I walked into Lowes last week and while looking at router bits saw a guy examining a Bosch router. He was holding the fixed base part of the Bosch 1617 2 HP router Kit. The fixed base had a tag for $119.
(The Kit consists of the fixed base, the plunge base, the motor unit, a custom Bosch case, template adapter, wrenches, a 1/2″ collet and a 1/4″ collet. The motor unit mounts and dismounts from either base without tools and locks into the bases like a bank vault.)
He says, “This whole kit is $119!!!” I say, “”Nah, It’s $119 for just that fixed base itself.” The guy says, NO!. It’s $119 for the WHOLE KIT!”
YUP. It’s $119 for the whole kit. Guys and girls, the case ALONE is worth that! Well not really, but it IS a great case. Guess what I walked out of Lowes with? SUCH A DEAL! It’s not the variable speed, soft start model, but I’ve got a variable speed box that does the job real good ($29 from Grizzly).
This is one sweet deal. It is one of the best 2 HP routers made. Mount the fixed base in a table. The plunge base is beautifully designed and very smooth.
I understand they’re selling them indefinitely at $119.
I have NO affiliation with Lowes.
Rich
Replies
YA know its people like u who make me SPEND MORE MONEY!! :)
sounds like a great deal , Got to check that one out..
Lowes has some great prices on some tools. Got my 3/4 hp 14 inch delta bandsaw there a couple of weeks ago for $492 and that's there regular price. Just like delta's benchtop 9 inch bandsaw I mentioned in another thread at $99. I think the next least expensive price I found was around $142 with most at around $149.
Don
Don,
That 14" delta, that is not the $849 14 inch delta that we see a Woodworkers warehouse is it?
Not quite the same. The $850 version has a 1hp motor and enclosed base. Other than that, they are the same.
no, it's the 28-278. Formerly the 28-275. Exactly the same so I'm not sure of the number change. as stated, not the closed stand, 1 hp model. Open stand, 3/4 hp. But still about a hundred bucks and more less expensive then anywhere else that I've seen.
Don
Amazon is currently selling the same set for $239.99! Hopefully I can convince SWMBO to pick out my Christmas present this week. Enthusiastically pointed out these prices to her. There is a Bosch that she wants but its for the kitchen and even more pricey.
Rich:
My first thought when I saw your post was as same as yours. I'm headed for Lowe's even if it is the non-variable -less soft start. I have a 1617EVS mounted in my router table. I'm going to put the 1617PK in it's place and use the 1617EVS with the plunge attachment. Great price!! Anybody need a PC kit cheap?
Thank you very much for the great scouting report!!
Sarge..john t
Rich,
I just returned from Lowe's (in Michigan) and the combo is #219.95 here. Is this supposed to be a chain-wide price?
Stan
SMIJAL,
The manager here in Maui says that it's nation-wide. If anything, prices are higher here in Hawaii. Either your store or mine has the price wrong. But several of us, disbelieving the price talked to the tool department manager. I bought his last one. He has an order of 22 more coming in. He "promised" us that the new shipment is also at $119. It's his hotest seller.
Rich
SMIJAL:
Sorry to butt in. Just called Lowe's Atlanta. $119.00 as Rich said!! I din't ask about chain-wide as you had not posted. I would print posted messages and take them to your local Lowe's. How bout $119.00 plus 10% off to beat competitors (ha) price. Just checked a Lowe's flyer I got yesterday and it is not in there, thought. Worth a try..
Good Luck
Sarge..john t
On the bottom of the page, there's some fine print reading ...
"Item availability and price may vary by location."
Looks like I'm OOL. $219--
Edited 8/27/2002 5:30:45 PM ET by Ken
Bowling Green, KY - $219, Jonesboro, AR - $219, La Habra, CA - $219, Pennsacola, FL - $219, Fredricksburg, VA - $219, Ames, IA - $219
Guess I just missed yet another sale!
Edited 8/27/2002 5:49:44 PM ET by Ken
Just left Lowes here in Michigan also. $219.00 BUT------
Starting thursday they are having some blowout sales to get rid of some tools for the new models. I couldn't get if this was one of the sale items or not. The local store has 2 and I will be there early thursday to see!
Don
6:19 PM EST. As soon as the First Lady gets back from the library in a hour or so, I'm heading that way. The manager of tools told me $119.00 as he went to shelf to check. If they have more than one, I'm buying as I see a potential small business opportunity in the works. Ha...seriously I may purchase several if they have them at that price and in stock.
Let you know little latter..
Sarge..john t
Rich:
Opps.... I just read in ad Tool-Crib it is a soft start. Hope I don't get a speeding ticket to offset price difference.
Thanks again..
Sarge.john t
I believe you will find out that the $119 price was a mistake. Someone (at Lowes) will pay!
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productList&function=search&categoryId=PLUNGE_ROUTERS.CATEGORY&topic=goShopping
Richard James Tolzman
I don't think it was a mistake. The manager was quite aware of the huge price drop. Apparently, stores can set some prices on their own.
Rich
Just left Lowe's again. The manager looked it up for me and the local store here is going to carry this item in stock, so there is no price change. He showed me other stores that had some in stock but had an N by the item rather then an S. Those stores are closing them out. What tools they carry by store is based on what does and doesn't sell.
Don
Rich, have you checked the model number out and compared it to bosch's website or the model # from a dealer. I've always noticed that there is an extra digit or 2 on the model number. for instance if I look at the sticker on my pc 690 it says 690, but when I see it at home depot it says 6902. they're the same router on the outside, but I wonder about the inside. oh, and home depots 690 is $60 more than my local dealer. I would be very cautious about a bosch router that cheap, and I would be very suspicious as to whether or not lowes has bosch send them a "special" router. none of the managers want to answer when I ask them why there model #'s are different on some of there tools and I have a good idea why.
Andrew,
It's a Bosch 1617. On the motor unit face plate there is a number similar to the configuration you described - it's 16171. Being a little paranoid myself, I compared the faceplate info to that of 1617 at a "Contractor's Outlet" here. The number is the same on that router: 16171. It's been on that dealer's shelf for months, and he sells the combo at $407.
I don't think that this is a dumbed-down Bosch unit. The Maui Lowes store is selling at that price. I wish it were nation-wide.
Rich
1617PK... in Midland, TX... $219.
Darn it!!!!!
RR
Just got back from two Lowe's. I called one and tool mgr. said he went to shelf and checked price. $119.. When I got there $219. Had him paged and spoke to him. He told me he thought I said $219. Went to another Lowe's about 10 miles away and spoke to tool mgr I know. Jason (mgr) looked on his computer and all north Ga. Lowe's are $219. I had him check Hawaii stores which showed only two. One store had them out of stock and other store had 9 on hand. Computer was not capable of giving the price in those stores. Only regional prices are given even though they can tell you if any in stock any Lowe's store. Interesting..
Rich, go buy the 9 in other store. YOU CAN SELL THEM!! I guess there's another benefit to living Hawaii other that the weather. Ha...You are not Irish, are you lucky?? he..
Oh well, I can use the cabinet clamps I brought home in frustration. You know what they always say, A guy or gal just can't have enough duct tape, Pam and clamps!!!
Have a good day everybody..we can still dream!!!
Sarge..john t
Sarge,
I'm on the island of Maui. Our store is out of stock. The manager expects his shipment next week. I assume the other store is in Honolulu (island of Oahu). Unfortunately, I can't fly over there for a couple weeks. I'll post when the Maui store gets its shipment and puts them up at $119.
Rich
Rich:
Basically just kidding you for getting the good deal. Wouldn't be practical anyway as the shipping from Hawaii to continental states would off-set a big portion of saving after you added a profit margin.
Enjoy that new Bosch and that weather also.
Sarge..john t
I have been thinking about this for a while now (perhaps you saw the smoke?)...
Does anyone know if amazon.com's price match for Tool Crib items would work for those of us who cannot pick this up at our local Lowes? It seems to apply to any "advertised price" that is not a closeout or such.
Anyone think this might be worth a try?
Thanks!
RR
No. Locally advertised price
Donald,
That is what I thought initially, but I am unable to find that restriction in the fine print. I guess I am not looking in the right place.
Thanks!
RR
That's what my store (and Home Depot, as well) advertises, but a call to your local store can't be time wasted.
the closest lowes to me is 2 hours, and it's $219 there, too..... if anyone picks this up in bulk, lemmie know. lol
At one point a friend was looking for a Unisaw, and he saw an ad in one of the big tool catalogues for one at about $200 off what was then the rather standard price. He then called Delta, and learned that these Unisaws were specially made for HD, and were in fact different than the usual. This was about 1 year ago, I think. Different motor; different table board. Perhaps several other differences.
A plumber friend says that the Kohler that HD carries is of a lesser quality than what he buys from a regular plumbing house. In light of all of that, I too wonder whether the Bosch at Lowes is the same.
By the way, does anyone know whether that price is available in the Philadelphia area? One cannot have too many routers.
Can't find them in Southern California, and thats a pretty big market. Talked to the manger, and they just looked at me like I was from Mars.
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