Porter-Cable 97529 2 HP Heavy-Duty, Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router Kit

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Product Description

Amazon.com Review

A lion of a machine with the personality of a lamb, the Porter-Cable 97529 packs an extra-heavy-duty 12 amp motor with a super soft start and an electronic brake that slows the bit to a stop and reduces the chance of injury. Your neighbors will like this machine, too, as it runs far quieter than almost any other router we've ever tried. It's a dream for handheld use--it won't pull you around the block as it's getting even the big jobs done--though the grips may be too big for folks with small hands. What makes this router a winner is that it's just as great in a router table, and that's unusual for a plunge. It has an advanced micro height adjustment for changes of 1/128 of an inch, even in your table. Free hand, the adjustment is your depth stop for plunging--the rod's tip offers multiple stops, and you don't even have to let go of the handles. Porter-Cable also includes a clear chip deflector, a trigger-lock on/off switch, and a master switch. The variable-speed dial on top is a cinch to use, from 10,000 to 23,000 rpm. Another feature high on our list is the dust collection port. This kit includes a hard case with room for bits and an edge guide. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

Porter-Cable 97529 2 HP Heavy-Duty, Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router Kit

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 17 x 16.2 inches ; 11 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 21.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000222UZ
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 97529
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,097 in Home Improvement (See Bestsellers in Home Improvement)

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  Home Improvement > Power Tools > Routers > Plunge Routers

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate mid-sized router, February 7, 2000

By	M. Fairleigh "M. Fairleigh" (Kansas City, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've held off on buying a 2nd router for a long time, waiting to see how the 2hp, dust collection-ready plunge router would evolve. After all, the DeWalt DW621 was a tough act to follow. PC has, in my opinion, raised the bar significantly and set a whole new standard. I can find *nothing* to criticize on this tool. I find the controls much easier to use than on the DeWalt unit. I also much prefer this new PC base - it's much larger and more stable than the DeWalt, while retaining the "flat side" to make it easy to keep the same portion of the router indexed against a guide or fence. For table use, it's great to have switches on the handle AND on the top.

As to the poster who indicated problems with his electric brake, that's usually an indication of a factory defect, typically related to the motor brushes. I'd bet PC would fix it without hesitation.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good product with some annoying quirks, July 7, 2000

By	darryl drohomerski (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) - See all my reviews

I bought this router based on several reviews I have read talking about the quality, design etc. When I started using it I had two problems come up right away: The 1/4" collet that came with the router was machined too small to fit the bits(I had to use a pry bar to remove the bit from the collet). I exchanged the collet at my dealer with another and it seems fine. The other problem is one no one has mentioned. The dust port is located right by your right hand/arm and is a 1" port. If you don't seal the port, you get a lot of sawdust flying in your face and arms. The 1" port size is an oddball size for shop vacs and you need to buy an adapter from PC (or fabricate one to fit). For the money we pay, you think that PC would include an adapter with the unit. I also noticed the fine depth adjustment is flaky. If it's in a table, it takes about 15-20 turns to raise/lower the bit, but if you go too far (ie. raised or lowered too much) you have to turn it 15-20 turns min. in the opposite direction. Other routers I looked at had better depth adjustments.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Porter Cable is supposed to mean quality???, November 27, 2000

By	Barney Matthews (Citrus Heights, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Overall I like this router, it's not too heavy, easy to move about, and it's Porter Cable so it should be tough. However, there are things that I don't like about it. 1. the plunge spring is so stiff you have to lean on it to make it go down. 2. The switch on the handle requires that your finger flip up a release, which seems to stick on when you want it to shut off, and not stick when you want it stay on. 3. The micro-adj. knob is set to low and close the body making it hard to turn. Last and most important is I've had my router just over a year and the soft start module just went out for the second time, which means it will not run!! And last time my router was in the shop for two weeks waiting for parts and this time I'm going to have to pay for the expensive module myself...