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I wish Bosch would rethink their design. Too bad they don't include both wrenches in the original box, but I'm just happy that I can use this router with no problems. Lo and behold--they sent me a little wrench to use with the other wrench. For those of us with arthritis or limited strength in our hands, using 2 wrenches to tighten the collet is so much easier. I was given this router as a gift from my husband.
I can now easily tighten the collet using both wrenches. I love it except for the following: I have fairly severe arthritis in my hands and it's nearly impossible for me to try to hold in the button while holding the router and tightening the collet with the wrench. Update 2/6/2010. Thanks, Bosch. I wrote Bosch about my problems tightening the collet.
It looks like a good design, simple and rugged, but the tool I purchased refurbished from Bosch CPO had a critical flaw. If it is not perfect, RETURN IT and try again with a different one. I explained the problem to the local authorized repair facility and he did his best to correct it, but even after replacing several parts, he could not correct the problem.Bosch may have since figured this problem out, but if you buy this tool, check the spindle squareness (with the base in the lock position)first thing. I bought this router when the nice old Porter Cable 310 became hard to find. The spindle was not square to the base and as a result round-over bits would cut differently depending on which side of the router you hold against the work piece. Good luck. I asked Bosch to send me another but they would not and told me to have it serviced locally.
If Bosch could/would add some insulating grip pads to the housing this would be an excellent tool. Great size, with plenty of apparent power. The on/off switch is a little cumbersome in its position, and there is no soft start feature, so make sure you've got hold of this little monster at start-up. If I was in the market for this type/size router again, I would not buy this one. My biggest complaint is that in a sustained routing condition the aluminum body gets very hot and uncomfortable to hold onto.
I bought this product after having used a friends router. It definitely gets the job done,however,a little more power wouldbe nice. Since I am nota professional cabinet maker(although this machine has its place in a pro-fessional's quiver)I chose this one for its fit in my hand;the ease/con-venience of operation;the accessories available,and,above all else,Boschquality.
I've used this router a few times so far and it does exactly what I need. Although I'm not an expert with this type of tool, I think that it has plenty of power. It's small enough to hold with one hand, although not as small as I thought, or had hoped, but it does what I need. The only feature that I wish it had is variable speed.
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