Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Quickly handles trimming tasks
• Precise bit depth adjustment
• Includes four bases
• Offset base

Reviews (5)

not very good trimmer
I have a PC heavy duty router and it is great, so i ordered their laminate trimmer. The chuck does not hold the bits very securly, and must be retightened every minute or so no matter how hard you torque on it. The bases are very difficult to change, requiring a tool and a couple of minutes. I would recomend looking at the other options available.

Nice but less than accurate flush trimming
Two weeks old and it's going back. The router base setup is less than ideal. A mounted bit should be at 90 degrees to the base but it's off by a degree or two. If you're trimming 1/4" to 3/8" off the side of a hardwood facing this is less than ideal. The bits pilot bearing runs hard against the lower material leaving a mark and the edge of the facing requires substantial sanding after your done. Checked out a few others in the store and they have the same problem. Called P&C and they claim it should be 90 degrees. The offset base heats up from the vinyl belt in the housing making the unit warm to hold for long runs.

The unit itself feels well made but adjusting the depth is a bother with the base lock loose the base is free to canter a 1/16 - 1/8 so you're always adjusting and then tightening, adjusting then tightening trying to get it just right.

Disappointing.

Nice very nice
I can't think of any thing else you would want in a laminate trimmer. It's got everything. It's not hard to change out the bases when the time comes. I wish it was a little smoother and a lot quieter in operation though. It's not any better in those respects than my ten year old Bosch. It is far more flexible though . I was going to get another Bosch but this was cheaper and Makita didn't offer one in a kit.

Brian
I've tested many different laminate trimmer kits that are on the market and have found the porter cable deluxe kit to be the best value for the money. The four different bases that come with the kit allow you to do most any kind of trimming with precision and comfort. The undercut base is especially usefull for making perfect seams on large counter tops. when adjusted properly the seams almost dissapear. The porter cable router itself is smooth running with very little vibration as compared to others. The only down side that I can see is changing the bases can be somewhat combersome and time consuming, however, the added time it takes to change the base is offset by the amount of time it saves by doing the job faster and more accurately.

Review of Porter Cable Deluxe trimmer kit
As usual the tool has a good feel to it. My granddaddy would say it is built hell for stout. My only complaint is I expected a little more in the way of examples of each part in use. The examples of how to set-up each attachment are clear, but how you use some attachments are left to the user to figure out. Also the bits that came with my trimmer are not the ones listed in the instructions. They are 1\4 and 1\8 inch bits but I am unsure if you need the bits listed in the instructions because a different grind on a bit makes a lot of difference where the cutting takes place. The two bases I did figure out (standard and offset) worked as expected out of the box. I am sure this is another tool I will use and pass on to my Son. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

From the moment you get your hands on it, you'll appreciate thequality of this router. The handles offer total comfort and confidenceas you guide this 11-1/4-pound beauty around. Its soft start means nojerking, even when you start it at its peak speed of 22,000 rpm (itsbottom range is 8,000 rpm). The 15 amp motor is quieter than you'dexpect in a router this size, and the rack-and-pinion depth adjustmentDeWalt is known and loved for comes equipped with a magnified scale anda micro fine-adjustment knob. The plunge mechanism is smooth assilk--better than on routers twice the price--and it would serveperfectly in a table or for freehand work. The 625 comes with 1/2- and1/4-inch collets, and when it's time to change the bit, you'll reallyappreciate the spindle-lock button; it's a big square with a fingerdepression, unlike most other routers that offer either two wrenches towrestle with or a small, sharp spindle-lock pin that leaves a red dentin your finger. Other nice features: one side of the base is roundedand one is flat, and it comes with a dust-extraction adapter. Thispiece of machinery truly is as close to flawless as a router can get.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Spindle lock button allows one-wrench bit changes
• Smooth running, 15 amp motor features electronic variable-speed (8,000-22,000 rpm)
• State-of-the-art circuitry ensures soft starts and smooth operation
• Rack-and-pinion adjuster and magnified scale provide fast and accurate depth settings
• Phosphorous bronze bushings deliver exceptionally smooth plunge action

Reviews (10)

Love the power!
Anyone using this router to do hand held plunge routing better have a strong grip! It's powerful. Even with the soft-start technology, the torque is amazing.

The dust collection attachment worked great until it broke. I see why it's made of clear plastic, to enable viewing the bit at work, but it sure breaks easily, and I haven't found a glue that will repair it permanently. So, I'm now thinking about adding the 621 - 2hp unit to my collection because of it's built in dust collection system. DeWalt should do something similar to the 625.

Good, but limited
I've had my DW625 about a year. I bought it because it was going to be my only router. I wanted a machine that was capable of doing just about everything a router should be capable of. Unfortunately, for me, the router is something of a mixed bag.

I am not at all disappointed with the power or handling characteristics considering the size of the machine. The 3hp motor effetely drives large bits. The low centre of gravity makes this big machine relatively easy to handle compared to other 3hp routers and the plunge action is very smooth. The on/off switch is convenient, although a switch which turns the machine off when released would be far safer. The plunge lock mechanism can be somewhat difficult to use for someone with smallish hands (for a guy), but I'm now used to it. The soft start and electronic control means that you don't get that jump when starting up and you get an even cut under varying loads. However, it's use under a router table can be rather frustrating.

I have made my own table with a 6mm (~1/4") supported acrylic surface. It's simple and should work well with the 625, especially with the fine adjuster, made for when the router is table mounted. However, even at 6mm the router cannot push the bits high enough at times. This is incredibly frustrating and it's tempting to overextend the bits in the collet, which isn't good for the collet, the bits or for safety. Using a 4mm slot cutter on multiple repeat pieces should be a breeze if you use a table with stops. Unfortunately my bit, of average length, does not extend far enough using the table due to the inadequate travel of the 625. Cutting 24 identical pieces topside then becomes infuriating.

I also recently wanted to do some template work. Most template guide adverts, including those shown here, say that the universal 1 3/16" template guides fit DeWalt routers with an adapter. I live in Cape Town and have been in touch with the local dealer and emailed DW in the USA, asking where I can get an adapter. So far, after numerous attempts to get an answer from DW, I have yet to receive a reply from the USA and the importers of DW here cannot get an answer from the UK. Getting good service with courtesy should be a consideration when buying anything. Lack of after-sales service would seriously make me consider options other than DeWalt should I be in market for a new router.

Overall I like the DW625, but it has serious limitations with regards to table mounting and using template guides.

Almost perfect
I bought my 625 about 6 months ago as my primary router to use in a home built router cabinet and occasional free hand work. Out of the box, I was impressed, the soft start is sweet, the plunge is smooth, on/off switch is convienent. One wrench to change bits is key, and it comes with 1/4 and 1/2 inch collets. I have done most of my work with it in the table which was easy to set up. I bouth a rasmuessen plate, then I photocopied the router base and punched holes in the paper for a template. Worked perfect. The only difficult part was that it did not come with bolts to attach to plate and the instructions did not list the size, so I had to take the router to a hardware store to find the right metric bolt.

I have made some raised panel doors with no problem, the variable speed is great to slow it down for the big bits. The three turret stop is nice except when mounted upside down, the stops have a tendancy to loosen and fall out, then get stuck in my dust collection and so on.

Using it free hand is no problem despite 14 pounds and 3 horses. The large handels and low center of gravity make it easy to control.

My only gripes are these.
1. I wish it would come with a collet extender for use in a table be able to remove the plunge so I could the bits a bit further in.
2. 4 or 5 turret stops would be nicer.

Thats it, other than that the router is perfect. If you don't have a router, this is the way to go, it has virtually no limits. My next one with the 621 for my free hand work and dovetails, but for now, this one dose it all.

Very Disapointed, don't buy it .
I bought my first 625 at a wood show a little over a year ago to use it in a router table and lift from Incra. For the first 11 months as I was using the router very little it worked excellent. At 11 months the motor control burnt out and was repaired under warranty. After being repaired I was given an additional 90 day warranty. At 120 days after the main bearing seized up. Since I have a dedicated router lift for this router I decided to by a new one from Amazon. The router took 3 weeks to get even though the site said it usually ships in 24 hours. After the router did show up and was mounted in my table, I got 2 hours use before the main being again burnt up. I have now been trying for 3 days to return this router to Amazon so far no luck. The return center said it will send me an email with a shipping label but so far after 3 days no email. I have asked for a return shipping label several times and nothing. I am at a loss at how I can return this router to Amazon. I will not buy another Dewalt router after this whole experience.

dewalt vs router
used this unit only 5 times in two years. the final time i used it the speed control burned out. dewalt wanted $107.50 to repair it. total time in used over the two years was less than one hour.
i replaced with a hitachi. ... Read more

Features

• Includes one year limited warranty on parts and accessories.
• Powerful 2-1/4 HP, soft start motor, 12 amps
• Variable speed 10-23,000 rpm, Electronic feedback, Table top heght adjustment, handle switch access and spindle lock
• Premium 1/4" and 1/2" self releasing collet system for easy bit removal
• Includes plunge base with machined brass post bushings, quick motor release, thumb rotating depth stop, templet guide sized sub-base, removable springs, and bulit in dust collection

Features

• 100% sealed ball bearings and dust proof switch
• Powerful 1-3/4 hp, 10 amp motor
• Electronic variable speed from 10,000 to 27,000 rpm
• Easy to use Micrometer depth adjustment
• New "lever-release" height adjustment for ease of use either in a table or hand held

Reviews (3)

Porter Cable 690LRVS - Five Star Features
I recently purchased the Porter Cable 690LRVS router to replace a store brand model I have used for several years and it has all the features I desire in a router. Most all the work I do with a router is with the router mounted to a small router table and I found the 690LRVS especially good for this use. The 1001-T2 base is an excellent design and makes bit height adjusts easy and precise. The lever lock feature and the pin guides in the base allow easy and precise adjustments with simply a quick release of the lever lock and a twist of the motor to raise or lower the bit height. (The motor diameter is just right to grasp and turn with one hand.) Even mounted upside down under the table, the bit height remains where set without having to support the motor with the hand to keep it from dropping down before re-engaging the lock, as I had to do with my old router. Even so, the router motor is easy to remove from the base if need be to use the motor in another base for off table work or for bit replacement. Athough the 690LRVS does not have a shaft lock feature, I have no problem replacing bits using the two wrenches while the motor is under my table. The opening in the base is just big enough.

I like the sealed rocker ON/OFF switch, rather than a toggle switch. And, the variable speed feature is great to be able to adjust the speed for different wood hardnesses and bit sizes. (My old router accepted only 1/4 bits, so its great having the 1/2 bit capability with the 690LRVS.)

Only adjustment I had to make for the 690LRVS was that I had to modify my router table mounting hole pattern to mount the 1001-T2 base to my store brand router table. The 1001-T2 base has a 4 inch center to center spacing for the mounting screws, whereas my router table had a 4 1/2 inch spacing.

Great router. Definitely 5 stars!!

Solid Improvement to an Industry Standard
I received this Porter Cable router from Amazon in hopes that it would fit in my JDS Multirouter. It won't, because of the lever's requirement to pop out to approximately 1-1/2" from the body when released.

BUT...

No big deal... I just switched bases with my old PC router, and I'm up and running. So, in case you're wondering if this motor fits the old bases, it does.

After that, I tried the new router, and here are my observations... First, some people complain about the switch being changed from a toggle to a rocker, but I don't mind that. Neither is particularly easy to switch on and off, but between the two, the rocker (shielded by rubber) is probably less likely to accidentally turn on if accidentally bumped by something (e.g., a cord).

The soft start is not the same soft start that the big PCs have. Those machines have a VERY soft start. This router's soft start is a fast one... In fact, if I hadn't known it was a soft start and hadn't A-B'd it with my other 690, I would never have noticed it being a soft start.

The main thing this router brings to the table is the variable speed coupled with the 1-3/4HP motor. The two together enable the use of big bits (which need to turn slower but also need more power). My big 1-3/4" cove bit (yeah... it's really that big) works a lot better at the slower speed afforded by this router. My old 690 always burned the wood a little with that bit... not this router, though.

The locking lever is nice... No more breaking your thumb on that tiny bolt mechanism on the 690.

Other than those differences, this router has one other important feature -- it still adheres to many of the industry standards set by the 690. The base plates, etc. are interchangeable, which means there are a lot of jigs and add-ons that will fit this router.

I highly recommend this as an all-around router... whether for table use, for freehand use, or used in a horizontal positioner like the MultiRouter (but as mentioned, in that case will require a standard base, not the lever base).

5 Stars!

Great Router
First of all I was really impressed with tool cribs service, I recieved my router in just 4 days, which was nice because I could get started on my project right away. The 690RLVS router worked perfect, it went through red oak without a problem and the height adj. was simple to use and quick to change. I really enjoyed using this router. I give it 5 stars. ... Read more

Features

• 100% sealed ball bearings and dust proof switch
• Powerful 1-3/4 HP 10-amp motor
• New "lever-release" height adjustment
• Easy to use Micrometer depth adjustment
• 1/4" and 1/2" self releasing collets standard

Reviews (6)

Good router
I got frustrated with my Craftsman Professional router when I apparently bought the only model that didn't support their guide bushings. So, I went out and bought this Porter-Cable router so I could use my dovetail jig. Like others, I find this router to be great for doing hand routing, and like other reviewers, I don't like where the switch is located. I'm so afraid that I'm going to do a number on my arm sometime when I'm not careful, because you actually have to lift one hand off the router in order to turn it on and off. That said, it has a very solid feel and I use it for all my hand routing needs (the Craftsman router is now permanently attached to my router table)

Porter-Cable 690LR
The only way to improve on perfection, is to add more power. There is alot of quality built in to this router. It is light wieght and easy to handle. It will accomadate all of your bits with it's easy to change 1/2 and 1/4 collets. I am buying a second one. The first is mounted in my router table and the second will be for free hand. The new lever release allows for perfect bit hieght adjustments. I own about 5 different routers, the only one's I am keeping are my Porter Cables. The track record speaks for itself. I also own the Porter-Cable 7529, 2HP, 5-Speed Plunge Router.

the perfect first router
I have the older 1.5hp version of the 690. I haven't used the updated one but the basics are the same. It glides through wood without hesitation regardless of the bit style or depth(within reason of course). It spends 95% of it's time in my router table where it lives quite happily. In this application, I find it to be ideal for my hobby needs. Even the older screw-type motor lock works well.
If you are looking for a first router or one to put under a table, look no further, you've found it. The only thing that is a drag is having to use two wrenches to change bits, but not many routers in this class have a spindle lock. The collet design is outstanding, by the way, so you don't have to worry about bits sticking.

Everything's fine but the switch
The P-C 690 was a classic. Without doubt you'll go through a hundred cabinet shops and 95 of them will have several 690's in production use. This updated model has some improvements but incorporates one major step backwards. The 690 motor lock was terrible. The new over center latch design is much improved over it. However, the 690 had an extremely easy to use toggle switch that was far, far superior to the tiny rocker switch being used on the 690LR. Why P-C made this change I'll never know. When something is spinning at 28,000 rpm (why they increased the speed from 23,000 on the 690 to something this high is another mystery) you want to be able to turn it off as easily and quickly as possible. The new switch makes this far more difficult than the old. Also the new switch is much harder to change out than the 690's if it goes bad, a common problem with routers since they have to eat so much dust. So thumbs up for the lock but thumbs down for the switch.

Fine workhorse of a router
This router is uncomplicated in design. It is no frills, and all the parts are tough. It will stand up to years of use. The brushes are easily replaced. The collet design requires the use of two wrenches (supplied). While some like having a one wrench design with a built in shaft lock, not having the lock will prevent damage from the common accident of engaging such a lock while running. The depth is set by rotating the motor in the housing which has spiral tracks. A mark on the housing notes how far you have rotated and a marked ring lets you see depth changes as little as a 1/128 inch.

Down sides are that the track can get banged up a bit, so don't expect perfection in the raising and lowering, and you have to be sure the motor is seated in the track to be sure the depth adjustment is accurate (technically known at the backlash problem). Also, this router gives a kick when it starts rather than being soft start. You have to anticipate the small twist that develops with starting.

I really like the collet. It is nicely machined, industrial quality and holds 1/2 and 1/4 inch bits using two inserts . Never had a bit slip or get damaged. The flat top of the motor makes it easy to change the bits. The guide bushings are also work well, but the opening is small, and if you want to run bits bigger than an inch you will want to make a base out of Plexiglass. The base holds on with a few screws and it is easy to make a custom base. The base of the router is ideal for putting in a router table because it is not spring loaded and the motor moves up and down very easily by just rotating it. (I bought an extra base just to put permanently in my router table.)

Just a real nice router. Four stars instead of five for the kick on starting. I'd buy it again if I needed an additional router, but there is no way I'm going to wear it out in hobby use. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Bosch recently introduced routers that they claim have the highest power-to-weight ratio in the industry. We believe them. The 1617EVSB is one member of Bosch's new Magnesium line. This variable-speed router features a stout, 2-1/4-horsepower motor coupled with an all-magnesium base and housing. The result is a well-balanced and smooth-operating machine that offers fast results in demanding applications. We love the nicely finished hard-maple handles that make this router feel like a fine-woodworking tool. Something Bosch engineers are proudest of is what they call the "precision centering system," which makes the router bit track at true center. It's an important feature for multiple-pass applications, like jig cutting, and fine woodworkers will particularly appreciate it.

Ease of height adjustment is a way of measuring quality in routers, and Bosch has come up with a system that works as well as any we've tested. A large flip lever releases the motor for adjusting. Rather than twisting as the height changes, the motor raises and drops in a straight path. The result is a simple and smooth-working course adjust that couples with an efficient microadjust to make fine-tuning the depth of cut easy and accurate. Another feature we like is the reversible motor, which lets the user place the switch and cord on either side. It's good for lefties, and for those of us who get annoyed when the cord always seems to be in the way. The collet is self-releasing, which means there's no need to tap the spindle to change bits, and the collet depth is 13/16 inch, a few 16ths deeper than that of DeWalt or Porter-Cable--one more weapon in the Bosch battle to for a truly centered bit. --Mark McDonald ... Read more

Features

• 2.25HP/ 12 AMP Motor 8000-25000 RPM - Most powerful in its class
• Variable speed - Match speed to workpiece and task
• Coarse and microfine bit depth adjustment system with resettable depth indicator - Constant-response© circuitry - Monitors and maintains desired RPM for consistent performance
• Tool-free templet guide adapter for fast and easy templet guide changes
• Large 3-3/4? base opening plus 2? subbase opening accepts large bits

Reviews (36)

It has its problems
I hate to be a party pooper to all the folks who love their 1617EVS router, but I've owned this machine for three years, and it has its problems.

When using this under a table, the height adjustment mechanism becomes clogged with dust and makes it difficult to adjust the height.

When using this freehand, the on/off switch is a little awkward to use, and the smooth wooden handles can get a little slippery when working in the summer months with sweaty hands. For free hand operation, I like my lowley Craftsman better. The handles are better suited for getting a firm grip, and the switch is built into the handle. For doing freehand work, I would recommend getting a D-handle router such as the Bosch 1618.

I've made a number of raised panel doors with the 1617. The bit I use is 2.5 inches in diameter. This router will work, but you will have to take 3 or 4 passes to get the profile to 3/8 deep. In the three years I've had this, I had to replace the on/off switch twice. Probably working the router too hard with the panel raising bit.

For using the router under the table, I would definately recommend the Bosch 1619EVS (see my review).

This Router made me a Bosch Believer
I had never bought a Bosch product before and needing to replace my cheaper craftsman ...router I did a lot of research. I went to a wood worker show and let PC, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee etc tell me about their routers. After the reviews and the sales pitches I bought the 1617EVS. I love the variable speed, not only for the softstart, power and speed adjustment for various size bits but also it adjusts the power to maintain a constant speed when the bit is under load. The contant speed mean a lot when routing Hardwoods - there is no burning in the softer areas due to bit speedup. It is extrodinarialy light weight and easy to handle. The bits are self extracting (no stuck bits) and they are dead center. Adjusting the height and depth is quick and the fine adjustment is in the thousands of an inch. The only thing I wish they had is a locking hub so you didn't have to fiddle with 2 wrenches to change bits. It also came with a quick release attachment for various size router ring inserts. Finally when mounted in a table you can drop the motor out of the mount with a simple quick release lever (no wrenches here) and change the bit and then replace the motor with very little effort.

For a change I feel like I made the best decision. Now I'm planning on purchasing the Plunge attachment that should be available soon. No buyer regret here!!! I'll be buying other Bosch tools if they are of the same quality as this. I already own there 5" orbital sander.

Best router I've ever used
After using a variety of Craftsman and makita routers, I settled on the 1617EVS to use in a Bosch RA1180 table. I've used it for almost a year now and I am pleased. It is smooth, powerful, and well made. I have used it for raised panel doors, edges, grooves and dadoes. I have used it freehand with a dovetail jig. It has done everything I have asked of it without fail. I do have one complaint about the round base. There is no flat to run against a straight edge guide. Dust will build up in the adjustment mechanism when used in a router table, but this is a problem with all routers I am aware of. It is a simple matter to remove the motor from the base occasionally to clean it. I have also used the accessory edge guide and the dust collector attachments and they work very well.

Best ROUTER on the market!
I researched routers and bought a few before the Bosch 1617EVS. I mounted the router in a Rockler router table and it is without a doubt the best router in it's class period! I build furniture and needed something to take both hard and soft woods. I have made raised panels without any problems. If you could love a router, I would love this one. Good job Bosch.

Smooth performance
It's quiet, smooth, and powerful. I bought this (with the dual base kit) to replace my 20 year old Black and Decker 1.5HP router. The Black and Decker is now permanently dedicated to my dovetail jig. I have used it on oak and cherry. It really goes through the wood smoother and quicker than my old router.

I would have given it 5 stars if it had an above table height adjustment. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This is like an amusement park for the woodworker, right out of the box. The trusty Porter-Cable 691 router has that wonderful D-handle with the power switch mounted right where you want it, and it delivers 1-3/4 horsepower and 23,000 rpm without fail. Add to that the plunge base, one of the best in its class, yet another fixed base, and Porter-Cable's own router table. Porter-Cable's clever auto-release collet system pops bits right out--no more tapping and coaxing. We've always liked Porter-Cable's accurate micrometer ring-depth adjustment, too. The table is a nice, compact 19-3/4 by 16-3/4 inches, big enough for your work piece yet not a space hog. We were impressed with the 2-1/2-inch dust port on the rear cutter guard as well as the split-fence design, and the miter gauge rode snugly in the slot on the model we tested. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Powerful cutting action
• Machined aluminum motor housing
• 100% ball-bearing construction
• Quick-adjust split fence

Reviews (17)

Great value, but shaky table
I got this kit at Home Depot during their Christmas Eve sale. The router is everything I had heard it would be, and the combination of bases is perfect.

The D-handle base solves the problems people have with the top-mount switch; the plunge base is perhaps not the ultimate plunge router, but not many will use the plunge feature enough to care. You also aren't paying for the ultimate plunge router here, and the 690 is relatively light and easy to handle compared to the 3-1/4 HP models. (Curious, isn't it, how the jump from a 10 amp to 15 amp motor results in a 216% increase in horsepower? You learn that trick in Marketing, not in Physics class.) It is easy to set depth stops, the action is smooth and the depth lock is positive and easy to use. I like the third base, to leave installed in the table; it makes moving the motor in and out of the table a snap.

I agree with other reviewers that a spindle lock would be handy, but I can live with needing two wrenches. After all, you are still going to need to pick up one anyway, so it's no big deal to pick up two. The releasing collets are a nice feature; whoever said that he had trouble getting the bits out didn't read the instructions. Just turn the collet nut out till it hits the C-clip, and turn a little more; the bit comes loose.

The router has plenty of power, and is rated to use up to a 2-1/4" diameter bit. So if you want to use this as a shaper and push 3-1/2" raised panel bits, you should look elsewhere.

I have two main complaints with this set; first, since there is more than one base included, there should be one of each size of baseplate furnished; it is silly to put the small-hole baseplate, for use with template guides, on both of the non-table bases. This means that when you want to run a cutter larger than 1" diameter you must go to a tool store (the hardware store probably won't have it) and buy the 2-1/2" hole baseplate for extra.

Second, the table leaves a lot to be desired. Of course you aren't paying very much for it; there are plenty of router tables that sell for more than the price of this whole set. I figure I actually paid maybe for the table over the price of the motor and bases in the set; it is certainly worth that. My sample had a tight-fitting miter gauge, and it interchanges with the clamping gauge and the tenon jig from my table saw, should I need the additional functionality. I was able to improve the function of the fence considerably by replacing the two boards on the split fence with a single 6" wide piece of birch plywood, appropriately cut to clear various bits. I removed the guard, as it made it impossible to run stock thicker than 1-1/2", or most boards on edge. Watch your fingers if you do this!

P-C says that the table must be firmly bolted down for use; if not bolted it is certainly flimsy. To maintain the portablilty, I attached two 30" 2x4's crosswise front and back with carriage bolts, and fasten them to a couple of sawhorses with deck screws when I want to use the table. I find 42" to be a perfect height.

As someone else mentioned, the table is intended only for use with P-C routers.

If the table were better, the package would be 5 star
The router and the interchangeable bases are excellent. It is great to be able to switch one motor easily between 3 bases (table, D handle, and plunge). It is easy to adjust the height in the table, since it is a helical mount...just turn left or right to go down or up. The price on the package is fair.. what you are paying for is primarily the motor and the 3 bases... I estimate about [$$$]. This means you get the table for about [$$]. Thats not a bad price for the table, but its not the best table either.

In summary, its a great package at a fair price. If you are looking for something to raise panels, you may want to get a variable speed router with a smooth table. For all other projects, its great and I would buy it again.

More Problems...
I've had this router work station for about 8 months now. I've probably only logged about an hour of run time on it and have encountered several problems. Shortly after I started to use it, the power switch fell out of the cover. I looked by this thinking that porter cable is known for good quality. The switch still won't stay in. After about the 3rd time of using it, it got stuck in one of the bases and I spent several hours trying to remove it. It's only done that once, but it was so frustrating to deal with at a time I needed to use it. The plunge base has moved on me a couple of times while running, like it doesn't stay locked into place. Most recently, It started to make some noise while running it. I began to notice small pieces of plastic falling out of the cover. I removed the cover and found that the 'Plastic' fan on the motor arbor had completely sheered all of it's fins off. I also noticed a piece of wood in with them. Obviously, a small sliver of wood had fallen in the motor(because there's no protection from this while in the table) and removed all of the cooling fins on the fan. Now, I need it again, and I must send off to be repaired. I know that industry is moving to a lighter and cheaper way to make things, but plastic in some things is just not durable and reliable. It may just be me having all of these problems, but I just simply haven't had much luck with this setup. The table is extremely shakey, it works, but I would rather use a home made one rather than this. The table is definitly not worth the money. I like the ergonimics of porter cable, but I'm honestly not completely sold yet on quality of their new products.

Router is Great - Table is a Joke
but it *can* be made useful...I bought my PC router and table kit new (including the floor stand that is not included here) and materials to make the table top and fence useful. I threw the aluminum top and the dippy "fence" away and salvaged the remaining pieces for reuse with a shop-made top and fence. TIP: Buy the PC 69x router combo kit (fixed & plunge) but build your own table and fence.

Best value for my money!
This is my fifth router. I bought it for the small and light jobs. Router is impressive. Table is rock solid. fence may need improvement, but acceptable, and I entend to "fine tune it". When you do the calculation, I got the table and the fence for [a low price] What a deal!
Thanks Amazon, Thanks Porter- Cable. ... Read more

Features

• 19-3/4 by 16-3/4-inch table
• Dust collection hood size 2-1/2-inch

Reviews (11)

Porter Cable Drops The Ball
I am usually a big fan of Porter-Cable products, but this one is a dud. The fence is clumsy and hard to adjust, the miter gauge slot has substantial slop in it, and ridges in the table are rough and sometimes mark work. I bought it as part of a 3 piece kit - the "Ultimate Router Workshop." The cost was less than as a stand alone piece, so I'll probably keep it. If I had purchased it as a stand-alone item, it would be returnsville! If you're serious about owning the PC 1 1/2 hp routers with both bases, purchase them separately and pony up the extra cash for a more refined table. You'll thank yourself later.

Don't kid yourself- this is a quality tool
I was surprised to see sub par reviews for a porter cable tool but I thought the price was right so I went ahead and bought it. Let me say that this is a top notch router table. I understand the difference between quality tools and cheap imitations and you won't be dissapointed with this. The fence is a two-parter but it's so easy to adjust that it shouldn't scare you away. Plus, it lets you use shaper bits to make mouldings and fancy edges. The $$$ price tag with free s&h made this guy a steal...

Overlooked design fault
I only bought this machine yesterday but found a design fault almost straight away. I only found it because it almost cost me a [$$$] panel raising bit! The problem is that the ring inserts for the table vibrate and jump when the machine is in operation. I'm surprised that PC have overlooked this dangerous design fault. Either use some wooden or perspex ones or find a way of securing the metal ones whilst in operation. Everything else about the table is fine and it would have received 5 stars but for this fault.

Not up to PC standards I expected
I just bought one of these and already am having second thoughts about keeping it. Like alot of others, I thought by buying a PC product it would be top of the line. First, the table looks unfinished with both the front and back wide open. Second, the darn thing only has two inserts. One with a small opening and the other with a huge opening. I think everyone that reads this should call PC and complain about that. How much trouble could it be to provide another insert with this table. Oh yes, by the way this metal insert (nothing but a big washer)just lays in the the hole unattached and bounces around when in use.
Lastly, this router table is better than some I saw, but then again it should be...[for the price].

nice little table
As a hobby woodcrafter, I find this table quite adequate for my needs. I've seen the high priced/high quality tables and I'm clear this is not in that league, but for what it is designed for, it does very well.

I only have a couple of complaints, but most of them have been worked out so that they aren't an issue.
1st, the table casting was rough, so I filed the burrs smooth.
2nd, the table top doesn't appear to be totally rectangular, though the infeed and outfeed sides are parallel and that's all I care about.
3rd, you only get two insert rings. It would be nice to have at least three.
4th, the insert rings don't sit flush to the table, they are a tad short. This only causes a problem with very short work pieces and larger bits.

That's about it for complaints. At first I thought the dual fences were a bit fiddly, but I got used to it quickly and can set it up fairly fast.

I haven't had a problem getting the fences to lock square to the table. I find using a large rafter triangle really helps speed this process up.

I really like the switch located on the outside of the leg as well, that's way nicer than having to reach under every time!

My miter gauge and slot seem to work just fine and are square to the fences.

Overall a great little hobby table, but probably not to useful for any real production work. ... Read more

Features

• Carbide tipped for smooth routing and longer life
• Bits fit 1/4" shanks
• Cover a wide variety of router applications
• Storage case to keep them all organized

Reviews (1)

Great Product for a Great Price
I purchased the Columbian 33036 bit set with the intention of having professional percession bits while saving money, and that is exactly what happened. This set I recommend for those of you just starting out learning the many uses for a router, because of the versitility - and for those looking for a professional grade bit set. The only complaint I have is that the case could be made more durable, however, it does secure the bits firmly and displays them very clearly. Overall, this is the best deal for a router bit set. ... Read more

Features

• Includes one year limited warranty on parts and accessories.
• Powerful 2-1/4 HP, soft start motor, 12 amps
• Variable speed 10-23,000 rpm, Electronic feedback, Table top heght adjustment, handle switch access and spindle lock
• Premium 1/4" and 1/2" self releasing collet system for easy bit removal
• Includes plunge base with machined brass post bushings, quick motor release, thumb rotating depth stop, templet guide sized sub-base, removable springs, and bulit in dust collection

Reviews (5)

disappointed
The 890 router is a fine, quiet machine. However, the grip-vac and plunge bases leave a lot to be desired. I have only found one type of router operation in which the dust removal functions adequately-template routing of dishes. All other operations, free hand or on a table less than 10% of chips and dust are removed. Additionally, the dust port on the plunge base is too small for any vacuum hose/fitting I can findand I finally rigged a dodge 318 bypass hose to facilitate connection to my shopvac. Since dust and chip management were my primary for selection of the 890, I am very unhappy with this purchase. Yard sale bound. Maybe I should have waited for the arrival of the new MLCS

Deficiencies
Overall, it's a fine system, and I'm glad I bought it.
However there are some astonishing design blunders:
1. On some of the plunge bases, the depth indicator is made of translucent plastic instead of transparent. This makes it impossible to read the depth indicator.
2. The spindle lock actuator on the plunge base is completely disfunctional. The motor unit cannot be brought down far enough to engage it.
3. With the dust shield in place, it's impossible to make above-the-table bit changes. Worse yet, with large bits, the entire unit must be removed from the table to change bits. Without the dust shield, above-the-table bit changes are quite easy; but you get a lot of dust sprayed around.

Very nice fixed base unit, OK plunge base unit
I bought this set mostly for use in a Bench Dog RT150 router table with the fixed base. Wanted the GripVac base for occasional "out of the box" use where the vac feature would be nice. The fixed base/motor work REALLY well in the RT150. The motor release and height adjust controls are very accessable through the cabinet door and the accessory top-side height adjust knob, though a free mail-in item, is not really needed. The only things you have to reach for are the speed control (easy), on/off (easy), and the collet lock (less easy, but tolerable). The motor is very quiet, the soft-start "way cool", and power more than adequate. The clear plastic sub-bases ae less impressive. Seem like polystyrene, but I hope they are something more durable that that. I am less impressed with the plunge base. It's OK, but compared to my P-C 7529 plunge router, it's pretty crude in features, but then it only added $30 to the cost of the fixed-base router and $6 of that is for the plastic base that can take guide bushings. Too cheap to pass up. An annoying thing about the plunge base is that it has a 1" dust port, but the location makes it very inconvenient/impossable to use with P-C's 1" dust hose. Somebody stopped thinking too soon in the design stage. No fine plunge adjust, either. I give the GripVac base 5 stars and the plunge base three, so an average of four. Overall, a very good product and worth the money. Sure wish P-C was less stingy about warranty. Milwaukee does "lifetime", why does P-C only do 1 year? By the way, the CD they give you with the kit includes a video of instructions on building a simple router table. Unfortunately, the audio periodically fails. Not a big thing, but it does make P-C look bad to ship such a thing. I think they need a little Demming influence there.

Great going, Porter-Cable!
I recently bought this router to supplement my Milwaukee 3.5HP table router. I have, thus far, been nothing but impressed by this new offering from P-C. It is, by far, one of the quietest routers I have yet to use (other than the original Elu I used in Europe). The dust collection system is functional, the multi-point accessible power switch is a great innovation, and the general feeling of solid quality is P-C at its best! If I had any complaint, it would not be against P-C - it would be that you really should peruse the manual first - I didn't notice the additional switch access until later (who uses manuals anyway, until they have a problem with a product).

disappointed
D
-
base looked good, but plastic subase did not fit properly due to poorly machined router base. The adjustment knob also could use work in that it was too close to body to allow ease of turning. I have an ELU and PC 690 which are fine. Will likely try the Dewalt 621 next. I did SO want the dust collection aspect! ... Read more

Features

• Precision machined, cast aluminum bases for more durability and accuracy
• 5.6-amp, 7/8-hp motor
• Tool-free base change, height and edge guide adjustment
• Spindle lock button
• Includes plate guide followers, solid surface skis and kit box

Reviews (5)

Great on doors too!
This gem rocks for hinge and striker mortise template cuts on doors and jambs. The 5" round disk accepts standard router bushings. The size and weight are great for the job! Try it; you'll love the results!

Comparison User
I have both this trimmer and the comparable Porter Cable 7301. The Porter Cable is the better designed and somoother running unit. For the price difference I'd get the PC model.

Not a bad machine just not as good as the PC model.

De Walt Accessories
De Walt is the top of the line, but I have one complaint about their Laminate trimmer kit and it is that if you want or need a seaming base you have to buy it as an accessory. The facts are that it is nothing more than a duplication of a base already supplied with the kit with a small roller guide attached to the base and they both are exactly the same except for the small guide that will fit in either base.
In other words it should be supplied as part of the kit and not as some accessory, lets add some value to your fine name.

Acceptable but not quite what I expected
That other reviewer sounds more like a Dewalt rep than someone who has used this tool. It is a well made tool. I'm not always happy with the way Dewalt designs tools. Some of the parts in this kit are rather kindof flimsy. For the most part it is acceptable for what I will be using it for. If I had it to do again I would buy Porter Cable.

the best trim router money can buy
While Dewalt tools are known to be top notch, I can say without a doubt the trim router package is by far one of the best investments you can buy. It combines all of the versitility of a standard trim/finish router, while giving the addition of a seamer, an offset base and an angle base. therefore if you want the most bang for your bucks, you cannot go wrong with the Dewalt Dw673K 7/8 HP Trim Router Kit. It is amazing how easy and yet light weight the unit is. It has far surpassed all of my expectations. ... Read more

Features

• Laminated MDF fence faces, chip guard and mounting hardware included
• Separate adjustable infeed and outfeed fences for versatility
• Twin adjustment knobs offer superior accuracy and infinite adjustability
• Cast and machined aluminum and steel construction for durability
• Integrated dust collection port helps keep work area clean

Reviews (9)

Fine fence for the money
The ALEPSH-5 expansion brakets are now available on Amazon. I ordered the fence and the expansion kit and received them in fine condition. Freud has redesigned the expansion option for larger base plates. It is no longer an aluminum plate that bolts to the bottom of the fence. It is now a pair of brakets that attach to each end with press fitted bolts. Mine went together easily. The attached brakets fit snuggly and are solid as a rock. I'm using mine on a table extension for my table saw and it works great. It would be nice, however if they included the expansion kit by default. I'm sure most people will need it.

Great Fence for Home Built RouterTable
I knew of the issue with the mounting width before building my table, so I installed the insert to fit the fence (rotate the insert). It gives the functionality of a shaper fence. As long as you pay attention to the base width, this is a great fence with very good accuracy!

Not worth the hassle
Should have read the reviews before ordering this thing. No instructions, won't fit my base, can't get the extensions to make it fit, Freud website is junk and their customer service is abysmal. Selling mine on eBay since the 30 days has expired. Looks great, but looks are truely deceiving.

Great idea poorly executed
Bought the SH-5 to outfit my newly made custom router table. Within minutes of opening the box I knew I made a mistake. The fence itself is a well designed and crafted product, however, this doesn't do much good if it can't be installed. There were no installation instructions, nor contact information for customer service. Then, after working with the unit for awhile, it became evident that I needed the ALEPSH-5 extension plate to make it work with my insert. Good luck finding one. I was unable to find any information on Freud's website, and when I called them, they directed me to a dealer in Florida. They didn't have one, didn't know when they could get one. I gave up and am in the process of returning the unit to Amazon.

Freud Router Fence: Beautiful Construction/Difficult to Use
I bought the fence to install on the extension table to my table saw, so had no pre-drilled mounting holes. The entire device is beautifully made, with a focus on precision of settings. However, there were NO installation instructions or telephone numbers for support. As I worked through, it became obvious my router plate was too big to accomodate the fence. For the cost of the plate and the fence, I can buy an entire new router table, fence and accessories! Regretably, I finally packed it up and returned it to Amazon. ... Read more

Features

• Includes fixed base, plunge base, edge guide and wrenches.
• Variable speed control dial for precise speed to match material being cut.
• Electronic Speed Control monitors and maintains rpm under load.
• Soft Start feature for smoother and safer start-ups.
• Exceptionally quiet with a rugged aluminum motor housing.

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Provides a smooth finish cut
• Easy one-wrench bit changes
• Micro-set depth-of-cut-adjustment
• 100% ball-bearing construction

Reviews (7)

No substitute for the Porter Cable 310 production router
While this trimmer might be fine for quick roundovers and the like, it lacks the refinement and precision necessary for fine woodworking and production work. Careful observers will notice that the base and motor are not perfectly perpendicular to one another. There is too much slop in the height adjustment mechanism and set knob. Too, the base itself is not perfectly flat (place a sheet of 400 grit sandpaper on a flat table and run the base plate over it a few times. High and low spots will quickly become apparent.) All in all, the 7310 is very underwhelming in its quality and precision. As far as the "Rotozip" style trimmers go, the DeWalt and Bosch models offer better quality and refinement then this PC, though they, too, suffer from some of the same problems.

By far the better alternative is the tried-and-true Porter Cable 310 production router. This model has long been a favorite of professional cabinetmakers (the guys in my shop own two or three each), but it is somewhat unknown to the woodworking public at large. It is not made for mass market consumers (Home Depot/Lowes don't carry it), and PC has instead promoted the 7310 trimmer as its mainstay trim router. The 7310 trimmer, however, is but a shadow of the 310. Read some of the reviews on the 310 and you'll see what I mean. The 310 is truly a fine machine. At $100, the 7310 is not a great value. At $159, the 310 is worth every penny. Spend more now and you'll be very satisfied with the knowledge that you own the very best. More importantly, your work will show the wisdom of your choice.

Sadly, Porter Cable no longer sells the excellent offset, angle, and other optional bases for the 310. If you need these you can acquire them used or new-old-stock, but they are getting harder to find. The premium prices of these trimmers and optional bases found on Ebay attest to the loyal following the 310 has. These bases are available for the 7310, but you will still have to deal with the inferior design and quality of that trimmer. Again, go with the DeWalt or Bosch if you need a complete trim kit with all the bases. If you don't need them, get the 310 and you'll be set for life. You'll be glad you did.

Lame Base
I've found the height adjustment clumsy and the knurled knob to be hard to sufficiently tighten by hand (it creeps with use). The best trim router out there is their 310P production trim router.

This is the one to get
When reading Woodworking with a router, I noticed the author stated, that after getting a standard size router, your second router should be a laminate trim router. It is so versatile. Since it is smaller than most routers, it is more manageable. Shop made jigs using a router, are best done with one of these. Since it takes the standard 1/4" bits, it makes it a convenient, multi use tool.
If you do a lot of counter top, laminate work, their combo pack, with the different bases, is the top choice. Saves a lot of money over buying the individual bases.
I looked at some overseas, and the Ryobi model, and decided to spring for the Porter Cable. The metal base, and fine adjust feature, and metal housing, set it apart. This is a professional level piece of equipment. Should give you many years of trouble free performance.
When you are doing fine work, the lightness, and ease of visibility afforded by this router, is unmatched.
If I had to be critical of it, I would say that when changing a bit, I remove the base, which isn't that hard, for easy access. The base is designed to come on and off real easy, since it is one part of a multi base system.
All in all, definitely 5 stars. The more you use it, the more it will become your favorite one.

Great little Machine
This trimmer is a real pleasure to use; great balance, comfortable for extended periods of use. Its drawback seems to be the difficulty in changing bits, the 1/4" bit shanks are extremly tight in the 1/4" collet. Overall it is one of the more well balanced laminate trimmers that I have.

JEWEL OF A TOOL
This little router works great!
I find myself using the 7310p router where I used my
heavier routers before.
It's great for cutting out laminate pieces and trimming.
It's also great for those chamfers, roundovers, etc. along a long narrow edge where a larger router is harder to hold level down the edge.
It fits in your hand well for one hand work and is easy to use
holding it sideways.
It's kind of loud, but what router isn't?
ANYONE WHO OWNS A ROUTER SHOULD HAVE THIS IN THEIR ARSENAL FOR THOSE 1/4" BIT JOBS. ... Read more

Features

• 24 piece carbide master set - 1/2" shank
• Includes a handy reusable case
• Set contains the most popular types and sizes of bits

Reviews (2)

A great set for medium-effort projects
I almost bought the Freud that's featured on this site, but after thinking about it, I really couldn't justify the huge expense. This set is much larger (24 pieces covers a lot of potential routing needs), the case is a little easier to manage and carry around, and the price is so much better. I needed to round the edges of some bi-fold doors to make them fit a space, and the 1/2" round over (with bearings) worked perfect in my Bosch router. I also needed to put a lot of shelf grooves in a wall panel and the 3/8" straight bit was just what I needed. They are solidly built, the bearings glide smoothly, the case is well organized, and the cuts were exactly what I hoped for.

I just feel that this set is an excellent choice if you do medium-effort projects and you don't want to spend a fortune on the bits.

Nicely made router bits
These carbide cutters are very well finished and so far have been very durable. Each one fits securely into a labeled holder to prevent contact with other cutter edges (which would dull them). They are made in China. ... Read more

Features

• Soft Start
• Electronic Feedback
• Variable Speed 8,000 to 24,000
• Fixed and Plunge base
• 1/2" and 1/4" Collates

Amazon.com Review

Isn't it time to chuck out that aluminum router table? Use this system once, and you'll never settle for less again. Freud has put together a complete router table system that offers precision, ease, and affordability all in one package. Freud is known for its routers, and this model is one reason why. This powerful, 3-1/4-horsepower variable speed workhorse is specifically designed to be mounted in a router table, unlike the typical plunge router. The large, easy-on-the-hands micro-adjust knob makes the most minute depth-of-cut changes while the machine is mounted--something other manufacturers should take note of. This router proves itself worthy with a soft start as well as constant speed and power under any load, eliminating the need for a shaper in the small shop or home workshop. Should you use this router out of the table, you'll find the controls are ergonomically placed for ease of use. The fence in this collection is the best we've seen for the price. A full revolution of the micro-increment knob gives .050 inch of travel, and there's even a dust-collection port. We'd like to see Freud put a little color on the gradations for better visibility, but that's our only complaint. A little Wite-Out would do the trick for the consumer. The high-pressure laminate top on the table we examined was super smooth, blemish-free, and perfectly flat, with an MDF core that will never warp. The aluminum T-track will take a standard miter gauge, too. We liked the rounded corners, having whacked a noggin on square corners before. Best of all, the top and base plate are predrilled for a perfect match. If you're mounting this saw on a Workmate, fear not--instructions are included. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Pre-drilled router mounting plate with snap-in reduction rings
• Complete router table system
• T-track accepts standard miter gauges and accessories
• Large 32-by-24-by-1-inch table surface
• Micro-adjustable

Reviews (3)

A little upgrade
The particle board(melmolene?)guides had too much flex so I replaced them with 2" X 3/8" X16" aluminum guides milling the same slots and recess as on the wooden ones. Now I have a perfict piece of equipment worth 5***** .Maby some one will make this available.

great value
worth every penny, great for a weekend woodworker not a pro

Pleasure
Frued PKG0024
As my use of the router has been increasing I needed something better than my old Craftsman 12X16 aluminum table with enough said about that.
I decided to take a chance on the frued system. Well I am completely satisfied, not one complaint. The router is super and the collett was already in so no problem there. I do agree that the collect nut would be better with more depth on the nut.
The fence is awesome doesn't have as much backlash in the adjustment than a good lathe. The plans for the base give surface dimensions that they recommend. Other than that they are useless. I consider this a good piece of equipment and recommend it in lue of building your own ... Read more

Features

• Limited lifetime warranty
• 1/4-by-1/2-inch lip
• Rings snap out to accommodate larger router bits
• Snuggers remove excess play
• Shoulder pin can be used to start freehand work

Reviews (16)

Rousseau Base Plate
Not a lot to say about this product. It is made of very solid material and is very easy to install. Getting the router centered on the plate is the hardest part of the install and this was made easy by the circle marks on the bottom of the plate. All you have to do is find the set of circles that is the same size as your router base and clamp or tape it down.

I would have given this product a 5, but the center rings are a little difficult to remove. I like to use the plate just as much out of the table as in so i am ordering another to install on my second router.

Rosseau router plate
I had some trouble getting my router centered in the plate. However, I found a way to overcome this: If it is a Porter Cable, collapse the router base all the way down until the base plate engages the collet nut. The nut will serve to center itself within the inner base plate removable rings. Sandwich the OEM router base plate between the router base and the new base plate. Use double sided tape to hold it in place. Now the OEM plate and the Rosseau plate should be stuck together. Set the unit up in a drill press and the OEM plate will have the holes located fairly close. Good luck!

Centering a Bosch router is easy
Bosch 1613 and 1619 routers (and probably others) have clearance holes for mounting to a Bosch table. You can drill the Rousseau insert plate using the circle patterns on the underside at those locations to get reasonably close to center, mount the router with 10-24 machine screws and nylok nuts, and center it using a Porter-Cable 1/4 inch template insert and a 1/4 inch drill rod chucked in the router. Snug up the mounting screws and you're done.

The plate fits very well, although it is JUST large enough for the 1619 without rotating it on the insert. I did use the Rousseau template to cut the hole and rabbet the edge; you can make your own using the instructions with the insert, but for $14-15 it didn't seem worth the time.

It's OK but its not flat.
Its actually pretty wavy. Received mine about 2 weeks ago and setting up a table for it. The surface has waves in it about 0.01 - 0.02 in depth. I was hoping for better. I may chuck it and start over.

Installation tip makes the Rousseau plate even better
I wanted to add to my other review. I must admit, the installation tip that I am about to discuss, I discovered by from installing the Bench Dog RT-250 router extension table. It is the way Bench Dog does their installation. The great idea is to use melamine screws, which have flat ends, and coarse threads to make an adjustable platform for the Rousseau plate to sit on. Ok, let me ramble.
The problem is trying to rout out the opening, at precisely the proper depth, so the plate is perfectly flush with the top. A little too deep and you have a valley. A little proud, and you have a ridge to run into, and run the risk of your workpiece coming to a halt. So what to do? Rout out a 1/16" or 1/8" deeper than is necessary. Then drill holes a little smaller than the melamine screw size all around the outside lip. Since melamine screws are not tapered, the threads are the same size for the full length of the shaft. You can look up melamine screws here at Amazon with a search. They refer you to McFeeleys, which is a great business, with instant service, and a full array of screws and fasteners. Much more variety than the usual home centers. They have a box of 50 available. Ok so what is the big deal about using the melamine screws? This is it, by using the screws with the flat tips, screwed in from underneath, all around the circumference, you wind up with a fine adjust system for getting the Rousseau plate, perfectly level with the table top. Combining that with the four countersunk holes in each of the corners for securing the top, you get an incredibly adjustable platform for the Rousseau top. I used 14 melamine screws, equally balanced around the circumference. It enabled me to fine adjust the plate so well, that I was able to completely eliminate the ever so slight crown in the plate. Although I did attach it to a wide base plunge router, which I am sure contributed to the leveling.
Since the adjusting screws are now the contact point for the base, you are now given a lot more freedom in routing the opening. For one, you don't have to rout up to the edge all the way around. You can rout to just one depth, and for example create 45 degree angle corner shelves under the plate, thereby creating greater overall stability of the greater table.
This melamine screw installation is not exclusive to new installations, it can be easily done with an already installed plate. That way if you are dealing with a small dip on any edge, it can be easily corrected.
I thank Bench Dog for turning me on to this installation method, and to Rousseau for making such a great router plate. Once you install any manufacturers router plate using melamine screws for adjustability, you will never want to do it any other way. Hope this helps. ... Read more

Features

• Fits a variety of routers
• Machined steel
• No rust

Reviews (6)

Best on the market
For hardly a little more than the cheapie template guide sets you get a very nice one from Porter cable. The nice thing about it is if you have a Porter cable or Makita router you simply slip the guide into the existing hole in your baseplate and secure it with one of the provided nuts. Insert the right sized bit and you are now ready to go to work on whatever guide you need to follow. Much nicer than changing your base out with one of those universal kits , which use three screws to secure the guide to the base. If you need a template guide kit , you can't go wrong with this one.

Porter Cable Template Guides appear to be the standard
I'm a multi router owner person. It seems that no matter what router I am using, they all accept the Porter Cable template guides. They work in the Dewalts, Makitas, or course the Porter Cables, as the description says, but they also work in the Fein Rt-1800, and with the Bosch routers as well with the adapter.
Template guides are useful when routing out a piece of work using a template as a guide. The appropriate size guide to accomodate the size router bit, simply attaches to your plastic or metal removable center base plate, using the template guide, and a threaded metal securing ring. The gap distance between the outer edge of the template guide, and the leading edge of your router bit, is the oversize dimension you have to make your template. The template guide prevents the edge of the router bit from touching your template. The protruding nipple-collar accomplishes that. To accomplished routists that earn a duh no kidding award, but to the new guys on the block, that is key to know, and opens up a new world, and a reason to buy the kit.
The Porter Cable 42000 kit is made out of white metal. Their are some manufacturers that make them out of brass, but this kit is hard to beat. The price is right, and it does the job more than adequately. My one gripe is that they are hard to remove from the metal base plate in my Fein. No way to grip the spinninng bottom that sits perfectly flush with the plate. A huge rubber eraser might help. :-) I plan on coating them with WD-40 so that ease of removal doesn't become a problem. All in all a very nice set.

Porter-Cable 42000 9-Piece Template Guide Kit
The kit that I received did not appear to be cast as some of the Porter Cable sets apparently have been, but they may use stamping in their manufacturing process because they are obviously not "machined" (as in cut on a lathe). However, I found that these steel guides do not work nearly as smoothly as brass guides such as those available from Oak Park. The reason may be the cadmium plating doesn't seem to be very smooth. The brass guides are quite a bit more expensive but are very well machined. When I bought my Leigh D4 Dovetail fixture, I was advised by the Leigh rep at the woodworking show to not use the PC guides. Leigh can supply guide sets that are very high quality machined steel. I bought the Leigh guides and found that they are just as good as the Oak Park brass guides, but I still prefer brass for its smoothness.

Porter Cable Template Guide Kit
This kit came with seven different sized guides and two threaded rings to attach the guides to the router's base plate. The guides seem to be sized correctly but the general quality of the guides is rather poor. The pieces are advertised as "MACHINED", but are obviously NOT machined as the threads on all the pieces are showing signs of either casting or stamping. While the locking nuts DID thread onto each guide easily, it was discerning to see something with PORTER CABLE'S name on it with such obvious flaws. (...)

Not Recommended For Use With Leigh D4 Dovetail Jig
I purchased this product, specifically, to use with the Leigh D4 Dovetail Jig because I wanted to use half-inch router bits to cut the pins and tails in a through-dovetail operation. When doing this the end of the board to be routed rests at a 90-degree angle against the underside of the dovetail jig. What I discovered is that the templete guides are too long for this operation -- they descend lower than the dovetail jig fingers. Of course, the board can be lowered to accomodate for the difference, but then there is no support for the finger assembly, resulting in unevenly-cut dovetails. This set of template guides is not the answer if you are looking to route dovetails using the Leigh D4 Dovetail Jig. You will want to find template guides that complement the jig without having to make unneeded adjustments.

This is in no way meant to criticize this product for normal routing operations. Again, I purchased this product for a very specific task and subsequently found that it was not the right tool for that task. ... Read more

Product Description

Porter Cable 9690LR 11 Amps, AC only, 27,500 RPM, 1/4" & 1/2" collets. Auto-release collet system ends "frozen" bits. Precision machined aluminum motor housing & base. Accurate micrometer depth-of-cut adjustment to 1/128". 100% sealed ball bearings. ... Read more

Features

• Complete with case
• Powerful 1-3/4 HP 10-amp motor
• New "lever-release" height adjustment
• Easy to use Micrometer depth adjustment
• 1/4" and 1/2" self releasing collets standard

Reviews (2)

A superior value
This is one of the best power tools I've ever owned. I am not a professional woodworker, but depend on a router for many household, furniture, and art projects (making canvas stretchers and picture frames.) I bought it a few years ago (90th anniversary edition #90690) to build a couch in oak. This one came with 1/4 and 1/2 inch collets, an edge guide,and a metal case. The finish is silver and not the putty color on other models.

This is my third, and I am sure, my last router. Previously, I owned a7/8 hp generic brand which burned out, and a
1 1/2 hp Sears unit that wouldn't keep from wandering down in the base, and also seemed to strain in all but soft wood.

The solid construction and slight 'kick' when turning it on were immediately very pleasing. The power was appreciated on that first project whether making 'step' joints, cutting mortises (using the template guide that I bought seperately), or cleaning up less that smooth saw cuts. I built a simple table for it that is extemely useful, turning the router into a basic joiner or a milling machine for picture frames and mouldings. Even the depth guide on the base is accurate and stays true.

The torque is much higher than that of my other routers, which makes it safer and seemingly incapable of binding. The plunge base would be nice, but I can make the plunge cuts that I require by hand. Not sure I'd do this with less than 1/2 inch bits though.

This is a great tool and a superior value.

A superior value
This is one of the best power tools I've ever owned. I am not a professional woodworker, but depend on it for many household, furniture, and art projects (making canvas stretchers and picture frames.) I bought it a few years ago (90th anniversary edition #90690) to build a couch in oak. This one came with 1/4 and 1/2 inch collets, an edge guide,and a metal case. The finish is silver and not the putty color on other models.

This is my third, and I am sure, my last router. Previously, I owned a7/8 hp generic brand which burned out, and a
1 1/2 hp Sears unit that wouldn't keep from wandering down in the base, and also seemed to strain in all but soft wood.

The solid construction and slight 'kick' when turning it on were immediately very pleasing. The power was appreciated on that first project whether making 'step' joints, cutting mortises (using the template guide that I bought seperately), or cleaning up less that smooth saw cuts. I built a simple table for it that is extemely useful, turning the router into a basic joiner or a milling machine for picture frames and mouldings. Even the depth guide on the base is accurate and stays true.

The torque is much higher than that of my other routers, which makes it safer and seemingly incapable of binding. The plunge base would be nice, but I can make the plunge cuts that I require by hand. Not sure I'd do this with less than 1/2 inch bits though.

This is a great tool and a superior value. ... Read more