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Issues regarding the Bosch Colt PR20EVS laminate trimmer

Hi,

I'm currently writing a review for a magazine on the Bosch Colt PR20EVS laminate trimmer and I'd like to validate and confirm a few glitches I found so far with other owners of this product. Please feel free to let me know any additional issues you may have encountered with this product.

  1. The bits are tough to remove from the collet. I need to wrap them up in a rag in order to pull them out safely without cutting myself. Does this problem goes away after a while?

  1. The micro adjustment knob is not that smooth. At some points it gets very difficult to turn it.

  2. At first, I liked the idea of having specially designed areas on the base to put my fingers on for added stability. When l used it for the first time though with a router bit raised fairly high in the base (I was cleaning an hinge), I realized there's no protection at all in the event the router kicks. The base is wide open and one can get seriously injured if they happen get a finger in there. I would have appreciated a clear plastic cover that would have protected my fingers as well as help on the dust management. Anybody else share this concern?

  1. The carrying box is way too big. I understand we usually like to have a little bit more space than just the tools and its original accessories but this one really goes way over. After all, we only need to store a few more 1/4" router bits, it doesn't take that much space.

Thanks for your feedback.

Happy New Year to all woodworkers!

Greg D.

Reply to
Greg D.
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I bought one about 6 weeks ago and have only used it about 10 times so my "review" for you is limited.

  1. Removing the bits in ALL newer Bosch routers that I've used, this one included, is somewhat difficult. I've just gotten used to using the handle end of the collet wrench to gently pry (not on the carbide, of course!) the bit loose.

  1. The micro adjust on mine seems to work fine, but I've only used it a couple of times to "dial it in".

  2. I like the grips on the base, it feels comfortable. I never felt as though my fingers could be in danger. I do use the clear guard on my 1617 (plunge base), but it can flip down when I need to see (or clean it) and flip back up when cutting. If a guard were to be added to the PR20, it should be fairly easy to remove/replace for line of sight and cleaning.

  1. I must agree with you on the case, it's large for that little router. In fact, I've carried it into a job a couple of times mistakenly thinking it was my Bosch jigsaw!

  2. The power of the machine is has seemed quite adequate, and it seems to be of the same good quality as my larger Bosch routers.

Sorry I don't have more to add for your review, the router is still somewhat new to me, so I haven't had a chance to try it out in numerous different applications. I plan on doing some inlay work in the near future and thought this machine may work well for that (the reason I initally purchased it) However, it has just been used at work for edge treatments, etc. thus far. --dave

Reply to
Dave Jackson

Hmm...don't have this problem with my 1617. The 1/2" bits are a bit snug, but I can still pull them out by hand.

Chris

Reply to
Chris Friesen

The problem is possible related to the fact that in Europe, standard bit sizes are 6, 8 & 12 mm, but in North America they are 1/4" (=6.35mm) and 1/2" ( =12.7mm) - the problem being in the extra .35 & .7 extra respectively. Most router collets have at least that much take up, but it seems Bosch may be shipping collets that are much closer to European spec. than in the past.

Just a SWAG on my part, I'm saving up for one of the new Triton 2 hp jobs, I have 3 x 1/4" routers already.

regards Bruce

Reply to
BSRLee

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