Replies

1. 
   jtcljs | Jan 04, 2005 11:48pm | #1

   I have the Bosch and like it just fine. I had a Freud FT2000 that I used for all work (I have a craftsman, too, but I don't use it anymore), so I put the Freud in the router table and use the Bosch for all my handheld work.

   jc

2. 
   Routerman | Jan 05, 2005 12:02am | #2

   Click for some perspective on the selection issue.

3. 
   bones | Jan 05, 2005 12:29am | #3

   I have the PC and love it. I can't speak about the Bosch because I do not own it, but I like the feel of the PC. Nice case. I like the ergonomics of the router as well. The dial adjustment indicator is very accurate.  I used it to cut the top out for my router top plate. I had to make several passes and wanted it to be very accurate. It measured out as dialed in. The only thing I don't care for is that it will not go into the 694's d handle and they don't make one specifically for the 894. One other pet peeve, which is only minor, is the base plates connect by different hardware which was strange. It's like two different teams developed each unit and did not consult on hardware to use. I'm very pleased with it and you would not go wrong getting the PC. I also have the 694 and 7518. In the End I think it may be a Ford .vs. Chevy kind of issue.  Good luck on the decision. 

4. 
   forestgirl | Jan 05, 2005 04:07am | #4

   I'd probably go for the Porter Cable simply to have the above-the-table micro-adjustment feature.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

5. 
   Ribeye | Jan 05, 2005 08:08am | #5

   I'd be happy to swap my two PC 690s for a couple of their 890s.

   (I might even toss in some extras :-) )

    

   --edited some relly schloppy tryping mistooks--

   -- Steve

   Enjoy life & do well by it;

   it might well be the only chance you get.

   http://www.ApacheTrail.com/ww/

   
   

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   Edited 1/5/2005 12:10 am ET by Putzger

6. 
   BArnold | Jan 05, 2005 10:42am | #6

   Shea,

   I have the 1617EVSPK set along with two additional 1617EVS routers.  They have proven to be solid machines in various applications, including in a table.  I haven't checked the PC combo, but I remember reading that base changes are more difficult.  Changing the base on the Bosch is just click-and-go.  The Bosch fixed base is simple to adjust, especially with the micro-adjust feature.  I've used the plunge base with an edge guide to make mortises and it worked fine.

   Try to get your hands on both and see how they feel to you.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting

   Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

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1. 
   DesignBuild | Jan 05, 2005 05:08pm | #7

   thanks for all the input -- pretty well seems that you cannot go wrong with either one. Maybe I'll just flip a coin.I don't suppose any of you have tried the vaccuum handle on the PC -- read some not great things about how well it works on Amazon, but I give more weight to the opinions I get here.thanks again.
   Shea

1. 
   georgek | Jan 05, 2005 06:25pm | #8

   Shea,

   Before you flip that coin, why don't you check out Milwaukee? I switched to them and have been very happy. I also had the PC, and the vacuum attachment was very poor performer.

2. 
   bones | Jan 05, 2005 06:44pm | #9

   I use the PC flexible vac hose attached to the shopvac. It works great on the fixed base, but on the plunge it  was annoyingly close to the motor on the downward plunge. If the dust pickup port on the plunge base was slightly angled outward it would not be an issue. I looked on the PC website and no elbow attachment was listed. I called PC and they said I was not the first person to mention this and took my address and dropped a part in the mail to fix the problem. They told me that they were going to start putting the part in the 894pk kit. It's not a big issue, but if anybody else here has noticed this call them.  Doesn't change my opinion of the PC router at all. 

7. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 05, 2005 11:04pm | #10

   I have PC & Bosch routers. Love them all, but the Bosch is the better tool.

   Good Luck,

   John