Accessories

Milwaukee 5616-24 Router
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.

Good Tool
I needed a router for a furniture project and, based on reviews I found here, selected the Milwaukee 2616-24 router. It comes with a fixed base and the plunge base. I have only been using the fixed base so far on my project. I am very pleased with the tool. It has plenty of power for the many cuts I am making and the bit appears to be centered (I can turn the router around and there is no difference in where the bit cuts). So far, so good. I look forward to trying out the plunge base on my next project.

Great Except for the Plunge Base
First off I am not a hater. I've got well over thirty Milwaukee tools and think very highly of all of them with this one exception. For example I feel that the big 3 1/2 HP Milwaukee router (of which I own three) is the best router in the world for router table use. It actually hurts me to badmouth this product since I have such a high regard for Milwaukee tools.

The problem with this plunge base is that the motor is insufficiently clamped into the base as this clamping is entirely achieved by the use of the over center clamp. On a conventional base router this isn't an issue since all of the load on the router bit is tangential. There is no force trying to push the router motor out of the base. A plunge router however is a different animal as when plunging there is considerable vertical force working against this clamp trying to push the motor out of the base. When under high vertical load (like plunging a mortise) the motor backs out of the base. All other multi based routers use this over center clamping system but augment it with a pin on the motor that fits into a slot in the plunge base to prevent the motor from rising up when the unit is plunged. The Milwaukee doesn't have this additional feature.

I solved this problem by drilling and taping a hole into the plunge base for a set screw which I tighten against the router motor to lock it into place. This works fine but something like this should have been done by the factory and not me.

Except for this major flaw the rest of the plunge base is good. The plunge is smooth, the feel and balance of the unit is very good, the depth adjustment system is excellent, and the handles comfortable. I do think that the plunge release lever should be longer as it's a bit hard to actuate, but, the handles intrude into this space making the use of a longer plunge release lever difficult.

Good unit with an unacceptable flaw.

Excellent Router
I researched routers by reading and talking to people who use them regularly. This Milwaukee kit came up over and over as one of the best. I have used it for a few weeks now and absolutely love it. I am a novice user and bought a set Whiteside bits. The router and bits are performing flawlessly. I do recommend contacting Pat Warner (http://patwarner.com/) for his alternate base. He has an elliptical base that fits this router (and others) that makes them more stable when using by hand. The router is quiet, powerful, has a slow start feature, and is simple to use. I am not a big fan of the three part case or the size of the case. Some will not like having to use two wrenches to change bits but this is no problem for me. The body grip on the fixed base is wonderful for keeping a good grip on the router. Finally, the switch is perfectly positioned for easy on and off while you are gripping the router. Buy it, you'll like it.

very nice
i recieved this router and was very impressed with the quality and control it was difficult to decide what brand to by but i finally decided to go with milwakee because it was one of the only ones made in the USA