Router Advice

[dancam]

Well it finally happened...my 15yr old Hitachi TR12 router has bit the dust...so to speak. I was routing some raised panels in tiger maple and it just froze up on an end grain pass.

Well after 15yrs and thousands of bdft going thru it I guess it was time.

My question is, I used the TR12 in a Norm based router table and I need to now replace the TR12. I'm leaning towards the Triton 3.25 hp plunge router but would welcome any and all suggestions.

Rockler has a Jess-M lift w/a PC motor on sale for $470.00 but after you add the necessary collars & shipping/tax, it's well over $580.00. This is a little rich for my blood.

[GeorgeL]

Dan,

I have the Jessem Mast-R-Lift with the PC 7518 motor. I love the combination and it works really well. The Mast-R-Lift does not require a collar when used with the 7518 motor.

I've used an Elu 3339 with a Router raizer for years and it works well too but like the 3 1/4 HP Triton, it does not allow for above the table bit changes without a collet extension.

Here's some reading on the subject: http://patwarner.com/selecting_router.html

"Buy the best, only cry once"

George

[cptully]

Dan,

I've never done any panel raising...

I have to say that I am completely happy with my PC 695 kit (motor, fixed and plunge bases). Based on Reviews I've read recently and hind sight, I should probably have gotten the 895 kit instead but I was trying to spend the absolute minimum to get a router to keep me happy for years to come...

Chris

[Douglas Robinson]

I use my Hitachi M12 in my router table. It is the old style, no the new alien style. It is a 3 1/4 hp plunge router. It has no major bells and whistles. If fits in easily in my router lift and it was simple to remove the springs from the plunge mechanism. I beleive you can find deals on used ones of these on ebay.

Doug

[bman]

Dan

i like the Bosch evs1619 (i believe that the model #) 3.25 hp plunge best part is it has a built in spring release with a fine adjust extension knob easy to use in a router table with variable speed ...bad points it does not fit any lifts that i know of (but they kind of built that feature in ) i like the triton .......but a little pricey the no pwr Collet lock and above the table change feature is nice......... the Bosch has been good to me just an opinion

http://bosch.cpotools.com/routers/pl...s/1619evs.html

[Travis Porter]

I too have the PC 7518 with the mast-r-lift, and it is a bit rich. In retrospect, should have just started with a shaper, but the LOML bought me the mast-r-lift for Christmas.

You might want to consider some of the newer model routers with above table height adjustment. Not sure if the Triton fits this bill or not.

[Woodman2k]

Dan,
I have the Hitachi 3 1/4 hp in my router table and have several PC units and they all do a great job.But I notice on my trips into several pro shops in the area if there not using a shaper then there using one or more big PC units and nobody ever has any real complaints,cord problems,collets worn out etc etc.Go with the pros,my 690 is 15 years old and hasn't missed a lick!!

[McRabbet]

Dan,

I have a Milwaukee 5625-20 3-1/2 HP Variable Speed router in my router table and use it without a lift. I have it mounted on a Rousseau phenolic plate and added a hole to pass the T-wrench through to adjust the unit up and down. I bought it on Amazon.com -- here is a link with their latest price and some compatible lifts from Woodpecker's...

[TracyP]

Ditto what Rob said. I was dreading the routing portion of my last project and the Milwaukee made it so easy. Went through some really hard ash with relatively cheap bits like it was butter. I love my 5625-20 and the above table height adjustment makes it so convenient to use!!!

[junquecol]

Unless the armature disintergrated, you probably only need a set of bearings. Fix the old machine if you like the router, if not, it owes you nothing.

[JimD]

The big Hitachi is still a very good deal on a 15A router. My router table has the motor off an old Ryobi R-500 (13.3A) router. It works fine but is not available any more. I also have two PC690s and 4 bases (two fixed, one D, one plunge). I have used them in a router table but they are mid sized so you probably want something bigger.

Jim

[dancam]

Well I bit the bullet and bought the 3.25hp Triton TRC-001. I got a great price at PriceCutters.com and the total including shipping was $208.00. I also had to get a new router plate from Woodhaven as the screw line-up for the Triton would've been impossible on the old plate that was drilled for the Hitachi.

Thanks for all the advice...and I'll post some pics when the router and plate arrive and I've installed them.

Thanks again for the help.

Dan C.

[Charles Lent]

If your Hitachi quit because of bad bearings why don't you take it apart and replace them. You should be able to get new bearings for it from any industrial bearing supplier using the numbers that are engraved on the sides of the old bearings. While it's apart, check the brushes and replace them if they are less than about 3/8" long. A local motor repair shop should be able to help with the replacements, but if necessary you can pay more and buy them from Hitachi. Then you will have your old reliable router back to use as a spare for less than about $25 and an hour's work.
Just like clamps, you can never have too many routers.

Charley

[Joe Scharle]

Originally Posted by McRabbet

Dan,

I have a Milwaukee 5625-20 3-1/2 HP Variable Speed router in my router table and use it without a lift. I have it mounted on a Rousseau phenolic plate and added a hole to pass the T-wrench through to adjust the unit up and down. I bought it on Amazon.com -- here is a link with their latest price and some compatible lifts from Woodpecker's...

What he said!