138 PC 693 router (was Re: panel raising with a router ??)
Description
This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 4, by multiple authors.
138 PC 693 router (was Re: panel raising with a router ??)
From: rhaar@albert.cs.gmr.com (Robert L. Haar CS50)
Date: 7 Feb 91 19:34:19 GMT
In article <14278@ulysses.att.com>, smb@ulysses.att.com (Steven
Bellovin) writes:
|>
|> My current thinking (I'm using a borrowed router and router table that
|> are likely to go away in the next few months) is to buy the Porter-Cable
|> 693 plunge router, with an extra non-plunge base to mount in a router
|> table. That would avoid the hassle of trying to use a plunge router
|> upside down, and would make it much easier to switch between hand-held
|> routing and table-routing. Comments, anyone?
Yeah. I have one and it works for me. The 1 1/2 hp PC router motor
has been adequate for my uses. The plunger mechanism works great. It
is to use the motor in another PC standard base on router table. The only
minor quibble is that the mechanism for holding the motor in the plunge
base has a tendency to stick so you need to knock the wedging piece
loose with a screw driver.
When I was looking for a plunge router, I picked the PC 693 because it
was more comfortable for me than the larger 3HP plunge routers and
Porter Cable has a reputation for building top quality, durable but
conservatively designed equipment. The may be slower to bring out
new bells-n-whistles such as variable speed, but when they do, the
tools are solid and last a long time.
The saleman talked be into getting a standard base just for the reason
that you said. I was unsure at the time, but went along. It has
worked out so well that I got another standard base that I leave
on a mortising table (based on the Woodsmith plans).
Hint: you can get the standard base cheaper by ordering it as a replacement
part without handles and subbase.
There are other excellenent plunge routers available. All that I am
saying is that I am pleased with the way that the Porter Cable
works for me.
Continue to:
My Books
