The Dewalt DWP611 is sold out / out of stock seemingly everywhere. Would this other model be compatible? DEWALT DW616 Router, Fixed Base, 1-3/4-HP
I’m a newbie and I have no idea. All advice welcome.
I’m not a LowRider owner, but I’ve been following the router and spindle topics on the forum. The extra weight of the DW616 makes it less than ideal for LowRider use. The popular alternative to the DWP611 is the Makita RT0701C. You lose LED lighting going with the Makita, but you gain a greater RPM range in the variable speed control. I believe you will have to drill new mounting holes.
2 Likes
Very helpful! Thank you so much! If the only downside is loss of LED light, then surely something could be rigged up using some cheap LED flashlight or something.
I don’t thing you really need LED lighting. It is just something on the Dewalt that people like. I use a Makita clone (Carbide 3D router), and I’ve never needed LED lighting. Forgot to mention that the Makita is a bit lighter than the Dewalt, which is a plus.
2 Likes
Speaking of clones/off name brands, any thoughts about this one?
Looks like it’s only $10 cheaper than the namebrand Makita.
Most of what I know about routers/spindles comes from reading this forum. And I’ve never seen the Avid router before. Based on my reading, there are two concerns with “off-brand” routers.
- Short lifespan. The electronics tend to wear out sooner. The bearings tend to go. Internal bushings tend to become sloppy.
- No PID control. When you set the dial to a particular number on the Mikita, you are setting a specific RPM. There is a feedback loop, so when the the bit is loaded up, the Mikita will increase the current to keep the RPM the same. This is not true of cheaper routers. On the cheaper brands, the dial just sets the current, and the RPMs will vary with load.
I have no idea if either of these is an issue for the Avid router.
1 Like
I’m using a Makita RT0701C for my Primo. I will almost certainly buy another for use with a LR2.
I am using LED lighting, technically. I have a LED work light that I have mounted to the side of the table… Well, it’s sitting on a tray next to it for now, until I get a permanent mount figured for it. I have it aimed at the work area, and can move it a little to keep it aimed where I want to see. It’s not quite the same as something mounted to the tool, but I could very quickly come up with something to mount some 3mm LEDs to the machine to light the immediate work area. Probably integrate it into the tool mount. On the LR2, it would be insanely simple to integrate into the mount plate.
In my shop, all of my cordless tools are Makita (Except for an off brand power screwdriver I got for Christmas) and most of my power tools. Well, I have a Bosch drill that I received as a gift, and a DeWalt hammer drill that I got, because I went to rent a hammer drill, and Home Depot had them on sale for cheaper than a weekend’s rent. It was tough to be picky when they had them on for $18 and including a set of bits that was regularly $15. (I just checked, and the exact model I bought is currently on sale at Home Depot for $129.)
Anyway, the DWP611 is the path of least resistance, but if it’s unavailable, I would look for something in the same class, rather than something the same brand name. I have a brand name that I like and would substitute from there, because that’s my bias. When I look for comparable products from Home Depot, I see the Makita, a Bosch, Rigid and Ryobi as “compact routers” or “trim routers” The DeWalt 616 is listed as a much more powerful “fixed base” router, which is not really comparable in features or size.
Depending on the size of the city you’re in, it may be worth checking into the inventory of a few different places, even branches of the same store. For example, that model isn’t available in the Home Depot location I usually visit, or the next closest to me, but if I were willing to drive an extra few minutes, I could pick one up at a slightly further location.
1 Like
You don’t need a light. I thought the same thing at first but with the vacuum and all you can’t really see anything anyway.
1 Like
I had the same issue when I was sourcing all my stuff a month ago. If you are in Canada look up Gregg’s industrial supply they still have some they costs more but it’s an option.
1 Like
@Buckdec: Thanks. At this time they too are also showing “0 in stock” so that option seems to have played out also.
I’m not in Canada but checked anyhow.
I am with Robert Bunney -
My Dewalt brushes failed after heavy use so while I was waiting for new brushes, I went to Home Depot and bought the Makita. The Makita is a huge upgrade without the price (IMO). Now I can cut plex at a slower speed to avoid melting the plastic and it is much quieter at any speed.
Now that I have replaced the Dewalt spindle, it just sits in the “junk box.”
I did not miss the lighting “feature” of the Dewalt because hopefully my CNC knows where it is cutting!
1 Like
Thanks. I already placed an order for the Makita. Sounds like I’m not likely to be disappointed.
My 1" stainless steel tubes arrived today.
I have a main board question but asking here would hijack the thread.
I’ve posed by Controller Board question over here: