OK, finally going to upgrade to a "nice" router table/router.
Choice of router has me vexed. Application will be 90% in router table and just occasional free hand use. No real need to spin bit bits, so about 2 hp is ample. Also, already have a PC 7529 (which I am lukewarm about, overall) for plunge duty, so no real desire for another plunge router.
Do like the idea of top-side height-adjustment that all the title-mentioned models offer...a lot. Was a little pissed that while Milwaukee gives you the height-setting tool you should have with every router, P-C was only giving it to you in one of their combo units (with a plunge base), but I learned yesterday that they have a promotion going where you get the "$38" tool by mail with all 890 series router purchases through March when you send in your receipt and a coupon. Nice going guys, thing should be in EVERY box with each router.
Looked over the PC 892 (version of 891 w/o the dust collection option) and and Milwaukee 5615 (smaller brother of 5616) at Lowes and Tool Haus woodworkers store this weekend. Nobody around here sells the 8529, but it is mostly the 7529 with router table top-access added and some minor changes. Have read the several on-line usenet discussions about the 890 series and the handful of short discussions about the 5616 and 8529 looking for info, especially comparison. Have seen no magazine reviews of the 890 series and
5616.Looking over the 892 and 5616 I made a note of pluses and minuses:
PC 890 series Pluses Top-side router table height adjustment with (hurray) tool now supplied by mail Lock-pin so you only need one wrench to change bits (all routers should have this feature). Servo-feedback variable speed. Slow start feature.
Minuses Clear plastic sub-base supplied looks likely to crack easy and has extrusions likely to trap sawdust. Think plastic gadget used to prevent engaging spindle lock while motor switch is in on position is REALLY flimsy, although it's failure would not be a big deal. Chintsy 1 year warranty. Location of lock-pin for bit changes, locking clamp, and height adjustment means you will be doing some reaching around when thing is mounted in router table. Motor lock clamp is aluminum or magnesium and on the thin side at the end. I wonder if it will eventually crack off.
Milwaukee 5616 Pluses Wrap-around handle is pretty nice. Lifetime warranty! Nice big steel motor lock clamp. Height adjust tool with each router. Servo-feedback variable speed. Slow start feature.
Minuses Wrap around handle will probably eventually crack. You need two wrenches to change a bit. Utterly primitive design. My old $60 Skil router does it better! Sheesh! Do dust collection capability for free-hand use. How'd they blow that one in anew design?
As far as the PC 8529 goes, I know there is a $40 kit to retrofit my 7529 as far as the router table top side height adjustment feature goes. I know what the kit looks like (PN 907320, a threaded rod, two offset-wrenches, and the height adjust knob, template for drilling) and know you are supposed to drill the base in the 7529 to accept the new threaded rod at a point where there are re-inforcments in the Al casting of the base -- looks to be tricky. Also, It appears that the new rod is supposed to replace the height range set knob that is originally on the 7529, but it sure does not look like that is going to be a very good way to raise/lower this heavy router and expect it to stay perpendicular to the table top. Would love t see an
8529 to see how ell this really works.Anyway, anybody have any suggestions on which way to go.
Amazon sells the Milwaukee 5616 for $170, the PC 8529 for $200, the PC 892 (basic unit, no dust collection) for $190, and the PC 891 (dust collection plus one-hand use features) for $210 and you get $25 off if you spend $199. Sure wish the Milwaukee had dust collection and one-wrench bit changing.
Sigh.
- GRL
"It's good to want things."
Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist, Visual Basic programmer)