2-1/4 HP (Max Motor HP) EVS Fixed Base/Plunge Router Combo Kit With Soft Start
2-1/4 HP (Max Motor HP) EVS Fixed Base/Plunge Router Combo Kit With Soft Start
in 2 offers
The lowest price for DeWalt Router, Fixed/Plunge Base Kit, Variable Speed, Soft Start, 2-1/4-HP (DW618PKB) right now is $559.60 at desertcart.com.au, compared across 2 retailers.
The all-time low was $371.98 on 21 Mar 2026 — today's price is 50% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 5 Aug 2026.
DeWalt Router, Fixed/Plunge Base Kit, Variable Speed, Soft Start, 2-1/4-HP (DW618PKB)
2-1/4 HP (Max Motor HP) EVS Fixed Base/Plunge Router Combo Kit With Soft Start
2-1/4 HP (Max Motor HP) EVS Fixed Base/Plunge Router Combo Kit With Soft Start
Last updated at 05/08/2026 22:08:06
DEWALT Router, Fixed and Plunge Base Kit, Soft Start, 12-Amp, 24,000 RPM, Variable Speed Trigger, Corded (DW618PKB)
Delivery between 12–15 Aug $29
DW618PKB 2-1/4 HP EVS Fixed Base/Plunge Router Combo Kit with Soft Start with DW6913 Router Edge Guide with Fine Adjustment and Vacuum Adaptor
Free delivery between 14–18 Aug
originally posted on Dewalt
After looking at online competitor and Dewalt reviews and manuals, this unit is exactly what I was looking for. The only issue I had was the downloaded manual states "Two collets are included with the motor: one 1/4" (6.4 mm) and one 1/2" (13 mm). Tochange collet sizes, unscrew the collet assembly as described above. Install the desired collet by reversing the procedure. The collet and the collet nut are connected. Do not attempt to remove the collet from the collet nut." Even the video reviews show 2 separate collets as the contents were opened. You have to look at the included paper manual's parts breakdown to see the 1/4 collet INSERT which means you had to purchase the unit. Confusing,Yes? The online manual and the included paper manual are not the same! This ... MoreAfter looking at online competitor and Dewalt reviews and manuals, this unit is exactly what I was looking for. The only issue I had was the downloaded manual states "Two collets are included with the motor: one 1/4" (6.4 mm) and one 1/2" (13 mm). Tochange collet sizes, unscrew the collet assembly as described above. Install the desired collet by reversing the procedure. The collet and the collet nut are connected. Do not attempt to remove the collet from the collet nut." Even the video reviews show 2 separate collets as the contents were opened. You have to look at the included paper manual's parts breakdown to see the 1/4 collet INSERT which means you had to purchase the unit. Confusing,Yes? The online manual and the included paper manual are not the same! This does not help with making an informed decision. I would have preferred the separate 1/4 collet nut assembly. The store only carried the DW618PKB bag unit, but I wished I had ordered the plastic case model DW618PK instead. Other than that, I like the unit.
originally posted on lowes.com
I bought this router a month ago. I have it mounted to a router table. The tool has plenty of power but it is so hard to adjust the height. About 1 out of every 10 times I try to adjust the height it works great. The other 9 times it wont even budge even if I drop the motor out of the housing. I just don't understand it. Maybe it's not made to be mounted upside down or maybe I am doing something wrong. Either way I am going to cut my losses and sell it and go back to a Bosch.
originally posted on Dewalt
I originally purchased to use free hand but have since paired with a router lift so I don't use the plunge attachment at all. It seemed to work fine but I don't have much to say about it. I use the router all the time with both quarter and half inch collett bits. I have yet to find wood this can't work. Solid, versatile tool.
DEWALT Router, Fixed and Plunge Base Kit, Soft Start, 12-Amp, 24,000 RPM, Variable Speed Trigger, Corded (DW618PKB)
Delivery between 12–15 Aug $29
DW618PKB 2-1/4 HP EVS Fixed Base/Plunge Router Combo Kit with Soft Start with DW6913 Router Edge Guide with Fine Adjustment and Vacuum Adaptor
Free delivery between 14–18 Aug
After looking at online competitor and Dewalt reviews and manuals, this unit is exactly what I was looking for. The only issue I had was the downloaded manual states "Two collets are included with the motor: one 1/4" (6.4 mm) and one 1/2" (13 mm). Tochange collet sizes, unscrew the collet assembly as described above. Install the desired collet by reversing the procedure. The collet and the collet nut are connected. Do not attempt to remove the collet from the collet nut." Even the video reviews show 2 separate collets as the contents were opened. You have to look at the included paper manual's parts breakdown to see the 1/4 collet INSERT which means you had to purchase the unit. Confusing,Yes? The online manual and the included paper manual are not the same! This ... MoreAfter looking at online competitor and Dewalt reviews and manuals, this unit is exactly what I was looking for. The only issue I had was the downloaded manual states "Two collets are included with the motor: one 1/4" (6.4 mm) and one 1/2" (13 mm). Tochange collet sizes, unscrew the collet assembly as described above. Install the desired collet by reversing the procedure. The collet and the collet nut are connected. Do not attempt to remove the collet from the collet nut." Even the video reviews show 2 separate collets as the contents were opened. You have to look at the included paper manual's parts breakdown to see the 1/4 collet INSERT which means you had to purchase the unit. Confusing,Yes? The online manual and the included paper manual are not the same! This does not help with making an informed decision. I would have preferred the separate 1/4 collet nut assembly. The store only carried the DW618PKB bag unit, but I wished I had ordered the plastic case model DW618PK instead. Other than that, I like the unit.
I bought this router a month ago. I have it mounted to a router table. The tool has plenty of power but it is so hard to adjust the height. About 1 out of every 10 times I try to adjust the height it works great. The other 9 times it wont even budge even if I drop the motor out of the housing. I just don't understand it. Maybe it's not made to be mounted upside down or maybe I am doing something wrong. Either way I am going to cut my losses and sell it and go back to a Bosch.
I originally purchased to use free hand but have since paired with a router lift so I don't use the plunge attachment at all. It seemed to work fine but I don't have much to say about it. I use the router all the time with both quarter and half inch collett bits. I have yet to find wood this can't work. Solid, versatile tool.
I have a huge inventory of DeWalt products and just added this to my collection today. Brought it home and noticed the 1/2 collet missing. Returned it and went through 4 more boxes to see if any were in those ones. Nada nope nothing... Got a refund and left while driving home I decided to go over to my local Home Depot.. they had two. I noticed that there was tape and both boxes and the Gentleman assured me this was factory tape. We opened both boxes and guess what.. MISSING 1/2" Collet.. this is bad for business. I have already contacted support and I am scheduled to receive the missing part in Two weeks.. This and only this is the reason I gave those Stars.. Come on guys.. Let's get it together.. you're better than this..
In summary, I have nothing positive to say about this router and I’ve listed all those items down below.- Fixed base housing is too small, and any bit longer than an inch sticks out longer than the bottom base.- Both of the base housings and the router, heat up excessively in 90F. This also occurs even in cooler days when in direct sunlight. The heat causes the collet to expands which loosens the bit so your cut is no longer the same depth. This metal expansion also applies to base’s latches that locks the motor down. The latch loosens just enough to allow the motor to free-spin around while being used.- Fit and finish of the plunge base is rough on both the plastic and metal housing that clamps the motor. I cut my hand on the plastic and the metal cuts into the ... MoreIn summary, I have nothing positive to say about this router and I’ve listed all those items down below.- Fixed base housing is too small, and any bit longer than an inch sticks out longer than the bottom base.- Both of the base housings and the router, heat up excessively in 90F. This also occurs even in cooler days when in direct sunlight. The heat causes the collet to expands which loosens the bit so your cut is no longer the same depth. This metal expansion also applies to base’s latches that locks the motor down. The latch loosens just enough to allow the motor to free-spin around while being used.- Fit and finish of the plunge base is rough on both the plastic and metal housing that clamps the motor. I cut my hand on the plastic and the metal cuts into the router base every time I try to slide it in.- None of the screws on the plunge base had thread lock applied so every screw starts to wobble out. The thumb lock even popped off while it was locked during usage causing the screw to shoot off and become lost. I ended up buying a new screw from the local hardware store and applying thread lock myself.- Power cord vibrated loose and came off even though it’s suppose to be a twist “lock” for security.- Plunge base adjustable stop is unreliable for repeat usage. During use, the vibrations cause the micro end stop to shake just enough such that a repeat plunge is not at the exact same depth. Also, with each plunge the micro end stop twists slightly such that the depth constantly changes while not even being used.- Plunge base thumb lock was not tight enough to hold the base in position and came loose. My fix of buying a new screw and using thread lock ended up fixing this issue as well.- Plunge base thumb lock works opposite. Rather than auto locking where you push the lever to release the lock, the thumb lock has to be pressed to both lock and unlock the height.- Plunge base motor lock was too loose. Even after removing all the machinery grease on both the motor and housing, the motor stills spins in the housing even when locked.- Getting the motor into the plunge base is one heck of an ordeal, for it doesn’t align straight and you have to force it in. I think this is a manufacturing defect as the top part of the metal sleeve is too tight to push the motor into it but not tight enough to hold the motor from rotating. There’s also no alignment marks or pins, but the router still has to be installed within 1/8 inch of a specific point otherwise it hits the exhaust collection tube and won’t seat properly.- There’s no LED lights on this router, and while the base allows tons of light in, it’s still hard to see your cut line without additional lighting.- The plunge base starts out being really smooth, but after a week of usage it’s less so. However, the spring mechanism is still too strong and requires too much force to compress for a fine dialing in of the cut depth. You have to use the micro adjustment to dial in the depth, but since the end stop moves you can’t get precision.- The spring cover that surrounds the dust port and steel support rod came unsecured and and flopped around. I wasn’t even using the router when this happened.- The cover on the dust collector routinely pops off during usage.- To tighten the collet you have to use a push bottom plus 1 wrench. While this sounds good and works very good with their smaller router, it doesn’t work with this model. Since the motor free spins in the plunge base, you can’t tighten the collet while the motor is installed. Had the design require you to use 2 wrenches or have a locking pin in the housing, you could have counteracted the motor free spin and still be allowed to install bits while it’s in the base.- On/Off button is a cheap toggle switch as opposed to a more robust rocker switch.
Just like countless other recent purchasers of this DW618PK router, the 1/2" Collet chuck was missing from the sealed accessory bag---of which we checked before leaving the Blain's store, thanks to the reviewer(s) who strongly recommended doing so---when we opened the sealed molded carrying case, (that btw, the DW618PK fixed router & plunge base DOESN'T EVEN FIT correctly or adequately into to !:~\ )DO NOT BUY ! All previous & recent shipments from the Dewalt manuf. are missing parts !! And after 36 hours....we've received NO RESPONSE BACK FROM DEWALT. :~\
Not the quality Dewalt tool I normally see. I purchased this recenently to replace an older Skil brand. I make cutting boards and I wanted a better plunge router for the juice grooves. The issue is the cheap collet system in this. Instead of having separate 1/4 and 1/2 collets, the one provided is a weird nested set. I bought a Bosch for my Table and it came with two. The bit does not seat properly first time is used it the bit fell out into the board and ruined it. I tried it a second time. it Came out again and destroyed the base plate. The replacement part is $55 with shipping. Nice! Look for a replacement collet set that won't fail.
I stepped up from a 1/4 router to this 1/2" capable router. What a difference in cut quality (I was struggling flattening a large slab). I wanted to chime in here due to numerous reviews talking about a "missing 1/2 inch collet" . . . Upon opening my package, initially I had that same fear and thought, "crap, it really is missing" but then quickly realized that what looked like a single 1/4" collet was actually a nested collet system with the 1/4" collet inside of a 1/2" collet. So all I had to do was remove the 1/4" adapter collet from inside of the 1/2" and BOOM, there's my 1/2" collet. I wonder how many of these folks who reported their 1/2" collet missing really had it right there in front of them.
I purchased a Dewalt DW618PKB router from Lowes on July 11th. After unpacking it, I discovered that the 1/2" collet was missing. I immediately contacted Dewalt support and they said a collet would be sent to me within 2 weeks. When 2 weeks passed and I hadn't heard anything, I contacted Dewalt support again but got no response. 2 days later, I contacted them again and was told the collet was backordered and they had no idea when/if it would be shipped. So I returned the original router to Lowe's and purchased another DW618 they had in stock. But this one was also missing the 1/2" collet. So I returned that router and went to Home Depot to buy the DW618 router there. And for the 3rd time, the 1/2" collet was missing from the box. The information printed on the box as ... MoreI purchased a Dewalt DW618PKB router from Lowes on July 11th. After unpacking it, I discovered that the 1/2" collet was missing. I immediately contacted Dewalt support and they said a collet would be sent to me within 2 weeks. When 2 weeks passed and I hadn't heard anything, I contacted Dewalt support again but got no response. 2 days later, I contacted them again and was told the collet was backordered and they had no idea when/if it would be shipped. So I returned the original router to Lowe's and purchased another DW618 they had in stock. But this one was also missing the 1/2" collet. So I returned that router and went to Home Depot to buy the DW618 router there. And for the 3rd time, the 1/2" collet was missing from the box. The information printed on the box as well as in their online advertising clearly states that 1/4" and 1/2" collets are included with the DW618 router. But that is obviously not the case after purchasing 3 of them in 2 weeks and none of them had the 1/2" collet. That is very misleading and false advertising. I contacted Dewalt support 3 more times expressing my frustration trying to find a router with a 1/2" collet and asking them to escalate my issue. The end result was they closed my open ticket and marked it complete. So over 3 weeks have gone by and I'm still without a router with a 1/2" collet. This is unacceptable for a company like Dewalt. I have purchased numerous Dewalt tools in the past but it will be hard to ever purchase another one after this incident and how they have handled it.
I have a dewalt sander, oscelation tool, jig saw, corded and cordless saws all, cordless drill and screw gun.This is my first dewalt too I DO NOT LIKE.First THING I HATE ABOUT THIS ROUTER is the on/off switch. It is not on the handles. You have to hold it with one hand to turn it on and off. NOT SAFE, or handy.Does not expell shavings when you are routing out a recess in wood. You have to stop and remove the shavings.Hard to see the lines when you are routing out a recess.
