Which router for a "quick grab" router

[Aaron Hamilton]

I've noticed alot of guys around here seem to have their big router (PC7518 etc) and then a quick grab router to do quick roundovers, shallow mortises, etc.
Since there are sooo many routers from trim routers to 1.75 HP to 2.25HP, I was wondering if anyone can suggest one that would be light and stable enough to do quick roundovers on cabinets, table edges, do dovetails on the jig, and do shallow mortising for hinges and such. (I'd prefer a porter cable or hitachi)

Thanks!

[Rob Wright]

Aaron,

I would suggest a d-handle porter cable 690. I just love the stability, availability of accessories, and the ease of on/off. Also - can be picked up for good prices from time to time on Amazon. $0.02

- Rob

[David Tiell]

I'll second Rob's suggestion of the PC 690. Great highly reliable router that can be had cheaply enough to make well worth-while.

[Don Bullock]

...I was wondering if anyone can suggest one that would be light and stable enough to do quick roundovers on cabinets, table edges,Thanks!

I realize that it's not a PC or Hatachi, but for edging I've found that my little Craftsman (yes, I know some don't like C'man tools :o - I bought this set for $99 before I found WWing forums) router table and their 2 hp router to be a very handy combination. :D

http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00926501000?rgn=0,0,640,640&scl=2.56&fmt=jpeg

[pat warner]

THE router (http://patwarner.com/dw621.html).

[glenn bradley]

Milwaukee 5615 with the body grip. If I had a small plunge, I'd probably grab that.

[Aaron Hamilton]

Is there a plunge base for the pc690?

[Dan Stuewe]

Yep, there is a plunge base for it. It is the only plunge router I have and I have to assume others are much better, because if it is an example of a good plunge router, I don't know why people think plunge routers are so handy.

[David Tiell]

Yep, there is a plunge base for it. It is the only plunge router I have and I have to assume others are much better, because if it is an example of a good plunge router, I don't know why people think plunge routers are so handy.
I've never used the plunge base for the 690, but I've heard it's not the best choice available. But again, the 690 with the fixed base is hard to beat, although I have been contemplating the new Bosch Colt 1 hp palm router.

[Don Morris]

I have the plunge base the for 690. Works fine and they're bullet proof. The one I have is getting long in tooth. I understand their newer models have easier to adjust mechanisms...that's good because it's not the easiest to adjust, but they certainly are a work horse.

[Bart Leetch]

I say this tongue in cheek. This is a real nice small router & very quiet.:eek: :D :D In the pic you see I am mortising out for small hinges on a box I am building. I have the PC 690 single speed motor with D handle standard handle base as well as the plunge. I also have the PC 690 standard base with variable speed motor.

[Hoa Dinh]

Since you mentioned a plunge base, I assume you are interested in a multi-base kit.

I think the best is the DW618 3-base kit. My "quick-grab" router is the DW618 with a D-handle base. The fixed base is dedicated to a flush trim jig (it used to be in my benchtop router table). The plunge base is semi-dedicated to the EZ-Smart.

If you are patient and lucky, you can catch a DW618 kit during an Amazon crazy sale for cheap.

I'm not a fan of the PC690 plunge base. I bought several kits for the fixed base and the D-handle base, but always sold the plunge base.

My (former) PC690 kit (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/hoa_dinh@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762322157451)

My (current) DW618 kit (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/hoa_dinh@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762322156812)

[Al Willits]

Excluding the plunge feature, I find I'm using the Bosch Colt a lot, does a pretty nice job for a little router.

Al

[Aaron Hamilton]

OK, I'm hearing a pretty good arguement for the DW618 as my all purpose router (I do need the plunge feature).

For you 618 owners...how's the weight? I'm just worried a 2.25 hp is just a bit bigger than I was shooting for, but if that's what works...then I'll get it.

[glenn bradley]

David and Aaron,

I also have the Colt and would recommend it to anyone up to the point where a PC310 makes sense (that is, running it for hours a day). Very nice to use, more power than you'd expect. I'm looking to add Pat Warner's bases to mine.

It is not however, a replacement for a hand held router IMHO.

[Derrell W Sloan]

I second what Pat said (and that man knows his routers). The DeWalt 621 is an excellent router, best/smoothest plunge action, and great dust collection. If your just going to use it for hand held use then I don't see any real benefit in having the fixed base that you would get in a kit .

[Ray Dockrey]

I just bought the DeWalt 618 kit and it is very nice for the money. DeWalt is offering a $50 rebate right now and I was able to find the kit with the edge guide in it. I don't know if they all come with the edge guide but the one I bought at Home Depot did.

[Ryan Myers]

I have the PC 690 and it is a fine router. I have the plunge base which I am less than impressed with. I just picked up a Rigid laminate trimmer which has proved great for small profiling jobs. It is very well balanced especially when using "on edge" profiles. I would highly recommend it for a small handheld router.

[Jim Heffner]

I like the Dewalt 616 or the 618, these are very good routers and are easy to use. I have 6 routers and this one the (616), with regular or plunge base seems to be the one I grab for about everything I need to do. Jim Heffner

[John Mihich]

I use to grab my 690 for light work but since I bought a Rigid trim router I use it first. It's great for round overs and the price was fair.

[Rob Wright]

I just bought the DeWalt 618 kit and it is very nice for the money. DeWalt is offering a $50 rebate right now and I was able to find the kit with the edge guide in it. I don't know if they all come with the edge guide but the one I bought at Home Depot did.


Grizzly has the 3 base kit for $249 with a $50 mail in rebate. This is a great deal!

http://www.grizzly.com/products/h4616

- Rob

[David Tiell]

Grizzly has the 3 base kit for $249 with a $50 mail in rebate. This is a great deal!

http://www.grizzly.com/products/h4616

- Rob
That IS a great deal! If I didn't already have 5 routers, I'd be all over that.

[Aaron Hamilton]

Thanks to all you guys....I took the "plunge" (pun intended) and ordered that kit last night...and with a little coercing, I got Amazon to apply the 20OFFMAY promo code for another $50 off the kit (which shipped free) and has a $50 rebate. So I got the whole 3 base 618 for $150!! Woo hoo!

thanks for all the help guys!

[Brad Naylor]

I'd go every time for the DW 621. Light, powerful, dependable, and best of all it has dust extraction through one of the columns which actually WORKS!

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=113

I've got 4 of them, 3 set up for specific jobs and one for general purpose use. Just snap on the DC hose and away you go!

Cheers
Brad

[Todd Hyman]

Since you mentioned a plunge base, I assume you are interested in a multi-base kit.

I think the best is the DW618 3-base kit. My "quick-grab" router is the DW618 with a D-handle base. The fixed base is dedicated to a flush trim jig (it used to be in my benchtop router table). The plunge base is semi-dedicated to the EZ-Smart.

If you are patient and lucky, you can catch a DW618 kit during an Amazon crazy sale for cheap.

I'm not a fan of the PC690 plunge base. I bought several kits for the fixed base and the D-handle base, but always sold the plunge base.

My (former) PC690 kit (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/hoa_dinh@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762322157451)

My (current) DW618 kit (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/hoa_dinh@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762322156812)
Hoa,

I noticed from your photos that you attached the PC edge guide and dust colloector to the DW618. Can you tell me how you did it and what edge guide did you buy?

[Steven Triggs]

Thanks to all you guys....I took the "plunge" (pun intended) and ordered that kit last night...and with a little coercing, I got Amazon to apply the 20OFFMAY promo code for another $50 off the kit (which shipped free) and has a $50 rebate. So I got the whole 3 base 618 for $150!! Woo hoo!

thanks for all the help guys!

How did you convince Amazon to take the 20OFFMAY promo? Did you call them? If so, what did you say to get them to do it?

Also, where is the information about the rebate?

Thanks

[Howard Rosenberg]

I use the Makita 11-series plunge/fixed kit for the bigger heavier stuff.

Quiet, more powerful than the specs would suggest, extremely-well machined excellent balance and all P-C 69X-series accessories fit it.

But for the small delicate stuff that doesn't require as much power, I grab my Makita laminate trimmer.

TONS of power and a clear base.

The new ones even have a LED at the top of the base which I suspect would make trimming to pencil line for a template that much easier....

HTH
Howard

[Lewis Perry]

I have 2 PC 690's. They are ok but I hate the location of the on-off switch. Just bought a new 890 at a garage sale for $60 but I haven't used it yet. Do the D handle ones have the switch on the handle? On my 690's I have to let go of one knob in order to turn the switch off .

[Allen Bookout]

How did you convince Amazon to take the 20OFFMAY promo? Did you call them? If so, what did you say to get them to do it?

Also, where is the information about the rebate?

Thanks

Aaron, I have the same questions that Steven has. I looked when you first posted the prices but could not find anything about the rebates.

[Jim Becker]

12-13 amp multi-base "kit" is the way to go for your hand-held router. I happen to have the Dewalt DW618 kit (with all three bases) and love it, but there are a number of good choices available.