Porter Cable 690 vs 890 (a little confused).

[Flux Jetson]

Ok, due to the help I rec'd from you folks on buying my first router, it's narrowed down to the Porter Cable 690 series vs the Porter Cable 890 series.

There is a considerable price difference between the two.

690 = $119..99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0K955PMN0A41MDQ4XTC6

892 = $179.88
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-892-2-1-4-Horsepower-Router/dp/B0000DCBK0

Does the "2" on the tail and of the model number designate some sort of kit? The 892 in the link seems to come with a lot of goodies, but the 690 seems to be more bare bones. I suppose that might account for the $60 price difference?

I am corn-fus-ed.

 

[Flux Jetson]

I found the 892 at my local Home Depot .. checking stock now.

Heck, this seems like shiznot. The 892 is variable speed, comes with case, 1/4" and 1/2" collets, a little wrench, micro-adjuster, and a little plastic case.

$180.00

 

[Musiclogic]

the 892 is more powerful and variable speed, the 690 is single speed. if you don't mind cleaning up router burn the 690 will be fine, but if you pay attention and do some reading, you will learn where using the speed adjustment for different woods will save you a lot of work. Most do not have any idea how this works so they dismiss variable speed.

 

[Flux Jetson]

Yea, that makes sense. Just like machining metals. I'm totally sold on the 892. We're ordering one next day or so. It was a no-go at Homer Depot here locally. 'Sides, I'd have to pay sales tax if I bought local. Amazon is $180 free shipping. And no danged taxes.

I just needed to hear myself talk it out a bit ... "I got this!" to quote George Lopez.

 

[Musiclogic]

Yeppers, been there, I have 10 routers I use regularly and a couple I don't. You are making a very good choice, should keep you happy until you feel the need for "more power". LMAO

 

[PatentNonsense]

Nice to see some hardcore tool talk. Here's my .02:

1) I think Porter Cable is a great choice. I like the Bosch 1604 for a lighter weight router, but I wouldn't start with that.

2) Don't even think about anything that won't take a 1/2" bit.

3) Generally heavier is better - more stability - unless you've got a task where you need to not have too much weight.

4) You see a lot of good routers used with low hours, BUT be careful about buying anything which needs a repair you can't do yourself. I got a couple of $50 PC routers which I took to the PC repair center, and wound up spending too much on.

5) I agree that plunge routers aren't needed for most tasks. I've got one for when I really really need it, but... in fact I don't use it.

6) Unless you're really sure what you need, I'd incline to buy PC's big 15A router first - you can get one used for what you're talking about paying. YMMV.

7) An online tool retailer which I really like is http://www.7corners.com/. They have a physical location in Minnesota, but they're great to deal with long distance, and you can get real answers from real people if you call them.

8) Invalid Link Removed is a good forum for tool talk.

 

[Big B.]

Good comments. The 15a is a great router but I would suggest that its a little bigger than I would want for some luthiery tasks. Its a great tool though and has tons of power.

 

[Flux Jetson]

... 4) You see a lot of good routers used with low hours, BUT be careful about buying anything which needs a repair you can't do yourself. I got a couple of $50 PC routers which I took to the PC repair center, and wound up spending too much on.....

Heheh ... I owned and operated a a PC warranty and repair center for 15 years .... so I'd have to agree with you. It's very easy to get in WAY over your head. I can't remember how many times someone brought in "grandad's old drill" to have fully refurbed then be shocked when a $250-$300 estimate was presented. Rewinding NLA (no longer available) armatures and fields isn't cheap. Our posted labor rate was $105 per hour when I sold that business in 2009 due to an inoperable spinal injury (a long time employee bought the place from us).

I'd often have to refer a person to the local Home Depot rather than repairing their power tool .. when the cordless drill they would bring in was replacable for $200 it made no sense to put $150 in repairs. We did estimates for free, just so you don't think we were fleecing people. I know it could appear that way.



Thanks for your input ... I found it all worthy of adding to the personal notebook!

 

[James Hart]

not sure if you purchased yet, but I just got an email from Rockler. They are giving away free random orbit sander with the 892 (mail in rebate).

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10694&site=ROCKLER

 

[Flux Jetson]

Timing is everything! Thanks!!!

 

[Flux Jetson]

I think ~Santa~ has been shopping a PC 892 for me. My wife was at the computer for hours, then wandered off and fell asleep on the couch forgetting to shut down the computer. I found a couple of windows left running down at the bottom of the desktop when I went to shut down the system, guess what was in those windows?

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-892-2-1-4-Horsepower-Router/dp/B0000DCBK0?tag=5336121837-20

Looks like it might be a killa x-mas for someone I know (~me!~). I mean, I love getting bass and synth stuff, but TOOLS simply rock! Bass and synth stuff comes and goes, but I've never sold a tool in my whole life.

I also found mill and lathe vendor windows open. I have a kickin mill and a nice lathe, both are short on tooling and fixturing. I have NO idea where she rounded up any kind of money for this stuff. I mean, I have a pretty nice little shop but we are not what you'd call wealthy by any stretch.

All I need is a smile from her, anything after that is frosting!

My little machine shop with the mill and lathe .....

Here's the lathe, it's a 36 inch bed with a 16 inch swing, does SAE and Metric threads, auto feed, and so on....

The mill is a ZX45 clone. 20 inch by 32 inch. 12 speed, gear drive.

Lincoln SP200 MIG welder and Miller DialarcHF TIG welder ....

The shop is divided up into three sections, the machine shop is the smallest section. The welding shop is all metal and concrete (no wood). And the general work shop is 20 feet by 16 feet. So it's PLENTY enough for what I do.

I'm babbling about nothing here. Sorry.

 

[moucon]

690 vs 890 routers...
I know this is an old (5+yr) thread, but something I wanted to point out to the luthiers out there who are going to table-mount their router.... You NEED variable speed for larger bits. Period. Spinning big bits at 27,500 rpm is dangerous - and even if you can get the job done be prepared for a LOT of burn, especially in exotic hardwoods. The 690 series routers are industry standards for the typical rounding-over/profile work.. but if you have any inkling about making cabinet doors or for that matter routing big neck dovetails and etc - get the 890. More HP, and variable speed. To be truthful about it- one router is not going to cover everything you'll be doing. You need at least one small lightweight router/laminate trimmer for the handheld stuff - and a big monster with variable speed capability for the stationary stuff. I have several routers that stay set-up with their respective bits - dialing in depth is a pain - it's much easier to change tools than to change the bit, so over time you'll be accumulating more than one router body for sure. Cheers everyone.