DeWalt 2-1/4 HP EVS Fixed Base Router Kit with Soft Start

Setup and First Impressions

I put the DW618 to work on a run of cabinet parts: edge profiling hard maple, flush-trimming hardwood edging on plywood, and cutting a few guided dadoes with a spiral bit. Out of the bag, the router feels compact and balanced. The die-cast aluminum fixed base is cleanly machined, the clear sub-base gives a generous view of the bit, and the rubber overmold on the handles strikes a good balance between grip and firmness. At 7.2 pounds, it’s light enough to guide one-handed for trimming tasks but substantial enough to track a straightedge without skating.

The detachable cord is a small but welcome detail. It keeps the motor pack from dragging a stubby pigtail when you pull it from the base, and it’s nice for storage. The kit includes both 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets, a single wrench, and a soft bag. I would have preferred a hard case for shop transport, but the bag is serviceable.

Power, Speed Control, and Soft Start

This is a 12-amp, 2-1/4 “maximum” HP class router with electronic variable speed from 8,000 to 24,000 rpm. In use, the motor’s soft-start is genuinely helpful. There’s no wrist-twist on startup, and the bit spools up smoothly to speed. Under load, the feedback circuit does what it should: when I pushed a 1/2-inch spiral through a 3/8-inch dado in maple, the tone dipped slightly but the rpm recovered quickly and the cut stayed clean. For most mid-size bits—chamfers, roundovers, rabbets, and straight bits up to about 3/4 inch—the DW618 has enough headroom to work confidently in hardwoods if you take sensible passes.

If you routinely swing large panel-raising profiles or live in a router table for heavy stock removal, a 3+ hp motor will feel more relaxed. Still, for hand-held work and general cabinetry, the DW618’s power-to-weight ratio lands in a very usable sweet spot.

Depth Adjustment and Precision

The micro-fine depth-adjustment ring is one of the standouts. It moves in 1/64-inch increments with a tight, predictable feel and minimal backlash, and the steel cam lock holds the setting securely. On the bench, repeated zeroing and sneaking up on depth produced consistent results within a few thousandths, assuming the base and workpiece were clean.

A few tips from use:
- Rough in your depth with the motor latches open, lock the cam, then fine-tune with the ring. It preserves travel and keeps the ring centered in its range.
- Blow dust out of the ring threads now and then; packed chips can make the action feel gritty.
- The scale markings are small. I relied on test cuts rather than the numbers for critical fits.

Note that this kit is fixed-base only. If you need plunge cuts for hinges or inlays, you’ll want the plunge base separately or a different kit.

Bit Changes and Collet Performance

The spindle lock allows single-wrench bit changes, and the lock engagement is positive. Personally, I still like the control of two wrenches, but I didn’t have any slippage or accidental releases. The long, eight-slot collets are excellent. They grip well and, importantly, they release bits without the “second pop” drama you sometimes get with short, sticky collets. Swapping between 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shanks was quick, and there were no concentricity surprises when I checked runout on a straight bit.

The clear LEXAN sub-base accepts standard template guide bushings, which is handy for mortises and pattern work. Concentricity out of the box was close; after a quick centering with a cone, template routing tracked as expected.

Ergonomics and Visibility

The low center of gravity creates a planted feel, especially on narrow edges. The handles have a good angle for keeping your wrists neutral, and the switch placement is accessible with your right thumb without reaching. Visibility is better than average through the clear sub-base, and the large opening accommodates common bearing-guided bits without fuss. There’s no built-in lighting, but for a router in this class, I didn’t miss it.

Noise is typical router territory—ear protection required—but the pitch is less shrill at mid-range rpm, which I used for most cuts. Vibration is well controlled; even after back-to-back passes on dense maple, I didn’t get tingling fingers or fatigue.

Dust, Maintenance, and Table Use

There’s no integrated dust port on the fixed base, so expect to manage chips with external collection, fences, or hoods. For edge profiles and flush trims, that’s par for the course; for interior cuts, it helps to make shallow passes and vac between them. The switch is dust-sealed, and the motor pack is easy to pull for cleaning. The detachable cord is also nice from a service perspective: if the cord gets nicked, replacement is a plug-in affair.

The motor pack’s diameter fits many aftermarket router lifts, and it works fine in a basic router table with the fixed base. Just recognize this isn’t a heavy, table-first setup; without above-the-table adjustment or a lift, dialing depth from below is slower than on a dedicated table router. Still, for occasional table work, it’s absolutely workable.

In the Shop: Real-World Tasks

• Edge profiles: With a 1/2-inch roundover on maple at mid rpm, the cut was glassy, no burning, and only faint end-grain fuzz on ash that a light sanding removed.
• Flush trimming: A 1/4-inch spiral flush-trim bit at higher rpm tracked veneer tape on plywood edges cleanly, with good control one-handed thanks to the weight and handle shape.
• Dadoes and grooves: Guided cuts with a straightedge and a 1/2-inch spiral were predictable. The micro-adjust ring made it easy to sneak up on a snug slide fit over several test cuts.
• Template routing: Using standard guide bushings, pattern cuts in 3/4-inch birch ply were straight, and the motor held speed without chattering on inside corners.

Across these, the electronic feedback kept the bit from bogging, and the soft start helped avoid nicking the work at the start of a cut.

What Could Be Better

• No dust collection on the fixed base. You can add aftermarket solutions, but out of the box, chip control is basic.
• The speed dial markings are small and somewhat tucked away. I set speed by ear and bit diameter rather than numbers.
• The soft bag protects the tool but doesn’t organize accessories well. A molded case—or even a stiffer divider—would make field work easier.
• Single-wrench changes are convenient, but if you prefer two-wrench operation, there’s no provision included.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth noting depending on your workflow.

Durability, Warranty, and Value

After a week of steady use, there’s no play in the base, no drift in the depth ring, and the collets still release cleanly. The dust-sealed switch stayed crisp, and the detachable cord never worked loose. Given the build quality and feature set—full-range variable speed with feedback, soft start, micro-fine adjustment, and solid collets—the value is strong in the 2-1/4 hp class.

The 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction window provide a decent safety net. Serviceability is sensible: common wear points are accessible, and the cord is user-replaceable.

Who It’s For

• Cabinetmakers and furniture builders who need a precise, well-balanced fixed-base router for daily hand-held work.
• DIYers upgrading from a compact trim router who want more power and finer depth control.
• Woodworkers who occasionally use a router table but don’t need a dedicated 3+ hp table motor.

If you live on a router table with large bits or need frequent plunge operations, look at a higher-power motor or a kit with a plunge base.

Recommendation

I recommend the DW618 as a dependable, precise fixed-base router for general woodworking. It combines a manageable weight with real power, has a genuinely useful micro-adjustment system, and maintains bit speed under load with soft-start civility. The collet design and removable motor pack make day-to-day use less fussy than many in its class. You’ll need to manage dust separately, and heavy table work isn’t its core strength, but for hand-held routing in hardwoods and plywood, it’s a capable, confidence-inspiring tool that earns its keep.