Official Luthiers Forum!

the local lowes has a porter cable router , with the fixed base and the plunge base for $ 159.00 from the hand book it is either the 891, 892, 893 pk ,894 pk, or the 895 pk . is anyone using this router with success for luthery ? is it a bargain at that price? my first glance opinion is it may be a tad large for luthery operatios.. but I thought I woulk ask around anyways . its in the close out bin . thanks Jody

I like to use a laminate trimmer for general guitar work, because it's small and easily controllable. Any full sized router goes into a table for bigger cuts. Even for electric guitars you can use a laminate trimmer if you drill out most of the wood first before routing.

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Thanks for the replies ! I will see if it is still there this morning . Jody

Todd -
how does that compare to the 9690 LR - which is only 1 3/4 HP - but priced higher ? I just got the 9690 - should I have bought the 890 2.25 hp ? Mine is a non VS as well.

Thx
John

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I've used PC routers for over 35 years, they don't quit. I've had to replace brushes twice, but other than that they just plain run. I've got 3 690's and variants, use them all the time, had 2 for over 15 years and one over 20. Don't use the 2-1/4 horse much, but it's there if I need it. In the 30 plus years I was a cabinetmaker, I used them all the time and never had one quit. You can get fancier routers, ones with $$$names, bells and whistles, but PC's are flat workhorses.

I own/use a couple of PC routers (plunge & fixed bases) and a couple of Bosch equivalents.
Both seem quite durable and I would buy either brand again.
The PC 'fit and finish' is not nearly as good as the Bosch units, and the plunge mechanism reflects that - I always use my Bosch routers for plunge applications. (though I'm sure I could be happy with the PC unit if the difference was $100...)
The PC routers use stock guide collars; the Bosch needs a pricey adapter.

For any router above laminate trimmer size, soft-start is something I've learned to like a lot. I still don't like the 'kick' on startup on my non VS units- though I tend to run everything 'flat out' so don't use the VS feature.

A foot-pedal is an accessory I use a lot with my routers, BTW.

I'm sure you'll be happy with the PC unit, especially for non-plunge applications.

Cheers
John

That's a great router to have for the price . I've had one for years now and use it a lot with collars and mostly in the plunge base. If you check out my videos you will see that router use on my radius dish sled and in making tuner buttons just to name two. I also almost always use a foot switch with my routers. I also put a 3 or 4 way in line to control a vacuum and the router at the same time. I use foot switches on a lot of tools like my sanding station and my small bandsaw with my pearl cutting jig and I want to put one on the drill press too.

I like my footswitch a lot and I'm keeping my eyes open for when they come on sale cheap someplace local to me- I could easily use a bunch more.

One caution: Don't forget to turn off the power switch on the tool when you step away from the job, even for a minute. A couple of weeks ago I was working in the shop and my dog decided to join me and have a nap. He flopped himself down near my feet...I managed to grab the laminate trimmer before it did any damage!!
A few seconds of excitement there....

Cheers
John

I own and use most all of the routers discussed here(no Bosch Colt, though). Of all, my favorite has become the DeWalt 618 fixed/plunge kit. For stationary use I have 2 690's that are little workhorses-strong in their simplicity. My 890 series is in a Jessem table outfit(has the first run plunge base-not so good). My two Bosch 1617's are used by hand and in a Marlin Duplicator. My lam trimmers are one PC 310, 2 PC 7310 and the older Ridgid 2400 in the StewMAc True Cut binding jig.

The DeWalt has a very smooth and convenient plunge and gross depth adjustment more like the rugged little PC310 trimmer. Switch position is better. Depth stop can be trusted. Base centering kit comes with the kit. Next to it, I rank the Bosch(with Pat Warner bushing base. And I use Pat's offset bases on the hand controlled routers-across the board.) If that 893 kit is with the new plunge base, it is an excellent buy.