Replies

1. 
   Deleted | Nov 28, 2020 05:36pm | #1

   “[Deleted]”

2. 
   geedubbee | Nov 28, 2020 05:37pm | #2

   I’ve run Milwaukee 5625’s for 15 years without so much as a hiccup so I tend to feel they are a winner.

3. 
   DRBWWing | Dec 01, 2020 09:46am | #3

   I've been using the Jessem PowRTek motor with remote speed control & its been very good.

1. 
   john_c2 | Dec 01, 2020 11:08am | #4

   Jesse doesn't appear to sell a motor any longer. Perhaps theirs were sourced from Porter Cable, and became unavailable when PC stopped making them?

4. 
   bilyo | Dec 01, 2020 02:50pm | #5

   I can't tell you which is best as I only have experience with two. I started with a PC and it worked just fine except I did not like the height adjustment for use in the table. I switched it out for a Milwaukee model with a fine adjustment knob/screw. This makes it easy to reach under and tweak the height. I like this much better. My table has a motor surround that collects dust under the table top. So, there is no front on the cabinet. This makes it easy to reach under.

5. 
   johanna | Dec 01, 2020 03:15pm | #6

   I use my Bosch 1617 EVSK. I have a fixed base screwed to the underside of the router table. The bit height can be adjusted through the table. I do not leave the router there - it might eventually warp the table from its weight. It's easy, though, to insert the router when I want to use it in the router table and remove it when I want to use it as a standalone in either a plunge base or another fixed base.

   Besides the small router table I have a large one - about 24" x 30" that I can clamp to two sawhorses. The large table has a plate that accepts either the Bosch or my old Porter Cable 690. So lots of options.

1. 
   tbonetim | Dec 04, 2020 11:23pm | #13

   I also like the Bosch 1617 EVS. Decent power, smooth start, variable speed. It mates easily with a JessEm Rout-R-Lift II, making for a very useful and reasonably priced combo. It is dedicated to my homemade router table, though would be easy enough to remove for other duties.

   There's a really helpful you tube review of this router along with some good tips on general workshop router strategy at:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWEUSc2GIos

   
6. 
   codysmith | Dec 01, 2020 07:21pm | #7

   Porter Cable 3.25 HP will handle anything you throw at it. I use that with my JessEm router table. Couldn't be more happy.

1. 
   Schwiebert | Dec 01, 2020 07:56pm | #8

   I have to agree, but I find that Porter Cable is no longer making this motor. I was just looking for the best options.

2. 
   Schwiebert | Dec 04, 2020 03:48pm | #11

   Thank Cody, I had one of these for my router table and hoped to replace it but I can't find one anywhere. Apparently they have stopped production.

7. 
   woodsinwood | Dec 02, 2020 04:47pm | #9

   I use the Hitachi M 12 V and it performs great.

8. 
   TonyCz | Dec 04, 2020 12:40pm | #10

   I was lucky and found one of the #7518 routers for my Brother New. It was not cheep as the retail cost have sky rocketed due to the shortage.

1. 
   Schwiebert | Dec 04, 2020 03:49pm | #12

   Where did you find it?

9. 
   esch5995 | Aug 01, 2021 08:55am | #14

   Yes you probably can't find one. The 7518, the router table gold standard has been out of production for a year or so. Never use a single speed router in a router table so ignore the 7519. If you can find an 890 that would work for most hobbyist but at 2¼ hp it's a little underpowered for heavy production work. I haven't been able to get a consistent answer if Stanley ever intends to resume production of the PC Routers but for the most part they have gutted PC ever since they acquired the brand.

1. 
   bultrey | Aug 02, 2021 01:36am | #19

   Thanks for you answer!

10. 
    _mj_ | Aug 01, 2021 10:05am | #15

    I took my 7518 out of the table and replaced if with the big Triton. Between the above the table bit changes and built in lift mechanism I have zero regrets. Far easier to use in the table than the PC was.

1. 
   esch5995 | Aug 01, 2021 01:50pm | #17

   I don't know what type of lift you have, if any but my 7518 offers above table bit changes with no problem in my Woodpecker lift as well as the JessEm. I would take an American made PC over a Chinese Triton any day.

11. 
    eddo234 | Aug 01, 2021 11:05am | #16

    Although I have 4 routers, none of them are in a table (I have 2 shapers for table mounted shaping), so I don’t have a specific model or brand to recommend, but I do have a general suggestion. If you’re starting from scratch consider a router with built in lift, like the Milwaukee 5625 and others. It will save you a lot of money from having to purchase a lift.

12. 
    beasleysevin | Aug 01, 2021 08:51pm | #18

    Porter Cable has abandon the router market. Yes, they were good. but all good things come to an end.

    I have several routers and I reach for the DeWalt 618 most often. Highly recommend, especially for a novice. It is 2 1/4HP which is enough to do about everything a novice should be doing, and most things a pro wants to do, but small enough that hold and maneuver it and, most importantly, see your work. The motor is easily moved from fixed to plunge to table to D-handle mounts. definitely my choice for routers.

13. 
    rob_ss | Aug 02, 2021 03:06am | #20

    I like my Triton TRA001 - very big and powerful but ideal for router table mounting.
    You don't need a lift with this one as it is included, and with above-table bit changes plus a motor specially designed for upside-down use, it's ideal.
    I do use it for heavier hand held work (no trouble cutting 2" deep mortices) but by choice would leave it under the table all the time.
    If I had the spare cash, I'd by the deWalt that @BeasleySevin suggested and leave the beast where it works best.

14. 
    user-621324 | Aug 03, 2021 12:52pm | #21

    I have the Porta Mate you referenced. I installed it over a year ago and it has performed flawlessly. I needed a router motor that would fit the Saw Stop router lift. The PC was also my first choice but it was as unavailable then as it is now. I had the big Triton router mounted in my old router table but the little door that covers the switch would not open or close reliably. That malfunction pretty much renders the Triton router useless since the door, power switch and the ability to raise the router bit above the table are all inter-connected. I'm now a happy Porta Mate owner.

1. 
   stevieray | Aug 08, 2021 08:00am | #24

   My first router table was an Infinity Tools combo that included the big Triton router. I sold it because I found the above-the-table lift adjustment mechanism to be ridiculously flimsy and hard to work smoothly and accurately. Plus dust collection was poor.

   I replaced it with Woodpecker's best lift/table combo and the Portamate 3.25 motor. A motor is a motor, and as long as the start/stop are smooth it shouldn't matter. I'm very happy with the Woodpecker's table and router. I added a Rockler dust bucket and there is virtually no debris -- for some cuts there is sawdust left on the table, like grooves/dadoes, but nothing gets strewn around the shop or injected into the air. Plus a remarkable lessening of noise.

15. 
    largeb | Aug 06, 2021 09:04pm | #22

    Has anyone tried the MLCS 3 1/4hp router for table use?

16. 
    TonyCz | Aug 07, 2021 12:56pm | #23

    Westwood Power tools in Culver City Ca. may still have one new.
    PC7518

17. 
    machinedwood | Aug 08, 2021 04:56pm | #25

    I paired a Rockler Pro Lift with JessEm Pow R Tek 5200 15 amp 3 1/4hp, variable speed control box, with soft start. I don't have years of experience, but thus far I am very pleased.

18. 
    ttttt | Dec 01, 2021 09:39pm | #26

    https://www.woodpeck.com/spinrite-router-motor.html

    Woodpecker told me they had this Spinrite built to their specs, considering the current weaknesses and strengths of router motors mentioned above.

    I just got one for Jessem lift/table. Very impressive so far.