Suggestions for a Router Table Motor
esch5995
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
With the demise of Porter Cable Routers and the venerable 7518, I need suggestions for a motor to use in a Router Table for my son. Is there a clear cut choice out there? I prefer something not made in China if possible.
Replies
Does it have a lift?
Assuming there one I have the Jessem motor with remote speed control. Very nice.
I was able to get a 7518 motor from PMC tool a few weeks ago. They're not shown anywhere on the website, but it was an add on option if you bought a router table from them. You might want to call them directly and ask if they have any more in stock.
Beyond that, it's looking more and more like the Milwaukee 5625 is going to assume the mantle of king of the beefy routers. The Triton and Pow-R-Tec both have very underwhelming reviews. Though I expect Dewalt will be coming out with a 3+ hp fixed base router at some point in the next year to fill the PC gap.
Good luck. It's a dark time for router tables.
You could try MLCS for motors, lifts, etc.
Mikaol
I have run a Milwaukee 5625 since about 2006 or so. All it has ever done is run. No bearing issues, no variable speed issues, no switch issues . . . just no issues. I run it in a Woodpecker PRL-v1.
There was a scare that Milwaukee was going out of the router business so I grabbed another 5625 to have on hand. Then Woodpecker came out with the PRL-v2 and I snapped up a PRL-v1 on clearance. So, now I have a set ;-)
We all have a favorite it seems. If one of my 5625's burst into flames I would have another one on the way before the smoke cleared. No surprise. When you work something hard for well over a decade and it works as well today as it did when you first got it, it leaves an impression.
One other thing, don't be a brand-name slave. Years ago when money was what other people had, I bought a Skil router. Slap me for a fool but the things hasn't quit once. The only drawback is it only takes 1/4" bits. There are lots of bits I couldn't use but the machine's still a dream.
On the other hand, lots of woodworkers have 2 or three dedicated routers. So take your time, do research and you'll find what you're looking for.
Mikaol
I bought a PC 7518 from Rockler a few weeks ago for a new router table. You might look there.
Porter Cable Routers are no more? "The King is dead. Long live the King!" I've had two 690's plus a plunge base for years now, w/o complaint and two of their 4212's plus the 4215 kit besides. All of which, including their micrometer adjustable fence, have performed perfectly. So sad. Then again, "Nothing is forever", as, at my age, I'm reminded of every time I look in the mirror.
I definitely would want a 3hp or better router with 1/2" collet since it will occasionally be used for larger panel raising bits. The Milwaukee 5625's seem to get very mixed reviews with many issues related to the electronics and speed control. I've 3 PC routers a 690, 890 and a 7518 in my router table that have never failed me. This is along with my 2 plunge routers a 2 1/4hp ELU(DeWalt predecessor) and a 3 1/4 hp Dewalt. I don't understand Stanley/Black & Deckers decision to gut the Porter Cable brand and in the case of the 7518 it seems to have left a gaping void for router table users.
I could be wrong, but I think most people are going with lifts and router motors these days.
With that arsenal of routers, why not just give him the DeWalt? There's rarely anything you need to do by hand that requires one that big.
I'm looking for a motor to use in a lift, since the first lift was invented the PC 7518 was the motor of choice for Router Lifts and from what I can tell there is not a reliable replacement currently on the market.
As far as the DeWalt goes I don't feel plunge routers work well in Router tables, I prefer a quality lift like the Woodpecker or Jessem.
I have the Bora version of the PC motor. I've seen mixed reviews but it's worked well for me.
I am with GeeDubBee. I have the 5625 and love it. It has been in my router lift for something like 10 years now and all it does is perform beautifully. I have the predecessor to the 7518, the 718, which is a beast, but the 5625 outperforms it. I have run panel raising bits full depth in one cut without issues. It is a really, really nice router.
A nice side benefit: If you don't want to buy a router lift, just take the base, remove the baseplate, and bolt it to your router table. Drill a hole to the adjustment screw and use the supplied handle to adjust up and down. No cost router lift!
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