This router table -- at just over $100 on Amazon -- is an excellent deal for what it is. It is not meant to be an industrial-strength, micrometer-precise piece of equipment; rather, it is for the home workshop and it provides reliable, quality results. All Porter-Cable Routers fit without drilling or adjustments, and my table was assembled and in use in less than 30 minutes.
To address some of the criticism from other reviewers, I can report:
1) The fence adjustment works very well if you line up the infeed and outfeed fences with a straightedge or piece of stock according to the instructions, based on the type of cut you are making. It is a manual process but it's quick and the result and reliability are excellent.
2) The squareness of the fence to the table normally is critical only when running a piece of stock through the table "on edge" -- not flat. My fence is very close to square (<1 degree off), and if I really need the precision, I can compensate by adjusting the fence or temporarily applying a new fence surface, followed by doing some test cuts (which I do anyway). 95% of the time I run work through "flat," so this is not an issue.
3) Yes, the instruction manual directs the user to firmly secure the router table assembly to a workbench or other surface because if you don't, the whole table may move dangerously from vibration or when feeding work into it. This is not a valid complaint because the instruction manual addresses it, and all router tables and stationary power tools should be firmly secured to the surface/stand/base on which they rest.
4) The insert rings should not be able to vibrate out if the fences and guard assembly are correctly positioned. At all times that I have used the machine, the fences and/or the cutter guard are covering parts of the insert, preventing it from popping up. When the guard is raised over the workpiece, the workpiece itself covers the insert ring, further preventing its movement. It is a fair criticism only if the fences and guard assembly have been totally removed from the table, which is risky in itself and rarely should be required (shaping inside curves with a piloted bit is one example I can think of).
5) My table was a little rough and the grooves had some sharp edges. I ran some 320 grit sandpaper over the surface of the table and spent 5 minutes hitting the edges of all the grooves, and now it's all good.
If you're hesitant about this router table, you should probably plan to spend at least twice as much to get a table that will offer noticeably more heft and precision. However, this is an excellent product for what it is, and as far as I can tell, it will provide many years of versatile use with my favorite power tool.
| Manufacturer | PORTER-CABLE |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 698 |
| Item Weight | 37 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 20 x 30.5 x 10 inches |
| Item model number | 698 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Batteries Required? | No |
