Router, 2-1/4 Max HP

There are better routers out there as well as more powerful ones for about 2x the price. For my work I don't need a 3½ Hp behemoth as I am not going to do panel raising or cut multiple fingers in Lignum vitæ or Osage Orange. Some time in the future I will buy a  Festool OF 1400 EQ Router  as I have the  Festool 491498 55" Guide Rail FS 1400 (1400mm)  and extensions for my TS55 saws. I will then put the 5616 in my router table permanently to replace a so so  Skil 1820 2-HP Plunge Router with Site Light .The Good:Plenty of power, it does a much much better job of routing hard maple than my skill does.Can route dove tails in Osage Orange--the Skill gives up on that.Variable speed.Can adjust the height from above the table with a standard 3/8 socket as well as the supplied T handle wrench.Works in several good lifts like the woodpecker (double check compatibility though).The body grip is great and easier than a D handle.Soft start is helpful.The Bad:Apparently about to be discontinued?Without something like the  CMT 796.001.00 Router Collet Extension 1/2-Inch  bit change above the table will not happen.The dust collector and accessories are only available as part of the  Milwaukee 5616-24 2-¼ -Max-Horsepower EVS Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base The same applies if you think that you will want the plunge base.Soft start is not very.The Ugly:The  Milwaukee 48-55-5615 BodyGrip Router Carrying Case  is expensive without much storage and butt ugly.You have to unclamp the body lock to use the height adjuster.Overall only good bang for the buck if you don't need more power and are using it in a table, otherwise you need the kit to make it useful.I lowered my rating to 2 1/2 stars as commonly needed accessories like the edge guide and dust collection are unavailable (except in the kit) and it appears to be discontinued; which reduces the usability and likely longevity of this router.BTW the big 3+Hp routers will take a 20A circuit in most cases--particularly if you use an auto start dust collector like the Fein or Festool.

New at this router business so I do not know all the requirements of a router. A friend who does a lot of wood work recommended this router and at first I was hesitant to pay that much for a product I didn't know whether I would use very much. Doing projects already and am impressed by the easy operation. I found it difficult to find a router table that had matching holes for the subbase. I could drill holes in other table tops but didn't want to do that. After calling Milwaukee I found a Porter Cable router table. I am very satisfied with the router, especially the power and smooth cut.

I recently purchased the 5616-20 router. As I was waiting for it to be shipped I read some reviews that had me concerned. It seems that under the table mounting was not allowing room for the collect wrenches. When I received my router I proceeded with the task of mounting it to my table. Mine being a homemade table with a ¼" aluminum plate meant that it was necessary to drill mounting holes. Which interfered with the existing holes. So I rotated the mount by 90 degrees. This put the opening for the "T" wrench up front and allows me to utilize both front and back wrench openings from either side to change collects. Making it an easy job. I am 100% satisfied with the performance of this router.

Well made router. Smooth and powerful. Typical Milwaukee quality. Gave it only 4 stars because it simple died on the shelf after 6 months. Milwaukee warranty worked well but took a month because the repair depot got in the new electronic module part and it too was no good. The second part worked fine. Makes me worry a little about long term reliability. We will see. Otherwise it is a nice router to use.

Does all I was hoping it would do. Permanently mounted in table and handles everything from 1/8" spindle bits to 1/2" shaft raised panel bits. Great machine. Had the 1 3/4 hp version for twelve years until worn out after daily use. Decided to go with the 2 1/4 hp for heavier bits and it does the job. Went with the Milwaukee due to the simple and easiest height adjustment system.

Awesome machine

So far this router has performed as is well as I expected. I did buy the bit extension for changing bits above the table. The T bar height adjuster is GREAT. Also the quick releace is real handy over Porter Cable T handle.

Multi speed is great, wrenches are heavy duty, have used it undermount and have had no problems at all. I keep it clean. No case comes with it but for me that's not a problem as it never leaves the router table.

I bought one of these last year, and I'm so pleased with it that I gave away a Skill router and purchased a second Milwaukee 5616!Now one is permanently set on my router table and the second is used for hand-held work.By the way.. I had ordered the 5616 from Amazon.ca on a Monday morning, and was so surprised when it arrived the next day! Great service!

great price and an awesome tool

Works great as a table router. Handles most large bits well and has ample horsepower for most of my routing needs. Nice router a good match for my Jessem router table.

Works very well, no issues to report, arrived ahead of time... thank you

Excellent router