Affordable router for router table

[Mark]

Looking for an affordable router that I can permanently install into a router table. I only have an OF1000 an don't want to swap it in and out of a table but can't invest in an OF1400 to put into a table either. Bosch, Makita, Porter Cable? 3HP? I want a 1/2" collet so I can do some heavier routing without chatter. Mainly looking to learn to make sliding dovetails and maybe some light dressing of wood like a jointer.

Also looked at the JessEm router lifts but at that point I'm creeping into more money than I want to spend right now.

Advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[erock]

Porter cable 7518.  I have one on my incra table.  Sweet router!

Eric

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Ditto on the PC7815.  Nothing fancy, but lots of power and simple operations - what you need under a table.

 

[VictorL]

Festool OF-2000! Less than $300 with 1 year of warranty.

 

[GPowers]

+ 1 on the PC7815. Plus you can but the motor only PC7815 and save some money.

 

[btracey1]

The PC7518 gives you all the power you will ever need and it has a variable speed control that you will need when you start swinging the bigger bits. It will also allow for above table bit changes if you have the right lift for it.

 

[JPF Woodworking]

Great reading this thread- it is confirmation for me! Last week I bought the 7518 (motor only as stated above) for my new Jessem Lift. Dedicated router table is in the  making but I needed the extra power to push a rather large cutter for a mantel piece I am working on.

7518 Works really, really well. Variable speed is sweet. The cost at Rockler was $299. The Jessem lift ran just about the same when it was on sale at Woodcraft. For the total investment of $600 (approx.) I think I am ahead of buying a higher cost Festool router.

IMHO of course.

Best regards,

John

 

[billg71]

P-C 7518, hands down. If you can't afford a lift right now just screw it to the bottom of the table, it comes with 3" of depth travel and the collet will come down past the base.(but the Jessem MRL II is seriously sweet. You really need one).  [wink]

Heaviest fixed-base router on the market, most of the weight is in the motor and that means power and flywheel effect. Just about all of my old solid-surface people used it, that says a lot.

Just adding my +1

Bill

 

[polarsea1]

I guess I'm going to go against the tide here. I have one rt with an old original Hitachi M12V router that I like and another with a Milwaukee 5616-20. The latter is one fine router at a very reasonable price. I have enough money to buy any tool I want but seldom buy more than I need. The Milwaukee is big enough to do about anything you probably want to do on a router table.

Anyhow, raised panels are passé.  ;D

 

[honeydoman]

Yep the porter cable

 

[Julian Tracy]

I've got the Milwaukee 3HP router motor with the factory-supplied Jessem remote variable speed switch.

Also have the Milwaukee 2 1/4 multi-base router.  I've got to say I've been very impressed with the Milwaukee routers fit and finish and in use.

I've had the PC 690 kit, the Bosvch 1618 kit and now the Milwaukee, as well as a few festools.

The only hesitation I'd have on the big PC router is whether they're making it cheaper these days?  EVERYthing PC these days has been china-ized and made a bit cheaper.  Only way I'd buy anything PC is to buy it used.

JT

 

[joraft]

Put me down as another vote for the PC 7518. I've had one mounted in a Bench Dog ProLift for years. The two fit together so well you would think they were made by the same company.

I've had my 7518 for a long time and I'm happy with the quality. I've not looked at the newer ones to see how they compare.

 

[CharlesWilson]

I put a 7518 into a hinged router table frame that I clamp to sawhorses when I need to use it. I leave the router housing attached and remove the innards when not being used. Unlike John, my workspace is severely cramped.

Charles

 

[Ken Nagrod]

PC 7518 (technically 75182 for just the motor) in a lift.  [2cents]

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

The 3hp Porter Cable routers are supposed to be pretty much bomb-proof, and more than enough power for what you're asking. Another option is a 2 1/4hp router. I've heard mixed reviews about the PC 890s. The Bosch 2.25hp routers are nice table routers, you can probably pick up a fixed-base unit for pretty cheap.

 

[Sparktrician]

I've been using a Bosch 1617EVPSK motor in a separate base permanently mounted inside a Bench Dog portable router table for a bunch of years.  I have to agree, though, that the P-C 7518 is the way to go in a non-portable table unless you want to spring for the CMS and its flexibility.