BOSCH GKF125CEN 1.25 HP (Max) Variable-Speed Palm Router Tool

This is a great trim router that has a little more power and weight than typical trim routers (comparing with PC model and 5amp Bosch model). This gives it a little more stability and a better "feel" for running it along the edge of a cabinet or door frame. It's also a little taller than the others (about an inch) which might make it a little more challenge if someone has smaller hands and prefers to grip the router more fully around the body of the router. The base plate has a couple of good thumb-holders to help guide the router and gives a feeling that it's not going to get away from you.I've only used it for a couple of jobs but will definitely keep it close at hand for trim tasks.

Works great.

I used it for the first time the other day, and it blew me away! SO powerful, SO easy to use, SUCH a great design (I’m a product designer!) and so light and easy to control. I did things I’d never attempt with my 1.5hp Porter Cable classic router! Now I can install the big one into my router table and use this sports-car of a machine for the handheld stuff. Now I’ll adapt my radius arm to it and it will be a circle cutting MONSTER! No more install/uninstall routine for my router table. This little bad-boy is my new go-to for 1/4” shank bits! (I still use some big scary 1/2” shank cutters, so thus the table setup with a crankevator!)Soft start is great.Depth adjustment is efficient and precise.Base removal is instant.Collet is super-precise and grips so hard.Speed dial is wide range. Easy to control, nard to accidentally change.On-Off switch is hard to use with gloves, but you shouldn’t wear them for routing anyway!I bought it on sale for a KILLER price. Wanted one for years. DO IT! It will be a favorite.Bosch never misses. I have several things by them: Jig Saw and Crosscut Saw mobile dolly/stand for starters. BOTH are standard setters! They are the BMW of tools. (I have two of THEM, too!)

I use this primarily for boat repairs, routing away wood for lamination repairs. It is plenty powerful, the depth control is very precise, and it is compact. It is easy to maneuver inside the boat, and has a nice soft start -- it does not jerk to life. I have an older Porter Cable laminate router I have used for this purpose and this Bosch is a notable improvement. The integrated lights are useful, but not terribly bright.One element of the Porter Cable router that is useful in my scenario is that the bottom plate can be cut back and one can route up nearly directly against a surface. The body of the Bosch would not allow that. That just means a bit more wood to chisel out to get a flush surface.

This router will be used primarily for roundover

Been in a woodworking shop for 9 years and have used many different brands of routers. Bosch has always been an excellent router brand. The grip on this router is far more ergonomic than the cheaper 1hp variant Bosch router. Though it is also heavier and larger than the 1 hp version. For me, (being a smaller guy) the added weight and size do make it a bit more fatiguing to use than the smaller version when doing a lot of routing but if you only need it for a few passes on some material to out an edge on, it's excellent. And I suspect average sized or larger guys would prefer the size and weight of the 1.25hp router over the 1hp.The LED lights seem pointless to me but the clear round base is far better than the square black one on other models.One thing this router has that I've never seen before on any tools is a ball joint that the cord is connected to the router in. Why other tool makers and other product designers in general don't have that feature is beyond me. But it puts far less wear and tear on the cord connection on the router.Overall I'd say the router is well built, plenty of power and the added weight and power makes it vibrate less when using it on hard woods compared to the 1hp variant.Lastly, I read a lot of reviews talking about the micro adjustment is worthless on this router and I was a bit concerned about that. But after using it I realized that while it's not perfect, I certainly have no issue using the micro adjustment properly. People who complain about the adjustment being worthless either don't know how to properly adjust it or they got defective routers.

I like the design of this router. Easy to hold , easy to change bits. Only problem is it runs extremely hot. Not warm,hot enough to blister skin after a few seconds of running. I contacted Bosch and they said it is not supposed to run this hot. They want me to take a brand new router to a service center. It's brand new . Why do I have to do this. Very poor service.Update 06-15-2020Sent the old router back to Amazon. Received the new router today. Thank god for Amazon's 30 day return policy. New router runs perfectly, no heat is generated at all. Runs very cool. The old router would burn you if you touched it after running for 15 sec's Note to Bosch, you shouldn't need to send a brand new router to a service center. Do it like Amazon, send a new one no questions asked.

I added a router plate accessory for Brass template guides. I used the router with both an upcut bit and an roller bit to route out a 1.25" depth pocket for a battery compartment. I made 3 passes and each time the router height adjustment guide helped determined what was my depth. The led light makes a big difference when concentrating on a deeper cut. I adjusted the speed to my needs for a harder wood. The only complaint I had was user error and I first selected a too small router bit guide and shattered my template. This is a keeper. I plan to route out full bass control pockets with this bad boy. Highly recommended. Word to the wise if using a brass ring template guide= After each pass Retighten the ring and collar. You dont need either to come loose during a deep cut in hardwoods.