129 Re: PC 693 router
Description
This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 4, by multiple authors.
129 Re: PC 693 router
From: sgs8r@hagar5.acc.Virginia.EDU (Steve Strickland)
Date: 1 Sep 90 17:26:04 GMT
I have the Ryobi R-600 3 hp plunge router, which I mostly use in my homeade
router table. Plunge routers are fine in tables, but you want to make sure you
can adjust the depth by some more accurate mechanism than simply plunging. The
Ryobi has a large knob to do this and it is easy to adjust with high accuracy.
I feel that HP is like RAM, speed, $$$, and thinness---you can never have too
much. Just be careful in the beginning until you get the feel of it. Big
routers generally kick a bit when first turned on (some supposedly have a
soft-start feature). Also, they are strong enough
to rip workpieces apart when routing against the grain; take lighter cuts even
though the motor isn't bogging down. A big router does better as a poor mans
shaper when in a router table and almost always does fine on little
jobs, but a little router can be a real pain on big jobs (not that 1.5 is so
small, and PC ratings are solid).
The only thing I don't like about my Ryobi is that the plunge "clamp" mechanism
(which you engage to hold it at a particular plunge depth) is a bit hard to
release (not such a problem in a table). The PC system is very nice in this
regard---better than any other on the market. But the 3 hp PC is close to $300,
whereas my Ryobi was ~$170. I have 2 other PC products which I love, but one
has to draw the line somewhere.
Since you live (or work) in Cambridge, trot yourself over to Woodworker's
Warehouse Outlet in Watertown (I was one of their best customers until my
recent move to VA) and compare features first hand. They carry PC, Ryobi,
Makita, Hitachi, Bosch, and others as I recall. WWO has probably the best
selection around---great for hands on comparison even if you ultimately
mailorder.
From: marshall@wind55.seri.gov (Marshall L. Buhl)
Date: 4 Sep 90 18:32:10 GMT
I just bought a PC 690 router, which is the fixed-based version of the
693. One salesperson recommended that (if you think you need plunge)
you get the fixed base model and mount it to the table and get the extra
plunge base. It's very easy to move the motor from one base to the
other (you have to remove it to change bits anyway). The extra base
costs about $100.
I haven't used mine for anything but test cuts yet, so I can't say how
good it is. It DOES have a great reputation.
>Spielman in his Router Techniques book says that he feels the 2 - 3hp
>routers are dangerous for beginners to use and should only be used by
>experienced operators...is this true? This is one of the primary
>reasons that I selected the 1.5hp model and not something larger....
I looked at the bigger routers before I bought the PC 690. They are
huge! I would have a really hard time wielding one.
Continue to:
My Books
