Buy Porter-Cable 7538 Speedmatic 3-1/4 HP Plunge RouterPorter-Cable 7538 Speedmatic 3-1/4 HP Plunge Router Product Description:
- 15-amp motor provides the power and durability necessary for the toughest applications
- Single-speed 21,000 RPM motor with soft-start feature to reduce torque at start up
- Auto-release collet system allows for easy bit removal after use
- Depth rod with six-position adjustable turret enables stepped or repeated plunge cuts
- Three-inch plunge range precision machined aluminum motor housing and base
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Darn near perfect router
By Bruce Cuningham
Call it 4-1/2 stars.I recently purchased this router to replace my old Porter-Cable plunge router. It has all the power you'd ever want. Setting depth of cut is very easy using a rotating turret with 1/4" and 1/2" presets, and adjustable stops for two other depths of cut. The depth stop feels solid and unlikely to slip. The handles have been redesigned, and are very comfortable. Plunging and returning actions are smooth, and you can set the height of the return, a very handy feature. All-in-all, a darn near perfect router.I do have two quibbles, one minor, one not so much. First, the instruction manual is not so much a manual, as a map that one unfolds, and you must try to match smallish pictures with specific directions. Porter-Cable could've sprung for a better--booklet-like--manual. Second, my old router had a 1" dust collection port built into the base, a very desirable feature, lacking on this router. You must buy the dust collection accessory separately, otherwise you'll end up breathing dust, and ending up with a lapful of the stuff. I'd suggest that buyers purchase the dust collection attachment, as well as the clear plastic baseplate that's available.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.Best
By Max Power
General:This is the best router on the market. 3-1/4 hp is the most horse power you'll find on a 15amp hand tool, and it weighs over 17lbs to boot. The power allows you to use moulding and shaping bits for things like cabinetry building. This is a commercial grade production router.About power:If you want to know what router has the most power under load, the best test is not amps, or horse power, which are not based on standardized scientific tests, it is the weight of the tool. All else being equal, the heavier the windings, the more power they will be able to put out, that is a scientific fact. The hitachi 3-1/4 hp router is a full three pounds lighter, their TR12, the old hitachi model, is heavier, less HP, less amps, but has more power and sells for twice as much because it is more expensive to make heavy duty windings. The metal of the windings also makes a huge difference. Some tools use aluminum, some use copper. Copper is superior because it is more conductive. It is also much heavier.Plunge feature:The plunge mechanism is very smooth. The dial that lets you set the depth has 5 different depths. The ruler is metal. If you are unfamiliar with what makes a plunge base good, the plunge base is very useful for plunging for mortise cuts. It is also useful for lining up a bit to see where the point hits when you drop it. It is also good for quickly changing plunge or profile depths by using the depth gauge. For example when using tongue and groove bits you can easy switch between the tongue depth and the groove depth.Random features:There is a plastic screen on the side of the router that faces you so dust wont spray all over your pants and shirt if you don't use a dust collection system.There are two power buttons. A main switch that acts as a breaker if the current overloads, and then a trigger button on one of the handles with a lock-on button.The soft start feature is great, the router doesn't torque in your hands. But keep in mind you can't use a speed control with a soft start. And since it's not vsr you can't use the super huge low-speed bits for crown molding that take 1/2" horizontal bites out of the wood. That is this routers only drawback.There is a fan on the bottom of the motor that blows dust away from the router.It comes with a collet for 1/2" shank router bits. If you wanted to use 1/4" shanks you would need to purchase an adapter for about $5.Because of its weight and extreme power this router makes a good candidate for a router table, although if you go that route you don't really need to shell out the extra money for a plunge base.The router is made in Mexico.Hope that helps.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful.SERIOUS MACHINE
By JRIGGS
A PROVEN PRODUCTION TOOL THAT JUSTS KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER! IF YOU ARE A SERIOUS WOODWORKER/FABRICATOR THEN THIS IS THE MACHINE FOR YOU. GREAT PRICE, FAST SHIPPING, AND OUTSTANDING QUALITY!
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