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3-1/4HP routers

PaulGC | Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 3, 2007 03:12am

Okay here comes a third question on tools. I can get 3 Porter Cable routers for $399 each but do not know how good they are. They are model #’s PC7539, PC7538 & PC7518. I only have a 1-1/2HP Dewalt router that I love but I’d like to have a more powerful router that I can leave mounted in my router table. I was gonna buy Bosch’s 1619EVS as it has an opening in its baseplate bigger than 3-1/2″ (the size of my Freud raised panel bits) but I could never find it on sale anywhere. I do know that Norm Abram used a Porter Cable in his router table for several years.

I remeber holding one of these routers in a tool store one time and thinking God this thing is HEAVY. I have read somwhere that the Porter Cable routers are top of the line and have been around for a number of years without any changes in their designs.

Who has used these Porter Cable routers and what did you think of them. Do you think $399 is a good deal for them?

 

Paul 

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  1. User avater
    McDesign | Dec 03, 2007 03:21am | #1

    I've got this 7538 Speedmatic; had it for 12+ years; can't fault it.  Get the Router Razer deal to run it in a table.  Mounted mine in my table saw table.  $399 is too much - Amazon has this for $349.

    View Image

    Yes, I does feel like an outboard moter, but it's smooth.

    Forrest

    1. PaulGC | Dec 03, 2007 03:30am | #2

      I live up here in Canada so I can't buy it in the U.S. and get it cheaper than buying it up here.

       

      Paul

  2. sandalboy | Dec 03, 2007 05:38am | #3

    Well, the 7518 is probably the best of any router to use in a table. It has so many aftermarket table lift bases available for it. I bought one due to it's popularity for this application. It is only a fixed base router so, if you don't intend to get an aftermarket lift then the 7518 is probably not your best bet in a table though.

    I got the Bench Dog cast iron lift for it. It really has the feel of a high end stationary tool this way. The downside is that it costs as much as a high end stationary tool also.

    BTW. Most of the HP ratings for these are bogus. To have a real 3 1/4 HP router it would have to run on 220 or have more than a normal 15 or 20 amp circuit at 120 volts.



    Edited 12/2/2007 9:40 pm ET by sandalboy

    1. User avater
      McDesign | Dec 03, 2007 06:06am | #4

      <BTW. Most of the HP ratings for these are bogus. To have a real 3 1/4 HP router it would have to run on 220 or have more than a normal 15 or 20 amp circuit at 120 volts.>

      Hey - that can't be right - I've had a craftsman shop-vac that had a 6 Hp motor on 120.

      Wait - you mean they were kidding?

      Sheesh.

      Well, let's see - 746 watts equals a horsepower, so figure maybe 850 watts draw after losses; 20A would equal 2400 watts at 120 volts . . .

      Hey - they are kidding!  Must be counting the starting capacitor in that first microsecond!

      Forrest - not taken in

  3. gordsco | Dec 03, 2007 06:59am | #5

    We have several of the big PCs in the shop and they are workhorses. They sit on fixed plates and are set up with specific bits for reproducing handrail components, raised panels and rail/ stile.

    We don't have to move or adjust them that much, so the PCs are OK.

    $399 is a good price for the PCs but personally I own a 3 1/4 Hitachi plunge, its a great router. For hand use, the Hitachi switches and controls are right at your fingertips, very user friendly, but the small opening in the base, makes that Bosch look sweet.

    The plunge makes the router much more versatile, given the option, I'd take one any day over a fixed base.

    House of Tools has your Bosch for $100 less than the PC.

    The new Hitachi looks like the Darth Vader version, mine is 7 years old and normal looking.

    http://www.houseoftools.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=1894&orderfield=&sort=

     

    Gord

                            

     

     

  4. DougU | Dec 03, 2007 07:22am | #6

    Paul

    I have the PC 7518 variable speed/soft start......nothing better for a router table.

    I've heard some good things about using the Milwaukee 5625-20 3.5 hp but over at knots someone mentioned that there was a slight vibration that you had to concern yourself with, seamed to be a reacurring theme for that particular router.

    If you want a really good plunge 3.25 then I'd get  the Bosch 1619EVS, nothing better in my opinion for plunge routers.

    Doug

    1. PaulGC | Dec 03, 2007 05:36pm | #7

      Doug, what's the diameter of the opening in the baseplate? The bosch 1619EVS has a 3-3/4" opening.

       

      Paul

      1. DougU | Dec 04, 2007 04:09am | #11

        Paul

        what's the diameter of the opening in the baseplate?

        I assume that your talking about the PC, you mentioned the Bosch diameter.

        I dont know right off hand and my router table is in the basement of a house that I'm working on. If your concern is that it wont be big enough for some router bits I've never had one that wouldnt work in it, course I havnt used every bit in it either but......

        I'll check tomarrow but I'm guessing its a least as big as the Bosch.

        Doug

         

        1. PaulGC | Dec 04, 2007 04:42am | #12

          Doug, I do know the Bosch 1619EVS has an opening of 3-3/4". AS for any of the PC's, I really don't know.

           

          Paul

        2. BillBrennen | Dec 04, 2007 07:43am | #13

          Doug,The round hole in the base casting of my Porter-Cable 7518 is 4.5" diameter. A sub base could be made to match it if one had to run some enormous router bit. I'm preferring a shaper if the profile gets that big!BillP.S. BTW, the machined O.D. of the motor body is only 4.2" , 0.3" smaller than the base hole.

  5. unTreatedwood | Dec 03, 2007 08:33pm | #8

    I have the Milwaukee 5625, the Dewalt 625 and the PC 7538.  They are all terrific for various reasons.  The PC is not variable, and thus not as widely used as it could be.  That was my error when I bought it 15 years ago.  Definitely a workhorse, but not for a router table.  I use the Milawaukee permanently in my router table, and have a portable setup for my Dewalt that I can use it freehand or in a temp table.  If I had to replace any of the three, I would get another Dewalt...it's a plunge, (the Milwaukee is not), it's smooth and does everything I ask it to.  Good luck.

    "The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

  6. User avater
    JDRHI | Dec 03, 2007 08:49pm | #9

    Hey Paul....never worked with the PC, but own the Bosch 1611EVS (precursor to 1619, I believe), so figgered I'd weigh in with that.

    Had it about 15 yrs. now, and still love it like the first day. Variable speed...soft start...all the power you could ask for in a router.

    I use it for both plunge and table. Large opening is a MUST with alotta the specialty bits.

    My biggest fear is that it will one day die and I won't like the 1619 as much.

    J. D. Reynolds
    Home Improvements

     

     


    1. User avater
      IMERC | Dec 03, 2007 09:01pm | #10

      have no fears...

      somedayday you'll ask yurself

      why didn't I get this 19 years ago... 

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

      WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  7. User avater
    FatRoman | Dec 04, 2007 04:12pm | #14

    If your router table has enough room to allow you to change heights easily, you might consider this 3 1/4 Freud router. Only $129 on sale

    http://www.amazon.com/3-1-VARIABLE-SPEED-PLUNGE-ROUTER/dp/B000WZZKJE/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

    1. PaulGC | Dec 04, 2007 05:17pm | #15

      Actually I was considering buying it or the Bosch 1619EVS but the 3 Porter Cable came up so now I really can't decide. I'm BIG fan of Freud as I only buy their saw blades plus I also have quite a few of their router bits. I believe they are well worth the money.

       

      Paul

  8. Sancho | Dec 08, 2007 02:50am | #16

    I have the 7518, I built 2 complete kitchens with it had it for about 12 years. One kitchen was made out of hickory made doors and drawer fronts ,
    moulding F/F's ect, It wore the bearings out, So I replaced them and the brushes.. still using it . It wont die

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