Porter-Cable 694VK 11 Amp 1-3/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit

by Porter-Cable

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Porter-Cable Variable-Speed 694VK 11 Amp fixed router and plunge base kit utilizes a hefty 1-3/4 HP to generate a mind-blowing 10,000-27,500 RPM for ultra-precise cuts on a variety of stock. The six-position adjustable turret makes stepped plunge cuts quick and easy, and motor transitions between fixed and plunge base extremely fast. The micrometer depth adjuster keeps things incredibly precise to 1/128 of an inch. To ensure years of top-notch performance, the 694VK is equipped with a dust-sealed switch and sealed ball bearings to keep dust out. The included collets will accept 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank bits. Routing is made easy with the dual, ergonomic rubber handles strategically mounted on the router for easy, comfortable operation.

From the Manufacturer

Porter-Cable’s 694VK multi-base router kit is ideal for woodworking, cabinet shops, remodeling, custom millwork and trim installations where routing applications from edge-forming dadoes to panel raising with a router table are accomplished. The 11 amp, 10,000 - 27,500 RPM router motor is the power plant. An easy to use cam lock lever enables quick adjustment and base changing. It accepts collets for 1/4 and 1/2 inch shank bits and features an auto-release collet system minimizing frozen bits. When used upside down in a router table, an integrated stop prevents motor from rotating out of the base. The unit ships with fixed and plunge bases, collets, wrench, and kit box. Ninety-day money back guarantee, 3 year limited warranty, 1 year free service contract.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 21.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00009OYFG
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 694VK
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,785 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #33 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Routers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE basic router--an antiquated design, not yet obsolete / completely universal and solidly built, November 5, 2005

By 

Matthew Sutton (washington dc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Porter-Cable 694VK 11 Amp 1-3/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

This router kit is a great value--but the plunge base leaves a great deal to be desired in terms of quality. I decided on going with the P/C because of their router tradition--probably the most pedigreed of any major manufacturer. The 690 is the standard, and it can be found anywhere and everywhere. The reason is seems to be: 1) its slow evolution (there haven't been to many drastic technical/design changes in the long make of this basic tool) which makes it easy for companies, even PC competitors to standardize around this model; and 2) a simple, extremely well built motor and housing-I've never seen an example of one ever dying--(cords come and go, brushes need replacing once in a blue moon, but the motor doesn't die).

That said this particular model definitely shows its age in comparison to others. The quality is still excellent, probably still best in its class, but some of the refinements in terms of ergonomics, and general fit and finish now becoming standard on the most recent generation of mid-size routers are missing. The lines where the cast aluminum base was removed from its 2-part mold are very visible. The gray enamel paint job seems somewhat indifferent as does the haphazardly applied "porter-cable" sticker (if you're casting the base why not have the brand name in the mold?). There isn't a spindle lock which is a definite drawback: fumbling with two wrenches is inconvenient and would be a nightmare if the router didn't have its trademark "flat top". The plunge action on the plunge base isn't all that smooth. The black plastic case is fairly cheap and baffling in its layout--I can never figure out where to put the bundled up cord. The extra rubber reinforcement where the cord enters the housing (where cords flex most and thus break most) doesn't seem to be as tough as the older steel coil. The variable speed dial--an excellent feature--always seems to slip into lower speeds (vibration?) which means you constantly have to check it: this could be potentially remedied by going with its big 3hp brother's positive speed selection switch. All in all, while I can't necessarily call any of this "poor quality" and certainly doesn't reflect on the terrific performance of this router, it certainly doesn't reflect well on P/C which doesn't seem committed to meaningfully updating an otherwise solidly designed tool for the 21st century.

The 1.75hp motor I have found completely adequate, overly so in many cases. The weight, while heavier than some comparable models is not nearly as heavy as some others. The soft start works great and the bit depth adjustment on the fixed base, a simple corkscrew, is a great example of simplicity being the best, most effective approach. The generally basic, simple approach of this tool--an admirable approach for P/C which still produces the incredibly rugged worm gear driven circ. saw, jig saw, and belt sander--would be a benefit except, many of the "improvements" introduced in the course of router evolution by other companies, and apparently ignored here by P/C are genuine improvements that ought to be mandatory.

The Bosch 2.25hp with the wooden handles and the Milwaukee with the rubber gripped housing are both extremely nice options I wish I had considered more seriously--especially the Bosch (although removing the fixed base from the motor is really tough). Both of these seem built to higher standards, at least superficially, and both are a pleasure to use. Unfortunately, neither manufacturer has the long router legacy that P/C still has; a legacy P/C may not perpetuate much longer without a serious commitment. I have yet to use their new 2.25hp models, which look great in catalogs and probably are excellent--but I can't help but feel as though in releasing a totally new router they've neglected to perfect the already fantastic one they've been producing for decades. Nonetheless it remains the standard router--almost all router accessories are designed for this model: edge guides, sub bases, table base plates, etc. All in all a good router at a reasonable price.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid value, January 30, 2005

By 

MDF (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porter-Cable 694VK 11 Amp 1-3/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought this kit a couple of months ago and have used it for one project. The first thing I was surprised be was how quite it was. I had used a 690 router years ago, and it screamed. This is much quieter.

The soft start is nice and smooth. The lever release works well, big improvement over the thumb screw setup on the 690.

The plunge base works well, the springs are stiffer than they need to be. It would have been nice to have a lever release on the plunge base, not an allen screw. If you are going to changing between the bases frequently, that would be an issue.

I agree with the other reviewer that Porter-Cable should have sent a sub base with a wider opening with one of the bases, you don't need two the same. I just widened one of the holes to fit my 1/2" roundover bit.

Overall this is a great router and a good value, definetly worth considering.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have been better thought out, March 27, 2004

By 

Richard Soby "rsoby" (Cape Cod) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porter-Cable 694VK 11 Amp 1-3/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I recently purchased this combo because I had a need for both an evs router and a plunge option. I have a Milwaukee 1-3/4 body grip router and the 3-1/2 hp evs that I use on a regular basis. Unfortunatly Milwaukee is not coming out with a plunge base for any of their routers so I went with the PC. The evs option is nice, as are both of the bases. Where this combo falls short is 1 Both bases are set up for template guides not the wide hole for most bits. That is an option. (C'mon PC! Wake up!! how difficult is is to supply both bases with a 2 base set?!?!?). 2 the guide that comes with it, although very smooth and easily adjustable also throws off the balance of the machine making it difficult to use on long runs as it makes the router side heavy as the handles are perpendicular to the guide as opposed parallel which would make it easier to control the guide as well as push the router through the stock.
3 the evs speed settings are somewhat vague.

Other than the above issues the tool is well constructed and the soft start is really nice. If PC corrected the above issues I would rate this tool at 5 stars.