Accessories

Nice router, but electronic overload cutout is a pain!
The higher horsepower is definitely welcome in this body-grip router compared to the 1 3/4 hp Milwaukee routers that we've been using. But the electronic variable speed control has an overload cutout feature that is a royal pain. You can't load it much at all until it shuts down and must be restarted. It invalidates the extra power. Milwaukee says it's by design and normal. I'd stick with the 1 3/4 hp that actually stays running.

subases
routers do not have machined subases.miter saw tables and table saws do.this tool seems fine but its base is not flat.put a straight edge across.the bushing subase is also far from flat.router users should always check the base plate.i have several routers and have gotten pat warner base plates from him.he machines a clear baseplate.you need a flat baseplate to get the best quality dados dovetails etc.i have not used the machine yet till i get my baseplate but the strap definitely feels nice and the fine adjustment is smooth.i am giving 5 stars on comfort of router.i will have it cranking in a week.

Awesome Router!
As a professional carpenter/business owner I am always buying new tools so I can find the latest and greatest for quality of work, ease of maintenance and for the safety of my guys. The Milwaukee router is an awesome router hands down. I have always been and porter cable guy for routers until I tried my buddies Milwaukee, and needless to say I had to get one. I was a little disappointed however to see that this router did not have a full 5 star rating. I read the review that was rated 1 star and I have to say that his router was put under allot more stress than it was designed for by using panel raising bits. This kind of router is not designed for that kind of use. It puts allot more stress on the router than a "weekend/hobbyist" would. I own three porter cable routers and have since replaced them with the Milwaukee routers due to there ability to take a beating in a trailer, cabinet shop, job site, and even in my own garage. Routers are used for some things and Shapers are used for other things, i.e. raised panel construction.

Great, sturdy router
I got this Milwaukee Router in early 2005, and I love it. I had used a Craftsman router for over 20 years, and when it wore out, I bought a Ryobi router. The height adjustment on Ryobi locked up after a very short period and wouldn't move, so i took it back for a refund and got the Milwaukee. Best router I've ever used. Height adjustment is superb...accurate and easy to use. It's far more solid and well built than any router I've ever used. The only thing I don't like about it is the on/off switch is awkward to reach. (It's located in the middle of the housing, instead of being on the side.) I would greatly prefer this switch to be close to one of the handles so I can turn the router on or off without having to take my hand away from the handle. To me, this is a design flaw. Other than that, I'm extremely pleased with the router.

Great router for 5 minutes after the repair shop
I bought the 5616 in August '03. I was initially impressed with the power (easily turned panel raising bits), the Bodygrip design is far superior to any other handles, and the variable speed option is a must.

Like another reviewer however, my router stopped working after a few months of weekend projects. It was repaired under warranty but it took the repair shop nearly a month to get it fixed. They had to replace the brushes, speed control, and just about everything else inside except the motor windings and case.

After just a few minutes of light use since the repair (3/16" beading bit on about 12 feet of oak), it quit again. This time I sent it to the Milwaukee Factory Service Center. Again, they replaced about a dozen parts in the motor. It took about three weeks to get it back.

Latest update... 11 Dec 04. It quit again. Yeah, Merry Christmas to me. Looks like I'll be getting myself a new router for Christmas. This one will go back for warranty repairs again just because I hate throwing things away.

Like another reviewer said, the 5 year warranty is nice but it really isn't worth having, since the router is in the shop for a month at least once per project.

My recommendation is: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY, THIS ROUTER IS A P.O.S. (Piece of S***)