Best Router for Table mount

[David Lane]

I am trying to get feedback on what other router owners have liked/disliked about their table mounted router. I am currently looking to purchase a new router to mount on a router table. The table has an enclosure to help with dust collection. My concern is about being able to easily adjust the height of the bit while the unit is mounted in the table. Does anyone have suggestions or personal experiences that they believe that I should consider prior to my purchase.

Thank you,
David Lane

[jeramiah shastid]

go with the biggest porter cable router with variable speed they last and last ive had dewalts biggest and the speed control dies after just a few times with a raised panel bit porter cables router has been working for five+ years no problems

[tmurillo]

If you're not concerned about a variable speed router and you only want to buy 1 router, the Porter-Cable 690 is a decent choice. This router kit comes with both a fixed and plunge base. I've mounted the fixed base in the router table, and when I need to do some freehand work, I can easily drop the motor and switch bases. A recent issue in one of the workworking magazines had a review on routers well suited for tables - unfortunately, I can't remember which mag or which month. The 690 was cited, but there were some other worthy candidates.

[GaryR]

For table use "Biggest is Best" can apply. 3 1/4 HP in Porter Cable, Hitachi, Freud, Bosch, Makita, etc should all serve you well.
I think John Lucas at www.woodshopdemos.com had some information on a shopmade router height adjustment system. There are systems on the market to address this also ("RouterLift" or something like that rings a bell).
I personally have been running the Freud without any complaints.

[Bill]

The review was for 3HP routers.

For use on a table, they picked the fixed-base PC 7518 because of its 4" maximum bit diameter, ease of adusting the bit height and a few other niceties like the speed control actually displaying rmp.

[John Szeliga]

I bought the Hitachi M12V, on sale for $175 (at this price, I'm planning to get another one soon). It powers up smoothly (soft start), without that sudden jerk that other routers have. Its got plenty of power and variable speed. You can also buy a knob or crank for it to adjust the bit height while in a router table. I highly recommend it!

[dlane]

Well I have made my purchase. I bought a Porter Cable Model 7518, (http://www.portercable.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?method=byid&prod_id=7518) (copy the link between the parenthesis and past in your web browser).

It is a 3.25 HP, variable speed, soft-start, constant speed, fixed base router. I paid $299 for the beast. I mounted the unit to my router table extension and enclosed the bottom in a dust collection box with a 4" blast gate to hook to a dust collector (my next purchase). I have had a chance to work with the unit while making a pair of door for a project I am working on. My first impression - 'This machine is awesome'! I chose fixed base because it is going to be dedicated to a router table. But, the height adjustment on this is so easy. You un-tighten a locking screw, twist the motor in the base to raise or lower to your desired height and then tighten the screw. EASY! It is variable speed so I can use the large diameter bits as well as the small ones. The soft start is probable more for manually handling the router than mounted but it is impressive. The constant speed is really great because if the machine start to bog down under load it automatically adjusts speed. The 3.25 HP is enough power to handle my hardwood needs. The unit only came with a 1/2 collet but because the PorterCable people were at the place I purchased the unit (Woodcrafters in Dallas) they threw in the 1/4 collet for free. (it should come with one regardless). I walked into the store to buy a Dewalt (I like yellow) and, after looking at the features, switched to Porter Cable. I was a little surprized that no one who replied recommended Dewalt. I have a couple of their products and have been very happy with them. I have to admit, though, this is the second Porter Cable product that has won my purchase vote.
Thanks for your comments
David Lane

[Keith]

The bigest, badest PORTER CABLE you can afford, you will leave ot to your grand children!

[Gary]

I have been using the DEWALT 3 hp plunge router in a table for the past 4 years and have been very pleased with it's performance. I make quite a few raised panel doors and have had no problems with it.