Bosch Router POF 1400 ACE (1400 watts, in case)

Ok, so the deal here is if like me you are putting your foot in the water, trying a router for the first time, or want to step up your woodworking read on……So, like you having read all the reviews and are just having brain ache from all the technical jargon from the “PRO’s” you just want some plain English.Ok, so Bosh don’t do justice to the product in the video you see when looking at this.Basically you need a router than can accommodate all the bits that are on the market, they will confuse you with jargon about size, but this is importation. A lot of the bits are different sizes, so basically you need a tool that will accommodate the various sizes…. With me so far….A lot of units on the market do not mention, or point out your needs . You need a unit that accommodates various size bits. For some bizzare reason manufacturers don’t make everything the same size , there’s 3 major differences ( Que pro talk).So you need a universal unit that basically can fit all, so….. if like me you have bought wood working bits that provide an amazing finish, but just don’t fit your unit this is were it’s at.I searched far and wide for a unit like this, a unit that will last ( Bye cheap bye twice) and one that will confidently fit all your routing needs.One last top tip, never and seriously never, tighten the holding nut without a bit in it. .You will not regret this purchase, yep a few bucks my, but a very wise investmentI

Background:Having used the same DIY (Green Bosch) for the last 20 years professionally, I decided to retire my old POF1100AE, (it's in my loft I kept it as it just needs a service). And purchased a Popular brand that ar3 Red in colour (not Mi...ie) that unit was more expensive than this POF1400ace and was new but no better than my old Bosch 1000AE, worse actually as both bush caps are broken, the spindle lock is broken, and its is completely dead! How long did the Red router last? About 20 hours use over 13 months, yes just out of warrantee, so I have a new looking router that is not worth repairing. So I went back to Bosch getting the new powerful model.Review:Once in hand it felt solid and well constructed. Works beautifully, smooth, sturdy, quiet and powerful. Joy to use, first use being cutting out a body for a guitar as per photo. I packed it away and as usual can't work out how it goes back in the case! is it base down or base up? Front up or front down. Then I noticed pressed into the case bottom an image of how the router fits back in the case. OMG so simple but will save me 5 minuets every time I put it away and a lot of stress. I almost forgot, whilst using it I 'could actually see the blade and cutting edge because there a two LED lights either side of the collet! Amazing! The faster you cut the brighter the light l, bright and very white. Making my work more accurate, easier and a lot safer. A few other tools have lights but nowhere near as brigjtas these.Overall its 10/10, Bosch has never let me down but I have been disappointed with some of the other brands, including the expensive Yellow units 😕 my table saw is in the repairer shop today as its broken in 2 ways and only 1.5 years into a 3 year extended warranty.Update: after use for 4 hours day one and w hours day two, I've found something that is a negative. The start trigger moves in 90 before the blade starts up, that's fine probably a safety feature. The problem I'm experiencing is this, with 90% of the trigger doing nothing the last 10% of trigger travel turns it on and off, meaning that not only do I need to hold the handle as expected I also have to squeeze and hold very tightly. Often my squeeze pressure relaxes slightly and the unit turns off. The trigger requires a lot of force to keep the motor running. After a few hours my hand is killing me! (I have a very strong hands) inorder for me to be able to use this unit I'm going to have to put a rubber band, jubilee club or cable tie around the on button (yes potentially dangerous) and use the plug switch to turn on and off, buy passing the power trigger (I don't recommend anything to do this!).For the first 2 hours use it is fine, so most will not even notice the issue.

Have a Stanley hand router from 1978. Then bought a Black & Decker electric router in 1979. Years later bought a better one (but no brand name). The router I would really like is a DeWalt battery operated trimmer/router to go with the rest of cordless tools from DeWalt, but the little that I put a router to use would not justify the expense. Still, this Bosch is the best router I have so far.Essentially I bought this Bosch 1400 because the 1200 doesn't come with a case. Both are aimed at the amateur user. You may think "it's only a box" but the box allows the tool to be stowed under the stairs cupboard and be easy to identify.... makes life more convenient when you don't have a permanent workshop. If I had bought the 1200, hunt for a case, buy some cut-out foam ... apart from expending that time, it would have cost more than the price difference;. At the time of purchase I think the 1400 was perhaps £30 more expensive, but factor in the extra features of the 1400, time to hunt for a box, but and cut out the foam, the 1400 works out cheaperThe quarter inch fitting is suited to my existing router bits. You can see the features on web site video; some of them I particularly like is the light, vacuum hose attachment hole to help make the work piece clear for router cutting. The depth adjustment / depth stop will not compete with professional tools but very good for an amateur tool. From studying information from manufacturer's web sites, it is easy to adjust the DeWalt and the Makita to 0.1mm, but hey, this Bosch I reckon is good to 0.5mm which will be good enough for me.Held it in my hands, played with it, and it felt very well balanced. Powered it up and found perhaps less noisy, well, less high pitch. As yet no project to apply the tool onto yet so giving it 4 stars until a project comes along. Yes, I would recommend putting this, or a similar priced Trend on the short list if you are just starting out in handy work.If you are an amateur instead of a professional, you may wonder if you will need a router. ... When I was doing projects for O Level Design & Tech submission (that was 1976), everything had to be done by hand because that's all the school had. Sanding was so tedious. An electric sander was my second power tool (first of course was a drill). Think the B & D router was my 3rd and knew then that I could never achieve a finish with just hand tools. It's one of those items that once you have it, you will be able to think of more ways to use it. One of the projects had sliding doors. I did not want to stick plastic rails to my wooden project for I didn't want "naff" so used the router to create gooves in the wood itself.

A perfect router for all the DIY jobs.