Milwaukee - 5625-20 15 Amp 3-1/2 HP Fixed Base Variable Speed Production Router (Rating: 5)

I feel compelled to review this router, since It runs a lot better than my old "tried and true" Porter Cable 7518 (the similar 3.5 HP model in the Porter Cable Brand, if you're not familiar with the model no.)

Warning, this is somewhat more of a comparison, but it's also a review too.

I have been running this unit with the 3.5" raised panel cutter. It has shown no signs of heating up excessively, no vibration, and the motor maintains its low speed setting well. My old PC 7518 did none of those things. And for the comparison, it was running the same router bit, but was sharper at that time, so should have been cutting easier, if anything. The Porter Cable would overheat, the RPM's would surge up after I finished the cut, and it would bog too easily. Maybe I had a lemon, but I even took it in to have it serviced by the local Porter Cable authorized dealer, and they said it was just fine.

Edit 8/15/2016: I finished running about 24 door panels through this machine. I started by taking a couple passes to remove less material, but found that the beast can do it all in one pass. I did find the limit, as I think a couple of times it overloaded and cut out temporarily. But the best thing I found is that the speed control was VERY consistent. The old 7518 was all over the place. If I didn't have steady feed rate, the thing would surge and bog. This Milwaukee doesn't surge or bog at all. And yes, I realize that running the panel thru only once could be dangerous, but I've got a good system set up, with push blocks, face shield, well waxed table top and lots of practice!

Another benefit of this unit is the easy height adjustment. I don't have a router lift (I don't think they are worth all that $$) but no need with this thing. You don't have to twist the router in the base, just spin the adjuster screw, from the top with the wrench, or with your hand from the bottom.

The collet is another great feature. It is beefier than the PC, and the wrenches to loosen it are 10,000% better.

Bit changes are easy to do without pulling the whole router plate out of the table. With the adjuster screw, there's a quick release button, and I just press than and pop out the whole motor unit. I usually do this with any router I change bits on anyway. No annoying twisting to get it out the base on this router.

Finally, the prices are pretty comparable, I got mine for $309. The PC costs about $10-$20 more.

I used to be a Porter Cable router fan, and I still REALLY like my PC 690 for flush cutting, dovetails, etc, but I'm thinking Milwaukee is starting to edge out PC. That's just good business, I guess!