D4R, now I need a router? What do you like?

[Ed Lang]

I now have a Leigh D4R 24". I am going to buy two routers for it. Right now the Porta Cable 690 at $119 from Woodcraft looks fine.

If you have something you like a lot with this jig, let me know.

I have plenty of routers in the shop so this is not the first router for me. I am buying them for the D4R.

[Brad Schmid]

Hi Ed,

I dedicated 2 PC 690 fixed base routers to my D4. I think they work well in this application. I also use a Leigh dust pickup attachment and Fein Turbo II vac with them. It's not perfect, but it does catch a good bit of the dust. The only thing I'd like to change at some point is to swap the black PC bases with aftermarket clear bases for better visibility.

For the record, I think most brands of smaller fixed base routers (with low center of gravity) would work just as well, especially any one that can be adapted to use Porter Cable guide bushings.

cheers

[Hunter Wallace]

I used the PC 690 when I first got my D4 and had a lot of
problems with "chatter" or vibrations. I've ended up using the
DeWalt 2hp plunge rounter exclusively with it now. I don't know
if it has something to do with the collet or its center of gravity,
but the PC just wasn't as smooth as the DeWalt...

[Lars Thomas]

The 690 is the gold-standard of fixed base routers. I think that would be a good choice. Lars

[Jim Becker]

If the price is right, the PC 690 series fixed based router is nice for dovetail work. That said, I like my Dewalt DW618 better...feels nicer in my hand. Whatever you buy, the fixed base is important as they generally have a lower center of gravity and are easier to balance on the jig.

[tod evans]

ed, i`m really fond of the 691, same as the 690 only with a "d" handle..02 tod

[Ed Lang]

Just saw this at Lowes online...
Any guess about the quality of this?


Hitachi
Variable Speed Fixed Base Router


Item #: 118359 Model: M12VC

[tod evans]

never saw a need for another brand.......portercable has served me well for a long time...02 tod

[Hoa Dinh]

ed, i`m really fond of the 691, same as the 690 only with a "d" handle..02 tod
How about this PC690.5 (more than PC690, but less than PC691)? ;)

[Hoa Dinh]

Sorry. There seems to be some problem with photo upload. You can see the photo here (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hoa_dinh@sbcglobal.net/detail?.dir=e01c&.dnm=7b0b.jpg&.src=ph).

[Bob Noles]

Ed,

I sure am attached to my DW618's and still can't find the first reason not to love them :) ;)

[Russ Massery]

I use my PC690 with a Pat Warner offset base. And a 8mm collet that Porter Cable sells. The Pat Warner base uses what he calls a sundries. It aligns the base with the center of the collet. A big plus when using a guide bushing. Plus it's wider, put's more base on top of the fingers.

[Matt Meiser]

Another PC690 user. I have one of the original models and one newer one with the flip lock lever on the base and the nicer switch. I also have all three base types, but for the Leigh I use the D-handle base.

[Brent Smith]

I use 2 PC 690's. I tried using the 691, but found it awkward.

Brent

[Mike Hollingsworth]

I've had the big Dewalt, very smooth, but too heavy except under a table.
I could never get the hang on the adjustment on the Porter Cables. They never stayed where they were set after tightening.
I bought a little Milwaukee for hand work and it's great, very compact, not cheap.
They have a larger model now with more hp.

Check them all out. Maybe PCs are better these days.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I too just picked up a D4. The PC 690 was my choice.
Amazon will toss in shipping and you pay $123.00 total

[Ed Lang]

Sure seems that the PC690 is the one you guys use.

Who wishes they had the soft start?

[Tom Jones III]

I like a milwaukee fixed base with the body grip for using on the D4. It has a lot of the good points that people have expressed on this thread, low center of gravity, easy to adjust the height and the height does not change once you've set it.

My only complaint is that the power switch is very dangerous. I plan on installing a switch in the cord. The switch on the router itself is in a position that if you lay the router down in a natural motion from the body grip, then you lay the router right onto the power switch which then turns on, with the bit facing you and the router laying on it's side rolling around.