DEWALT DW621 2 HP Plunge Router

This router works best as a plunger. It's too top heavy
to function as a long-term substitute for a fixed-base
router.

The dust collection is quite good. Of course in many cuts
you'll still get dust everywhere, but in mortising it
gets the chips out of the way nicely.

I fitted mine with a Woodrat plungebar and use it on a
Legacy ornamental mill and on a Hawk routershop tilting
table where it can function as a horizontal mortiser.

Pros: Compact, light, powerful, accurate. Dust collection. Low center of gravity.
Base screw holes same distance as DW625 so you can reuse the jigs you have.
Not made in China or Taiwan.


Cons: Although this is a plunge router, using it while plunging is a questionable at best. Having the plunge lock built into the handle is plain stupid.
As you plunge, you have to turn the handle to lock it into position. That translates into having to hold the router with one hand while you turn the other handle to lock it and all this while it's running.
Well, you get the point.
Power switch built into handle with pull and lock is another stupid idea.

Inconvenience: Dust collection for which you can't find the correct size vacuum hose.
Distance from the edge of router bit to either of the bases flat side not standard.

So, if you have extra cash and are router addict like me, go for it but not at full price.. Otherwise if you need or have to have at least one plunge router then the big brotherDW625 is the best

The first thing you'll notice about this router is that the one plunge column is bigger than the other. That is because it is hollow, It comes with an adapter to hook your shop vac up to it, and it works really well. I didn't know how well, as this was my first router. I tried it once without the vac: WOW what a big mess a router makes in a big hurry.

Other sweet features: you don't need to release your fingers from the knob to operate the plunge lock, electronic speed control, soft start, fast, easy-to-use depth adjustment.

DeWalt does get a premium for their tools. In some cases, it's bunk. But in others, they simply have a more modern, ergonomic design. This is one of those cases.

I sold my DW621 a year or two ago. It is probably one of the worst possible routers for router table use because the way the switch works. It is made to be held in your hand.

This time around, I'm going with a simple, fixed-base router. But rather than get the defacto standard Porter*Cable 690 series, I went with the equivalent DeWalt. They're not afraid to update their design from time to time.

I've had similar experience with this router as other reviewers. I like the plunge mechanism and switch, but after short hours the switch lock stopped working and the electronic speed control failed. The speed erratically gets faster and slower. Brought it to a DeWalt repair facility in Denver. They fixed it without giving me an estimate. $160 to repair a $200 router, I don't think so. If it lasted longer I'd buy another one, but I think I'll buy a 2hp Bosch.

I use this router almost every day in my business. My company specializes in repairing countertops. I've owned at least eight of these routers over the years. The DeWalt DW621 is compact and not too heavy, making it great for use in tight quarters. The switch is unusual, but very easy to use when you get the hang of it. The dust collection is outstanding when hooked to a shop vacuum. One unique feature is that the shaft is offset from the centerline of the tool, which makes it much more stable when used on the edge of a flat surface. My only criticism is that it is a bit underpowered for heavy professional use, and I have burned out a few motors after overloading the tool.

Jim Heaphy
TopRepair
American Canyon, CA