I'm relatively new to routering and hobbiest. I've been happy with PC690 for few years but mostly worked on MDF. Now building a table and getting a dovetail jig, moving on to cabinet building with hardwood+plywood.
PC890 would work well for me if it is reliable:
1. Want to use 2 routers for dovetail (1 with straight bit)
2. Want variable speed and more power for router table I'm building.
3. Bit height adjustment from table top.
4. Reuse of 690 plunge base and edge guide.
There were some customer reviews on Amazon in 2006 about burning motors or reliabiity problem. Just curious if there is a systematic issue or high failure rate or I can expect it to be as good as other PC products.
Welcome,
I feel like Tim always says, (bigger is better). But, If you aren't going to be using the big bits everyday it should be okay. I have the 7518 in one of my tables, but I make a lot a raised panels in hardwood. I've heard that sawdust gets in the adj for the 890 and causes it to stick, This might depend on the lift you get?? My complaint about PC tools is the cable protectors. On Nearly all my PC stuff the rubber starts cracking within a year, and need to be replaced in 2. My PC690 didn't make it a year. Not much to complain about, but it is not good, when their stuff comes so high. I have some other brands that are 15 or older and the cords are still ok. Oh, almost forget, I had to replace the variable speed switch on my 7518. Don't know if that is common or not.
You can always get a bigger one later if you think you need to. Routers are like clamps, no such thing as too many! I keep telling the little lady,that a man should have one for every bit he has.
Harry, TX
I swap motors in my 890's all the time. I hate changing bits, and it's so easy to swap motors. There are a couple of other routers that can do the same thing now as well. My 890's have been chugging along just fine for years now, no issues.
You cannot swap 890 motors/bases with 690's but a lot of the accessories are interchangeable (edge guides, base plates, etc.)
There are other options now (some quite cheap). I think the sears routers can pop in and out of their bases easily.
I've had a pc890 for a couple of years now, great router. Pros- plenty of power. I haven't used a raised panel bit yet, but just got one a will test soon. Everything else is no problem. Probably on par with the other routers in its class. Comfortable to hold and move around. Variable speed works well. Got mine with plunge and fixed base for $200 new.
Cons- The collet lock pin tends to shear after awhile, I've always used two wrenches because mine is in the router table about 95% of the time. The height adjuster does get clogged. I've had problems with getting the base off because of dust. Work around is to raise router up by hand and adjust down instead with micro adjuster.
I think that the kinks have been workout for the most part and they are great routers.
Thanks all. I don't plan to use raised panel bits much.
The most demanding work I currently envision is sliding dovetails.
Regarding swapping 890 motor into a 690 base, I read in a review that if you remove a part you can get away with it.
The comments about Craftsman being a cheaper better option, able to swap into PC690 base which model is that? Is that the 17542 or a different one. I'm mainly concerned about ensuring that the base will be compatible with a PC 4212 dove tail jig set's collet. Do you know who makes that motor for Craftsman?
Sorry- said collet. Meant guide bushing. Read in the forum here, though that the 17542 uses PC bushings.
Please for Craftsman motor you are recommending as being able to swap into PC bases which model that is, whether that too is compatible with PC guide bushings like those used in the PC4212 dovetail jig.
I don't think it will fit the PC bases, but it is cheap enough you could buy a couple and leave them set up with the bits you use for your dovetail jig. I do believe they use the PC template guides.
Thanks. Seriously considering the Craftman pro now.
Seems to be a bargain price...
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