Hi,
I'm considering purchasing a router for a router table that I'm building. I
currently have the PC 690 plunge and fixed base. My first intent is to
attempt to make raised panel doors. (I've never used a router in a table, so
I don't know what I'm getting into.)
Any advice on whether the PC 895 is a good choice, considering what I
already have? Should I be looking at something bigger?
Thanks!
"Pasquale" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Hi,
>
> I'm considering purchasing a router for a router table that I'm
> building. I currently have the PC 690 plunge and fixed base. My
> first intent is to attempt to make raised panel doors. (I've never
> used a router in a table, so I don't know what I'm getting into.)
>
> Any advice on whether the PC 895 is a good choice, considering what I
> already have? Should I be looking at something bigger?
>
> Thanks!
>
Sure, why not? The requirements for panel raising are that the router
have a collet for your bit and that it have speed control. I'm sure
that the PC's have 1/2" collets and you can add an external speed
control if that router doesn't have it. A more powerful router will be
able to raise a panel with fewer passes and/or with less time per pass.
Some production shops actually cut a panel with one pass on a big
shaper. I'd guess that you'd need 4-5 passes on a 2 HP vs. 3-4 on a 3HP
router. So, it's a time vs. cost tradeoff. Unless you're doing a lot
of panels, the extra time isn't going to be all that great. Keep in
mind that a smaller router will also be more useful out of the table.
Then again, most folks don't come to the Wreck to be told the cheap
solution. You definitely need to get a 5HP 3 phase shaper.
Matt
Maybe if your using vertical bits, but for a horizontal type bit, 2 1/4 HP may
be on the low-powered side. Tom
>Pasquale wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I'm considering purchasing a router for a router table that I'm building. I
>currently have the PC 690 plunge and fixed base. My first intent is to
>attempt to make raised panel doors. (I've never used a router in a table, so
>I don't know what I'm getting into.)
>
>Any advice on whether the PC 895 is a good choice, considering what I
>already have? Should I be looking at something bigger?
>
>Thanks!
>
>
Someday, it'll all be over....
If you plan to use a horizontal bit (and there are several reasons why these
are better than vertical bits) first be sure that:
1) The opening in the router base is big enough for the bit to pass through (I
think that it is on the PC 895)
2) The opening in your router plate is also big enough.
Most full-size horizontal panel cutters are around 3" to 3-1/2" in diameter,
and there are many routers that can't handle bits much larger than 2-1/2".
And you REALLY don't want to spin one of those big bits at 20,000+ RPM, so the
variable-speed is a must.
Pasquale wrote:
> Thanks for the responses. I'm not doing any production work, so I
> definitely have time! I'm really not interested in using it out of the
> table, since the 690 seems to work good for me. (Although, I wish it had a
> soft start and variable speed, etc.) I may just look at something a little
> bigger, if it's not too much more money. Otherwise, I don't mind making an
> extra pass or two.
>
> "MattH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>"Pasquale" <[email protected]> wrote in
>>news:[email protected]:
>>
>>
>>>Hi,
>>>
>>>I'm considering purchasing a router for a router table that I'm
>>>building. I currently have the PC 690 plunge and fixed base. My
>>>first intent is to attempt to make raised panel doors. (I've never
>>>used a router in a table, so I don't know what I'm getting into.)
>>>
>>>Any advice on whether the PC 895 is a good choice, considering what I
>>>already have? Should I be looking at something bigger?
>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>>
>>
>>Sure, why not? The requirements for panel raising are that the router
>>have a collet for your bit and that it have speed control. I'm sure
>>that the PC's have 1/2" collets and you can add an external speed
>>control if that router doesn't have it. A more powerful router will be
>>able to raise a panel with fewer passes and/or with less time per pass.
>>Some production shops actually cut a panel with one pass on a big
>>shaper. I'd guess that you'd need 4-5 passes on a 2 HP vs. 3-4 on a 3HP
>>router. So, it's a time vs. cost tradeoff. Unless you're doing a lot
>>of panels, the extra time isn't going to be all that great. Keep in
>>mind that a smaller router will also be more useful out of the table.
>>
>>Then again, most folks don't come to the Wreck to be told the cheap
>>solution. You definitely need to get a 5HP 3 phase shaper.
>>Matt
>
>
>
--
To reply, change the chemical designation to its common name.
Thanks for the responses. I'm not doing any production work, so I
definitely have time! I'm really not interested in using it out of the
table, since the 690 seems to work good for me. (Although, I wish it had a
soft start and variable speed, etc.) I may just look at something a little
bigger, if it's not too much more money. Otherwise, I don't mind making an
extra pass or two.
"MattH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Pasquale" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm considering purchasing a router for a router table that I'm
> > building. I currently have the PC 690 plunge and fixed base. My
> > first intent is to attempt to make raised panel doors. (I've never
> > used a router in a table, so I don't know what I'm getting into.)
> >
> > Any advice on whether the PC 895 is a good choice, considering what I
> > already have? Should I be looking at something bigger?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
>
> Sure, why not? The requirements for panel raising are that the router
> have a collet for your bit and that it have speed control. I'm sure
> that the PC's have 1/2" collets and you can add an external speed
> control if that router doesn't have it. A more powerful router will be
> able to raise a panel with fewer passes and/or with less time per pass.
> Some production shops actually cut a panel with one pass on a big
> shaper. I'd guess that you'd need 4-5 passes on a 2 HP vs. 3-4 on a 3HP
> router. So, it's a time vs. cost tradeoff. Unless you're doing a lot
> of panels, the extra time isn't going to be all that great. Keep in
> mind that a smaller router will also be more useful out of the table.
>
> Then again, most folks don't come to the Wreck to be told the cheap
> solution. You definitely need to get a 5HP 3 phase shaper.
> Matt
I didn't consider either of these points and was only thinking of horsepower
and ease of adjustment while in the table. I will definitely check both
things you mention before purchasing.
Thanks again!
"Steve Turner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> If you plan to use a horizontal bit (and there are several reasons why
these
> are better than vertical bits) first be sure that:
>
> 1) The opening in the router base is big enough for the bit to pass
through (I
> think that it is on the PC 895)
> 2) The opening in your router plate is also big enough.
>
> Most full-size horizontal panel cutters are around 3" to 3-1/2" in
diameter,
> and there are many routers that can't handle bits much larger than 2-1/2".
>
> And you REALLY don't want to spin one of those big bits at 20,000+ RPM, so
the
> variable-speed is a must.
>
> Pasquale wrote:
> > Thanks for the responses. I'm not doing any production work, so I
> > definitely have time! I'm really not interested in using it out of the
> > table, since the 690 seems to work good for me. (Although, I wish it
had a
> > soft start and variable speed, etc.) I may just look at something a
little
> > bigger, if it's not too much more money. Otherwise, I don't mind making
an
> > extra pass or two.
> >
> > "MattH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> >>"Pasquale" <[email protected]> wrote in
> >>news:[email protected]:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Hi,
> >>>
> >>>I'm considering purchasing a router for a router table that I'm
> >>>building. I currently have the PC 690 plunge and fixed base. My
> >>>first intent is to attempt to make raised panel doors. (I've never
> >>>used a router in a table, so I don't know what I'm getting into.)
> >>>
> >>>Any advice on whether the PC 895 is a good choice, considering what I
> >>>already have? Should I be looking at something bigger?
> >>>
> >>>Thanks!
> >>>
> >>
> >>Sure, why not? The requirements for panel raising are that the router
> >>have a collet for your bit and that it have speed control. I'm sure
> >>that the PC's have 1/2" collets and you can add an external speed
> >>control if that router doesn't have it. A more powerful router will be
> >>able to raise a panel with fewer passes and/or with less time per pass.
> >>Some production shops actually cut a panel with one pass on a big
> >>shaper. I'd guess that you'd need 4-5 passes on a 2 HP vs. 3-4 on a 3HP
> >>router. So, it's a time vs. cost tradeoff. Unless you're doing a lot
> >>of panels, the extra time isn't going to be all that great. Keep in
> >>mind that a smaller router will also be more useful out of the table.
> >>
> >>Then again, most folks don't come to the Wreck to be told the cheap
> >>solution. You definitely need to get a 5HP 3 phase shaper.
> >>Matt
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> To reply, change the chemical designation to its common name.
>