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Porter Cable 690LR Router

Included is a 1 - 3/4 Hp, 23,000 RPM router, standard base, 1/4'' collet, collet wrenches, and operating manual. Accepts 3/8" and 1/2" collets, available separately. Lever release base available separately; fits all 690 motors. The new lever release feature lets you make quick and easy height adjustments, especially when table mounted. Just flip the lever open, make your adjustments, and snap the lever closed.

Porter Cable 690LR Router

Porter-Cable 690 Series Router Combo Kits.
Router kit that give you both a fixed and a plunge base for all your routing applications. Porter-Cable 690 Series Router Combo Kits.

Porter-Cable 892 Router
The 890 series routers have more features than the PC 690 series. Soft-starting, Variable speed from 10,000-24,000 RPM. Low noise vibration. Above-table bit height adjustment, motor release, collet and bit access. Dual switch locations. Large opening, see-through sub-base. Includes 2-1/4 HP motor with fixed base and multi-function carrying case. Porter-Cable 892 Router

Porter-Cable 895PK with Fixed Base, and Plunge Base
This 890 series router combo package comes with fixed base, plunge base and micro height adjustment knob for above-table bit adjustment. Includes carrying case. See description at left for 892 series features. Porter-Cable 895PK with Fixed Base, and Plunge Base

Bosch 2-1/4 HP VS Router.
Variable Speed 12 amp motor with 8,000-25,000 RPM range provides soft start, maintains speed under load and provides overload protection. Precision centering system for accurate cuts. Self extracting collet system for less run out. Includes 1/4'' and 1/2'' collets. Bosch 2-1/4 HP VS Router.

Bosch® 1617PK 2.25 HP Router Combo Package

Features microfine bit depth adjustment system and a quick clamp system on both fixed and plunge bases for fast tool-free conversion. A 2.25 HP, 12 amp, 25,000 RPM motor operates with a precision centering design to keep your bit on the intended cut line when using jigs, templates, dovetail fixtures and similar devices. Wide base openings and 2" subbase openings accept large bits and provide excellent visibility. Plunge base has contoured soft grip handles for enhanced control and support. Includes 1/4" and 1/2" collets and rugged carrying case.

Bosch® 1617PK 2.25 HP Router Combo Package

Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Router, Model #7518
This 15 amp, 3-1/4 HP variable speed router from Porter Cable has an electronic 5-speed control that ranges from 0-21,000 RMP's. Electronic five-speed with soft start 10,000, 13,000, 16,000, 19,000, 21,000 RPM Maintains constant speed under load 1/2'' collet New auto-release collet system. 100% sealed ball bearings. Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Router, Model #7518

Festool OF 1010 EQ 1-1/2 HP Router

The OF 1010 is a full-featured plunge router that weighs in at only 5.9 lbs. - the lightest router of its kind. It packs a host of well-designed features into a compact, ergonomic tool that you can operate with only one hand. Dust shroud and chip catcher completely surround the bit for nearly 100% dust extraction. The knob-style handle doubles as a rotating plunge lock for both posts, meaning you never have to take your hand off the grips. Depth adjustment with integral scale and zeroing function. Micro-depth adjuster will fine tune to the nearest 0.001". Accepts 1/4" and 8mm collets (included).

Festool OF 1010 EQ 1-1/2 HP Router

Porter Cable Model 7310 Palm Size Router
Excellent for trimming laminate plus general edge and corner trimming. Model #7310. The compact and lightweight design makes for easy freehand use. 1/4" collet only. Porter Cable Model 7310 Palm Size Router

Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Plunge Router, Model #7539
Electronic five-speed with soft start 10,000, 13,000, 16,000, 19,000, 21,000 RPM. 15 Amps, AC only. Maintains constant speed under load. 1/2'' collet. New auto-release collet system ends. 3'' plunge range with fully enclosed springs. Depth rod, and 6 position step turret. 100% sealed ball bearings Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Plunge Router, Model #7539

See More Routers at Woodcraft

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You've got a few decisions to make when you buy a router. Most are about 1-3/4 horsepower, some are around 3. Some routers take only 1/4" shank bits, others take 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" shanks. There are fixed base and plunge base routers as well.

Forget the 3 horsepower models unless you are doing a lot of panel raising or other big cuts. Get a router that takes 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" shank bits for versatility and because 1/4" bit shanks are hard to tighten well and sometimes loosen, altering your setup. 3/8 and 1/2" shanks are far less likely to do this. Plunge routers are great for plunge cuts such as mortising and other things, but they are harder to adjust in a router table.

The small palm routers were originally developed for professionals in the laminate business- for trimming the laminate after it has been applied to a substrate. They have low power and only accept 1/4" shank bits, but are still useful in woodworking for light cutting tasks such as roundover on sharp edges or even router table applications with light cuts.

A big 3 horsepower router in a router table is really a small shaper and can move a lot of wood with a sharp bit. These big units make a lot of noise, and a big bit spinning at 20,000 rpm is a bit scary, so be careful.

I prefer having at least two routers, so that if one is set up in a table or elsewhere I have another to use. Above you'll see the Porter Cable set with one motor and two bases- a fixed and a plunge. It's nice to have two bases but if you don't have two motors to go in them you're stuck when you need a second. If you get the set with two bases and one motor, and also get one fixed base router, you'll have two motors and three bases, two fixed bases and one plunge. This way you can leave one fixed base in your router table, and still have a fixed and plunge base to work with outside the table.

But that's expensive. If you're just starting out with routers and plan to use a router table a lot get a single fixed base router. Only get a plunge router for your first router if you know you will need the plunge capability for a project you have in mind. Later you can get a plunge base or plunge router to supplement your initial fixed base model.

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