HI,
I’d like to hear from woodworkers that have used a 5625 Milwaukee fixed base 3 1/4 HP or Triton 3 1/4hp router. woodworkers that have them mounted directly to the router table. ( not attached to a thin 3/8″ table insert).
When it comes down to it which one actually comes out on top? Which has the greater plunge capacity? Which has the brute stength to spin those large panel bits with ease.
Wanda
ps.. now it was Forest Girls suggestion to start a new post…. Seems every woodworking mag you pick up lately has an article on routers and router bits..
wanda
Replies
It'll be interesting to see how many replies you get, since the question is directed at people who don't use inserts. The Veritas table avoids the issue of an insert, but I'm not sure what other commercial ones do, or how many people design their tables to avoid the use of an insert.
Hi Forest Girl,
If only LeeValley wasn't so expensive. Their router table looks terrific. I'm trying to stay away from having to use a table insert. That just complicates things. I want to keep it simple and just drill out a 1 3/4" hole for the router bit to fit through and mount the router casting to the underside of the routertable. I was planning on mounting the router to a sheet of melamine or 5/8" thick MDF. I don't need a commercial table.
Carol Reed had a pretty good plan in her book, Router Joinery workshop. Her router table has a 3/8" thick clear acrylic top screwed to its base. You hang the router from the plate by screwing through the top and into the router's base. (NO INSERT)
Wanda
I've never tried the Triton so can't comment on that one, but the MW5625 has performed well. It's got above table height adjust, and if you pop the insert out, you can do above table bit changes. Very strong, accurate, no issues.
FWIW, Pat Warner, aka "routerman", is a well respected authority on routers, who has penned some good books on the subject. He typically recommends the MW5625 or the PC7518 for table use, noting that the MW has the best runout characteristics, and gives the PC the nod for heavy duty use due to it's motor durability.
PC7518 .. I can get two of the littler moters for that and I still get two wonderful PC routers. Or three Ryobies!
Good afternoon,
I've made my decision.. :) I've decided to go with the Milwaukee. What a huge relief!!!!! LOL I'm sure I won't regret my decision to replace the PC 690 I now have mounted beneath my router table with the more powerful 3 1/2 HP Milwaukee router. I'll be able to handle any tough routering job with ease. Should have purchased the larger router in the first place.
I can finally concentrate on woodworking! No more OBSCESSING over routers. Time to get back to finishing the false fronts for my dresser.
Wanda
"I've decided to go with the Milwaukee."
Oh, no! Not the Milwaukee!!!
Just kidding...
-Steve
I have run a MW 5625 for about 5 years with an insert as my table and cabinet are home-brewed. Approximately 50,000 linear feet of molding has made it's way over the table where the "hoss" sits under-neath and eats it for lunch. It hummed yesterday and will hum again about 30 minutes from now. I trust Milwaukee enough that I sold my Bosch Combo and DW 621 and just purchased a Milwaukee Combo. I haven't been dis-appointed in the last few days use.
The 5625 is easy to lift out for bit changes and I don't even bother with the above table adjustment it has on-board. Just open the cabinet door and it can be done in seconds. As far as how far it plunges.. it doesn't as it is a fixed base. If you refer to depth of cut, it has a long stroke.
Compare to Triton... I can't as I don't have a Triton nor have used one. If.. if.. I were to have to replace the MW motor down the road as it seems immortal to me at this point, I would have another 5625 on order as soon as the obituary ran in the daily paper.
Good luck...
Sarge..
Hi Sarge,
Thanks for sharing those pics. Looks like a very spacious table underneath.
"As far as how far it plunges.. it doesn't as it is a fixed base. If you refer to depth of cut, it has a long stroke." ....
Sorry about the confusion I meant depth of cut.
I am seriously considering the Milwaukee. No doubt it is an excellent machine. The local tool shop I deal with services Milwaukee and Porter cable routers. If I purchased the Triton I'd have to take it elsewhere for service.. (out of province) I'd have to send it away to the mainland for service. So in the long run I'd be better off paying the extra $150 for the Milwaukee router.
Shame Woodcraft doesn't sell Milwaukee. I checked out their site last night after coming across their webpage on the Canadian Woodworking forum. apparently they have linked up with Canada Post /Border Free. They offer the best prices and they ship to Canada . The 3 1/4 HP Triton was selling for only $210. Awefully tempting isn't it.
I noticed they also sell Porter Cable routers.. the PC 7518 fixed base 3 1/4 HP router (recommended for table use by Pat Warner) Apparently, you can save money and just purchase the 7518 motor for $277.00 Now I have to find out if that motor fits into all PC 690 bases. Right now I have a PC 690LRVS mounted to an insert in my router table. So if that PC fits into my 690LRVS base I'm in business. If not then I have a decision to make. The PC 7518 (motor and base)for $360approx. or the Milwaukee 5625 for $369.00 that's the best price I could find on the internet. (Bosstools)
I realize the Milwaukee router is much lighter (4lbs) compared to the PC 75218 which weighs in at approx. 15lbs. The thing that really appeals to me about the PC monster is the (helical system). You can twist the motor with one hand to change the the bit depth.
The Milwaukee uses a linear depth bit system...Wouldn't that make it a bit more awkward to change the bit depth? having to push a motor vertically up and down to find the ideal bit depth? I find with the PC you don't have to bother with any fine bit adjuster you just spin the motor up to the desired depth until the bit touches the pencil mark on the workpiece and then lock the motor. Couldn't be simpler.
Now I have heard from one source that the Porter cable is a piece of junk.. that the swithch keeps breaking down. That's the first time I've ever heard anyone talk about a PC router like that. I own 2 and I have never had any problems with them.
I'm ready to make a decision I think ... It's either the Milwaukee 5625 or Porter Cable 7518 for me. #1 reason.. I can get them serviced locally. #2 they happen to be the only 3 1/4 hp fixed based routers. #3 I don't have all that much room beneath my router table for a plunge based router. Not enough room on either side of the handles. They are really designed with an open table in mind.
Wanda
Good luck with "your call", Wanda. The good news is all of the one's you mentioned "will work" and probably work well. So.. in the end result you won't end up "lost" in the wilderness no matter what decision you make.
You mentioned the main-land. Are you in Newfoundland.. Nova Scotia..?
Regards...
Sarge..
I've used the PC and Milwaukee extensively. Went with the 5625 after using the PC. PC performed very well but the Milwaukee addressed the issues I had with the PC, which were small.I got tired of the way the PC locks its height. If you use it daily the locking handle will eventually crack. We kept spares and it didn't cause any downtime. But it was also a pain to have to grab a wrench to tighten even if you kept one at the router table. I know its a hand-tighten setup but once you have a setting creep you'll want the security a little extra snug with a wrench gives.The 5625 uses a lever lock, no thumbscrew. Faster and eliminates the issues of the PC design. Not necessary to use two hands to adjust height with the 5625, the fine adjust knob handles it easily. And lastly the quick release button lets you remove the motor faster to swap bits.Can't knock how the PC performed, but it was USA made at the time. They now use Chinese components. The Milwaukee is still overseas but they use higher quality Japanese bearings.BTW the big PC motor won't fit the 690 series bases.Good luck, you can't really go wrong with either.
I use the Milwaukee in a no insert table. Love it. Great power, spins smooth and the adjustments are excellent.
My table is a cast iron top ordered from Harbor Freight. They make a couple of options; one a router table and one a small shaper. You can order just the top as a part from them but you can't order from the website. Must track down the part # from their online manual and order it directly on the phone. Sounds like a runaround but in practice its not really that big of a deal.
You end up with a cast iron router top and a non-plunge router base attached. This setup is VERY stable in use, minimal vibration and flexing compared to other options. Comparable to the Lee Valley solution but less than $100. However I can only say that Lee Valley's stuff is very well done, I've never been disappointed with anything I've ordered from them. I use their pin router arm and it is very well engineered and very well made.
Another thing I'll add about the Milwaukee is that the quick release motor makes bit changes very easy. Motor just pops out and back in with the push of a button. Much faster than cranking a router up access the bit.
ps.. now it was Forest Girls suggestion to start a new post....
Gee... Your in trouble now!
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