Grady Cowardin
07-20-2007, 1:08 PM
Decided to take Pat's advice and forego the Hitachi for a big bad Milwaukee (http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i13/qwikkota/tools1.jpg). Got a pretty good deal on it you know where and it was one of the older units but still new. Came with the 1/4" collet, extra grip knobs and extra sub-base that they removed from the new models.:D $260 shipped was alright with me. Hartville Tool has their pretty decent router table on sale for $80 this month which includes the insert plate, could barely build this myself for that amount. The fence (http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i13/qwikkota/tools2.jpg) I built a while back should work ok, can always improve upon it after finding its faults thru usage.
Quick Reviews:
Milwaukee 5625 - Solid feel, heavy motor construction. In pics the big handles look like hard plastic but the grip area is rubbery but solid, really grippy. Speed dial is nicely incremented and rotates smoothly. Flick the power switch and there is a second delay then the unit torques slightly and ramps up to speed. Even with the soft start it will move on you. To test it I used a 1/2" straight bit on some scrap wood and my toolbox across the way was quickly filled with shavings. Dust collection in the table will be a must. The unit lifts out of the base easily enough but not by accident due to release button in addition to the main clamp. The collet wrenches are the same size, a very wise idea but there will be no above table bit changes that's for sure. T-wrench engages a plastic drive on the end of the height screw, hopefully that is just a coating.
Hartville Tool RT - Not as thick as some manuf. but plenty heavy and of good size. The miter and t track slots had a small amount of play in them but when shimmed to fit tight they lined up very square to each other. They come loose in the box as does some stick on track measure tape for fence depth. The insert plate is pretty hefty, 3/8", no flex by hand and it should be ok for the heavy router but I will replace it with aluminum soon. The disc attaches very firmly and doesn't come out without some force but sits a tad high on the plate. Plate itself has levelers which is nice.
Any tips on router mounting? I plan to mount it with the handles running parallel with the miter track so that the adjustments are on the sides. The release latch will be on the back side but it doesn't require eyesight for use. Anyone see any disadvantages to this location? It will be in a enclosed cabinet with the handles removed. I have no clue what the slots toward the back of the insert plate are for so feel free to educate me.
Quick Reviews:
Milwaukee 5625 - Solid feel, heavy motor construction. In pics the big handles look like hard plastic but the grip area is rubbery but solid, really grippy. Speed dial is nicely incremented and rotates smoothly. Flick the power switch and there is a second delay then the unit torques slightly and ramps up to speed. Even with the soft start it will move on you. To test it I used a 1/2" straight bit on some scrap wood and my toolbox across the way was quickly filled with shavings. Dust collection in the table will be a must. The unit lifts out of the base easily enough but not by accident due to release button in addition to the main clamp. The collet wrenches are the same size, a very wise idea but there will be no above table bit changes that's for sure. T-wrench engages a plastic drive on the end of the height screw, hopefully that is just a coating.
Hartville Tool RT - Not as thick as some manuf. but plenty heavy and of good size. The miter and t track slots had a small amount of play in them but when shimmed to fit tight they lined up very square to each other. They come loose in the box as does some stick on track measure tape for fence depth. The insert plate is pretty hefty, 3/8", no flex by hand and it should be ok for the heavy router but I will replace it with aluminum soon. The disc attaches very firmly and doesn't come out without some force but sits a tad high on the plate. Plate itself has levelers which is nice.
Any tips on router mounting? I plan to mount it with the handles running parallel with the miter track so that the adjustments are on the sides. The release latch will be on the back side but it doesn't require eyesight for use. Anyone see any disadvantages to this location? It will be in a enclosed cabinet with the handles removed. I have no clue what the slots toward the back of the insert plate are for so feel free to educate me.