GMC GER1800 - 1800W ½" Plunge Router 230V

On the plus side, this is a solid tool and feels quite robust. It has a selection of collet sizes which in my view puts it above more mainstream products. I needed a half-inch collet and this was the only router I could find to offer it in this price bracket.The electronic RPM read-out and control are pretty neat too. Overall it seems to offer a good deal of power.But the downsides...Very very heavy and awkward plunge action. The plunge lock is difficult to access and doesn't fit to the hand.It doesn't sit upside-down for tool replacement and depth adjustment. The top of the tool is rounded, so it wobbles.Difficult to measure and set depth accurately. The micro adjuster is as coarse as a very coarse thing and isn't fit for purpose.No lock on, and no safety mechanism. Just a squeeze trigger. I can't see how you could use this in a router table.Instructions are too small to read comfortably and don't accurately reflect the parts list. Two screws which appeared to be missing were actually attached to the dust extractor.The dust 'extractor' - no real provision for attaching to a vacuum cleaner hose, just a clear piece of Perspex which doesn't look as though it will last very long.Inconsistent build quality - I badly scragged my fingertip on a loose piece of swarf on one of the collets.Poor product presentation - the box arrived battered and dented. When plunging the router, I found a lot of dried, brown grease extruding from the plunge mechanism. It looked as though it had been kicked around a warehouse for several years. I've had to apply fresh grease several times to get a smooth plunge action. The instructions are vague and hard to follow.Back to the plus side... I contacted customer support about the apparently missing screws and they responded promptly and helpfully. The whole thing appears to be solid and powerful enough to handle worktop joints and trimming, which is what I bought it for. I suspect it's a bit of a non-starter for precision or 'artistic' work.It's not the easiest of tools to use, but I reckon that if you take the time to practise with it and learn its foibles before working on your main job, you'll probably get acceptable results.Overall, good value but a lot of effort to get right.

I bought this to replace a cheaper model that didn’t work out for me. In many ways you don’t realise just how poor cheaper routers are until you get something infinitely better like this GMC.The first thing you notice is, even using a router table just how easy it is to set up. Changing bits is very quick and easy with a large easily accessible locking button with a strong and definite lock. All you need to do it get it hand tight and then a slight turn with the spanner and you know your bit is secure and will not slip. Once your table is set up it can remain indefinitely, no pulling it down every two minutes to access the collet nut.Each collet has its own nut and you get three in total, the largest being half an inch and I’m presuming the other two are three eighths and a quarter though I won’t be using them unless my palm router dies. Then you notice how quiet it is,it’s so quiet you’re non woodworking partner will find it difficult to complain about the noise. Well maybe in comparison to other routers anyway. It's speed is consistent even with knots and it feels solid and stable. It’s also incredibly powerful, in fact surprisingly so, I stepped up from a 1500w and I wasn’t expecting such a massive difference.I’m not a professional, or even a wonderful DIYer, and I’ve never used a pro router that costs several hundred pounds. But in all honestly can’t see how they can be better than this one. It’s smooth, very easy to use, powerful and stable. It’s also very well build and reliable.My one and only gripe, which I’ve circumvented with a bit of insulation tape, is there’s no lock on the 'On' switch for when it’s attached to a table. No biggy and very easily solved, but it would be better if manufacturers provided a way of locking routers on and allows you to use the switches on your table.I can see the GMC GER1800 and I are at the start of a long and beautiful relationship. The more I use it the more I like it and I definitely recommend it.

My first order arrived all damaged.quick replacement by amazon .The router is powerful and not as noisy as some others I have used.worked well for fitting kitchen worktops .only 4 stars as it only comes in a cardboard box and for that price you would exspect a plastic storage box.

Had to send mine back due to fact that Bush guide screws missing and the fine adjuster nut on side guide kept vibrating off even got in touch with gmc them self's and just told to get refund or replacement you get what you pay for yes Value for money but learnt my lesson not to buy cheap again if you doing light work it's got the power there, my gripe is the poor quality control of the parts and how quick gmc were to say about refund or replacement. It got huge potential but poor customer service and quality control let gmc down

The router arrived on the day noted in the order but being tied up with house moving I didn't get a chance to open it immediately, so I'm leaving this feedback a month after receipt of the router. I didn't arrive with any instruction manual or the 1/2 collet which is a major problem as I've only got 1/2 inch bits....! Frustrated as it looks a decent piece of kit..

Good value router that has a very good speed and is easy to use. It has produced much better results than my old router. i am very pleased with the purchase.

Well made router that gets the job done, very happy with it. Only downside is that there seems to be few available add-ons that are matched to it.

Up to 23/6/2019 only having it 4 months . it's a good choice of router for the price, it does what I want it to do,