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Woodwork is amazing. There is something extremely satisfying about making your own furniture, whether it’s a hobby or you are a professional. That being said, to get the right results, you need the right tools. There is a good reason we turn to Bosch for woodwork tools, particularly routers.
We are going to compare two router combo sets from Bosch, the Bosch MRC23EVSK vs 1617EVSPK. We will discuss all of their features such as precision, power, and design. There will be a side-by-side chart for a quick review and some pros and cons of each.
There are just a few similarities between the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK. We will look at these first.
Bosch MRC23EVSK vs Bosch 1617EVSPK – Similarities
Quick Glance
Below is a comparison chart with all of the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK specifications.
Bosch MRC23EVSK |
Bosch 1617EVSPK |
|
| Image |  |
 |
| Combo Contents | Motor, fixed base and plunge base routers | Motor, fixed base and plunge base routers |
| Diameter | Plunge base- 7 inches, fixed base- 6 inches | Fixed Base- 6 inches |
| Design | Silver and Bosch blue with black easy-grip handles | Silver and Bosch blue with rounded wooden handles |
| Power | 15amp/2.3 HP | 12amp/2.25 HP |
| Trigger Control | Yes | No |
| Speed Range | Variable- between 10,000 and 25,000 RPM | Variable- between 8,000 and 25,000 RPM |
| LED Lighting | Yes | No |
| Range | Micro-fine bit-depth adjustment from 0 to 2 inches | Micro-fine bit-depth adjustment from 0 to 2 inches |
| Fixed Router Stability | Three threaded holes for mounting | Three threaded holes for mounting |
| Plunge Router Stability | Spring-lock plunge lever and depth rod | Not stated |
| Soft Start | Yes | Yes |
| What’s Included | X2 self-releasing collets, X2 bit wrenches, T-Handle Hex Wrench, X3 M4 Screws for table mounting, carrying case. | X2 self-releasing collets, X2 bit wrenches, T-Handle Hex Wrench, X3 M4 Screws for table mounting, carrying case. |
| Protection | 1-year warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee, 1-year service protection plan. | 1-year warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee, 1-year service protection plan. |
| Price |
Purchasing Options
There are a range of compatible tools for the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK. You can also buy a combo set with a benchtop router table or with a deluxe router guide. We are going to focus on the combo set that includes a motor, a fixed base and a plunge base router.
Diameter
The diameter of the Bosch MRC23EVSK fixed base id 6 inches. The plunge base has a diameter of 7 inches. The Bosch 1617EVSPK also has a fixed base with a 6-inch diameter but there is no information in the plunge base— we would assume it is the same or very similar.
Range
Both the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK are incredibly accurate. They have a precision-centering design. The bit depth adjustment can be set from 0 to 2 inches with micro-fine bit adjustment.
Soft Start
Anyone who has pressed the trigger on an electric tool and been surprised by the initial speed will be happy with the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK. The soft-start ensures accuracy from the first point of contact.
What’s Included
With the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK, you will receive 2 self-releasing collets (1/4 inch and ½ inch), 16mm and 24 mm bit wrenches, a T-Handle hex wrench and 3 screws for table mounting. The combo sets come in a rugged carrying case.
We will now move on to the differences between the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK.
Differences Between Bosch MRC23EVSK vs Bosch 1617EVSPK
Design
It’s easy to spot the traditional Bosch design, more so with its color scheme.
Bosch MRC23EVSK
The routers are silver and what we call Bosch blue. They both have black, easy-grip handles.
Bosch 1617EVSPK
The color of the routers is the same. The only difference is the handle design. It has rounded wooden handles.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Power and Speed Range
Both the power and the speed range will help with the clean and accurate cuts that you need.
Bosch MRC23EVSK
This has a 15amp, 2.3 HP motor. The variable speed range is from 10,000 to 25,000 RPM.
Bosch 1617EVSPK
Although it has slightly less power at 12amp (2.25 HP), it still has a good speed range of 8,000 to 25,000 RPM.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Router Stability
Naturally, the stability of the routers is also going to play a large role in the accuracy of your cuts.
Bosch MRC23EVSK
The fixed router has three threaded holes for mounting. We liked the spring-lock plunge lever and depth rod with the plunge router.
Bosch 1617EVSPK
The fixed router also has three holes for mounting. There is no product information on the plunge router stability.
The Winner Is- The Bosch MRC23EVSK
Trigger Control
For us, this was a huge winning feature as it made such a difference to the ease of use.
Bosch MRC23EVSK
Built into the handles of the router, you have a trigger control. This means you can adjust the speed while keeping your handles firmly gripped.
Bosch 1617EVSPK
There is no control trigger. To adjust the speed there is a control dial.
The Winner Is- The Bosch MRC23EVSK
LED Lighting
It may not make a great deal of difference from some, but the LED lighting helps brighten up the area of cutting, again, adding to accuracy and ease of use.
Bosch MRC23EVSK
This router has LED lighting.
Bosch 1617EVSPK
Unfortunately, there are no LED lights.
The Winner Is- The Bosch MRC23EVSK
Pros and Cons
We will look at a few pros and cons of the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK before our final decision.
Bosch MRC23EVSK
Pros:
- Excellent depth adjustment and smooth operation
- The design is great for ease of use
- It is surprisingly quiet
Cons:
- The LED lights are good, but it would be nice to have an on/off button
Bosch 1617EVSPK
Pros:
- Quick and easy adjustments
- It’s balanced with no vibrations
- A good amount of power
Cons:
- Some people have had problems getting the motor out of the base
The Final Verdict
It was quite an easy choice between the Bosch MRC23EVSK and the Bosch 1617EVSPK. Although the Bosch MRC23EVSK is around $50 more expensive, we thought it was well worth it. There wasn’t much difference in accuracy or power, so both combo sets are excellent. The advantage of the Bosch MRC23EVSK was the ease of use. The LED lights were a bonus but really it was the trigger control. It was so much easy to adjust the speed while keeping two handles safely on the handles.