My Router Died! Now what?

Porter Cable fixed base router. HD and Lowes carry them for $150. I have 4 at home and 6 in the school shop. they are workhorses. I also have a PC plunge and some chinese junk plunge that were thrown in with a large purchase, and we just dont use the plunge action unless making signs, and most just tip the router into the wood to make a sign. The only place I would feel I would need a plunge is making mortises. And in my case I have a dedicated mortiser, go figure. Hope that helps

Thanks that is a great help…..Are there any Porter Cable model numbers routers that I should be looking at?
Is this one what you are talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-690LR-Fixed-Horsepower-Router/dp/B00005QEVQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1243826138&sr=1-2

Jeff….if you have a good eye and good intuition, look for used ones at craigslist…..in these days with the hard situation for many people, there are lots of good deals out there. Porter Cable & bosch could be good options.

-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.

mmm….i can’t remember the name of that memeber, but some online retailer had that router for $99

-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.

Thr Porter-Cable 690 is an old standby. You can get it with just a fixed base for under $150, or in a kit with both fixed and plunge bases for under $200.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Thanks I will give my local Craigs List a look…..

Hey Jeff
what Charlie said . I have a large number of routers and the one I use the most is my PC 690. My students like the “D” handle model for more control and so do I, I’m not sure if the come in a combo kits.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

I have the Bosch combo kit (1617EVS) and am very happy with it, I believe it runs about $200.
Good luck with which ever one you choose.

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

I recently bought the Bosch 1617 dual base kit. I love it!. It’s pictured on my mortising jig project. I also have the Porter Cable 690. It does come in a dual base kit also. It’s a good router, but I don’t like the adjustment on the fixed base if you’re fine tuning the height. If you can find one Bosch has offered the kit with a free edge guide.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

I have found a couple on craigslist, some times great deals, Picked up the 3 1/4 hp plunge for 75 bucks. Also found reconditioned porter cable on amazon.com at a great price.

-- Life is to short to own an ugly boat.

Thanks Everyone….I’ll start my search sounds like porter cable has something that will last a while.
I appreciate everyone’s quick and thoughtful help. This forum is like no other…

~ Jeff

Another 690 fan here. I have an older 3 HP Makita for the RT, but my 690 gets used about 90 percent of the time for hand held operations. 1 Router, 2 Bases for under 200.00 it was a no brainer.

John

-- http://www.webshots.com/user/jahness

Another vote for the 690. I have it in my router table and it is a huge step up from the fixed base Craftsman that I have had for several years. A huge step forward in options and overall professional quality.

-- Behind the Bark is a lot of Heartwood----Charles, Centennial, CO

I have to counter the suggestion of the PC 690. The PC 890 series is the same size and has more power for about the same price. It also is variable speed. Check the Porter Cable web site. They often have “rebuilt” ones for a great price.
The same bases that fit the 690 fit the 890 and most aftermarket accessories fit PC routers.

-- Les B, Oregon

The Milwaukee 5616 (kit or single) would be on my short list in the $200 range. For less money, the Hitachi M12VC is nice value on sale. Amazon has the 5616 for $182 shipped, and ReconconditionedSales has new M12VCs for $129. The combo kits add a little to each if you want a plunge base and a fixed.

Another vote for the Bosch 1617EVS kit – fixed and plunge bases. I have had mine for 3 years + and it has never failed me. Very easy and accurate bit height adjustment on both plunge and fixed bases.

Jim

I’ll add another Bosch 1917 vote. heavy duty, and stands up to anything I presented it with. very good height adjustments. I use mostly the plunge base, as my fixed base used to be permanently installed in my router table.

the PC will also serve you just as well, and the Milwaukee is another fav. by many.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I bought a router from Sears, 40 years ago for my Dad. It was a Christmas gift that i gave him. I still have it & it is still a work horse. Hasn’t failed me yet. But, just in case I have 2 other Sears, brand router’s up on the shelf waiting, both plunge, but I have the one fixed at a set height.

I vote for the porter cable..It is very good, durable and quality.

-- http://www.mintpowertool.com

At 1.5 Hp the P C 690 series is a fantastic bench router but if you need to turn large diameter bits, you need something like the H P 7518 variable speed (bigger bits need to turn slower) 3.25 Hp router.
Good luck
Kimball

Everyone has a favorite, if you buy a bosch, remember that sometimes the switch can get a bunch of sawdust in it and gum up the switch. It took me forever to figure that out.

-- Ken, Florida, www.theroutermaniac.com

This router kit from Bosch (via amazon.com) is what I have. It’s been great and has good reviews. Like the porter cable ones it’s generally considered one of those brands to buy. And, the extras and edge guide are also very good quallity. Here’s the link as of this time.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPKBP-Combination-Plunge-Router/dp/B000BGKIJ6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1243891635&sr=8-4

ps. Considering the above post about the switch. It was really the only weak point in the router. They’ve since fixed this issue.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://web.me.com/deceiver6/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

I like my Milwaukee 5615 for the bodygrip which gives you better control, plus the Dewalt 616 for its height adjustment mechanism and how the cord doens’t get in the way when adjusting the height

-- Ed

All good suggestions and the PC 690 or as it is now, the 690LR 1 3/4HP vs 1 1/2HP is a good tool.

A Freud 1702VCEK 2 1/4HP affixed base router that comes with a plunge base is an even greater deal at $129.00 and…with a 5 year warranty vs 1 on the others.

-- http://www.federalsaw.com

I have three routers,,,and the Freud 1702VCEK is my favorite. I bought it online via a special deal from woodpeckers.com for 99.99. Of course it is more now, but I would buy it again and regular price.

-- Randy, Allen Texas

I have a 690 that is a workhorse, and I have 2 890’s, one for the router table, the other is a combo fixed base/plunge. I love them all!!

-- Matt, Houston Texas

What Charlie said I have the combo kit and love it

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

I have to agree that porter cable makes the best all around routers. We have one at work that’s older than I am (I’m 26). I also used to work in a plastics shop that ran porter cable routers all day every day with no problems.

However, a couple years ago we got a big job making signs for an airport. We bought 2 of these

http://www.hitachipowertools.ca/en/Products?cat=46&pid=108

These are by far the best routers I’ve ever used. They plunge, but they lock really well also. And they are variable speed, they are sturdy and strong, and they are amazingly quiet. I think they were about $360.00 (CDN) tho.

-- http://www.industrialshapeandform.com

I agree with the 690’s, I have 1-1/2HP ones and 1-3/4HP ones, they weren’t my first routers, a Bosch 1613EVS and a 2HP DeWalt with the dust collection were. But once I got the 690’s they quickly became my router of choice out of all I have. (And I have quite a few now.)

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI