Need a new router

If you want to use it in a router table, be sure to get one with variable speed.

It doesn’t necessarily need to cost $150 more….if you’re patient, great deals come and go regularly on some really nice 11-15 routers with variable speed and other topside features. Keep your eyes peeled for deals on Milwaukee, DW, Hitachi, Bosch, PC, Makita, Freud, Triton, and Ridgid too.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

The 690 is a pretty versatile router.

A lot of guys feel they need a 3.25 HP plunger but I have never
had one and haven’t felt the need. 1.5 HP is fine for most work,
even raising panels.

I’ll argue that if raised panel work is your game, you should pass
on the big routers and get a shaper.

I used to be a hardcore Porter Cable Router fan. We’ve got a shop full of them…some are probably close to 18 years old now. That’s 18 years of daily, HARD use.
I cringed when the sales rep told me they’d been bought out by B&D. He ASSURED me that absolutely nothing would change.
He lied.
Since the buy out, I’ve had three PC routers come through the shop. Two 7519’s and one 690. We’ve had Bearing issues with all three. Both of the 7519’s in the first week of use, the 690 within 6 months.

PC used to make the best routers on the market IMO. Now….they ain’t worth the box they come in.

JMO.

-- Come to the dark side....we have cookies...

I’ll second what Tony said about the deteriorating quality of PC products. Recently I wanted to get a fixed base light weight router that will be used primarily with my dovetail jig. After much research, I opted for the Hitachi M12VC. So far I am very happy with it.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

the 690 has been a “gold standard” router for a very long time.
I own one along with a bevy of others ( rigid combo base, Triton big dog and a couple of crapsmans). The 690 is my go-to router for hand most of my held work. If I need a plunge I’ll whip out the rigid. The triton stays in a machine mount configuration it’s really not good for anything else. The crapsmans? Well lets just just say that when I need a router and there’ll be sand, nails, debris, or other destructive crap in them ix I know which ones I’ll use.

-- When the moderator chooses sides, his site sucks.

I have actually not been happy with my Hitachi richgreer, the plunge action is really really resistant and hard to use on mine. :(

Didn’t go with the 690. The one I was looking at wasn’t variable speed, so I decided to keep looking. I have had mixed results with Hitachi tools. Some worked great, others seem to have quality issues. Though with their new longer warranties the quality may have improved. I think most Dewalt tools are over rated, they are decent tools but they are no better than any of the porter cable, bosch, or milwaukee tools. I have heard good things about the bosch routers, but I have never used one. And I don’t know anyone with a milwaukee router.

The Bosch 1617 is nice, and has those great hardwood handles, but it needs an adaptor to accept standard bushings…wish they’d change that. I’ve got currently two Milwaukees (5625/5615) and both run really strong…not much in the way of extra features, but are very well built. The Hitachi is light, quiet, has variable speed, and is often a good bargain.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

EvilNuff – - My Hitachi is fixed base.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

I’ve heard the Hitachi plunge base is sitff several times. And I’ve heard good things about Festool, but not in my price range for something I probably won’t use on a daily basis. I’m leaning toward a Dewalt D618B3 set. I have a router table and with a good edge guide would probably meet any need I would ever I have.

Everyone’s got a 690. Hard to argue with the popularity. Depending upon your use, I like the Triton. Good bang for the buck.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

I agree garyp. I have only Whiteside bits anymore, and have never found bits that last longer, run quieter or cut smoother. I do have a freud 97-604 raised panel set, don’t use it much though.

I went with a Bosch 1617EVS. I got it at a local pawn shop for $70 and it looked like it had never been out of the case. I’m normally a little if about buying used tools but the price was to good to pass up and they let me plug it in and test it in the store.

Sparks I have the 1617EVS as well and you are going to like that router. Very versatile, and can be used in the router table as well as freehand.

Think about getting the Bosch router table with it and you may find that you go to your router a lot more than you used too!! I bought them both at the same time and leave the 1617 in it most of the time.

I have an older PC 690 variable speed that I use for freehand work and on my dovetail jig.

Cato I already had a Bosch bench top router table. It works great. I don’t spend as much time in the shop as I would like so only have one router. I just take it out of the table when I need to do freehand work or use the dovetail jig. Can’t see spending the money for two routers when I don’t use it that often.