DEWALT Router TrackSaw Guide Adapter (DWS5031) , Black

I was thrilled when I saw this DeWalt track router adapter. I used to hate routing dados. I don't have a table saw, so I have had to use my DeWalt router for dados. I tried one of those "exact width" dado jigs, but it was very tedious to use. I then tried a simple straight edge, but that is also tedious if you need a dado that is slightly wider than your router bit. And when the router jumped or I wasn't applying pressure properly, the router would move off the straight edge slightly, messing up the dado. I own some Festool tools, so I looked into the Festool router + track solution, but the price of the total solution is absolutely insane. I don't use a router nearly enough to justify that type of expense. And then I saw this track router adapter and I was thrilled. The price for this adapter is dirt cheap by Festool standards, and the price for the DeWalt track is also very reasonable. I bought both right away. I used the router adapter to cut dados in a plywood cabinet that I was building. I marked the locations of the dados, set down the track, did some learning and fiddling to figure out where the track needs to be to get my bit in the right location, and then did a dry run, sliding the router across the width of the board to make sure it moved smoothly. After adjusting the tensioning knobs and getting things dialed in, I turned on the power and gently pushed the router across the track. The dados were absolutely perfect. Perfectly straight and perfectly clean. What a huge improvement over the jig and straight edge methods. So much simpler, easier, and the results were unbeatable. Out of the box, the adapter may not slide smoothly on the track--Festool products can be the same way. I put a little bit of Renaissance wax on the track and it made the adapter move much easier and smoother. And the knobs and adjustments on this adapter are a bit odd and not nearly as refined and easy to adjust as a Festool design, but the two rods were very stable and once you figure out how to set it up for your router and workpiece, it works well enough. I also purchased the DeWalt track clamps. They aren't fancy, but they work well with the track. If dados are a hassle for you and you want an easier solution, I highly recommend this adapter and the DeWalt track. JANUARY 2016 UPDATE: I still love this DeWalt router adapter and DeWalt track. I needed to cut two channels in the middle of a board so that two screws with knobs could slide up and down to adjust the height of the project. (see two additional photos) I hadn't done this type of cut before, but I pulled out the DeWalt track, clamped things down, and then did a try run, moving the router along the track to confirm the cut was straight. I made the cut, gently pushing the router along the track, and it was absolutely perfect. The cut was the perfect length and perfectly parallel to the length of the board. The second cut was just as easy. The setup of the track and clamps went much faster than I expected, and I am guessing I was done with everything in under 10 minutes. I finished so quickly I actually paused in concern, thinking I had missed something. I had thought it was going to be more tedious or difficult, but it was a breeze. If you are having to use a DeWalt router in situations where you aren't just running along the edge of the wood and need straight cuts (and don't have a table saw or router table), this track setup is really hard to beat. And a nice side benefit is that the adapter fits in my router case, and the track hangs on the wall, so the whole setup takes up zero additional space in my garage. If you don't have a million dollars to spend on the Festool router track setup, this one works very well.

Successfully used to cut grooves in acrylic with high accuracy. Track is Festool 1400/2. Adapter will perform well on the Festool track if you use both plastic pieces to straddle the raised portion of the track. Yes, you loose the fine screw adjustment this way, so unless you get lucky you will be calculating fence distances with inconvenient fractions. And you must use the "blunt" end of the Festool track. But once set up, the action was accurate and smooth. As for the router, I used an old Rockwell (PC) 6902 motor. The Dewalt instructions says it will fit the 6911 "D" base, but I could not make that work. It did work with the basic 1001 base. All in all, not something robust enough for frequent use, or in the field, but it did the job. In the next life, an all Festool solution.

So there's a front page review that says this will work with a Bosch 1617 plunge base, but that the holes need to be slightly drilled out slightly. That is, in fact, not necessary to use this guide with the Bosch. This guide comes with a variety of adapters for use with different Dewalt (and Porter Cable) routers. There is an adapter labeled "DW625" that will mount ON TOP of the Bosch 1617 plunge base WITHOUT modification. Since it goes on top of the base--not into the guide rod hole slots--it's just secured with two thumb screws. See my included photos As far as the guide itself, it seems to fit my Dewalt track well and includes two cams to snug it up to the track spine. That said, it's mostly made of somewhat cheap feeling plastic so I hope it holds up over time. It also seems overpriced for what it is. It's actually more expensive than the corresponding Festool router guide for the OF1400! All of that said, it will let you cut dadoes and grooves and if you already have Dewalt tracks it's a handy accessory.

Please be aware that if you intend to use this device with the DeWalt DNP612 that you might not get the adapter needed to work with that particular plunge base. I have heard that it depends on whether or not you get an older kit vs newer. This is frustrating for those with the DNP612 having to chase down the proper adapter.

This is a great product! I bought a Powertec track for my Wen track saw, and with some persuading, I am able to use this router guide with my Powertec track. The downfall (which isn’t DeWalt’s fault), is you can’t use the micro adjustment system with the Powertec track. This is still worth its weight in gold when you’re trying to route a completely straight line, and even without the micro adjuster, I was still able to flawlessly embed track in the top of my work bench.

I bought this to use with the DNP612 plunge base with the DCW600B compact router along with my Festool guiderail. I would say, in short, it is too expensive and only recommended for someone with a DeWalt router, DeWalt router base, and DeWalt guide rail. Otherwise, find something else. - It does ride on the Festool guide rail but the knobs cannot be tightened enough to have the the best fit on Festool's guide rail. However, it is not designed to go on that anyway. - The fine adjustment knob performs somewhat ok. But here are the biggest problems: - It comes with an assortment (about 6) of different plates to connect to different router bases (different DeWalt and Porter Cable models). But no instructions as to which one goes with which. So you need to play around will all of them and determine which plate to use, where to connect to the base, and which connectors/nuts to use to achieve that. - Then, the kit (with so many "free" plates included) did NOT come with one that easily fits the DNP612 plunge base. One reviewer (or a YouTube) video has one that fits said plunge base well but alas, was not included in the box. The one plate that does fit the DNP612 actually uses flathead screws instead of wing nuts to secure the adaptor to the router base. Want wing nuts? Put more time and go to L's or HD. - The base is difficult to align. Also, if you tighten the screws everywhere, the adaptor falls out of place and will become difficult to remove/install on the plunge base. - Even after determining which base plate to use and how to connect it to the router base/adapter, you end up with an assortment of metal plates that you probably won't feel comfortable throwing into the pile they belong in (garbage) out of fear that you may one day need them. So there, more things to store in your "various" drawer.

This review/guide is specific to the Bosch 1617EVS. I read conflicting reviews about if it works or not so here is a definitive answer. I have the set that comes with the plunge base, bought in 2016. Out of the box it fits the router base. You have to flip it over so it's spaced right but it works. It does not fit the plunge base, (something I fault Bosch for) the hole is slightly too small. I used a 27/64" bit (you could use a 7/16" but it wouldn't be as snug) to slightly bore out the holes to receive and it's working great. One other strange thing is the kit comes with two metric set screws with knobs to tighten the jig to the router base. These fit the plunge base perfectly but did not fit the router base. (Again; Bosch, ehy are these different?) You can see in the picture that I use some metric set screws (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01G0E4NTS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image) to lock it in. I think it was an M5. For me the plunge base seems much more practical with a track application. Being able to set a depth stop for a dado and drop it in while attached to the track, slide it along till I hit a stop then retract it seems awesome to me. I love it.

I bought this to use with my Dewalt trak system and my PC 895PK router. I was impressed that it came with all the adapters to attach it to my router with no modifications. I was lucky enough to have had a torx driver that allowed me to change the attachment; I think they should have used an allen head screw because those seem much more common. Also they provided screws to hold the arm to the base, would have preferred to have finger knobs. After the initial adjustment of the guides to the track, the guide worked very well for free hand dadoes. I expected the black pieces to be made of aluminum not plastic. I've only used it a few times, so hopefully it holds up over time. If you have a trak system this is a great addition to the set.