The_Woodworker_and_Woodturner_-_October_2019

http://www.getwoodworking.com October 2019 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 17

With a wide speed range from 16,000-25,500rpm,

the speed dial is located just below the battery and

is clearly marked

You need to remove the motor from the fixed base
for cutter changing, though with the plunge base
fitted this is unnecessary

The Li-ion battery simply slides into place, though

it’s safer not to fit this until you’ve installed the

motor into a base and made depth adjustments

A spring-loaded spindle lock button and wrench

make the process straightforward, though it’s a tad

awkward holding the motor down on the bench

To install the motor unit into the aluminium fixed

base, open the steel locking lever and slide the motor

into position until it clicks into the plastic depth collar

To release the motor again you squeeze
two spring-loaded levers on the collar

For micro depth setting, a thin ring beneath

the collar is used, which has a graduated scale

though it’s safer not to fit this until you’ve
installed the motor into a base and made
depth adjustments. This tool will operate on
a 54V Flexvolt battery (as 18V), though you may
find this too unwieldy due to the extra weight.
With a standard 5Ah, 18V XR battery on board
overall weight is 3kg with plunge base fitted.
The tool features a pair of white LED worklights
beneath the motor, which focus neatly on the
work area. These are activated when you depress
the on button. Once the motor is running, hit the
off button and braking is instantaneous, thanks
to sophisticated electronics, which also include
soft-start. Lights remain on for around 15
seconds after switching off.

Cutter change
You need to remove the motor from the fixed
base for cutter changing, though with the plunge
base fitted this is unnecessary. A spring-loaded
spindle lock button and wrench make the process
straightforward, though it’s a tad awkward
holding the motor down on the bench. Both^1 ⁄ 4 in

and 8mm collets are supplied, common with

routers of this size. Although both bases have

an aperture of 37mm, DeWalt recommends

using bits up to a maximum of 30mm diameter.

Fixed base

Installing the motor unit into the aluminium fixed

base is dead easy and textured rubber provides

a decent grip when routing. You open the hefty

steel locking lever and slide the motor into

position until it clicks into the plastic depth collar.

To adjust depth you just rotate the collar, locking

it again with the lever. To release the motor again

you squeeze two spring-loaded levers on the

collar. Alternatively, you can rotate the collar

until the motor is free.

For micro depth setting, a thin ring beneath the

collar is used, which has a graduated scale. Each

mark represents a depth change of 0.4mm, while

a full rotation equals 12.7mm. This works neatly

and means you can make precise adjustments,

usually only possible with a plunge base.

DeWalt’s D-shaped polycarbonate baseplate

is 6mm thick and can be re-aligned for accuracy

if you’ve been using the sub-base. First, a double-

ended steel pin is inserted into the collet and

tightened (it fits either collet), then a plastic cone

is pushed over the pin until it meets the baseplate,

where retaining screws are then fully tightened.

This ensures any cutter is now dead centre to

the baseplate.

Plunge base

In the same way as the fixed base, the motor

unit slides easily into an aluminium cradle and

is secured with a locking lever. This upper housing

slides on a pair of steel columns, locked off with

a substantial plastic plunge lever. Plunge action

is particularly smooth and maximum travel is

an impressive 55mm.

Rubber handles on the plunge base are slightly

offset, making the tool particularly comfortable

to grip and offering greater control. In front of

one of the columns is a five-way rotating turret,

with a sliding steel depth rod above for setting.

Secured with a thumbscrew, there’s a knurled

The tool features a pair of white LED worklights

beneath the motor, which focus neatly on the

work area

In front of one of the columns is a five-way rotating

turret, with a sliding steel depth rod above for setting