haven't bought one of these routers yet is that I'd
heard good and bad about both of them, mostly good, but I wanted to see
for myself. I was torn between the Bosch's height adjustment system and
Makita's quiet smoothness. Complicating matters was the magnesium
corrosion issue with the Bosch. I looked at three or four shelf display
units that really looked nasty.....one had the motor stuck in the base
and had to be forced out.
On balance, for my use, barring the Makita rep calling me tomorrow and
offering me his demo unit at a price I can't refuse (which is unlikely
since the Bosch sells for $50-$60 less) I will be buying the Bosch kit.
I don't like the prospect of "simonizing" my router every few months,
but it's got too much going for it otherwise. I frankly can't believe
that Makita can't come up with something a little better to house that
sweet motor, but if an RF1101 showed up in my garage tomorrow I wouldn't
be disappointed.
robs_woodworking
an excuse to fondle it (this is getting worse....). If you fondle it enough,
it will give you a long life of good hard work, easy up and down adjustment
and you'll soon learn to appreciate it's knob (don't EVEN go there...).
Good luck
Rob
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"Gilbert Smith" <gws...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:3CD0BBCC...@worldnet.att.net...
Leon
FREE HAND routed hinge mortises on a new door. They came out perfect. The
router only moved when I gently pushed it.
If this helps with the noise issue, the Bosch is very quiet on the lower
speeds. Mine is only louder at top speed. That said, neither router will
be real quiet when it is actually cutting with a bit. I would not be too
concerned with the noise issue.
I set the depth of the previously mentioned mortises by setting the router
over the old door hinge mortises and acurately adjusted the bit down to the
bottom of the mortise. No guessing and no problem.
I have never done anything to prevent corosion on my router and it has never
been an issue. I live in Houston and the humidity can be quite high.
Nick Pitfield
news:e9bA8.3890$hO3.38...@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com:
> If this helps with the noise issue, the Bosch is very quiet on the
> lower speeds. Mine is only louder at top speed. That said, neither
> router will be real quiet when it is actually cutting with a bit. I
> would not be too concerned with the noise issue.
Noise should be a non-issue as you should be wearing ear-protectors anyway.
Regards.
Nick Pitfield (ni...@catapult-uk.com).
Gilbert Smith
Leon, I'm glad to hear that about the corrosion issue, because that's the only
real downside to this router IMO. I'm not worried about the noise.......I've
been using a Craftsman for 30 years! (Eh?......what did you say?) Maybe it won't
be as bad as I anticipated. I'm in Austin and we certainly don't have the
humidity you guys have, but to look at the display units you wouldn't know it.
Probably has something to do with guys like me coming in fondling and drooling
on them every day..... Anyway, mine will stay under a table most of the time,
out of sight, out of mind somewhat, and I just don't want to pull it out one day
and find green slime growing on it.........I hate when that happens! Thanks for
the affirmation!
EugeneC173
a month or so.
Here is the way I see it; the fit and finish of a Makita is better than the
Bosch. The sub-base can be centered more easily than a Bosch, this is
important when using guide bushings. In a router table the Makita height
adjustment is more positive, the Bosch tends to be difficult to adjust in a
table after it gets a little sawdust between the base and the motor. The
Makita does not require waxing the base to make adjustment easy. The Makita
motor is easier to remove and reinstall for bit change etc. when used in a
table, this is important to me. The Makita is quieter but the Makita black
calibrated ring to set cut depth is a bear to see being all black.
I have one Makita kit including plunge base and one RF1101. I can't tell you
much about the Makita plunge base because I haven't used it yet. I can say the
motor is easy to install and the wood handles are better than the Bosch plastic
ones that loosen up easily. The depth of plunge adjustment on the Makita is a
little vague and possibly not as good as the Bosch. But I am not an expert on
either, I prefer a plunge router for plunging. The Makita collets are
precision and release easier than the Bosch ones and I would say are more
durable. The Makita wrenches are stamped sheet metal, the Bosch ones are
better. The Makita has a removable collet chuck. The Bosch collet chuck is
machined in the motor shaft, probably not as good but the bits can be set
deeper in a Bosch. If you mess up the collet chuck on a Bosch, you have to
replace the armature, expensive!. Both routers have little if any runout and
are very smooth, the Makita is smoother. Hope this helps but YMMV.
Gene
Leon
that are touching them day in and day out. The guys in the trades usually
are pretty sweaty during the summer.
Concerning the corrosion, Mine does have a slight off color build up on the
motor itself but the build up immeasurable. Again the corrosion does exist
but has never been a problem for me.
Gilbert Smith
Tell that to SWMBO...........;>)
Gilbert Smith
> I recently sold my Bosch, after buying a Makita and using both side by side for
> a month or so.
> Here is the way I see it; the fit and finish of a Makita is better than the
> Bosch. The sub-base can be centered more easily than a Bosch, this is
> important when using guide bushings. In a router table the Makita height
> adjustment is more positive, the Bosch tends to be difficult to adjust in a
> table after it gets a little sawdust between the base and the motor. The
> Makita does not require waxing the base to make adjustment easy. The Makita
> motor is easier to remove and reinstall for bit change etc. when used in a
> table, this is important to me.
Just curious....is this because of the tighter fit of the Bosch? The new ones I
handled seemed to be just the opposite, requiring twisting and pulling to get the
Makita out of it's base vs. the straight action of the Bosch. This will be an
important feature to me also.
EugeneC173
No, the Makita has 4 steel indexing studs that the motor rides up and down on.
the studs ride the threaded motor body. There isn't much aluminum to aluminum
contact in a makita therefore it doesn't seize up and require waxing. The Rf
1101 is very easy to remove from the base, what you may have felt is the double
release. Makita has a double release that prevents the motor from falling out
of the base when used in a router table, a safety feature. I also forgot to
mention that you do have to chase the switch in a Makita like a PC. The Bosch
is better in this respect. The Makita also has a nice wasp waist that permits
it to be handled with one hand, it also has the best flat top of all for bit
changing and storing.
Gene
EugeneC173
And the neighbors!!
Bill W
best money($192 if I remember right) I have spent on a tool in a long time.
Not real fond of the collets but I won't be using them every day either.
Bill W
Leon
won't use the guide bushings... LOL
"Bill W" <bwei...@nospam.lucent.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9203858D3C47D...@135.7.153.101...
Bill W
news:yVAA8.10645$ri7.148...@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com:
> Actually every day you use the router, you will use the collet. Maybe
> you won't use the guide bushings... LOL
>
Uhhhhhh....yeah....what he said. 8-)
Frank Luff
Have you evaluated these two routers? If so, in your opinion, how do they
compare to the Porter Cable two base kit?
Thanks, Frank
Routerman P. Warner
Frank, have some good and bad news.
Have consolidated the information from the last few years of my
testing of the 3 pks in question, and the rest of the major
contenders. Have also taken the views from the "groups", magazines,
manufacturers, and many emails.
Now in the process of building my second Router CD-ROM with this data
and pictures of the tool's strong points, problems and idiosyncracies.
The CD is still about a month or 2 away.
Well what about the routers? Not crazy about shooting myself in the
foot at this point but will mention.
1) They all have problems some more managable than others.
2) In my view there are a few design mistakes and some features that
make real good sense.
3)Bosch has done some serious homework and even made some sacrifices
in our favor.
4) Makita made their move too soon and I believe they could have done
better.
5) PC is just stubborn enough that they could wind up in second or
third place.
6) Bottomline: Look for best value and quality in the Bosch 1166
plunger. I still like the 690 but the new PC 690 VS, if used as a hand
router, is going to be and remain the leader in mid range fixed base.
The 1617 is a great tool but more sensitive to medium sized cutters
than I'd like.
Best PK: I'd vote for Bosch against the original 693PK but things may
change here shortly. The Makita system would be third.
The entire analysis might be something to spend a buck on. CD will
contain at least 20 of the top routers and topics on routing never
before published.
http://www.patwarner.com (Routers)
David Kihn
and they are very smooth and balanced well in the hand. In general, the
Bosch line of power tools seems superior to the other brands.
David
"Frank Luff" <fr...@airmail.net> wrote in message
news:294BAEEA475B4DCE.9D37F3FC...@lp.airnews.net...
EugeneC173
>and they are very smooth and balanced well in the hand
Are you absolutely sure the Makita is not smoother and better balanced than the
Bosch? Have you ever used a Makita RF1101?
Gene
Rick
bases are easier to get since they are the same ones as the Porter cable
690.
The 1101 is a great kit. Comes with two bases, clear base, dust attachment,
1/4" collet,straight cutting guide. Nice big case to fit everything.