Porter-Cable 1-1/4 HP Compact Router with Plunge Base and Bag

Exceeded my expectations.

I was doing a project where I needed a router to make mortise for a hidden hinge. The company where I purchased the hinge from suggested using a Porter and Cable guide and a special bit, while using a plunge base router. The guide did not fit on the plunger for this router, even though it was a P & C, so I ended up buying a different one, so I had to returned it. So if that is your need for this router I would recommend looking for a different one, so it is hard for me to make a true answer for an overall rating and also the friend’s recommendation.

Bought several months ago and cannot use with a bit over one inch in diameter, such as a qtr inch round over bit.

Quality woodworking router.Great price for the kit.

This tool is so well made! Beautiful bit of engineering. I like the size for my uses. I’ve not had one before so I’m excited to get a chance to use it. I especially wanted to use it to remove material from bowls I’m carving. Using Jigs and a plunge router this is a pretty safe way to remove the material without damaging the project. There are a number of uses, that combined with a Jig, you can use the plunge router – mortises, doweling, dadoes (with the use of a straight edge), circle routing (using a trammel to keep it in a perfect circle no saw needed). I like that it comes with a nice storage bag too. Always a plus. I was just reading that there are a number of templates made for this unit and that will be something i’ll purchase next.

This is the second Porter Cable compact router I purchased because the first one stays installed in my portable router table now. I needed a good plunge router and found this to be well built.

I got this to do inlay work and it worked perfectly, very good for the task and I have a large router for heavier work. Good purchase. have my eye on other porter cable products for later. Quality tools.

Solid built and compact plenty of power for the job

Very high quality tool, it is a pleasure to use.

I received this compact router for free to write this review.If you are looking for a compact router, this is a good one.If you are trying to decide between a compact router and a traditional router, I recommend getting both. I don’t think a compact router can fully replace a full sized router.Pros of a compact router:-Very Controllable, you don’t feel thrown around by the router. I sometimes find the larger routers a little hard to handle.-More affordable.Cons of a compact router:-Small base opening, there are 1/4″ shank bits that won’t fit because the hole in the bottom of the router is too small.-A little harder to keep flat on the wood. The base is a lot smaller, it is easier to start leaning without realizing it.-Harder to mount in a router table.