Accessories

Horsepower enough for panel bits
This is my 5th Porter Cable router.
Finally they have a spindle lock... I think.
Thank God they still have 2 lock nuts on the collets, because the spindle lock pin broke off after a bit was over tightened some and seized in the new collet.
Maybe thats my fault but I wished the spindle pin was beefier, because I won't be alone with this issue.
I am used to the 2 wrench system, so it's not a BIG deal here, and the tool is perfect with out it. Would be 5 stars except for the spindle lock breaking.
Still it's a great kit, including the guide and above table adjuster, which have been used and accepted as designed.
The motor drove a large panel bit thru MDF door panels, at 10800 rpm, with no issue or groan at all.
Great kit.

Do not buy for use in a router table
I am a retired school shop teacher and had three Porter-cable 690 1 ¾ hp fixed speed routers in my shop. Each was used extensively in a router table by students. These three routers held up for over 20 years and where still in very good shape when I retired. I needed a new router for my home shop so I thought that the 890 2 ¼ hp would be a step up from the 690 and it had a better adjusting mechanism, which was advertised as good for use in a router table.

I would not recommend getting an 890 series router for use in a router table. I have had two new 890 routers and one rebuilt one burn up on me doing exactly the same operations that my students and I had done for years with the 690. The first one burnt up while using a raised panel bit on MDF; hard stuff but nothing that had not been done before with the 690. I needed to get the job done so I ran out a bought another one thinking maybe I just got a lemon or I had overloaded it by feeding too fast. I finished the job but took three passes just to be careful. Later I took the other one in and got it repaired one month out of warrantee, but they covered it. I now had two routers on hand; ok that might be handy.

I used them for various task with no problems even routing over 300 foot of 1/2 by 3/8 fluting in MDF in one afternoon. Then months later a friend needed help with a project. I used the new router to make 3/8 by 1/2 inch grooves in 3 foot long pieces of cherry. I got through the first piece and halfway through the second and the router started to smoke then lost power. I setup the rebuilt router and finished the cut then reduced the cut depth to 1/4 to make multiple passes for the remaining pieces but it burnt up before the job was done. The bit was a new carbide bit and I even went extra slow on the second router.

I think the problem is the electronic speed control; it tries to maintain the same speed no matter what the load. The operator can not listen to the motor to determine if he should change his feed rate and before you know it the motor has over heated. I would take a 690 router over an 890 router any day.

best router kit available
this is by far the best router on the market for the price. PC stood up with their excellent engineering. lots of power in this router. the micro fine adjustment from above in the router table is just super. the edge guid works really well with this router combo as well. all in all its a very good router and i would recommend this router to anyone.

Plunge Base is Junk
I bought the 895 when they first came out several years ago. In that time I've used it quite a bit and the following are my impressions.

The bottom line is it's not worth the price they're asking these days ($280).

The positives; 1)soft start - no jerking on start-up, 2) high/low switch - you can sit it down on it's top and it will turn off leaving you free to keep both hands on the router, 3) strong motor - I have rarely been able to bog the motor down, 4) above the table height adjustment - (this is only a minor positive) - given the high cost of aftermarket router lifts this gets a + mark for it's crude yet convenient adjustment.

The negatives; 1) the plunge base is JUNK - the old style base (pictured above but I understand they've redesigned it now) sticks all the time, loses it's depth setting repeatedly, and the sub-base isn't flat, 2) above the table height ajustment - I know I listed this as a positive but it's also a negative - it's very crude and the bit moves when you lock in the setting, 3) the plunge base is JUNK, 4) both bases are cheaply made (however the motor seems solid), 5) did I mention the plunge base s JUNK?

I think this is a good table router if you have an aftermarket router lift, otherwise I would recommend going with another brand for an all purpose router.

Not the Porter Cable it used to be
I bought the 895 set (factory reconditioned but I don't know what the problem was) when my old Bosch 1606 developed problems. First, there is little that I would agree is "HEAVY DUTY"! I am NOT impressed with the new P-C--altogether too many of the critical components are plastic. Examples are both the rack and the pinion raise-lower mechanism and the switch. Already had to get a replacement from P-C for the cheap collet locking pin, as the original just sheared off. The collet lock for changing bits is a good idea, but it's poorly executed on this router. I've picked up a second wrench and now change bits the traditional two-wrench way. Haven't used the plunge base much, but so far it seems OK. I just wonder how long the "new" P-C, now owned by DeWalt, will supply parts for this Mexico-made unit...I've read all the reviews here and will be checking my router carefully in an effort to avoid some of the pitfalls I have yet to experience. As most pros know, you could run over the old American-made Porter-Cable tools with a tank, and they'd keep running. Wish I'd bought the Bosch 1617 instead!