Porter-Cable 8529 2 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router

List Price: $444.54

Features:

• Floating measurement guide references mark on a table top to adjust to 1/128"
• Auxiliary handle inserts through 3/8"
• Dust collection prevents dust and chips from falling into router
• Low noise and vibration
• Highly adjustable and precise

Accessories:
CMT 800.505.11 13-Piece 1/2" Shank Router Bit Set	Porter-Cable 42700 Edge Guide (for Models 7518, 7519, 7529, 7536, 7537, 7538, 7539 Routers)	Porter-Cable 42000 9-Piece Template Guide Kit	Kreg PRS3020 True-FLEX Featherboard - Twin Pack	Porter-Cable 42690 Edge Guide (for Models 100, 690, 691, 693, 891, 892, 893 Routers)

Customer Reviews:

A good machine, but... [Posted on 2005-01-22]
I have to agree with many of the other reviewers who like this router for its smoothness, power,and low noise level. The grips are great, it plunges nicely, and the quality of materials seems top rate. However, my experience with this router has revealed two flaws that greatly detract from what would otherwise be a truly fine machine. While these flaws are not necessarily deal-breakers, those of you who are considering buying this tool may want to be aware of them.

First, as another reviewer has pointed out, it is impossible to accurately center template guides within the base plate. The user must screw the template guide holder into the baseplate, and since the holder does not precisely register into the baseplate, it is thus extremely difficult to accurately center the guides. If you use template guides and require even a moderate degree of accuracy, this flaw is a deal-breaker. Do not buy this router. On the other hand, if you never use template guides or plan on parking this baby in a router table, you'll have no problems. This would be a fine router for those purposes.

The other problem is another quality/design issue that can be remedied but is a moderate annoyance. On my machine, the release/locking lever for the plunge mechanism came loose on several occassions, making it impossible to plunge and lock the router at a desired depth. There is a small set screw in the lever mechanism that works loose and has to be constantly tightened and adjusted. This problem is not an isolated incident as it also has occured with two other cabinetmakers and their identical routers in my shop. In the end, having tired of constantly fiddling with our machines, the three of us adjusted the mechanisms as best we could, applied Lock-Tite to the set screws, and hoped we did it right because there would be no way to disassemble the levers once the Lock-Tite cured. Fortunately, the fix worked fine, and all three of us are happily using our machines without any problems. Again, not a deal-breaker and the problem was fixed, but this seems unnecessary for a $200 router.

The other router to consider in this price range is the DeWalt DW625 3 HP plunge router. Though it has more power than the PC 8529, it is the same size and weight. It's also variable speed and would be great in a router table. I've never been a huge DeWalt fan (many of their products seem overrated and overpriced), this seems to be an excellent machine. Several of the guys in my shop own them and use them for the dual purposes of plunge operations as well as major hogging through lots of material (the extra hp makes a big difference). Add it to your list of possibilities.

Great router, but folks should read the manual... [Posted on 2005-02-27]
This is a great router, with good power, excellent precision, and is relatively quiet.

That said, I feel I ought to address the issue with the guide collar mentioned in several other reviews. To quite: "it is impossible to accurately center template guides within the base plate." This and other statements to this effect can only be from users who didn't bother to read the manual. The collet is shaped like a centering cone, and when you fully plunge the router with a guide collet in it, it centers itself. Then you just tighten the screws. Actually, this is pretty much how you center every other router to it's guide collet, so I don't know if these other guys have ever used routers before...

Much improved over the 7529, by the way.

A weak 2 horse [Posted on 2006-02-15]
I like all the features of this router and for the most part, everything works great. This router follows the PC reputation of quality. I also have a 1 3/4 hp PC 690 and it seems to have more power than the 8529 which is rated at 1/4 hp more. Also, be careful with this router as I accidently dropped mine and the soft start circuit went bad. 80 some dollars later, I was back in action, but am really leary about buying another soft start router.
I don't much care for the trigger lock, but it works.

Waste of Money [Posted on 2007-03-19]
I've had this router for 14 months with minimal use. I was cutting 1/8" slots in 3/4" walnut and it burned up. I mean totally burned up. For only $20.00 more I bought the 3 1/2 HP Bosch 1619EVS.

piece of junk [Posted on 2007-09-08]
i have owned this router for two years and in the first 6 months the plastic knob to lock height adjustment stripped had to replace with a metal wing nut.the router will no longer hold itself in any plunge position without manually pushing down while routing.too much plastic parts that strip out. i have its bigger brother 3 1/4 hp plunger and it is a much better router well worth spending extra $ for.this router basically is a $150 dust collecter sitting on the shelf.

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