CanuckBeaver

OOPS! My bad. I meant Hitachi not Makita. After more checking around I think I'm going with the Hitachi KM12VC. It looks like some pretty good bang for the buck, its quiet, and 2 1/4 HP should keep me happy for years.

Thanks aniceone!
CB

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sred

How did they compare the Bosch 1617 to the Porter Cable 895? Why is the Bosch so much better than the PC 890 for table mounting? Everywhere I look it seems like the PC 890 is the standard for the 2-1/4 HP range of routers. Also can anyone compare the noise-factor of the PC 890 with the Bosch or other routers?

Mike

In the review the PC 895PK tied the Bosch & Craftsman for ease of switching bases, but if you use the dust shroud or the guide bushing sub base then the spindle will not lock. Noise levels are very close; the 895PK was 89db, the 1617EVS was 91db, Makita was 88db. The reason I like the Bosch best for table mounting will be obvious when you turn one upside down in your hands. See how easy the large and small depth adjustments are made. Then try it with a 695. Even mounted to the table the Bosch adjustments are lightning quick. I feel the above the table adjuster is not warranted and is just something else to misplace. There is no question that all the units they tested were very good quality. So based on the fact that the PC is $75 more and has the spindle locking problem with guide bushings I lean towards the Bosch. Add to that my first hand knowledge of durability for the Bosch and it was an easy choice for me. I own several PC products and am very happy with them. I just felt this was a better choice for me.

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Johnny Dee

I bought the Bosch 1617 Kit and very happy with the way it works. I am new to this work and this router has a good weight to it. About table mounting you can buy another fixed base from bosch but you have to call as when I emailed them for information the person who responed wanted to sell me plunge base. The model for the the undertable base is RA1164 it comes with an adjustment rod the number for bosch is 1 877 267-2499 . With this base you don't have to change your fixed base to fit into the table. I hope this is helpful

Mike

Hey Angler, I hope you see this. I was in Rockler yesterday and picked up the December 2004 issue of The Woodworkers Journal. They have plans for building a horizontal router table to attach to your bench. I bought a copy, it just looks too handy.

Johnny, thanks for the tip about the other base. I have 2 motors so I just mounted my fixed base on the table and left it. Anything I have done freehand I can do with the plunge base.

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sred

aniceone2hold: Thanks for your post on the review. You wrote about the PC 895PK and then later mentioned the 695. I would agree that the PC 690 does not complete with the Bosch 1617 so I assume that we are talking about the 890. I had not heard about the spindle lock issue with the guide bushing - that is with the 890? I'll have to look into that. I honestly like the feel of the 895PK fixed base (handles and balance) over the Bosch (I just don't like those wooden handles).

What is most perplexing to me is why the PC 895 has become SO popular. Can you or anyone explain why this router is so heavily purchased over the competition? Thanks, Shawn

Mike

Shawn, looking at my post I saw 695 and that was an oops. The problem is listed with the 895. As far as the handles are concerned, I'm guessing you plan to mount your router to a table. Once mounted there would be no good reason to remove the fixed base from the table, you just pull the motor and slide it into the plunge base. That change is one of the top rated reasons for using this combo, ease of switching bases. The fact of the matter is my handles are in the case; no reason to use them under the table. You could even order the table mounting base Johnny mentioned and just buy the 1617 plunge by itself.
Plain and simple the reason Porter Cable products are so popular is they perform well, are long lasting, and have been around a long time. The fact that they sponsor both the New Yankee Workshop and The Router Workshop is no accident. Advertising pays off. If its good enough for Norm, Bob and Rick, it must be what I should buy! Further proof of this is Norm's router table. Norm used it for 10 years and was very happy with it. It had a Rousseau mounting plate which makes for easy adaptations for larger bits or mounting guide bushings to the table. Enter Rockler Woodworking. All of a sudden its time to "Improve" the table. A Rockler aluminum mounting plate, a Rockler switch, Rockler accesories. The Woodworkers Journal is highly read for the free plans. Every issue is packed with good tips & tricks of the trade. Always ad's for PC & Rockler. Did I mention the magazine is owned by Rockler? Add to all this the urge to buy American Made products.(Robert Bosch is an American company) Are you begining to see why the PC product line is so popular? The 795 is PC's answer to the 1617, which has been around a while. I'm not dissing the 795, it's a quality tool. It's just not my tool.

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