This may be the most powerful router you'll ever own. Its 3-1/4-horsepower, 15 amp motor makes quick work of anything you can feed it. I expected it to tear out of my hands at startup, but for its heft, it has an amazingly soft start at every speed: 10,000, 13,000, 16,000, 19,000, and 21,000 rpm. This kind of power doesn't come without some noise, so be sure to wear hearing protection. The handles are comfortable and offer a secure grip, but at 17-1/2 pounds this is a heavier unit than most routers. The plunge depth range is 3 inches, and there's no doubt this guy can handle it. The ball bearings are 100 percent sealed, and a six-position depth-stop turret is a nice touch. It takes 1/2-inch shanks, so it could double as a shaper in a smaller shop. Here's another nice plus: a cool auto-release collet system that ends stuck bits--no more wrench-tapping and pleading! It's a beauty of a machine for heavy routing or production use. It won't disappoint you. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Its A Beast:
I purchased my 7535 Speedmatic in 1996 or 97 for my home shop. As with all of my tools I don't want to have to buy them twice. I have created everything from raised panel cabinets to jewelry boxes, and even put a decorative edge on my deck. This router has run for days in my router table without ever getting hot and has no trouble powering big bits. After 10 years the housing and the motor are as strong as the day I bought it.
I used to use my table saw to make dados but know I only use the router.... more info
Two minor possible issues:
I received the router, awesome! Unfortunately, there are two minor little complaints; I also own a bosch router table (RA1181 model). This is a very nice table with very nice features. Unfortunately, it doesn't have holes among the wide variety of possibilities to bolt up to this table. I would check this first to make sure that if your intent is to use on a table that it will bolt up. I must now either drill my own holes, look for an adapter or see if the manufacturer has a newer plate that has holes to... more info
Strongest most durable router money can buy:
We have three at work. Talk about work horse. We even us it to route 3/4" ply and 5/4" lumber, over and over. Our newest is three years old, and besides the electric cable no work has been done to any of them. They do 1/8" coves to flush triming 5/4 to steel, even aluminium and they don't skip a beat. We push ours beyound any limit any designer of the tool had eve thought it would be used and it has with stood. If you want a router that can handle anything then buy this one.
Made for the long run:
It's a Porter Cable, isn't it? I'm picky about the tools I buy, I try to buy the very best on my budget, but I haven't had any Porter Cable tool in my hands that wasn't a good one. Made in America, and that still means something to me.
First off, this isn't made for handheld use if you plan on doing a lot of freehand work. Get a smaller, say 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 HP for that. I bought the plunge instead of the fixed base just in case I needed one in a pinch. At 21 pounds and with all the torque of a small... more info
