B_Rod

Thanks for all your input and yes bobj3 I did catch the note on the Oak Park web page regarding the line up pin and brass guide so I think I'm covered there.

I like the sawhorses for the router base, I will be borrowing that idea, if you don't mind

I ordered that table setup with the vacu-plate. It looks like it works well on the video. What has been your experience?

Thanks again.

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Mike

The saw horses are ideal for a quick stand and fold to take up less space for storage. This is how I most often use my table. Be sure to clamp onto both saw horses for stability. The easiest way to exit the Vacu-plate hose is straight down through the bottom of the table. If you build the enclosed base cabinet shown on the plans you can easily install a small vacuum inside or simply exit through a side wall.

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Mike

Time for an update on how Porter Cable has been handling problems on the 890 series routers. Today MattF and I visited the Madison Heights, MI Service Center. Matt brought his 890 router which was subject to the motor recall and was handed a new motor at no charge. Matt also had an origonal plunge base that plunged very poorly. This was written up as a repair, but Matt is being shipped a new style plunge base at no charge. So a big thank you goes out to Tony at the service center, and I am pleased to report that Porter Cable is standing behind their products.

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fire angel

Mike,
I am new to woodworking and bought a Porter Cable 893PK a few months ago. I have not used it yet as we just built a new house and that is taking all of my time. I am wondering though, if my router would be a problem router. I bought it at Lowe's. How do I tell, if it is bad what should I look for. Thank you for your time!

Mike

Ok, let's make a check list to help everyone identify problem units. Older models may have the recalled motor and the list of serial numbers effected by that recall is in another post. You can also call PC to check. Other problems from this router you can check for would include:
Does your router wobble when sitting on a flat surface?
Is the plunge base difficult to plunge or seem to hang up anywhere in its normal operation?
Is the metal height adjusting rack broken or cracked or have the screws heads sheared off?

Not all of the routers are defective, just a portion. If you got a good one you will love it.

The new plunge base has dust collection built in to one side. I would exchange the plunge base for a new one with this feature even if it seemed ok.

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fire angel

Thanks Mike.
I looked at my router the other night, after this came to my attention and I set it on a flat surface and it doesn't seem to wobble. The plunge base seemed to work smoothly. I didn't notice anything wrong with the tracking. I know that I have the dust collection port, because I had to get a new insert, it was broken when I opened the box. Porter Cable sent me a new one right away. I hope to free up some time now, so that I can start learning how to use it.
I plan on buying an Oakpark Build your table kit and making that my first project.

fire angel

Actually looked at my router again and it was the plasctic adapter for the fixed base that was replaced. I went to PC website and that is definitely a different plunge base. How do I go about getting the plunge base exchanged for the new one?

Mike

This is a sticky problem for you. You have one of the good plunge bases, at least one that operates correctly. Since it operates as advertised PC may not offer to exchange it for the new style base. I would not be able to fault them for this. My best suggestion is to make a fuss about the old base not having dust collection and they may replace it for you at no charge. (Don't hold your breath)
Contact your nearest service center, not an authorized repair agent. You can find this in your paperwork or at www.portercable.com

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larry528

The purpose of me coming here is the PC 890 base. I could not get the fixed base to release the motor. After much twisting, talcum powder, some drycoat, gear pullers (ok, maybe NOT gear pullers) it came free. I promptly tossed that base into the trash. So now I have the plunge base, and I remember that base is a joke as far as using it for repeating plunge cuts.

The question I have is this. Does the PC 890 motor fit other, better designed and built router bases, such as the bosch base?

AxlMyk

Is it possible that the clamp was adjusted too tight?

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