Porter Cable Router 690LR 1 3/4 HP
Hello,
Is it worth paying a little extra and going with a 2 1/4 hp router. I’m not into using Large router bits (panel bits) so I don’t really need a 3HP plus router. I am currently using a Porter cable 690 1 3/4 HP router on my router table. Now I need a 2nd router for “free/fixed routing.
Just wondering if I should go with the porter cable fixed router 890 series (2 1/4HP) or just purchase another 1 3/4 HP router such as the 690LR fixed router. I already have a plunger router base for the 690 so I only need a fixed router.
I did notice a Porter Cable combo router kit on sale for $379.00 Not sure the exact model number but it was 690 series. before taxes (Canadian) at my local tool shop. comes with variable speed soft touch, plunge router base clear base plate. Comes with all the features I’m looking for in a 2nd router. But I must check on the HP I think it was 2 1/4HP. I might go with that one over the 690LR. (which was only $219.00)
Am I really going to notice a difference going from a 1 3/4 HP Porter Cable router to a PC 2 1/4HP?
Wanda
Replies
Is it worth it? Always.
See the link on some perspective, some 80 fixed base, plungers and trimmers at your disposal!
Hi Routerman,
Now I just finished that link... dear lord! OK, so now I'm stuck between purchasing the 5625 Milwaukee (which you said was the best compromise for the router table) and the PC 7518 (Is that the same machine as the PC 7518C? Just looked up that router on Rideout tool.com and it looks like the same machine.
It seems power is everything when table routing from the article I just read. You mentioned several midrange routers... PC 890, 618 and PC 690LR... now as far as I know the PC 690LR is only a 1 3/4HP router.... I"m a wee bit confused. Are you saying that the 690LR would be suitable for table routing?????
I just want to make sure I have the best tool for the job. Safety comes first! I would hate for a bit to come flying out of the collet or worse yet for the router motor to slip out.
I don't really like the way my router is mounted beneath my router table. (I have a PC 690 fixed.. came as part of a combo package.. plunge plus fixed shares the same motor.) It is only mounted using the origional screws that came with the router. If you ask me they are too short. Wouldn't it be better if I used bolts instead?
How do you find the handles on the PC 7518? I really like the feel of the handles on the PC 690. A very comfortable router. Great for dadoes and edge work. Nicely balanced machine. Not too cumbersome. Some of the Makita fixed routers I found too top heavy.
Wanda
On a very tight time budget, can't get to your fine points.
Use the 5625, new claims x this bunch say most of the complaints I had are now history. Has great big 5/16 - 18 bolts holding its subbase to casting, exloit that.
Spend some more time at the Router website; most of your answers are there and it's a freebie.
PW
Hey Wanda,
Check out woodcraft, they have the PC 690 on sale for $119, if you decide to get another one of those. It's a fixed base only, not the plunge combo kit, but it is much less than $219. Good luck!
Lee
Wanda, heed Pat's (Routerman) advice . I love having a more powerful router in the table (used to use my 690 there).
Other "asides" though: If you want to swap from table-mounted to hand-held, you need only an extra fixed base. Also, with regard to a lever-release model vs. the old model, you can buy a lever and make your own lever-release. I got mine from Lee Valley, sorry couldn't find it on-line just now.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi,
OK it's between the Milwaukee 5625 and the PC 7518C. But I have a feeling the Milwaukee will be out of my price range. ($400.00 canadian)
In the meantime I'll go back to that link routerman mentioned.
What do you have mounted under your table?? So you prefer levers over the older models like the PC 690.
Wanda
I have a big Freud plunge router (FT1000E) in the router table. Just because that's what I had layin' around (estate auction buy). Doesn't mean you need and 3+ HP router.
I do much prefer the lever release over the bolt-tightened version. It's not hard at all to retrofit using an aftermarket lever. They're not expensive, $6 or $7 maybe. But the 690LR probably works more smoothly than my home-made version.
I could have sworn that at one time I heard Pat say (saw him write) that a 3+ HP was not necessary for table routing, but I must be "misremembering" since that's certainly not the message at his web site. That being said, I have been contradicted in this very forum by well-seasoned professionals when I hinted that 3+HP was waaaaay the best choice for table mounted.
I'll suggest that, if you're going to use this new router for hand-work also, you look carefully at the weight of any 3HP router and consider whether you really want to try hand-work with it. My Freud weighs about 12lbs and is way to heavy and bulky for me to consider using it anywhere but in the router table, safety-wise.
What's with the Canadian price of the Milwaukee? The list price is lower than the Porter Cable, methinks.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi Forest Girl,
I as checking out Houseoftools.com (Canadian tool store). Price on both the PC 7518 and the Milwaukee 5625... $499.(canadian funds)= $451 US
I'm sure if I purchased it from Amazon.com I'd get it for a lot less but unfortunately they don't ship power tools to Canada.
I am certainly not going to pay $499.00 plus taxes for a router. I can't justify that expenditure. I was thinking I might be able to work out a deal with my local tool dealer considering the pieces of equipment I've purchased from them over the last few weeks. If not then I'll probably check out the PC 890 2 1/4 hp fixed router.
So you have a big strapping 3HP freud router mounted beneath your table. OMG! What kind of routing do you do? Are you sure you couldn't get by with the PC 690LR. LOL Routerman says as you know from his article that a 3HP machine is the way to go. I wasn't thinking of purchasing the PC 7518 for routing free hand. I was going to mount it underneath the router table and leave it there for eternity. The darn thing weights 14lbs and god knows I'm not built like Arnold. I will remove the PC 690 I now have mounted underneath the router table and use that for the occassional "above" table routing.
Is it easy to rout arms for an adirondak chair using the router table? friend of mine says he's always done it that way. I've always just clamped the pieces to my workbench and routed them. Never thought to do that using a router table. He was also wondering why I needed a 2nd router.
Why did you choose to mount a plunge router beneath your router table? Isn't it a lot easier to adjust the height of a router bit using a fixed router. Must be awefully tricky adj. height with a plunge router hanging upside down.
wanda
Hi Forest Girl,
Forgot to ask you how you feel about router kits/mulitple bases. Are they a good buy or would you prefer a dedicated fixed router or plunge router?
wanda
Wanda,You might want a PC 890 for other reasons: I believe that its bases will accept your 690 motor & the plunge base can be adjusted from above the table with a little wrench (which is sort of expensive @ $20). It might save you from buying some other hardware though. Don't take my word as I could be mistaken about the first item. Maybe you should make a motor trip to the US, too. My PC 890 with 2 bases and the above-table tool has been going for $269 US, sometimes including shipping.Horsepower: 3 HP = 2238 Watts. At 110 volts that means over 20 Amperes is the current draw, more than that for which American sockets are normally rated. The plug may not fit the socket. You may have to rewire if codes requirements are to be met. I believe that you will find that 3 HP is probably what the motor will deliver at the instant that the motor burns out anyway. Are you satisfied with the power of your 690? The 890 satisfies me. I like its slow speed & soft start. On the other hand, I have only one tool that is too powerful. It is an ancient sabre saw. My$10 Skil is much better to use.Cadiddlehopper
The 690 and 890 bases and accesories are interchangeable and you are correct that 3hp is the smoke rating. I'll leave it to you to determine if that's motor smoke or smoke blown up your arse.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
"Forgot to ask you how you feel about router kits/mulitple bases. Are they a good buy or would you prefer a dedicated fixed router or plunge router?" I really prefer having individual routers. But I was lucky in finding good deals on them. The advantage is being able to just go from one to the other during multiple operations. As mentioned above, if you're making several of one item, once you get a router and its bit set up, you'll appreciate not having to change it. I've never used one of the kits, so I don't know if there are any performance issues with them. Nothing obvious comes to mind.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi Wanda. I knew you couldn't buy from Amazon. I just saw their citation of "list price" and didn't understand why the Milwaukee was more expensive (per an earlier post from you).
"Are you sure you couldn't get by with the PC 690LR." The 690 just felt like it was working too hard, even though I wasn't doing raised panels or anything else strenuous. As mentioned earlier, the Freud was just "what was laying around" from an impulsive auction buy. It's a real workhorse, and I knew lots of people had good success with it in a table-mounted situation.
I think you'll find table routing those Adirondack chair parts easier on the table, especially when you have multiples and more especially if you're trying to make money with them. No clamping, no moving clamps when they're in the way. Just stack 'em up and start feeding them one by one. I would think that 2-1/4 HP PC would work just fine for that kind of work and not break the bank. You can get a bigger router later. It's hard to have too many routers, it seems. I had one tiny project that I found myself using 3 different routers on, to avoid changing bit set-ups. It was sweet being able to just go from one to the other.
"Why did you choose to mount a plunge router beneath your router table? Isn't it a lot easier to adjust the height of a router bit using a fixed router. Must be awefully tricky adj. height with a plunge router hanging upside down." Again, it was just there, so it got nominated. Actually, short of having an above-the-table adjustment like Milwaukee and the new PC's, I kinda like the adjustment. It's a little more work, but when sneaking up on a very fine adjustment (such as with a drawer-lock or miter-lock bit), I can move with much more precision. Someday I'll fork out for a Router Raizer or make a faster handle for turning.
BTW, Freud has a sorta new fixed-base router out. Click here to see. Don't know if anyone around here has used it yet, though.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I completely agree you can't have too many routers but I don't think she will be able to tell the power difference between the 1.75 and 2.25 PC routers. I think it is more marketing hype than actual performance. I say this as an unabashed PC router lover. There are some new cool features in the 890 series (vs,soft start) but I think you would be hard pressed to notice a performance difference. By the by a common nut driver or socket on a ratchet will do the adjusting on the 890 from above the table. (This is in reference to someone else's post that you must use PC's special wrench.)
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Re: performance difference between the 1.75 HP and 2.25 HP....I'm seeing with the major brands that there is a 1 Amp difference between the motors for these two different HP ratings. I know that without motor efficiency and probably some other info, precision isn't possible, but roughly how much horsepower would that represent???
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 5/30/2006 11:18 am by forestgirl
Roughly 1/6 hp.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Well, 1 amp would make roughly 110 Watts. At 744 Watts/HP (if my memory is still good!), that would make about .15 HP - enough to raise 1.75 to maybe 1.90. Doesn't sound like much to me.
Bob
Hi dgreen,
Well I decided on the PC 694VK router kit. I checked out the 890 but I didn't like the spindle lock system. I prefer using a wrench. I'd be worried about the bit slipping with that spindle lock. How have you found the spindle lock on the 890? The saleman said he prefered the locking mechanism on the 694. Felt the router bit was less likely to slip out of the collet.
The PC 694 VK is a variable speed, soft start router. 2 1/4 HP..... Almost identical to my 690. not sure how it compares to the 690LRvs but I'm sure I'll be happy with it's performance.
I had a good look a the PC 7518.. what a monster! 14lb... I really don't think I need a 3HP router. Maybe down the road but for the kind of work I'm doing right now the PC 694VK should perform just fine.
Wanda
I prefer the two wrench system too. No problems yet with the spindle lock but I feel like it puts too much pressure in too small a part and will probably snap or otherwise fail too soon. I have two 7518's mounted in tables and you are right they are monsters, I use my 690's and a 7529 for hand use. I think you will be happy with your new router.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Thought I remembered using 2 wrenches on my PC 890, so I took a look just now. Voila! There are 2 hexagons for 2 wrenches. I didn't like the spindle lock either which is why I found using 2 wrenches preferable. An adjustable wrench does fine.Cadiddlehopper
By the way I believe PC rates the 694 at 1.75 hp.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Wanda, Dgreen is right, that's a 1.75 not 2.25 HP. Question: I've not seen the spindle-lock version of the PCs. How does it work? Sounds very different from the Freud spindle lock.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi,
OMG are you absolutely sure the PC 694VK is only 1.75 HP. Because 2 1/4 Hp was clearly marked on the packaging. Now if that's the case I might have to return it. I only purchased the combo kit for $379.00 because it was the only 2 1/4 hp PC router except for the PC 890 which I decided against because of the spindle lock. Sorry but it's kind of hard to describe how the spindle lock works. The saleman pointed it out to me... However, it did look flimsy. I doubt it would hold any bit in the collet safely after a period of time. I haven't seen the spindel lock on the Freud.
I can get a PC 1.75HP router for a lot less than I paid for the PC 694VK combo kit.($379 not including taxes) So if I was in the market for a 1.75HP I'd stick with the PC 690LR fixed router for only ($219 plus taxes= $249.00) why pay more for something I don't need such as a (plunge base)
I will double check the bill of sale. I'd be nuts to pay out $379 plus taxes= $425) for a 1 3/4 router kit. MY GOD! for just over $120 more I could have the huge 3HP PC 7518 router. Prices here are ridiculous. I already have a combo kit (PC 690 which comes with a plunge base) I'm only looking for a 2 1/4 HP dedicated fixed router. And now there are some people saying I wouldn't notice the difference in power between a 1 3/4 vs a 2 1/4HP router. ..... oh my! The 3HP is just too massive. Too expensive. I suppose there is no such thing as a 2 1/2 HP router???????????
Just checked my invoice... description... variable speed router kit 2 bases 694VK Doesn't list the HP. But the carboard box at the store said 2 1/4 HP. That I am 100% sure of.
Does anyone know how much HP the PC 690LRVS router has?????????????
wanda
I'm sure. They are both 1.75hp. Here's a link to PC's router spec. page. And no you won't notice the difference between the 1.75 and the 2.5. As Forestgirl said it is a 1 amp difference in the motor. That works out to approx. 1/6 hp difference. I've used them both.
http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2810
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Edited 5/31/2006 7:25 pm by dgreen
Hi,
Yes, you're absolutely right. I just typed in the name of the router in the google search box... So much cheaper in the States. Well, I will have to return that router. I am not paying out $425.00 for a 1 3/4 HP router which was sold as a 2 1/4 HP router. So I guess I have to make a decision. Go for the 3HP router and leave it mounted under the table. Now if I do that... Do I have to have an above the table lift for such a heavy router? or can I adjust it from underneath like on the 690 PC routers. Might just settle for the 690LRVS if it's not too much more than the 690VR. The 690VRVS is a variable speed, soft start the 690VR isn't. ? Those are nice features to have.
So purchasing a 2 1/4 HP router is a waste of time. 1/6 in the difference isn't worth dishing out more money.
How exactly do you adjust plunge routers when they are mounted under a router table? I am only familiar with adjusting fixed routers from underneath the table. Real easy making fine adjustments using the 690PC.
Now I am no further ahead than I was a few days ago. LOL God, deciding on what router to buy is more difficult than deciding on what jointer to purchase!
Wanda
I just ordered the PC690LR for $123.95, free shipping. It's a big step up from the Craftsman I burned out over the weekend. I hope.
Re: Your problem with the spindle lock: Thought I remembered using 2 wrenches on my PC 890, so I took a look just now. Voila! There are 2 hexagons for 2 wrenches. I didn't like the spindle lock either which is why I found using 2 wrenches preferable. An adjustable wrench does fine.Cadiddlehopper
Ok Cadiddlehopper, I don't need to be hit over the head repeatedly.
I have to wonder how much those salesman actually know about the products they sell. Excuse me for asking but it is it possible to have 2 hexagons for holding the bit in place plus a spindle lock? The router he showed me had a spindle lock. And he said it was the PC 890.
Wanda
"...is it possible to have 2 hexagons for holding the bit in place plus a spindle lock?" Yes, it is. One is right on the shaft. The other is on the removable collet of which you get two with these routers. Unless the 890s sold in Canada are different, you should be able to tighten the collet with a pair of wrenches the same as I did. It was difficult to hold that lock in place for me. It is also easier to change bits if the motor is removed from the base. Otherwise, it is quite difficult.I never depend on a salesperson for advice or even information unless s/he actually owns & uses a tool. Even then I remain skeptical. (You really ought to check the model no. yourself!) Older sales personnel usually are better able to inform also. Age usually brings experience. I suppose I should mention that I am 70.I wasn't trying to hit anyone over the head. Both you & dgreen seemed to have missed that feature of the 890, & he even uses one! I found it quite by accident & only wanted to share a discovery which may make life easier for someone other than myself.CadiddlehopperPS: Just now looked at postings! Mine got posted multiple times. Don't know why, but my apologies.Cadid
Edited 6/1/2006 12:29 pm ET by cadiddlehopper
Hi Cadiddlehopper,
"Ok Cadiddlehopper, I don't need to be hit over the head repeatedly. " I was only kidding. Sorry if I sounded like I was coming down on you. I am very grateful for all the feedback I've received.
I returned the 1 3/4 HP PC 690 VK combo kit and picked up the PC 7518 3HP. I decided to go ahead and pay a little more. I purchased the tool at my local tool dealer. At least they service what they sell if anything should go wrong. I've always had good service from that store.
The saleman I was talking to the same one I was talking to on Tuesday when I went in to check out the PC 890 ... I mentioned to him that I heard that the 890 came with 2 Hexagons to tighten the collet with and 2 wrenches. He said it didn't. It came with the spindal lock. I doubt the PC is any different than the PC 890's in the US. From what I remember seeing on that 890 you're right. It comes with both a lever that locks and 2 different size collets. So obviously there has to be 2 hexagons. If I'm not mistaken the spindal locking mechanism looks like a "pin" that pushes in against the bit to hold it in place. I'm going to take a closer look at that tool next time I'm in the store.
You're right it's best to talk to people who have experience with the type of machine you're purchasing.. who know it intimately. And this is usually never the case with salesman.
I usually try and find out as much info as I can online before making any tool purchase.
Wanda
Wasn't Cadiddlehopper the name of one of Red Skelton's characters? Claude Cadiddlehopper, or some such as that?
Clem Cadiddlehopper. I hope I am not violating a copyright.Cadid
"I didn't like the spindle lock system. I prefer using a wrench."Thought I remembered using 2 wrenches on my PC 890, so I took a look just now. Voila! There are 2 hexagons for 2 wrenches. I didn't like the spindle lock either which is why I found using 2 wrenches preferable. An adjustable wrench does fine.Cadiddlehopper
Hi forest Girl,
Do you know much about the Milwaukee 3HP router? If it requires a lift. Don't want to get into having to pay out for one of those gadgets. Wonder if that Milwaukee comes with a spindel lock. I would rather have a router that uses wrenches to tighten bits in the the collet. variable speed, soft start would be nice.
Routerman recommended the Milwaukee as a good compromise for under the table. I must see what I can find out about that particular model #
Wanda
I have a Milwaukee 5625 permanently mounted in a router table with a JessEm lift, but the 5625 includes a long-handled socket wrench for height adjustment from above the table, so if you want to skip a lift system for now, you'll be fine. The collet nut is loosened/tightened with two wrenches. It's variable speed with soft start.I looked at the big PC, Bosch and all the others when I decided to upgrade from my PC 690 which I'd had in a very basic table for years (still have it and really like it). I have tools made by all the big names, but I like Milwaukee because, while I don't think of them as cutting edge in design innovation, they just make really rugged products that perform at peak for a long time. And, after reading Brad Witt's (of Woodhaven fame) comments on the Milwaukee, I decided it was the one for me. He said that, while most of the big routers are quality machines, the Milwaukee's advantage is its beefy collet that is deeper than most. His fence post analogy made sense to me -- if you use longer posts and bury them deeper, don't you think your fence will be stronger? He went on to describe vibration, performance and collet size/depth, but I can't quote, so I won't elaborate, but it helped me make my decision.One last comment: When I purchase a power tool like this, I spend a little extra and buy it from a a small, local tool dealer.
Edited 6/1/2006 4:46 am ET by Mike_B
I don't have any experience with the Milwaukee, but have always been tempted by it!
Spindle Lock: I asked earlier about how the spindle lock on the PC functions. Must be something weird that's got you worked up about it. There's a lock on my big Freud router, but it's solid, I've never had any concerns about it slipping or breaking. Must be a different design. If I am remembering right, when you push on it it slides over the collet nut and holds it (securely), just like a wrench would.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi,
It was the salesman that pointed out the spindel lock on the PC 890 to me and said that he wasn't too sure if it would securely hold a bit. Said he prefered a collet that was tightened with a wrench. Now since I haven't tested that machine I have no idea whether or not the spindel would malfunction.
What I need to do is go to Kent and have a good look at the various features on all the different brand names.
I think I'll hold off purchasing a router for now.
Wanda
Hi Wanda. I have no experience with spindle locks on routers other than the Freud. From what you and Mr. Cadiddlehopper are saying, the PC's relies on some small part, perhaps a pin?? There are other designs in place. Below are pictures of the Freud's spindle lock mechanism. Pardon the fuzzy picture, I have trouble getting good focus with the Macro setting on my camera.
As you can see, the locking plate grasps the collet the same way a wrench would. It is much more convenient than the 2-wrench system, and I can change bits from above the table very quickly.
View Image
View Imageforestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi Forest Girl,
Yes, I think the spindle lock on the PC is much different. Like you said it more or less looks like a pin that presses against the bit to hold it in place. The one on your freud looks more substantial.
Nice pics .... I can clearly see the difference between the locked and unlocked position. LOL Thanks for the visuals.
Wanda
PS... I went and bought the PC 7518 router. I managed to get $40.00 off the price tag. So Now I have a router that I will be 100% satisfied with . No vibration to worry about. This baby can rout anything! I think it was worth paying a little extra. No point in purchasing a 2 1/4 HP router if there's only 1/6th Hp in the difference. So I will mount that monsterous 14lb machine in the router table and use my 690 for "free" routing.
Edited 6/1/2006 4:22 pm ET by Wanda200
Wanda, you are going to love that power! Have fun1forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
This has become a very invormative thread. I thought I'd chime in to muddy it up a bit. LOL.
I have had the Bosch 2 1/4 horse plunge/ fixed base kit for a couple of years. Reciently I got a 690 plunge/ base combo. I had used the PC set before and already decided I like it better. It feels more solid, especially the plunge base. I can't feel any difference in the power, but I don't use particularly large bits in it either. In fact I use my little PC laminate router more often than the others. I also have a 3 horse monster in the router table. The laminate router will turn a 1/4" roundover bit easily.
I like the new 890 routers, they have added several smart features. The shaft lock looks well made to me, the plastic slide switch is a little suspect but I think it is going to be fine.
Home Depot is dropping the 690 series routers so look for the displays to be clearancing. I got a plunge/ fixed base combo kit for $75. It was missing a brush and the depth stop rod on the plunge base (go figure). I got the missing parts for $20!
MikePardon my spelling,
Mike
"I got a plunge/ fixed base combo kit for $75." Jeez, I wonder if they have any plain 690's still? They'd be real cheap, eh? [mudman muddies it up; too clever by half, LOL]
I dropped and cracked a sub-base last year. Could probably get a whole new router for the usual price of the base.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
The Home Depot in my hood is very stingey, and it seems to be a corporate policy. But I saw this router in a "to be processed pile" before they had tagged it and put it on the clearance shelf. Sinse it was missing these parts I reasoned with the manager that they would never be able to sell it and I inflated the cost of the replacement parts a bit (I really didn't know what they would cost at the time). The complete kits in box are yellow tagged (means it is no longer stocked) but the price is still $199. Knowing the managers around here they will lower the price $10 and let them sit around for months. However sometimes I can convince a manager to drop the price to Ebay prices. So keep your eyes open and your game face on.
The Mudman screen name is a reference to my mountian biking habit, not my tendancy to stir up the muck around here. But, what ever...... Heh heh.
MikePardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Part of my interest in this thread is that I plan to acquire another PC router for use with a dovetail machine. PC suggests having 2 routers for convenience of cutting pins & tails without having to go thru the bit changing hassle. Dovetailing does not call for high HP. I have 3 890 bases. I prefer a slow speed setting & really like soft start. If a PC 690 had those features, I should be able to put it in one of my bases. I'll check out The Depot, but the local ones probably don't have much choice in their stock.To Wanda200: The 890 motor shaft has a hex machined on it. The collet is a separate part which threads onto the shaft. It has another hex on it. You can ignore the spindle lock altogether when chucking the bit.Cadiddlehopper
Hello Mudman,
Plunge vs fixed.... Do you find you use your plunge router more often than your fixed?
I also have the PC 690 plunge/fixed combo kit. I've had it now for yrs. Haven't used the plunge base much. Except maybe once when I was experimenting with routing mortises.
What exactly does the plunge router excel at beside routing mortises?
Wanda
I too seldom use a plunge base. I use the router table the most, then the little 1 horse laminate router, then a fixed base 1 3/4 HP for heavier edge profiles, and finally I use the plunge base least often. I use it for roughing out large mortices free hand (no jig or guide, I just eyeball the layout line), circle cutting (it is easier to start the cut), some template following senarios, and that is all that comes to mind right now.
Check out the 890, PC added several features that shows they were thinking. I like the spindle lock, it has a dust port built in, router table friendly and the switch can be reached while holding the handles as well as the easy off button on top. Pluss the extra power (possibly nonexistant) would matter if you are turning large bits for making doors.
MikePardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Hi Mudman,
wow, I bet Home Depot will have some real good sales coming up considering Father's Day is just around the corner. Wouldn't that be something if you could pick up a plunge router for dirt cheap..
The 890 remains a mystery to me... LOL Next time I'm at Home Depot I'll have to inquire about it's special features.
Wanda
If you want to swap from table-mounted to hand-held, you need only an extra fixed base.
Actually, if you're using a lift, you may not even need the extra fixed base. With my Woodpecker QuickLift, the motor mounts straight into the lift without a base.My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
I don't think a lift is in Wanda's budget this week.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I have several routers including a 690 in my router table which I switch out with a 3 HP Hitachi for raised panel work. I have a Bosch 2 1/4 combo and a couple of trim routers but the one I reach for most is a Makita 3620 plunge router. I think the current model # is 3621 ($120.00 at Amazon). I've used it extensively for almost 20 years and it's still going strong. Good luck, Art
Wanda, I would probably put that 690 in your plunge base and use that as your bench router and go for a 3 HP in the table. In my opinion the 7518 is great for the table "IF" you have some sort of router raiser, But that gets into a pile of "Queen with the Bare Behind's". My router table hosts a DW625 plunge with a crank handle on it, I could put a Router-raizer on it for about US $95 but am happy cranking from down under since I'am usually down on my knees measuring anyway.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
The difference between the PC690 and the 2 1/4 hp routers is 1 amp. The ratings are obviously more optimistic these days as opposed to when the PC690 came out - 1 amp is not 1/2 hp. If you want a more powerful router, the Hitachi M12V is a good buy - around $175 for a 15amp router. It would be good in a router table.
I have two PC690s and one Ryobi R 500 in my router table. The Ryobi got to sticking and it is 13.3 amp, a little bigger, so the motor went in the homemade lift of my router table. It works great. Before I built my current router table with lift, I used one of my PC690s in the extension table of my table saw. It worked fine. I used a 3 1/2 inch panel raising bit occasionally. You may need to take an extra pass or two when panel raising but a PC690 has adequate power for nearly any application. I would not buy a 890 series router to get more power. If I bought one, it would be to get above table height adjustment or one of the other newer features it offers, not an increase in power that is too small to be noticable IMHO.
Jim
If you are using a 3.5 inch panel raiser in a single speed 23000 rpm router motor you have no business offering advice to anyone.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
What makes you think he is using a single speed router? My 690 has a speed adjustment, so do most that were sold in the last couple years.
MikePardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
The 690 is single speed. Period. The 690LR is single speed ,lever release. The 690LRVS is lever release, variable speed.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Oh, so your gonna get all technical on me. ;-)
I suspect most of us refer to routers in the 690 series in general terms as a 690. Of course if he was using panel raisers in a single speed router........ Well that would be nuts. So I just assume (yea, yea I know) that he means a VS model.
BTW what is the lever release? I wonder if I have that.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
"BTW what is the lever release? I wonder if I have that." Lever release refers to the mechanism that releases the body of the router for adjustment. The early 690's, like mine, had a bolt-and-nut release. A couple years ago or so, they introduced the lever release, which is a eccentric lever that folds against the body of the router to lock, pulls away to unlock. I retrofitted my 690 with a lever from Lee Valley that's sold mainly to make hold-down jigs with.
Like dgreen, I didn't realize the 690 had a variable-speed version. I thought that didn't come in until the 890. But I see, Googling quickly, that it did come in a VS version.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 6/3/2006 12:33 pm by forestgirl
I did know about the LRVS, I just don't think that because two models share some digits that they can be considered the same model. The 690 and the 690LRVS are two different routers, 1.5 and 1.75 hp respectively. When one says they have a 690 that tells us they have a 1.5hp 23000 rpm single speed motor.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
I used panel raisers over 3 inches with my single speed 690 before getting a VS version. I used a separate speed control. I now have my old Ryobi R-500 in my router table. It is also single speed. I use the same speed control when using big bits.
Jim
Glad to hear you're not swinging those babys at full tilt. What make of speed control do you use and have you been troubled by reduced torque at lower rpm's?
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Are you sure it's the 690 and not the 890? I know about the recall on the 890 for insulation issues, but have not heard of a recall on the 690. Your comment on the heigth adj. makes me wonder too. The 690 is simplicity itself. Just twist. Been the industry standard for years.
I think you're right, DG. Here's the link:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml06/06072.htmlforestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
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