The DEWALT DW618B3 is a router you can depend on because it’s a DeWalt and its specs speak for itself. Even if you’re used to more Chinese-made “cheap but serviceable” tools (or especially because of it), you’ll definitely see the cost-effective value of adding a few more dollars into your purchase in order to avail of the DEWALTDW618B3.
It’s not needlessly expensive and doesn’t feature specs you’ll never need. Quite the opposite. Once you start using a DeWalt, you won’t go for the Chinese default. The DW618B3, in particular, gets rave reviews and excellent work done while at the same time featuring a motor that doesn’t turn when you adjust depth. Its mechanism for depth adjustment isn’t that obnoxious.
Horsepower, Amps, and Hardwoods
The DEWALT DW618B3 offers all the prerequisites of what makes a router great. It has a 2.25 HP and 12-AMP motor capable of cutting through hardwood like it’s paper or butter and an electronic variable-speed trigger that works better than a dial because you’re able to really use your trigger finger to select between speeds from 8,000 RPM to 24,000 RPM to cater to different metalwork or woodwork applications.
The best of both worlds in terms of sheer power and speed plus delivering that routing force in the right amounts every time. What’s more, even when dealing with constant unremitting load that has broken weaker routers, this DeWalt router classic is capable of providing consistent speed under load thanks to its full electronic feedback system.
Everything Else
Having loads of speed and power won’t matter much for your routing needs unless you can control them for the sake of accomplishing your tasks without wasting all that energy. This is why the DeWalt DW618B3 also offers a soft-start system that ensures startup torque reduction and optimum control over your router without feeling like you’re riding a mechanical bull (or even a real one). The easier it is to start your DeWalt router, the more you can call the shots when it comes to the form, thickness, depth, and smoothness of your plunge cuts or routing actions.
Meanwhile, the fixed base of the device also offers micro-fine depth adjustment via a ring that ensures accurate bit adjustments down to the last fraction of an inch (in 0.015-inch increments, to be exact).
DeWaltDW618B3 Specifications
- Spindle lock, 12-AMP rating with Enhanced control
- The motor doesn’t twist. Detachable power cords. Bases easily snap in and snap out
- 25 HP (maximum power) motor
- Incremental and precise depth adjustment
- Multiple bases with great ergonomic design
- Dust collector also ensures superior bit visibility
- D-handle uses trigger switch and lock-on feature
- Constant speed under load due to full feedback control
- Soft start to mitigate torque and shakiness during startup
- Through-the-column dust collection collects 95% of the dust
- Variable-speed features ranging from 8,000 RPM to 24,000 RPM
- Adjusts vertically as well for constant access to cord set and switch
DEWALT DW618B3 Review
The DEWALT DW618B3 is the best router in my opinion because it’s a DeWalt first and foremost, which means it has a legacy to uphold in terms of quality power tools. It’s not considered the black sheep of the company’s superb line of products because it’s nuanced and feature-rich. I particularly make extensive use of its micro-fine depth adjustment ring to adjust bit depth in accordance with my calculations, estimates, or blueprint plans.
The motor works hand-in-hand with the ring in order to determine accurate depth then adjust precise speed so that I can accomplish a variety of applications accurately and quickly. This is definitely a 9.4 out of 10 type of router easily.
Things to Improve
The DeWalt DW618B3 practically has no weaknesses or at least detriments that can truly make its score plunge. Then again, there are customers that (presumably) complain about outlier DeWalt routers that don’t keep up with the standards of the company because they’re damaged goods or factory defects.
The really picky customers might also criticize the device for having a case that’s way larger than other routers, but it needs a bigger case because it contains three bases in one gadget. There’s at least one user of this highly recommended router that didn’t keep the device because the plunge base available on it wasn’t the exact one he was looking for and he could get another plunge base for a cheaper price.
Conclusion
It has three bases in one product. Most routers either have a single or dual base system (for plunge and fixed routing applications). The DEWALT DW618B3 has three (the third one is the D-handle base for a firmer grip you usually see on saws) bases instead. You’re literally getting more bang for your buck by going DeWalt and the company has once again proven itself a leader in the construction tool industry by making an affordable three-in-one router versus the usual single-base or double-base router.
Even its cons are few and far between, so it’s unfortunate that it doesn’t have a score higher than 9.4 among its customers while other routers with fewer users get a 10/10. Read other wood router reviews too!