Jessem's New Pow R Tek Router w/ Speed Control Box (05200)

[Ben Rivel]

Has everyone seen Jessem's new router (LINK (http://www.jessemdirect.com/Pow_R_Tek_Router_with_Remote_Control_Box_p/05200.htm))? Is any one pre-ordering it?

I think its a cool idea and the fact that its not that much more than a PC 7518 motor makes it that much more tempting. In fact it kinda looks like it might just be a special version of the PC 7518. Maybe Jessem made a deal with Porter Cable to make this product for them. Love the idea of the display showing the RPMs as well as the external/remote control. My router is housed in a dust box so its not super convenient to access to change the speed.

[Nick Decker]

Looks to me like the same router being sold as Portamate and MLCS brands. I looked at Portamate when I recently upgraded my router table/lift. Might be fine, but I couldn't find enough reviews that I trusted, so went with the PC 7518.

That remote box looks nice, though, if it's accurate. The speed control slider on the 7518 sometimes leaves me wondering.

[Ben Rivel]

Looks to me like the same router being sold as Portamate and MLCS brands. I looked at Portamate when I recently upgraded my router table/lift. Might be fine, but I couldn't find enough reviews that I trusted, so went with the PC 7518.

That remote box looks nice, though, if it's accurate. The speed control slider on the 7518 sometimes leaves me wondering.
Boy youre not kidding. All three of those look like the same model:

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And neither of them really look like the Porter Cable:

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Thats a shame. I was hoping it would be the tried and true 7518 theyd be using. That other generic one they are all using, who knows how good or bad it might be.

Hmmmm.... Makes be wonder if I could rig up a tachometer for my PC 7518 somehow...

[glenn bradley]

Hard to get a foothold in an arena where PC 7518 and Milwaukee 5625 have ruled the roost for so long.

[Ben Rivel]

Hard to get a foothold in an arena where PC 7518 and Milwaukee 5625 have ruled the roost for so long.
True. Jessem's new product is the first attempt Ive seen that I think might stand a chance.

[Nick Decker]

Is there a box like that that would work with the 7518?

[Ben Rivel]

Is there a box like that that would work with the 7518?
No, that would have to be specially made hooked up to a specially made 7518.

[Chris Parks]

Now all they have to do is get over hanging the router from under the top and side mount it instead. These motors started to appear about 18 months ago but the first versions I know of had big problems with the speed controller and most failed. I have been led to believe those issues have been overcome but I think a CNC water cooled spindle is a better bet because they have a longer duty cycle and are very quite and have better chucks. A VFD is used with the CNC motor and that can be custom programmed to give way better motor control than a router motor.

[Ben Rivel]

Now all they have to do is get over hanging the router from under the top and side mount it instead. These motors started to appear about 18 months ago but the first versions I know of had big problems with the speed controller and most failed. I have been led to believe those issues have been overcome but I think a CNC water cooled spindle is a better bet because they have a longer duty cycle and are very quite and have better chucks. A VFD is used with the CNC motor and that can be custom programmed to give way better motor control than a router motor.
True, but will any spindles fit in any of the lifts out there?

[Patrick Irish]

I need a 3 hp for my incra table but I'd much rather buy the Mocs motorized lift. I'm not sure how often I'd change speeds during use. My table already has a switch on the outside.

[Nick Decker]

Seems like I change speeds almost as often as I change bits.

[Ben Rivel]

Seems like I change speeds almost as often as I change bits.
As with a drill press, you should be. Unless going from one bit to a similar size/type/function bit.

[Mike Eshleman]

It is possible to make a set up for a PC 7518 that is similar to the Jessem speed control box by using a Super PID to control the router's speed. I have been doing that with a PC 7519 for several years with accurate speed control. Here is what my set up looks like.

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Here is a link for more info on the Super PID: http://www.vhipe.com/product-private/SuperPID-Home.htm

[George Bokros]

It is possible to make a set up for a PC 7518 that is similar to the Jessem speed control box by using a Super PID to control the router's speed. I have been doing that with a PC 7519 for several years with accurate speed control. Here is what my set up looks like.

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Here is a link for more info on the Super PID: http://www.vhipe.com/product-private/SuperPID-Home.htm

This is interesting. Now be confident I could bypass the speed control on my 7518.

[Nick Decker]

That does look interesting, Mike, and I suspect that it's more accurate, because it's taking its information directly from the spinning shaft of the router.

Now, if somebody would package the speed control with the on/off switch in a nice little box...oh wait, maybe that's what Jessem did. :)

[Ben Rivel]

Now, if somebody would package the speed control with the on/off switch in a nice little box...oh wait, maybe that's what Jessem did. :)
They did, but they didnt do it with the PC 7518. No one seems knows how good that new router motor they are using is. It just hasnt been out that long.

[Josh Molaver]

I installed the Super PID controller on my router table which has the 7518. It's similar to the Jessem product - but clearly DIY vs this looks like a great out of the box solution. I enjoyed building it / but does require some electrical knowledge:

http://www.vhipe.com/product-private/SuperPID-Home.htm

[Ben Rivel]

It is possible to make a set up for a PC 7518 that is similar to the Jessem speed control box by using a Super PID to control the router's speed. I have been doing that with a PC 7519 for several years with accurate speed control. Here is what my set up looks like.

362332362333

Here is a link for more info on the Super PID: http://www.vhipe.com/product-private/SuperPID-Home.htm
That is pretty cool. I had not seen that before.

[Robert Stanton]

This ticks me off they started making this. I paid $425 for the PC 7518 and the speed control has failed twice now. I wish this was around when I purchased the PC.

[Doug Walls]

Jessem use to make a version called the Rout-R-Table Motor that used a converted Milwaukee 5625 motor.

It can be seen in a old Jessem Brochure.

Doug

[Doug Walls]

Bringing this old thread back up to see if anyone has purchased one of these re-designed Jessem Pow-R-Tek™ router/controllers?

Doug

[Ben Rivel]

Bringing this old thread back up to see if anyone has purchased one of these re-designed Jessem Pow-R-Tek™ router/controllers?

Doug
Ive read of a few people around the net that have them and have liked them so far, but the thing that always concerns me with any new product like this is the lack of a proven track record. Jessem makes good stuff, but they dont MAKE this router motor, and since we dont really know who does and what kind of track record it has, Im hesitant to replace my tried and true PC 7518 with one of these.

[Nick Decker]

Agree with Ben, no track record. I'll add the following, based on my own research:

There's an Incra tech named Mark (Mueller?) who I've had several email exchanges with, and who I tend to trust. He's a woodworker himself, and has never steered me wrong. Incra sells this router, so I sent Mark a couple of questions. I use a Muscle Chuck on my PC 7518, and asked him if, by chance, that same chuck would work on the Jessem router. I pretty much knew the answer would be no. Second, I asked him if he, personally, had used the Jessem router and if so, how did it compare to the PC 7518?

He quickly answered that he didn't have the taper specs for the chuck/collet on the Jessem, and that it would be dangerous to assume they were the same. Good answer.

The second question went unanswered. I can't be sure why, and I didn't press him on it, but I think it's possible that since Incra sells it he won't say anything bad about it. Total speculation on my part but there it is.

My 7518 is still, pretty much, fine but if it throws craps I'll revisit the Jessem system. Maybe by then we'll know more.

[Doug Walls]

Jessem makes good stuff, but they dont MAKE this router motor
The first one they offered the "Rout-R-Table Motor" was clearly stated that it was a joint product of Jessem & Milwaukee! I believe it was originally made in Canada, But now I'm pretty sure it's made elsewhere!


we don't really know who does and what kind of track record it has That's what has me a little concerned also!

Doug

[Ben Rivel]

My 7518 is still, pretty much, fine but if it throws craps I'll revisit the Jessem system. Maybe by then we'll know more.
Same here.

[Doug Walls]

using a Super PID to control the router's speed. I have been doing that with a PC 7519 for several years with accurate speed control.


I installed the Super PID controller on my router table which has the 7518.

Mike / Josh

Do either of you have any pic's or links showing how you bypassed the soft start circuit on the PC 7518/7519?

Looking at the Super PID instructions page, All it shows is having to join/solder the three TRIAC legs together, Where & how did you mount your sensors?

Doug

[Steven Klein]

I just ordered the Jessem Pow-R-Tek setup to put into my Incra offset router table top, Mast-R-Lift II router lift, and custom (for the offset table) NYW Deluxe Router Table. The motor is supposed to get here this week and I expect I'll be routing drawer lock and dovetails for the router table drawers this weekend. My Incra LS Super System doesn't get here for another couple of weeks (back ordered for 4-6 weeks) so I'll have to wait to add that.

[Chris Parks]

True, but will any spindles fit in any of the lifts out there?

I missed this the first time around. The big point is you do not need a conventional lift, using liner rails the spindle is side mounted and you just saved your self the coust of the lift and the top will not need to be such a hugely thick thing and will also be removeable so if a custom top is required for a specific job just lift one off and put another one on. The other advantage of using a spindle is that it is run via a VFD and using that gives way better speed control and it can then be used as a spindle sander if needed. I am in the process of building a table using this method but it will have full electronic control via a touch screen with memory for repeating jobs if needed but the electronic control is not necessary. Mine will have target dimension in it, put a dimension or height into it and the fence or lift moves to that target. Not for everyone and I can understand that but a manual version can be built leaving out the electronics.

There is absoulutely no need to buy an expensive router lift these days unless you have too much money. As for the Jessem motor we have just had one lose the speed controller which ws supposed to have been fixed when they were pulled from the market for a long time a few years ago.

[Curtis Myers]

I just ordered the Jessem Pow-R-Tek setup to put into my Incra offset router table top, Mast-R-Lift II router lift, and custom (for the offset table) NYW Deluxe Router Table. The motor is supposed to get here this week and I expect I'll be routing drawer lock and dovetails for the router table drawers this weekend. My Incra LS Super System doesn't get here for another couple of weeks (back ordered for 4-6 weeks) so I'll have to wait to add that.

How do you like the JessEm PowRTek router?
any issues?
Would you purchase it again?

all the Best
Curt