Cmac2008 Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I currently have the dw6184 and have owned it for about 2 years... It works great in my benchtop KREG router table... But I am almost finished with my new router cabinet with the KREG precision top and t-style fence so I also want to upgrade the router... I would like a 3hp or is that too much? I'm most likely going to invest in the KREG router lift so that isn't a issue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Porter Cable 7518 , 3 1/4 HP, 5 speeds and you can buy it without the base if you are going to put it in a lift. You need the multi speed feature for use with larger bits. I have had the previous model for over 20 years and it is quite a workhorse. I have had a 7518 in one of my router tables for about 4 years and it's worked flawlessly in my small pro shop. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Ditto what Steve said! Great router and works like a dream in my router table! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Except it is about $320 dollars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wdwerker Posted September 18, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 We never said it was inexpensive ! It will last a very long time in a professional shop. It is still made in the USA , and all of the Kreg gear he mentioned buying isn't cheap either ! Quality rarely has a low price tag. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 We never said it was inexpensive ! It will last a very long time in a professional shop. It is still made in the USA , and all of the Kreg gear he mentioned buying isn't cheap either ! Quality rarely has a low price tag. No, I agree. I actually just bought all that Kreg gear. I will be buying that router next. Just wish it wasn't $300 more bones. Oh well, quality is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 You can find used ones cheaper from time to time in the normal places. It's certainly not an inexpensive router. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotscott Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 The Milwaukee 5625 is a proven workhorse too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it's worth it. And no, 3HP is not "too much" in a table. In fact, that's where you want it - not sure about using it hand-held but for a table it's a great fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I used mine hand held all day with a huge 1 1/2" radius round over bit and it wore me out ! I used a 3/4" radius bit first, then a 1" radius bit to remove the bulk of the waste, and finished with 3 passes with the big bit. I was making 3" bullnose out of maple. The bit weighs a full pound. Just looked up the price $130, and they warn you to only use it in a router table ! To give you an idea how big this bit is 4 passes on a cedar 4x4 made a big dowel ! The 5 speed version has a soft start feature, it revvs up to speed. When you are cutting and hit a harder section of grain the motor adds power to maintain the speed. You can hear the motor back down after the harder grain and settle down to the speed you have set. I use the slowest setting for the big 1 1/2" bit. It's 3 1/2" in diameter. 99.5 percent of the time it lives in the router table ! Running a big router with a big bit is a lot of work, requires strict concentration , and you must take very small amounts of wood with each pass. 1/8 or less is smart. Running it in a router table is even smarter ! Get a powerful shop vac to use with this router in a table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cmac2008 Posted September 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I will be keeping my dewalt If any handheld routing is needed... Also you mentioned the soft start and adjustable speeds.... I have a router speed control knob that I planned on integrating into my router cabinet... Will this be needed? And I am also investing in a shop-vac strictly for this router table... Will be powered on when router switch is turned on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 No need for speed control accessory. Seperate the vac and router switches. Big vac pulls a lot of power and so does a 3 1/4 hp router. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I can also recommend a Milwaukee 5625 in a table. Mine's been terrific! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cmac2008 Posted September 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I was also looking at the Milwaukee .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 The PC 7518 would probably be my first choice. But you can also look at the 3-1/4HP Freud. I've had one in a router table forever and it's been flawless. The only issue that I can see is that "some" router tables may not offer Freud holes, but "every" router table offers PC holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cmac2008 Posted September 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Good call Chet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 I will be keeping my dewalt If any handheld routing is needed... Also you mentioned the soft start and adjustable speeds.... I have a router speed control knob that I planned on integrating into my router cabinet... Will this be needed? And I am also investing in a shop-vac strictly for this router table... Will be powered on when router switch is turned on... I don't think you can use the speed control with routers that have the soft start feature. You should check the manufacturer before using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Look at the big Triton and you can skip a lift. Kreg even makes a plate for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 I miss Particle Board. "You ought to be using a shaper!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I miss Particle Board. "You ought to be using a shaper!" Lot of good wisdom here. Sidebar.....does ANYONE know what's happened to Particle? PM me. Steve, using a bit that large on a handheld.....it sounds like something that could hurt you. (?) Keep in mind, I'm a weekend warrior and don't make a living at this like you do. That just sounds like you're trying to tame a tornado. Other thing is Cmac...if you're is asking whether 3 HP is enough, you probably aren't spinning anvils in your router like Steve is ......so probably for what you and I would need, 3 hp is more than enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I was very cautious ! I took very little amounts off with each pass. I used gradually larger bits. I had the countertop firmly clamped down and swept my footpath each pass. I even made a custom baseplate for the router to give me more surface area over the counter to reduce any tipping. I think it is not advisable to attempt a cut like this without a lot of experience and careful preparation . The workpiece was too big to use the router table or a shaper so I figured it out the best I could. It can be done but it takes a lot of steps, a huge amount of caution and it's still risky. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResidentEvil Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Look at the big Triton and you can skip a lift. Kreg even makes a plate for it. I just got mine delivered. Can't give a recommendation yet, but most I've read about it is positive. Great thing is that you dont need to shell out $300 for a lift, and the router only cost me $280 delivered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 I just got mine delivered. Can't give a recommendation yet, but most I've read about it is positive. Great thing is that you dont need to shell out $300 for a lift, and the router only cost me $280 delivered. I have thought about the triton with the Kreg table but haven't heard enough about the triton. Is the lift mechanism easy and accurate on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Above-table adjustment is easy. It's been accurate when I remember to lock it down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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