I can get one of these from Amazon for $130.00, wonder if anyone has comments pro or con. Primary use is dado and use with Leigh dovetail jig. I already own a Bosch 1617 and a PC7518 in my router table. Thanx. Tom
Excellent router. Not the beefiest model they sell, nor is there any dust collection built in, but bases are universal and it fits the Leigh jig w/o any extra templates. I know they changed the collar lock from a metal twist key type to a buckle-clasp, that looked plastic to me when I saw it in the store. I bought a fixed base model like you're contemplating 3 or 4 years ago. If I were to do it over, I'd spend an extra $50-$60 and get the combo unit with the plunge base as well.
Cheers! Dukester
I own two. Solid units, no problems over 7 years for the first one. Bought the first one with the plunge base and fixed base, and to me it's worthwhile to have the plunge capability. I got the second one as a freebie when I bought Delta's 15" planer when they had a promotion. I have the Leigh D4 and it works well with the jig. If I have the opportunity to pick one up used I'd consider getting a third, as I tend to leave roundover bits in one with the smaller collet, and use the other for 1/2 inch shanks. I would not recommend them for router table, but you have that covered.
Mutt
Well, if you buy a Delta X5 tool (I forget which ones), you can get that router for free. :-)
Hmmmm...probably the largest sold router in the USA and you were wondering how good it is ???
It still is the router most others are c> I can get one of these from Amazon for $130.00, wonder if anyone has
The McDonald's cheeseburger is the best-selling cheeseburger in the world. I guess it's also the best.
FWIW, I have a PC690. I'd like to get another one or three. I think it's a great router. Something else to consider is that there seem to be more aftermarket accessories that work with the P-C routers than the other brands.
todd
Good, basic, solid router. It's pretty much The Standard Router that most accessories are designed to fit, and it has had fewer problems than PC's more recent models.
I bought the Bosch 1617evs specifically to use on my Leigh DT jig. Probably a better choice than the PC.
A D-handle version of the PC 690 would be good for the Leigh jig. I just got one for that application and it's sweet. I wish I had two: one for the straight bit and the other for the dovetail. I have two of the 690's now, and the first one came with both the standard body and the plunge body. The plunge body isn't exceptional but it does OK.
The new cam handle is metal, and unfortunately it looks like it won't fit the older bodies. Wish it did. You can tighten a T-handle tighter with your hand than you can untighten it.
The 690 is a good, basic router. No frills, but the baseplate is sort of the gold standard for template guides. Everybody's template guides (except for certain Lee Valley sets) fit the 690. If you already have a 7518 for heavier work you'll do fine with the 1 3/4 HP of the 690. The 7518's just about fine for your router table.
Tom Dacon
I use mine in a router table all the time. Works fine. No pane raiser but if I was going to do that, I'd buy a shaper.
I am somewhat confused about the PC 690. For sometime I have thought that I would buy one but a while back I read several remarks on this site that this was not as good a router as I had thought and had told my sons. So what's the real low down?
Walt Conner
The basic router itself is a good router. Its just that most every one offers a better choice these days. Its yesterdays technology so to speak. If you like it and it suits your needs, get it. IIRC the plunge base is the draw back.
Nothing wrong with the plunge base on my 690.
Lee
I've been using a 690 in the plunge base a lot the last few days. my big complaint is that the stop rod has no fine adjustment. I can envision how to build one in, but it seems awkward. anybody made such a modification?
That's what the screws in the turret are for. Not real convenient but they do the job.
What was the recall? I never got any notice on mine
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