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I’ll throw my 2 cents in… I am a fairly serious hobbyist furniture maker – I have 3 PC routers the 7310 laminate trimmer, the 693 w/plunge base and the 7518 3-1/4 hp in the router table. The laminate trimmer is good for more than laminate – it also works well for light work like rounding over edges and mortising hinges and is easy to control. The 693 with the plunge base is a great router for all hand work, and the 7518 is perfect for the table. If you are looking to move up from the Craftsman, I think the 693 with both the plunge and fixed base would work great – mount the fixed base in your router table (when you get one, if you dont have one already) and use the plunge base with the same motor for hand work. Using a plunge base in the router table is not my favorite application – the springs push the router down when you release the handle and that makes it hard to adjust – you can remove the springs from the plunge base, but then what is the point of having the plunge base?
Anyhow – just another man’s opinion….
Replies
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I'm going to be buying a new 1/2" collet router, to augment my old 1/4" collet Craftsman basic. I would appreciate recommendations as to power, brand, features, etc. This won't be doing production work, but I want it to be a decent unit with which I'll be happy for years. Looking in the tool shop doesn't tell me much about features, ease of use, etc. I'd really appreciate hearing opinions from those that own and use them. I'm looking in the $200-275 range.
thanks.
*I have a couple of porter-cables. I don't remember model no's But, the little one ( 1/2horse?-1 horse?)comes with different bases. I have the plunge base and regular two handle base. After 5 years of sometimes heavy use I spent $65 for brushes, bearings, etc. It's comfortable to use.The bigger 2 1/2 horse is great. I use it most of the time. It's power and stability (not to mention expense) make the extra weight worthwhile.Brian Carucci
*FXDP, I'm kind of partial to Porter-Cable routers. For the price range, might I suggest their model # 693 PK. It's a 11/2 HP router with two bases, standard and plunge.
*I'm with Jake on this one. Have 2 P-C 690's and use em almost everyday. Very reliable and comfortable to use. Take a look at the new PC 2hp plunge router. Lots of great features, and priced around $200.
*I , like the other guys use a 690 but with the trigger handle base, like the way you can turn the thing on/off with both hands on the router, seems easier to control also. Bought mine with a slick aluminum edge guide that has worked flawless since purchase.
*Are you ever going to use it in a table?The PCs are great, in fact they are the standard. The Freud or Hitachi is the best value if you can catch one of them on sale, but they are big. Around $180.I like the my new Bosch a lot, I think it's the 1617 VS or something to that effect. The only thing I don't like about it is the location of the on/off switch. It's light and handy, has variable speed, and enough power to work in a table. Around $180 too.Don't forget the DeWalts. I especially like the one that has the dust collector in the post. Can't remember the number. You really can't go wrong but definitely get VS.You may want to try a search over at FWW. They will have opinions there for sure.Bill
*Thanks for the opinions. Keep 'em coming! I do plan to use it in a table, but also free-hand. I'm really wondering about plunge/no plunge. My current 1½ hp Craftsman basic is a no-plunge, and I have to admit that so far I haven't missed the plunge feature; however, I suspect that once I have a plunge router, I might wonder how I got along without it. My main motivation is to get a more powerful unit with a ½" collet so that I can do some beefier work. Everyone seems to like the P.C. units, but I must admit, they seem heavy and clunky to me when I handle them in the store (just like my P.C. quarter-sheet sander, which is awkard and heavy and less efficient than either my Makita or French-made Craftsman palm sanders. So I'm a little leery of P.C.) Does anyone find heaviness and "clunkiness" a problem with the P.C. units?How much horsepower does one really need? Is an electric brake a necessity? (It sounds like a great feature to me, but is lack of one a deal-breaker?) What features are lovely to have, and what's a pain? What doesn't matter? Thanks, everyone.
*FXDP,Though I barely ever use plunge (while the router is on) it is handier than swinging the bit in from the side. It's also easier to adjust in a table though you may want a fine adjustment knob too.At $200 you shouldn't have to worry much about sufficient power unless you are going to raise panels, and even so, any reputable brand for that kind of $ should give you sufficient power. Don't go under 1 1/2 hp. I am not aware of an electric brake on routers. I have heard of slow start, and that is a great feature. Frankly I would think there would be too much torque for electric brake. Are you sure you're not thinking of miter saws/RAS/bandsaws?One other consideration is whether you want to loosen the collet with 2 wrenches or 1. I've always liked the collet lock, but some hate it.BTW, I would have though your craftsman sander would have been made by Ryobi. Does it actually say it was made in France? How old is it?Good luck,Bill
*I recommend the variable speed control. Hooks on your belt. I use it all the time while routing with a table. I seldom go top speed as I lose control and some hardwoods seem to tear out.
*FXDP,
View Image © 1999-2000"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle
*Hey Joe, Out of all those routers, which one, or ones do you recommend?
*I really like my 1-1/2 HP Porter-Cable with a "D" handle. I like the secure feeling of total control with that type of handle/base.One of the best features of the PC is the collet. I have never had a cutter slip in the collet, which also is designed to "self-release" as it is being loosened.When I first made the step up from the "Craftsman Era", the collet was the thing I appreciated the most. I never felt safe with the collet on the Craftsman. I also use a Hitachi TR-12 plunge. It's OK, but my PC gets used about 90% of the time. Hope this helps!
*MDM,
View Image © 1999-2000"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle
*I'll throw my 2 cents in... I am a fairly serious hobbyist furniture maker - I have 3 PC routers the 7310 laminate trimmer, the 693 w/plunge base and the 7518 3-1/4 hp in the router table. The laminate trimmer is good for more than laminate - it also works well for light work like rounding over edges and mortising hinges and is easy to control. The 693 with the plunge base is a great router for all hand work, and the 7518 is perfect for the table. If you are looking to move up from the Craftsman, I think the 693 with both the plunge and fixed base would work great - mount the fixed base in your router table (when you get one, if you dont have one already) and use the plunge base with the same motor for hand work. Using a plunge base in the router table is not my favorite application - the springs push the router down when you release the handle and that makes it hard to adjust - you can remove the springs from the plunge base, but then what is the point of having the plunge base?Anyhow - just another man's opinion....
*FXDP,My vote?..........Porter Cable 690.I really like the 691 "D" handle better.Both come with a 1/4" and a 1/2" collet.Porter Cable has some sort of deal that will sell you the basic router with the "D" handle base and the plunge router base and I think the regular base all in a case. My advice? Buy it!!!!!! Check The Williams Alden Co. web page or the Tool Crib web page.Great deal.Ed. Williams