Well, a new week for
work on the "Garage." It is time to select routers. The arrow points to one of
my PC690's. It has been a favorite workhorse for years. Unfortunately, at a fixed speed of
22,000 rpm, I couldn't use it with many of the router bits that I used.
I asked the good people at Porter Cable to suggest models that would work.
They did better than that. They sent me three routers that they felt would be right for
the Garage concept.
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The one on the left,
is a new variable speed model of the 690. It is the PC690LRVS. It has 1 3/4hp motor with
soft start and variable speed. The middle one is the PC7529. It is a plunge router with
2hp and variable speed and soft start. The third router is heavy and heavy duty. It
is the PC 7539 — a plunge router with 3 1/4hp and five speed and soft start.
Beth and I will try to give each of these a fair trial. Without a doubt, the
variable speed 690 should work well for the rail and stile bits.
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The two rail and stile bits
are just under 2" each so the recommended speed is 18,000 rpm. (CMT's speed chart)
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We will be using one of the
"green" inserts which we made with 2" holes. The bit will fit exactly and
no additional adapter plate will be necessary.
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I usually put a
1/2" diameter O-ring in the bottom of the collet. Marc Sommerfeld tells me that he
now uses one of the CMT Panalign Strips. Beth has done that here. The lower arrow
shows one of these strips. The arrow at the left is a strip folded over and stuffed into
the base of the collet. Whether you use a strip or an O-ring, the key thing is not to
install a bit "bottomed out."
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It is easiest to change bits
in this router with the motor removed. Also, note that Beth has positioned the two
wrenches so that she can grip them with one hand and use a scissors type of tightening
action. This method can prevent a lot of bruised knuckles.
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Still out of the table, Beth
can adjust the height of the coping bit so that the "lip" is about 1/8"
high. She uses a Formica chip to help her set this height. One chip is about 1/16" so
she guessimates twice that. This setting doesn't have to be exact, but it is the
measurement from which all other cuts must match.
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Beth also adjusts the speed
dial to the three position.
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Have you ever had thoughts
about what would happen if you accidentally plugged an "ON" router into a live
outlet? Scary. I found a short extension cord with a neon installed in the outlet. The
arrow shows it on. If it is on, it has power to it and I do not want to plug the router
in.
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Beth checks and adjusts the
level of the plate.
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