Replies

1. 
   davidmeiland | Apr 22, 2009 06:39am | #1

   I have two 690s that are ~15 years old, and two of the newer 690LR. The only real difference I can see is that I do not like the rocker switches on the newer models. Otherwise they are just fine and I use them all interchangeably. I'd probably refurb the Rockwell, though, those have retro coolness that the new ones ain't got.

2. 
   Mongo | Apr 22, 2009 06:51am | #2

   I have several 690s, but the newest is probably 5 years old.

   I consider them to be bare-bones workhorse routers.

   The newer ones that I looked at a few months ago are now 1-3/4hp versus the old 1-1/2, the rpms have increased, and the new on/off switch is a little sealed rocker switch versus the older toggle. The toggle is easy to find by touch when I have one hanging in my router table. To me the smaller rocker switches, which my Bosch routers have, are a little more difficult to find.

   With a router I want to be able to replace the switch and the brushes easily should the need arise. With the 690 routers I have it's a cinch.

   I'm not certain if the new design takes that ability away.

3. 
   BillBrennen | Apr 22, 2009 09:42am | #3

   Unless abused, the old one is worth fixing, IMO. 690's are great basic routers, all business, no flash.

   Bill

4. 
   Karl | Apr 22, 2009 09:48am | #4

   There is an old school grungy warehouse of an electric motor repair shop in my town that I always go to for replacement bearings on power tools. I have replaced vacuum cleaner, chop saw, belt sander etc. bearings for five or ten bucks.

   I have a vague memory of buying some skateboard bearings once and being told they were interchangeable with some router bearings. If this is the case then the bearings should be dirt cheap.

   I have a few 690 routers. Only one has a self releasing collet. I usually just leave a router set up with a dedicated bit so I don't worry much about how quick or easy it is to release the bit.

   It sounds to me like you need to buy a few inexpensive bearings and put your "new" router to work.

   Karl

1. 
   webby | Apr 22, 2009 04:41pm | #5

   Just last week I bought a 690lr single speed. This is a router that has been made since Dewalt bought pc. My impressions.--

   Color has gone from flat grey to silver.

   Knobs have gone from smooth hard plastic to robber coated knobs as on the dewalt routers.

   Switch is a dust sealed rocker but some of my older pcs are too.

   Brushes are easily accessible.

   H.P. 1-3/4

   Collets stayed the same.

   What I did notice is that there is no notch in this base to keep the router from falling out of a table mount. The other pc bases I have have a notch that lets the motor rotate all the way down but not fall out of an inverted base mounted in a router table. No big deal to me.

   My initial impressions are very, very smooth. Seems even smoother than my other pcs. very little vibration.

   Also the instruction book that you used to get with pcs has gone to the foldup instruction sheet typical of dewalt tools.

   Over all I am pleased.Webby 

    

1. 
   doorboy | Apr 22, 2009 06:28pm | #6

   I use both the newer and older versions. I have never had an issue with the older 690's, but have had a couple of problems with the bearings in the newer ones. I am told the new bearings are Chinese, whereas the older ones are USA.
   I have always been a P-C guy, but may reconsider the next time out.

5. 
   jc21 | Apr 22, 2009 06:31pm | #7

   The new 690's are a bit taller, have little bit more power, run at higher rpm (27,500 vs 24,000- there is a VS model if that's too high) and like Dave I prefer the old toggle switch to the rocker switch which feels like mush. Same for the cam clamp they use now; I prefer the old thumbscrew which is easier for these arthric old paws to deal with. Fwiw, PC's are now "Hecho en Mexico", alongside DeWalts in a plant in Reynosa iirc. Still a good router imho ......... I'd have no qualms about getting a new one. But ..... I like the old ones better. Me, I'd put the parts in  the old one.

   "It is hardly too strong to say that there are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." -- Noah Webster

6. 
   Ted W. | Apr 22, 2009 10:33pm | #8

   You just have to shove the new bearings back up into the engine, but It appears that it takes 2 people...

   http://www.airliners.net/photo/TASA/North-American-Rockwell/1497554/L/

   ~ Ted W ~

   Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
   Meet me at House & Builder!