Porter Cable Router

[Brian Palmer]

Woodcraft has the Porter Cable 1 3/4 HP router (690LR) on sale for $110.

I've got a $100 gift card.

Should this be my next power tool buy?

I've heard that a router is a tool with a thousand and one uses, but I've never used one. I would buy "The Router Book" as well.

Anybody have any comments on this particular model?

I've already got a skil saw, jig saw, drill, random orbit sander, and bench grinder, plus plenty of hand edge tools.

My wood working is pretty pedestrian, shelves, tables, and such around the house and repairs to the boat.

Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom.

-- Brian

[Thorne]

Routers are handy beasties, but it depends on what you will be building. A table saw, bandsaw, or cut-off saw might be a better purchase.

If you do get the router, look around for a router table for it -- makes doing fancy work a LOT easier. I **think** some makers of table saws make a mount for a router on those tables, so keep your eyes open for that combo if you are interested. Personally I hate table saws but sometimes they are the best/quickest tool to get the job done.

[Paul Girouard]

Thats a good solid router , there are others with other options , but your question basiically is it a good router , YES. I'd say go fer it!!!:)

[Benchdog]

Yes, it is a good router.
I'd get the book first and then decide if you need a router. If you can't think of anything to use it on then you probably don't need it yet.

[Bruce Hooke]

I use my router a good bit, but it all depends on what you are doing. Do keep in mind that the router is just the first step, then you need to get bits. A quick check on router bit prices will show you that you can easily spend as much on some good bits as you would on the router even without the gift card.

I am a fan of plunge routers, which this is not, but others have other opinions on this issue.

I use my router mounted upside down in the side table of my tablesaw about 75% of the time, but that mounting system is something I built myself. If you are going to get (or make) a router table, larger is almost always better.

[Jim Budde]

Lots of appications for a router in a shop The Porter 690 fixed base is a good basic router .. I believe you can buy a plunge base as an accesory so you get two routers in one. Put the fixed based in a router table and keep motor in plung base for normal freehand use.

[Lew Barrett]

The 690 is PC's basic (and older) medium sized router, and has been replaced to some extent in the market by the 890 series (I have one of those that's permanently table mounted and has been a fine trouble free tool), but remains a good basic router. I can't get by without a router and they are extremely versatile tools, so I'd say get it and a basic set of bits, then have some fun. Here's another recent discussion on the bits to go with the router.

http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=56725&highlight=router+bits

[michigangeorge]

I have two 690s with all the bases- love em!

[KNOCKABOUT]

There is no faster to way to completely #%$#^#^%# up a piece of good would than with a router... so practice and get familiar before you touch anything real.

[Rick Starr]

I have 5 pc routers of various sizes and configurations. They are simple, solid, dependable tools.

I just last week put new bearings into my PC 7518 which lives bolted to the table. It is a workhorse and a moneymaker. My Dhandled 690 series is still going strong after 12 years of professional use. Will need brushes soon, but that's easy.

good luck.