This may be the most powerful router you'll ever own. Its 3-1/4-horsepower, 15 amp motor makes quick work of anything you can feed it. I expected it to tear out of my hands at startup, but for its heft, it has an amazingly soft start at every speed: 10,000, 13,000, 16,000, 19,000, and 21,000 rpm. This kind of power doesn't come without some noise, so be sure to wear hearing protection. The handles are comfortable and offer a secure grip, but at 17-1/2 pounds this is a heavier unit than most routers. The plunge depth range is 3 inches, and there's no doubt this guy can handle it. The ball bearings are 100 percent sealed, and a six-position depth-stop turret is a nice touch. It takes 1/2-inch shanks, so it could double as a shaper in a smaller shop. Here's another nice plus: a cool auto-release collet system that ends stuck bits--no more wrench-tapping and pleading! It's a beauty of a machine for heavy routing or production use. It won't disappoint you. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste
