Milwaukee 5616-24 2-¼ -Max-Horsepower EVS Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base | 
| Brand: Milwaukee
Category: Home Improvement
List Price: $454.00
Buy New: $209.99
as of 7/29/2010 15:15 PDT details
You Save: $244.01 (54%)
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 1197
Color: NA
Media: Tools & Hardware
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 25 x 14.6 x 12.3
MPN: 5616-24
Model: 5616-24
UPC: 045242327928
EAN: 0045242327928
ASIN: B000QV1CXW
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Precise macro/micro depth adjustment systemto 1/64 increment, 3 metal depth scale and adjustable pointer | | • | Premium plunge system with four-point Oil Impregnated PM Bushing design | | • | 6-Position(1/8 increment) adjustable metal turret stops for precise, multiple-pass routing | | • | Tough, machined aluminum motor housing and base | | • | Quick release motorallows adds the convenience of pop & drop quick base changes,passing motor between bases |
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Product Description
Milwaukee 5616-24 2-1/4-Horsepower EVS Multi-Base Router Kit. The award winning line of Milwaukee Routers is growing! A new Heavy Duty Plunge Base introduced in June 2007 now compliments Milwaukee’s award winning BodyGrip Fixed Base in the Multi-Base Router Kit the 2-1/4-HP EVS 5616-24. The Multi-Base Kit will deliver everything offered by the Milwaukee BodyGrip Fixed Base Router with its multitude of patented innovations. The additional new Heavy Duty Plunge Base offers unprecedented design and features that professional users are seeking. Features Premium plunge system with exclusive four-point PM bushing design and constant spring tension to deliver smooth, non-binding plunge action throughout the entire plunge range (2-7/8-inch) Patented BodyGrip design with precise macro/micro linear depth adjustment system and patented above the table height adjustment Precise macro/micro depth adjustment system to 1/64-inch increment, 3-inch metal depth scale, adjustable pointer, and 6-position (1/8-inch increment) adjustable metal turret stops for precise, multiple-pass routing Exclusive motor shield desig What's In The Box: Milwaukee 5616-24 2-1/4-Horsepower EVS Router Fixed Based Assembly Plunge Base Assembly Two 1-1/8-inch Collet Wrenches 1/2-inch Collet 1/4-inch Collet Two Clear Sub-Bases Dust Shield Concentricity Gauge Carrying Case
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 28
 Milwaukee brings home the Gold on 1st attempt... November 25, 2007
John W. Thompson (Atlanta, Ga.)
49 out of 50 found this review helpful
I've had problems with my Bosch combo.. (older maganesium base.. switch.. 1/2" collect wouldn't insert.. etc.) and sold it. My DW 621 is a good plunge router after adding a large base, but I occassionally would rotate the plunge release on the left handle and the router would spring up while in the middle of use. Maybe just me but annoying and costly mistakes were sometimes made.
I have had a Milwaukee 5625 under my router table for 5 years and I wouldn't consider anything else but that "hoss". I noticed that Milwaukee had just introduced a plunge router and it came in a kit with that Body Grip fixed base I have used and love.
I took a chance based on my experience with the 3 1/2 HP 5625 and sold the Bosch Combo and the DW 621. Ordered the Milwaukee Combo and it arrived. Started a new bed the following week-end with the Combo getting the call on mortices.. non through dadoes.. intricate joints and with an 1 1/2" over-head bearing template bit used to trim the outline on legs for the foot and head that were 1 1/2" oak after cutting the line just outside 2 mm on my bandsaw.
The results and my opinion based on 35 years of wood butchering are:
Milwaukee nailed the plunge on the first try adding a complimenting plunge to their already proven Body Grip. Motors easy to switch.. bit removal quick and easy.. robust as big brother 5625.. smooth plunge.. power with the 2 1/4 HP.. good dust control attachment.. excellent balance and the best feeling router I have had the pleasure of having in my hands in 35 years.
They took a long time to deliver a plunge to compliment their already robust line... but it was indeed worth the wait at my shop....!
John Thompson... Sarge
One great router package November 15, 2007
C. Hale
27 out of 28 found this review helpful
I got the router for my birthday based on the review in June 07 Popular Woodworking. The machine is fantastic. The body makes the router feel much smaller and handle much easier than its 2-1/4HP would suggest. You can easily work single handed if you want with smaller bits. The rubber body and grips offer a positive feel and are very comfortable. The plunge action is smooth and the plunge lever is right at your fingertips. The switch can be reached with both hands on the router, although with the soft start it's not necessary. The case will keep everything clean when not in use and offers lots of storage for 1/4" and 1/2" bits along and a set of template guides.
Highly recommended.
Forget The Ear Plugs! August 3, 2007
wdcraftr (Utah)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
Milwaukee 5616-24....Quiet, smooth, user friendly.....What can I say, except, it's better than I expected. GREAT !!!! Put the fixed base under the router table, and use the plunge base for free hand work....Haven't used it much yet, but it slips in and out of the bases so quick & easy, (Quicker than finding, and inserting wrench), I haven't worried about the above the table height adjustment yet. Will have to drill a hole to accomodate wrench if I decide to use it. The micro adjust knob makes height adjustments in a snap too...
A Terrific Package--on a par with Festool August 28, 2008
Philip C. Jones (Iowa City, Iowa United States)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
I got this a couple of weeks ago and have since put it through its paces in various hand-held modes. In short, I really, really like this router. In fact, I like it as well as I do a Festool router I bought earlier this year.
Things I like (in no particular order):
(1)The router has clear sub-bases (either acrylic or polycarbonate, I'm not sure which). Furthermore, it comes with two sub-bases, one designed for the Porter-Cable industry standard template guides & one with a larger hole suitable for various larger bearing-guided bits. It also comes with a base-centering guide which is useful for attaching the template-guide sub-base so it is centered. The centering guide seems to work well and easily for me, but this is a purely subjective opinion since I do not have ready access to the type of metrology equipment necessary to determine exactly what lack of centerdness is due to placement of the sub-base, and what is due to a plethora of other possible contributing factors.
(2)It is extremely quiet--about on a par with my Festool (note, I do NOT have equipment to measure decibel output, so this is purely subjective).
(3)The dust-collection attachment works well---actually better than that on my Festool---again, subjective opinion.
(4) The collet nut uses two wrenches instead of a push-in collet lock and single wrench like the Dewalt 625, ELU, and Festool routers. I've got several of the latter, but frankly find the push-in collet lock system clumsy to use and more of a knuckle-buster than using two wrenches.
(5) It is equally adept at both plunge routing and as a fixed base router. This actually came as a pleasant surprise to me since I thought it would inevitably be compromised for either one use or the other. The depth adjustment is smooth operating, exhibited no discernible sign of back-lash, and provides easy to track adjustment in 1/64 inch increments. Again, this is my subjective opinion.
(6) The soft-start and variable speed are nicely done, in my opinion.
(7) Milwaukee kept many of the positive features of their older routers---flat topped base for easy bit changing and superior long split collet (much like what you'd find in the metal working industry).
(8) The router motor is superbly easy to change from one base to another. This, along with the flat top, actually provides another huge convenience. To wit, changing bits on plunge routers has always been an awkward and unpleasant chore, frequently leading to a busted knuckle or two. Now those of you who are less clumsy and more nimble than I may not care about this, but the ability to quickly and easily take the motor of a plunge router out of its base so you can change bits without all of the hassle, why it's just heaven! And of course, since it's so quick and easy to extract from the fixed router base as well, it just makes sense to do that when changing bits as well.
(9) Vibration is remarkably low. Again, I have no way to measure this, so it's just my subjective opinion.
Things I do NOT like:
(1) The case is really, really, really, really horrible. When opened, it falls apart at two seams (hinges?) and is liable to dump the router and other contents on the floor if you're not careful. Furthermore, getting the router along with its two bases properly configured inside the case to fold it back up is something you'll enjoy only if you're an octopus. Thankfully, I don't particularly need or want a case for it, so the case will be going to the re-cycling center ASAP. If a case is important to you, better consider building your own. Did I mention that the case is a nightmare from hell? Thankfully it's not an important component.
(2) The depth adjustment, at 1/64 inch, is not fine enough. Both Festool and Porter Cable do much better than that (1/256th inch for PC and 0.1mm for Festool--which is about the same as the PC). I definitely think this is one area Milwaukee could have done a bit better on. But I knew this going in.
(3) Only collets available are 1/4 and 1/2 inch. I sometimes use 3/8 inch and 8mm shank router bits. Since I don't like using collet adapters (more opportunity for run-out), I'll be forced to use one of my other routers in those cases.
(4) The on-off switch is not conveniently located. Perhaps my hands are just too small, but I have to take one hand off the handle to turn it on or off. I prefer being able to reach up and turn a router on/off while keeping both hands on the handles.
Final comments:
The negatives are pretty insignificant for the most part, and certainly out-weighed by the positives. All-in all, this is a really terrific router package. Since I just love my Festool router and like this one about as much, that's saying something!
I don't know how well the router will hold up over time since I've only had it a couple of weeks. But if it is as sturdy as my other Milwaukee tools have been, I'm sure I'll be pleased. I can tell you that over-all the ergonomics of this router are far better than those of any other Milwaukee tool I've previously owned.
I noted one reviewer who lamented about no router tables being made that will work with this router. I believe just about any major manufacturer of router tables has one that will work. Woodpeckers router plate, for example, (which fits their router table, of course) can be had with a hole configuration that fits the Milwaukee 5619 router. But, since the 5619 and the 5616 use the same sub-bases and hence have the same sub-base hole pattern, you're golden! Basically, you may have to cross-reference and double check a few things, but finding a commercially made table set-up poses no problem. Additionally, many of us have built our own router tables and made our own plates. So go ahead and get yourself a table to fit this router (if that's what you want to do with it) and have fun!
Milwaukee 5616-24 Router November 27, 2008
E. Brentin (Uniontown, Ohio)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I purchased the Milwaukee 5616-24 to supplement my Bosch plunge router. I often cut tenons of various sizes and having two plunge routers set to different depths allows me to finish the parts faster. I specifically wanted a new router that had a better method of selecting the plunge depth. Although my Bosch's manual claims adjusting the depth is easy, adjusting to a specific depth within a .010 inch tolerance requires too many test cuts. The reason being the microadjustment knob moves both the bit and the depth control rod. Making fine adjustments requires several steps, not just moving the microadjustment knob. The depth adjustment mechanism on the Milwaukee 5616-24 only moves the depth control rod. This simplifies the process and allows quick depth changes. Another feature I like about the Milwaukee is it has two springs to suppport the plunge base. The single spring in the Bosch plunge router often allowed the unit to bind when plunging. This would prevent the bit from making a smooth controlled entry into the work piece. The Milwaukee's plunge base is much easier to control.
I also have used the fixed base. It was very easy to remove the motor from the plange base and install it in the fixed base. Regardless of the base the router performed well. I like the soft start and the motor seems to have plenty of power. I have not used it mounted in a table so I can not comment on those features. The only Bosch feature I think I prefer is the shape of the base. It has a D shape rather than being completely circular. Since I prefer to use a fence instead of a guide attachment, the flat part of the base allows you to keep the router in the same position (i.e. It does not rotate.) through the entire cutting motion. This is not a large advantage, because the base centering cone that comes with the Milwaukee does an excellent job. Although the router rotated slightly while I moved it along a fence, there was no noticeable undulation in the resulting edge.
To date I have only used it to build one table, but I am very pleased with its performance.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 28
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