Replies

1. 
   matt calnen | May 14, 2009 04:08am | #1

   The worlds standard on what a router should be. Has huge bearings and plenty of power. The only bad thing is it is no longer made in the USA.

2. 
   bones | May 14, 2009 06:07am | #2

   As it has been said the router is the standard.  I've had it in my table for a long time.  Its a hoss.  You won't go wrong.  

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
3. 
   user-189774 | May 15, 2009 05:47am | #3

   I purchased one in 2005 and have ran the hell out of it. Mine has handled 3 1/2" raised panel bits with no problem. You will not regret that tool.

                                                Jay

    

   "Quality is not only right, it is free. And it is not only free,

   it is the most profitable product line we have". (Harold S. Geneen)

4. 
   Cincinnati | May 15, 2009 10:22pm | #4

   I had one for a short time, but it was too much router to handhold. So I sold it.

   The only comment I can add is it is built like a tractor and it runs like a tractor. But two others who have used it for table routing tell me anything on the table will vibrate onto the floor. Yet the cuts seem to be fairly smooth.

   What are you going to use it for? I just bought the Milwaukee 5625-20 on high recommendation of a few users who sell router accessories (but not routers). It purrs like a kitten. It has same HP as the 7518. But it may not be built in USA either. It's hard to find that these days.

   Greg

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   Exo 35:30-35

5. 
   Routerman | May 15, 2009 10:39pm | #5

   Some data here, used both (routers) for many years.

   ************************************************************

   Serious studies including the deflection of the jigs, cutters and fences, metrology of the method, new vs.re-ground cutters, cutter design sensitivity (radial, axial, spiral, long, short, SC vs. brazed,large/small diameter etc) feed rates & direction, micro-inspection (10X) of the profiles, measurements of runout, axial play and so on, show/conclude: The 5625 is the superior router in terms of mill finish, in spite of its out of spec. sloppy armature!!

    

   Both (7518 & 5625) routers rout well on wood but the mill finish on wood, plastic and alumium is superior and remarkable with the 5625.

    

   There are advantages and tradeoffs with both machines with respect to performance and adjustment.

   Neither, in my view, wins over the other if you weigh each feature against the other. Both are relative headaches used right side up or upside down. You must (choose one or the other) because there is no third choice in this category.

    

   The 7518 wraps its wire up as you change depth and its motor jams in the base casting if left upside down working with the same cutter too long. Its electronics are less than stellar but its motor travel and strength are second to none. The 7518 is the better, heavier motor with more travel through its casting with the worst motor lock in history. Its armature is very well journaled in its barrel and 2 out of the 4 well used units I have, have no axial or radial play. Both the 5615 and 5625 motors were sloppy when new!

    

   The 5625 has a first class motor lock, switch, electronics and collet. A lousy acme screw depth adjuster, numbers you can't read upside down, hard to hit target depth, no motor escape lock, a switch that is hard to find, a hard-soft start, and a light weight motor, armature and base casting. Lacks the momentum of the 7518.

    

   Both are great value but neither is a great router. There are a couple of near perfect routers but these are not in that class.

    

   These comparisons can go on. Neither tool is great for this user. Notwithstanding, mill finish, a critical variable for me at this time, is as good as it gets with the MIlwaukee 5625.

    

   Upshot; Even tho the 5625 is sloppy, imagine how good a new one must be. And even if it wears it will work admirable with substantial axial & radial play. A craziness I can't believe.

   Still looking for best router.

1. 
   Cincinnati | May 18, 2009 06:08am | #12

   Routerman,

   "... There are a couple of near perfect routers but these are not in that class."

    

   What do you consider "Near Perfect" routers?Greg

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   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

1. 
   Routerman | May 18, 2009 04:49pm | #13

   DW 621 and 625.

1. 
   Cincinnati | May 18, 2009 10:24pm | #14

   That's good to hear. I have a DW 625 on a Woodrat. Perhaps I should re-drill my table insert for it until I get a replacement for my Milwaukee 5625-20.Greg

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   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

2. 
   brownman | May 21, 2009 11:02am | #18

   I'm going to have to agree with Pat(Routerman). I own Hitachi, Porter Cable, Milwaukee and Dewalt routers and out of all these my Dewalt 625 is by far the best built, smoothest running, and most accurate router I own. I ran it in my router table for years. The only draw back for table use is the smaller depth of adjustment due to it's design and not being able to change bits without removing the router from the table. I recently purchased a Porter Cable 7519(7518 without the speed adjustment) from a Door shop that went out of business and installed it in my router table. It was fairly new and I picked it up for $80.00. I don't regret not having the variable speeds as I never adjusted the speed on my Dewalt when it was in the table. I just take smaller cuts, if need be. I wanted to go with the Bench Dog lift but it wouldn't fit the new top I had just purchased through WoodCraft(Woodpecker Brand top) that was on sale for $60.00( Shipping was even free). Bench Dog was purchased by Rockler last year and stopped making their larger plate router lifts. They only make them to fit their smaller plate Rockler brand tops now. Fortunately the Rockler store here locally had one last, larger plate, router lift to fit my 7519 and offered it to me for a $100.00 off their regular price as they obviously weren't going to carry that size any more. So for about $345.00 dollars I got a really nice router table set up that is powerful, easily adjustable and super accurate. The router table top is the flattest top I've owned to date. I've made a few tops in the past but always had difficulty in making them and getting them to stay flat. Most of the commercially made tops are glued up under high pressure and are much flatter than you or I can make in our shops ,so I don't recommend trying to make your own. Then again you could always do what Pat does, just mount it to a bare piece of MDF, if your so inclined. I was also able to pickup a free, scrap piece of 3/4" solid black phenolic from a cabinet shop ,which I cut up and milled to make a very stable, precise and adjustable fence for my new table top. I've checked everything with an engineers square and to my delight, everything is dead flat and square.All this is mounted on the router cabinet featured in Shopnotes magazine No 1. Happy routing!Edited 5/21/2009 4:11 am ET by brownman

   Edited 5/22/2009 3:13 am ET by brownman

6. 
   SLOSapo | May 17, 2009 03:15am | #6

   The speed control crapped out on mine. Took four months for the repair shop to get the part in, and the repair cost was about $150. This seems to be a pretty common malfunction. Other than that, it's been a workhorse. With some trepidation, I used it freehand with a 3/4-inch roundover bit. Worked like a dream.

7. 
   Cincinnati | May 17, 2009 11:40am | #7

   If you are decided on getting it for a lift, Woodcraft sells motor only for $275 including a PC mail-in rebate.

   Greg

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   Exo 35:30-35

8. 
   woodbum | May 17, 2009 04:46pm | #8

   Have one mounted in a Woodpecker lift. It does eveything that I ask of it. I have never regretted the purchase. It has all the power and then some. I have three table mounted routers and four handhelds. This PC IS the standard that I judge all of the others by.

9. 
   [email protected] | May 18, 2009 05:38am | #9

   The 7518 is a tank, and will last forever. It is the standard against which all others are compared, and it has quite a few accessories available, including metric collets it you want to hunt them down. Just about all of the router lifts are designed around it.

   That said, if I were buying now, I would have to take a hard look at the customized Milwaukee 5625 motor that Jessem is offering. It has the switch and speed control mounted on a remote plate, that mount on the front of the router table. http://www.jessem.com/motor.htm

1. 
   wood1000 | May 18, 2009 06:03am | #10

   Could a 2.25 hp Makita router run this bit set? http://www.cmtutensili.com/show_items.asp?pars=RBSET~8/900.523~2

1. 
   JohnWW | May 19, 2009 03:24am | #15

   Those are fairly large bits, a smaller router might be adequate for using them with a softer wood like pine or poplar, and you can cut anything if you feed in small steps, but for any quantity of work in harder woods you would be better off with a larger router.John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998-2007

1. 
   wood1000 | May 20, 2009 05:41am | #16

   thank you John. Dose anyone know as to where there could be some factory recondition 7518s?

1. 
   Cincinnati | May 20, 2009 06:07am | #17

   http://www.cpoworkshop.com/routers/fixed_base_routers/http://www.tylertool.com/7518r.html They have stock at $270
   Greg

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   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

2. 
   Cincinnati | May 18, 2009 06:03am | #11

   That Jessem Milwaukee motor and speed control retails for $500. The router is $285. This puts the s/w and control at $215. Seems steep to me.

   If you decide on the 7518 and you are putting it in a lift, Wodcraft sells a 7518 Motor only.Greg

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   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

3. 
   Taigert | May 22, 2009 09:04am | #19

   Now that is a very nice set up, I'm just scared to see what the price tag says?

   Taigert

1. 
   [email protected] | May 22, 2009 10:55pm | #20

   Well they are sure proud of it. I'm not sure I wouldn't get a small shaper, (2 or 3-hp), and add a variable frequency drive.