[lukaspanic]

This might (and probably will ) not be the right spot but I felt the need to mention it anyway:
grizzly.com has a sale right now on a Porter Cable 1.75 HP router, model 690LR for $89.95. If you enter code B0JXWfnZ you get another $10 off. I ended up with ~$93 including shipping. Sale starts May 14th (today) and ends September 25th.

PS: I am just a grizzly customer, I am not affiliated with them in any way.

Happy shopping!

[CarveOne]

If you are looking for deals, Woodcraft has it for $99 and you get a trim router for free.

CarveOne

[lukaspanic]

You shocked me there for a moment. I thought I could have gotten a trimmer for only $6 more. Turns out the router is still $159 though, you just get a free trimmer ($99 value) with it. Definitely a good deal.
I just need the router for a cnc project though, I got another one for regular woodworking.

[ger21]

I just got one on Ebay for $65.

[lukaspanic]

new?

[crane550]

Craigslist for $40 in my case.

690LR or something like that. Works good, except I think my bearings are going out and it likes to howl a bit during the more aggressive cuts.

Alex

[ger21]

Mine was new, but no base.

[CarveOne]

You shocked me there for a moment. I thought I could have gotten a trimmer for only $6 more. Turns out the router is still $159 though, you just get a free trimmer ($99 value) with it. Definitely a good deal.
I just need the router for a cnc project though, I got another one for regular woodworking.

It's not quite the deal I thought it was though. I got the sale flyer in the mail and it sure looked like the price was $99. I no longer have the flyer to check it again. The web site shows $159 when I look at the picture link.

If it sounds too good to be true....

CarveOne

[rnbrown]

Is this router considered a significant improvement compared to the Bosch PR20EVSK router?

[ger21]

It's a much heavier duty router than a Colt - but it doesn't have variable speed. Ideally, it should be controlled by a Super-PID to lower the rpm.
It has about twice as much power, and can handle 1/2" tools. It's twice as big, as well.
They do have a VS version, but it's more money, but I still prefer the Super-PID, as you get full control from Mach3.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-690LRVS-4-Horsepower-Fixed-Base-Variable-Speed/dp/B00006411B/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1305468285&sr=1-3"]Amazon.com: Porter-Cable 690LRVS 11 Amp 1-3/4-Horsepower Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router: Home Improvement[/ame]

[CarveOne]

The trim router goes for between $70 and $90 online. 1/4" collet, 30k rpm.

Here's a useful link for you PC 690 owners. Videos on how to replace the bearings and complete parts list with exploded view.

CarveOne

[ger21]

Here's a useful link for you PC 690 owners. Videos on how to replace the bearings and complete parts list with exploded view.

CarveOne

I ordered new bearings from them on 3/13/11. They billed my card then, and I'm still waiting. I called a month ago, and cancelled a $1 part that was out of stock indefinitely. I was told that the spring clip for the top bearing would be in stock in about 3 days, and my order would be shipping within that week. It's now been a month, and I still haven't heard anything from them. I'll be calling again tomorrow.

[lukaspanic]

The trim router goes for between $70 and $90 online. 1/4" collet, 30k rpm.

Here's a useful link for you PC 690 owners. Videos on how to replace the bearings and complete parts list with exploded view.

CarveOne

I didn't get mine yet but this is definitely useful for the future. Thanks

[CarveOne]

I ordered new bearings from them on 3/13/11. They billed my card then, and I'm still waiting. I called a month ago, and cancelled a $1 part that was out of stock indefinitely. I was told that the spring clip for the top bearing would be in stock in about 3 days, and my order would be shipping within that week. It's now been a month, and I still haven't heard anything from them. I'll be calling again tomorrow.

Sorry to hear that Gerry. I watched the bearing removal video after I posted the link and cringed at how he clamped the armature in a common vise and risked damaging the plates, which have very close fit to the field cores.

Makes me wonder if he uses a socket on the outer race of the bearings to hammer the bearing back onto the shaft. :nono:

There is some good info on that site otherwise.

CarveOne