So I built a router sled/slab flattening mill. I built the sled around my PC 690 1.75 hp router. I have a large list of priority investments for my shop and a new 3+ hp router is nowhere near the top of that list. I'm not doing large 10'+ long 30"+ wide slabs so this thing isn't huge 24" wide 72" long 3 1/4" depth. It would be nice to be able to go 2" wide on passes but I guess that's not realistic. I really just want to know if anyone thinks swinging a 1/2" shank 1 1/2" dado/planing bit would be impractical or dangerous or if this router would be just plain underpowered for the job and I should stick to a 3/4" - 1" bits. (It takes for-EVER). I'm open to any other pro tips or advice as well. Thanks for any input.
I have a 690 and love it but I'm not sure I'd be thrilled using it with my router sled… That being said, I think you can swing the 1.5" bit just fine with it. You may end up taking lighter passes than you can with the smaller bit though so I don't know if it will be any more efficient overall. I'd say you're just gonna have to give it a shot and see what works best for you.
Hey HokieKen, thanks for the input. I'm not super thrilled about it either but it's what I got. My only other router is my little 450. Like I said I have other investment priorities but ideally I'd like to get a more powerful router for the sled and maybe undermount my 690 on a table? I'm already taking 1/16" passes, I really just would like to go a little wider. Thanks again
It is really. Unfortunately, a planer large enough for the job is way outside my budget. I'm a hobbyist and not a professional so it would be difficult to justify that kind of purchase anyway. My hand planer is good to an extent, but I found that this is a better way for the results I want.
I was thinking 27,500 is quite fast for something that large. I was also thinking it would be ok lightly skimming though. If I were to buy a larger router, something with variable speed and soft start functionality, I would likely move away from the porter cable models. Any routers you guys think would be a good fit for something like this? Do I really need 3 hp?
Of course you don't NEED 3HP, but it would speed up the process by taking bigger bites, whether by faster feed rates or deeper cuts. If this is a type of work you plan to do a lot of, a more powerful router is probably a good bet.
The variable speed controls into which you plug a router greatly reduce power at lower speed. You want the modern EVS routers that maintain speed under varying loads (to a point).
Maybe a middle-of-the-road choice would be a 2+ HP EVS router?
I like my 2.4 HP Milwaukee 5916 very much, but there are plenty of other good brand/model choices. I have the fixed (w/body grip) and plunge bases for it, and it does time in my router table/lift too. The size, power and bases make it (and similar models from other manufacturers) a very versatile router.
If my 5616 router runs out of steam, I will probably get their 3.5 HP EVS 5625 model.
I really appreciate the input Andy. As I said, I'm a hobbyist. Although I have sold a few small pieces, my primary, unrelated career funds my shop (and various other hobbies). I'll do a bit more research and find something suitable. Thanks again for the advice.
I have the PC 7539 that I use in my router table and for my sled. It's a beast and a well-made tool. Highly recommend it for the sled. Not so much for the table unless you have a lift or want to put the Router Raizer kit on it.
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