best router for router table

[Jim Riseborough]

I am looking for a new router for my table, my craftsman crapped out. I was thinking a fixed speed 1.75 hp from Porter Cable, or should I go with more HP?

[Myk Rian]

I have a variable speed PC 890 in mine.
If you stay with fixed speed, sooner or later you'll want a speed control for the big cutters.
The PC 7518 is a good router for the table, especially if you plan on using the larger cutters often.

[Bill Huber]

I agree, you don't want a single speed router in the table, there are just to many times you need to slow it down.

I think I would go no lower then a 2 1/2 HP, there are a bunch of them out there and to ask which is the best is like asking what is the best car.
I had a Bosch 1617EVS for a few years and have now upgraded to the PC 7518, I really don't know that I needed to upgrade but I did. I made a lot of raised panels with the Bosch with no problems at all.

[scott spencer]

More power means the router will have an easier time, so it's feasible that a bigger router could even last longer. Variable speed is a must for a RT. Some of the better 15 amp routers are the Milwaukee 5625, PC7518, Bosch 1619, DW625, Hitach M12V2, Freud FT3000, and Triton. A good 11-13 amp router can work fine too, but they work harder.

[Stephen Cherry]

You can't go wrong with the big PC7518, particularly if you are using bigger cutters. These pop up used, but not too often.

[Rick Fisher]

I believe the PC 7518 and/or the Milwaukee 5626 are the two best table routers available..

[Joe Scharle]

I have had a Milwaukee 5625 in one of my tables for 10 years. On the 3rd set of brushes and 2nd switch. For raised panels, can't beat it.

[glenn bradley]

I believe the PC 7518 and/or the Milwaukee 5626 are the two best table routers available..

Ditto. I've been running a Mil 5625 almost daily for about 6 years without a hiccup. I call it the locomotive.

[Bill Huber]

The big thing will be how much do you want to spend and how much power do you need, as I stated I use a Bosch 2 1/4 hp in my table for a few years and made raised panels with it with no problem. Now I am sure if I was doing raised panels all day long the Bosch would just not handle it.

A Bosch 1617EVS with both bases will run you under $200 and the PC 7518 will run around $350 so I think it all comes down to what you can afford and need.

[Jim Riseborough]

Im thinking this is the one I will get. Seems enough power!
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7518-Speedmatic-5-Speed-Router/dp/B0000222V3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354538947&sr=8-1&keywords=7518

[Mark Ashmeade]

Jim, I have that one, it's a beast of a router. I'd say it's ideally suited to permanent table mounting. I found it somewhat unwieldy as a hand-held due to its weight and bulk. Seems as though the the requirements (hand vs table) are in direct opposition to each other, and this guy definitely favors the table.

[Jim Riseborough]

Does anyone know if they make a above the table holder/adjuster for the 7518 router?

[Jim Foster]

Soft Start and and anything that may help w/dust collection are two key priorities I would use in selection. Lots of HP and speed control is also important

[TODD RAYMER]

I have the Pinnacle- Woodpecker router lift. It is a very nice lift. I use it with the PC 7518 router.

[Jim Riseborough]

I just looked at Grizzly website, they have the 5625-20 for $231, seems a awful good deal, anyone else see that?

[Paul Murphy]

Many people mount the 7518 in a premium router lift, it's heavy enough that the router lift turns adjustment chores into a precise and easy operation.

I have the 7518 mounted in an original Benchdog lift, but Woodpecker and Jessem also have many satisfied customers.

[Larry Browning]

Im thinking this is the one I will get. Seems enough power!
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7518-Speedmatic-5-Speed-Router/dp/B0000222V3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354538947&sr=8-1&keywords=7518

Jim,
I have this one in my table:
http://www.amazon.com/Triton-TRA001-Precision-Plunge-Router/dp/B00779ND0Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1354560615&sr=1-1&keywords=triton+router

It has the added feature of a built-in lift. No need to add one. Plus, its about $35 cheaper.

[Bill Huber]

Does anyone know if they make a above the table holder/adjuster for the 7518 router?

I have mine in a Jessem Master R Lift II and it works very well, I am sure the manufactures have good ones also.

One thing I will say about the PC 7518 and that is I was not happy with the collet at all and bought a Precision and it is one sweet collet.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?192180-PC-7518-collet-is-junk-I-replaced-it-with-a-Precision-Collet-and-what-a-difference/page2&highlight=collet

What I found was the snap ring was the wrong size.

[glenn bradley]

I just looked at Grizzly website, they have the 5625-20 for $231, seems a awful good deal, anyone else see that?

It is a good deal. I have 2 and paid more than that for each of them. The PC must be $100 better :D. Seriously though, both the PC 7518 and the Mil 5626 have a good fan base. We would have to have some folks who have bought units within the last year chime in to see if any of the manufacturer's incestuous merging, branding, painting wars have effected either of these fine tools. I sincerely hope not but, other favorites have come and gone.

[Marc Ward]

Jim,
I have this one in my table:
http://www.amazon.com/Triton-TRA001-Precision-Plunge-Router/dp/B00779ND0Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1354560615&sr=1-1&keywords=triton+router

It has the added feature of a built-in lift. No need to add one. Plus, its about $35 cheaper.

That is what I use, too. Hartville Tool with wn15 in the coupon code gets the price to $245.65 no tax, no delivery. I use the Woodpecker plate which is drilled for the Triton and works great. NO LIFT REQUIRED!!

[Mark Ashmeade]

I just looked at Grizzly website, they have the 5625-20 for $231, seems a awful good deal, anyone else see that?

That IS a good deal. I thought my 7518 at $309 was good, but that's a winner!

Bill H - did you get your free sander yet? Mine is apparently coming in January, despite having bought the router in August!

[Bill Huber]

Bill H - did you get your free sander yet? Mine is apparently coming in January, despite having bought the router in August!

No, I got the letter that they were out of stock until January just like you I am sure.

Mark, the $231 is for the Milwaukee, the PC 7518 is at $349.

[Larry Browning]

That is what I use, too. Hartville Tool with wn15 in the coupon code gets the price to $245.65 no tax, no delivery. I use the Woodpecker plate which is drilled for the Triton and works great. NO LIFT REQUIRED!!
I also have the Woodpecker plate. I got mine around this time last year. It was on sale for $199 at the time and went up to the $289 shortly after the 1st of the year. It is everything I wanted and more in a large table router. I actually used it as a hand held while building my table, and then mounted in the table when it was complete.

[Jim Riseborough]

The Porter Cable router arrived yesterday, and its a monster. I get some bits tonight, and give it a try. Its like holding a tank in your hands!

[Cyrus Brewster 7]

The Porter Cable router arrived yesterday, and its a monster. I get some bits tonight, and give it a try. Its like holding a tank in your hands!

As I was reading this thread I was going to suggest you get the "motor only" version. It can be had for $270 shipped. Well... you will like yours regardless.

[Jim O'Dell]

If anyone is interested, the link Jim showed at Amazon for the 7518 shows 325.00 right now. I bought mine 7 years ago from Amazon. Shame they don't have the same or similar deals they had back then. I won't tell you what I paid. ;) I have it in the Woodpecker PRL original lift. Couldn't be happier! Used it Sunday and Monday building a new clamp rack. Sweet setup. Jim.

[Brad Sperr]

I would opt for a fixed speed router with an external speed control that you can attach somewhere convenient on your table (I don't think any of the external speed controls work with variable speed routers). I'm using a Makita 3612 with an external speed control, and it works well.

[Jim Riseborough]

Well, I have got both routers now, so im happy, figure $250 for each one. Thanks for all your help. gonna play with them this weekend!

[Tom Esh]

I would opt for a fixed speed router with an external speed control that you can attach somewhere convenient on your table...
In addition to not working with VS routers, the external controls aren't the best solution for another reason. Since the external control only reduces power to the motor (no feedback), the torque drops off rapidly with the speed, which is pretty much the opposite of what you need with large cutters. The integral feedback speed controls apply power / torque as needed to maintain RPM. An ideal solution would be to separate the integral feedback VS circuitry from the motor housing. At one time Milwaukee had such an offering for it's big 5600 motor, but I've not seen it anywhere in long while.

[Brad Sperr]

In addition to not working with VS routers, the external controls aren't the best solution for another reason. Since the external control only reduces power to the motor (no feedback), the torque drops off rapidly with the speed, which is pretty much the opposite of what you need with large cutters. The integral feedback speed controls apply power / torque as needed to maintain RPM. An ideal solution would be to separate the integral feedback VS circuitry from the motor housing. At one time Milwaukee had such an offering for it's big 5600 motor, but I've not seen it anywhere in long while.

The external control I use from MLCS claims to have electronic feedback, so that you wouldn't lose torque at lower speeds when you needed it. Here's a link (http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/speed_control.html)to the product description. I haven't taken any big passes with larger bits since I set it up, so I don't know how well it works in those situations.

[pat warner]

There is no best router for a router table!
They're all compromises.
Not one of the 70+ routers are made for exclusive table use.
So just get a big motor with VS.

[Tom Esh]

The external control I use from MLCS claims to have electronic feedback....
They certainly beat running at only full speed, but I found I had to watch the feed rate carefully and maybe set a higher initial RPM to avoid bogging down. I've never investigated how the integrated type manage to work so much better. They may actually sense RPM or perhaps they're just better tuned to the particular motor characteristics.