Hybrid Pantorouter

[rbaker36]

I received the Hybrid Pantorouter from WoodCraft Solutions earlier this morning. Information about the tool can be found here:http://hybridpantorouter.com/.

The box was much bigger than I expected and it was heavy, 54.6 lbs / 24.77 kgs (excluding router). I tore into the box and began laying out all the pieces . . . there were a LOT! I wasn't able to begin the assembly right away because the company recently upgraded the tool and the online assembly manual was for the prior version. I ran some errands and did some chores and got back to it late this evening.

The assembly was pretty straight forward with great graphics. I'm sure I went slower than most would but I kept double checking my work. There was so much going on that I just wanted to make sure and get it right. Anyhow, I finished the assembly but I did not yet install any of the templates; I will do that tomorrow.

I just wanted to let you know that the machine is hefty, seems really well built, and appears to be of good quality. I would like to share with you that Mac at WoodCraft Solutions offers some of the best customer service I have ever experienced. I called him and left him a message when I realized the new assembly manual was not online. He called me back in about three minutes to tell me that there had been a problem with the upload but that it would be resolved shortly. He told me he would call me back and let me know when the manual was online and accessible. And Mac was good to his word; he called back right away to let me know it was posted. He also asked if I would let him know what I thought of the company's instructions. Very nice!

I will post some follow ups when I begin using the tool.

Cheers!

 

[egmiii]

I'm considering pulling the trigger on one of these and spoke to Mac this afternoon. I'm really interested to hear your overall thoughts on the product as well as how you plan to use it.

 

[rbaker36]

Comments About the Tool:
This thing is awesome! The PC890 router fits it like a dream and the system works flawlessly! I set it up like the instructions suggest and how Mac Sheldon describes in his video. I checked it for square and it was perfect! I inscribed my center lines on the template holder and table and the mortise and tenons are absolutely simple to cut and perfect. I will try the quatro mortise and tenon in the coming days as well as the box joints and dove tails.

Comments About the Company (WoodCraft Solutions):
I ordered my hybrid pantorouter a few weeks ago and received it a week or so later. It included new features that were significant and required new instructions to assemble it. The day I received it, I checked online for the instruction manual but it was the older version. I sent Mac Sheldon of WoodCraft Solutions an email asking about the instructions and he replied in about ten minutes! He apologized that the new manual was not online yet because of a computer glitch the day before. Apparently I was one of the most recent customers to receive the new version. Mac said the new manual would be online shortly and would call me once it was up. He did call, but I was with the wife and missed it. Not to worry, he also sent me an email with a link to the manual. Now that is customer service! But wait, it gets better.

I checked my emails today and saw that the hybrid pantorouter is on sale, $100 off. I was a little bummed because I had asked about any upcoming holiday sales and was told that there was going to be one but it would be for a Rigid router version. I'm not a Rigid router fan so I made my purchase. I sent Mac an email saying I wished I had waited the few weeks to make my purchase and he responded within five minutes. He said he understood how I felt and said he would take care of me. He credited my credit card $100 within three minutes of that email!!!!!!!

I am absolutely floored by the customer service. I believe Mac is an owner in the company and he is taking the time to do this for me, a regular customer. I love the tool but the customer service amazes me.

Final Comments:
I highly recommend the hybrid pantorouter! Take advantage of the $100 off with coupon code FALL-IN. You can order it here: http://hybridpantorouter.com/shop. You can also call Mac Sheldon at 503-650-9833 or email him at Mac@MacSheldon.com.

I am not affiliated with the company and make no money by endorsing it. I just wanted to let you know of a great tool and a wonderful company. If you do buy one, tell Mac that Rob Baker couldn't say enough good things about the company.

Cheers!

 

[benwheeler]

I'm also really interested in how the machine goes in practice. I hadn't heard of it until this thread, and just checked out some vids. Is the unit supposed to be a top shelf solution for all of the tasks it performs, or more of a space-saving all-in-one unit with some compromises?

 

[rbaker36]

I think it is in a class all by itself. It isn't as heavy or as expensive as the JDS Multi Router (http://jdstools.com/product/multi-router/) but it is stout, has substantial, weight and isn't cheap. It also seems to be easier to set and put into operation than the multi router. I may be wrong, but it also seems more versatile than the multi router.

Did you see the video of the bowl turner who routed unique shapes into his project and then plugged them--all using the pantorouter?

The pantorouter is also capable of doing more than face joining. It can do projects of infinite length by simply indexing cut boards. You can also make your own templates (requires fine work) or have them done locally on a CNC.

 

[Job and Knock]

For general use I'm not sure how much better that machine would be than a Domino. I certainly can't see it being any better at straightforward jointing - but worse it isn't portable so it couldn't, for example, be taken out and used for sash window repairs

 

[Svar]

For general use I'm not sure how much better that machine would be than a Domino. I certainly can't see it being any better at straightforward jointing - but worse it isn't portable so it couldn't, for example, be taken out and used for sash window repairs

True. But pantorouter can do much more than 4 sizes of elongated slots. It's intended for hobby or one of a kind items rather than standard production.

 

[polarsea1]

For general use I'm not sure how much better that machine would be than a Domino. I certainly can't see it being any better at straightforward jointing - but worse it isn't portable so it couldn't, for example, be taken out and used for sash window repairs

You can cut dovetails with the Pantorouter.

 

[Job and Knock]

For general use I'm not sure how much better that machine would be than a Domino. I certainly can't see it being any better at straightforward jointing - but worse it isn't portable so it couldn't, for example, be taken out and used for sash window repairs

You can cut dovetails with the Pantorouter.

You can cut dovetails with an OF2200 and a jig, for that matter. IMHO it's a bit of a sledge hammer to crack a nut iuf that's your intended use

 

[curiousdork]

I'm glad you're enjoying the tool!  I thought about getting one but ultimately held off on it.  The size of the table seemed really small and I'm not sure if it can support larger pieces.  I tend to build tables and larger'ish cabinets (at least what I am hoping on doing) and couldn't justify paying the money for something that I can do with my dozuki and a few minutes of my time.  It turns out that the setup for hand cut dovetails seems more forgiving than setting up a machine.  Then again, I'm not a full time woodworker either.  Maybe down the road when I've acquired the tools on my wishlist and I'm looking to blow something on, I'll get one.