Price Reduced: Porter-Cable 7518 Router

[Jeff Wright]

Just an FYI, the St. Louis Rockler store will have the 7518 on sale for $269.99 next weekend on Feb 24 and Feb 25 for their End of Winter Sale. . . . I just wanted to point out that the advertised price is actually $219.99, after the $50 rebate, which puts the in-store price at $269.99.

Whose $50.00 rebate? Rockler or Porter Cable?

[Gilbert Vega]

Gil, what is the code for the $50 gift certificate? And are you saying PC has a $50 rebate?

Here's a link for the PC rebate.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/...V46513506_.pdf

[Pete Brown]

Pete, what is it about the QuickLift that is different than the PRL that compels you to use it more often? I was going to order the finer 32 gear PRL versus the 16 coarser model. This will be my first router table so I don't have anything to compare my choices with.

To change bits, I put their large L-shaped wrench in a hole, turn it 90 degrees and then pull the motor up to the table top. When I'm done, I do the same thing and push the motor back down. To fine-tune, I crank using the handle just like the PRL.

On the PRL, you get a workout cranking the motor up and down for bit changes. It's definitely doable, but I don't see any real advantage to the PRL compared to the quick-lift. Due to the mounting mechanism, the PRL is likely more stable and more accurate, but I haven't run into any issues with either lift. The quick-lift is $50 less or so.

I do want to add that the quick lift/drop on mine is a bit stiffer than I think it should be. I haven't checked with WP to find out if I need to loosen something or adjust something. However, even with that, I love that lift.

Whatever you pick, go with the metal (aluminum) version. IIRC, WP also had a phenolic version. The offset wrenches from WP also help with bit changes.

You may also want to consider the Jessem lift. They recently added a special modified Milwaukee motor to their lineup - it has the speed control and power as a separate box you can mount outside your router table - very slick.

Pete

[Jeff Wright]

Gil, thanks for the rebate link . . . effectively making the PC 7518 a $220.00 router. Can't beat that with a stick!

Pete, good info - thanks! Woodpecker has many offset wrenches on their website. Do you know which ones I would need if using the PC 7518?

[Jim Becker]

Jeff, I have the bent wrenches from Woodpeckers for my PC7518 and they work well. When I bought mine, they had the "right ones" marked in the description, but you should also be able to go by size.

[Jeff Wright]

Jeff, I have the bent wrenches from Woodpeckers for my PC7518 and they work well. When I bought mine, they had the "right ones" marked in the description, but you should also be able to go by size.

You're right Jim. On further looking I found that WP does list the appropriate wrench for the PC 75182. And, it appears the PC routers take two wrenches versus only one. They're not cheap little buggers either . . . . about $20.00 a piece!

[Pete Brown]

You're right Jim. On further looking I found that WP does list the appropriate wrench for the PC 75182. And, it appears the PC routers take two wrenches versus only one. They're not cheap little buggers either . . . . about $20.00 a piece!

You really only need one, or at least that's the case with my Milwaukee

I use the offset to get the bottom nut, and the regular wrench to loosen the collet nut.

If you can swing it, though, the two WP wrenches are just nice to have anyway. At the very least, they don't rust like my Milwaukee wrench does (which means I can either coat my hand with oil or rust whenever I change bits. ugh)

Pete

[Jim Fox]

Still shows $349

Never bought from CoastalTool.com but they list it for $275, plus rebate would be it $225, plus a small shipping fee. Still cheaper than Amazon's listed price.

[Jeff Wright]

Still shows $349. Never bought from CoastalTool.com but they list it for $275, plus rebate would be it $225, plus a small shipping fee. Still cheaper than Amazon's listed price.

Do a google search for "Porter-Cable 75182 Variable Speed Router Motor" on Amazon and you should see it for sale for $270.66. With $50 PC rebate, net cost (not including freight, if applicable) would be $220.66.

Actual link to Amazon listing is long and you may need to copy and paste it into your web browser. Here it is . . .

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...X0DER&v=glance

[Jim Becker]

Jim, Coastal Tool is a very good vendor...I buy my Flexeel hose from them and have bought pneumatic nailers from them, too.

[Paul Wingert]

Still shows $349

Never bought from CoastalTool.com but they list it for $275, plus rebate would be it $225, plus a small shipping fee. Still cheaper than Amazon's listed price.

thanks man, you just saved me $17.. Saw this post in time to cancel my amazon order.

Coastal tool is a good vendor, I've used them before.

[Jim O'Dell]

I just clicked the above link and the 7518 motor only shows up for the 270 price. Says only 2 left in stock.
I got my 7518 about 2 1/2 years ago from Amazon, was probably my first purchase from them. It was on sale for 275 with another 50 off fathers day special, so 225.00 shipped, and that was with the base. I've been lucky to find several good prices over the past few years, most items are still new in the box while I work on the shop. Jim.

[Jeff Wright]

I just clicked the above link and the 7518 motor only shows up for the 270 price. Says only 2 left in stock.

Make that NONE. I think I just bought the last one!

[Larry Singer]

Anyone have any comments on a Amazon customer post for the 7518. I've been considering this for a router table and would assume 2 passes should be sufficient for hardwood raised panels. I have always seen positive comments on this router, this is the first negative post on Amazon. Anyone with experience using this for raised panel, especially if you just bought it as maybe there was a recent design change...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=2VT368HXAS60Q

Don't use this router for Raised Panel Cutters, December 31, 2006
I bought this router thinking that it would have no problem cutting raised panels based on PC description of the product. When I received the router I tried cutting raised panels in red oak with a 3 1/2" panel cutter, the router stalled and had to be reset. I thought something was wrong with it so I called PC and they sent me a new one. It did the same thing. You'll have to take at least 4 passes and even then chance burning the wood if you use this router. It worked great on all other bits except the large panel raiser, which is why I bought it. I could've spent a whole lot less for a router to use with my smaller bits. When I contacted PC about the problem they informed me that that was the design of the router circuitry to stall if too much load was applied. Having to take 4 passes in red oak is a bit excessive. I've had the router for 2 years and ready to throw it in the drawer and not use it.

[Dan Lee]

I've had my 7518 for 13 years or so and have made a couple dozen raised panels. I did them in 3 passes: 2 large bites and 1 shallow and never had a problem.

Another bit that hogs out a lot of wood is a lock miter bit I used on 1" stock awhile back again no problems as far as power