Porter-Cable 693PK 1-1/2 HP Router and Plunge Base Kit

List Price: $390.00

Features:

• Powerful cutting action
• Auto-release collet system
• Precision machined aluminum motor housing and base, includes fixed and plunge bases for versatility
• Long lasting, smooth operation
• One year warranty/30 day performance certification

Accessories:
Empire Manufacturing TOOL-6D The Complete ToolSaver System	Porter-Cable 42690 Edge Guide (for Models 100, 690, 691, 693, 891, 892, 893 Routers)	Porter-Cable 5043 Magic Router Edge Guide	Porter-Cable 42188 2-1/2-Inch Hole Sub Base	Porter-Cable 42160 Standard Router Edge Guide

Customer Reviews:

Very good, and easy to handle. [Posted on 2002-03-15]
This is my first router so I have little to compare it to unless you count the one's I borrowed from friends and neighbors. But being that it is my first router I'm finding it easy to control, easy to make the bit adjustments, and easy on the budget. The only problem I'm having is that the clip that holds the plunge base to the motor often sticks making it difficult to seperate. This requires a little proding with a small screwdriver to losen it. Engineering on that part was a little off and they should have designed that component a little better. Other than that this is another great tool from PC. I would buy this product again.

Great versatile tool, but has a few compromises [Posted on 2002-03-20]
For home woodworkers, this is one of the best routers on the market. It allows you to permanently mount the fixed base into a table while still retaining the versatility of a plunge router. It's powerful, relatively free of vibration, and very well made.

One does make some compromises in choosing this over standalone plunge or fixed routers: most plunge routers (including PC's own dedicated 1.5 HP plunge router) have smoother action than this and more precise adjustments. The router is perfectly capable in this role however, and the average home woodworker will have no trouble with it as a plunge router. By contrast, this router is really excellent in a table: it's solid, quick to adjust, and relatively powerful. However, it doesn't have the power to drive the largest horizontal panel raiser bits, and to safely operate this router in a table you will need to buy a separate speed control.

I highly recommend Porter Cable routers; I think they are the best out there. If you're on a budget but still want a strong tool with lots of capabilities, this is absolutely the best choice. But if you have the money, buy the PC 3.25 HP fixed router for your table and buy the PC 1.5 HP plunge router for plunge work.

More Power Needed [Posted on 2002-05-23]
I bought this Router and it worked just fine, until I had to do some real work. It lasted about 3 weeks.

I was routing a 1/2 inch wide by 3/4 deep rabit on a piece of red oak, using the router in a table. I had four bords to rout. I was almost done with the second board when the router started to make rude noises. A few seconds later, it just quit, leaving large amounts of ozone tainted air and a very frustrated user.

It turned out that both brushes were gone, totally burned away. One of the brush contacts on the spindle was entirely fused off. The router is now scrap.

I would buy, and am now, a router with more horsepower if you intend anythin else but occasional weekend work. Do not expect this router to last under anything other than ossasional use.

Great buy [Posted on 2002-06-18]
I just purchased this router and have been greatly impressed. Sure, there may be better routers out there in terms of more HP or finer plunge adjustments and so forth, but they are alot more expensive. I've learned to be realistic with my tool buys. I'm not a contractor, carpenter or professional woodworker. That being said, I try to spend my money wisely on tools the fit my hobby - weekends spent in my little home shop building funiture (tables, bedframes, picture frames, etc.) for myself and friends.

That being said, this is really a great router. The double base is wonderful in that I know I won't have to purchase another router for a long time. I don't find swapping the bases to be that big a deal at all. Bits are easy to change in and out. The only thing that concerned me was that it was only 1 1/2 horsepower. I thought I should get a beefier router at 2 or 3 HP. But after using this router for several projects now, I have learned that 1 1/2 HP is clearly enough power for nearly any job out there. I've not had a single hiccup or hesitation. The motor moves through the wood like a knife through butter.

I've used this router for detail work, like cutting details into picture frames, and for grunt work, like etching out mortises for a bed frame, and it handled both with ease.

For all my fellow weekend warriors, I'd highly suggest this router.

money well spent [Posted on 2006-02-06]
I have had this product for about 5 years now. I had a craftsman router of the same class I got as a gift 1 year prior to this purchase that crapped out on me after 6 small uses. I am very pleased with this product. It is user friendly although I can't seem to become good at the plunge base. It has plenty of power smooth start up as well as what I feel will be a long life. Ignore the price tag on this one it is irrelevant. I'd pay more for this quality. This is my favorite tool in the shop.

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