Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17140 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Porter-Cable
• Model: 694VK
• Number of items: 1

Features

• Variable-speed Router motor transitions between fixed base and plunge base cuts with ease
• 11 Amp variable-speed motor spins at 10,000-27,500 RPM for extremely precise routing on a variety of stock
• Six-position adjustable turret makes accurate plunge cuts
• Measures 12 x 5.5 x 8-5/8 inches (LxWxH) and weighs 12.5 pounds
• Includes router motor, fixed base, plunge base, 1/4- and 1/2-inch collets, collet wrenches, carrying case, and operating manual

Amazon.com Product Description
The Porter-Cable Variable-Speed 694VK 11 Amp fixed router and plunge base kit utilizes a hefty 1-3/4 HP to generate a mind-blowing 10,000-27,500 RPM for ultra-precise cuts on a variety of stock. The six-position adjustable turret makes stepped plunge cuts quick and easy, and motor transitions between fixed and plunge base extremely fast. The micrometer depth adjuster keeps things incredibly precise to 1/128 of an inch. To ensure years of top-notch performance, the 694VK is equipped with a dust-sealed switch and sealed ball bearings to keep dust out. The included collets will accept 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank bits. Routing is made easy with the dual, ergonomic rubber handles strategically mounted on the router for easy, comfortable operation.

From the Manufacturer
Porter-Cable 694VK 11 Amp 1-3/4 Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit

Customer Reviews

Still the industry standard for so many accessories, etc.
As a relative beginner, I looked long and hard at all of the models of routers out there and settled on further examining and evaluating three of them -- Porter Cable Combo Kit, Makita "D" Handle, and Bosch Combo Kit. Each had impressive reviews as well as definitive pros and cons. The deciding factor came down to the vast number of accessories already available for Porter Cable and also the fact that most manufacturers have paid silent homage to the PC brand by designing their respective products around the Porter Cable name -- table inserts, plates, bushings, guides, etc. Since I didn't want to buy a brand that would require a lot of shopping around for accessories or creative workshop design and fabrication to adapt and use, this Porter Cable combo kit gave me the very best of both worlds for my level of epertise (novice) and also the money I spent. It has heft and balance as well as a genuinely solid feel to it and in its first use, I felt extremely comfortable using it to router a Roman Ogee and chamfered edge on two different pieces of stock. The router experts may disagree with me and although I would defer to their individual experience and expertise, I believe that this model router will afford me the least expensive and most valuable method of learning this particular art all the while I'm having fun!

THE basic router--an antiquated design, not yet obsolete / completely universal and solidly built
This router kit is a great value--but the plunge base leaves a great deal to be desired in terms of quality. I decided on going with the P/C because of their router tradition--probably the most pedigreed of any major manufacturer. The 690 is the standard, and it can be found anywhere and everywhere. The reason is seems to be: 1) its slow evolution (there haven't been to many drastic technical/design changes in the long make of this basic tool) which makes it easy for companies, even PC competitors to standardize around this model; and 2) a simple, extremely well built motor and housing-I've never seen an example of one ever dying--(cords come and go, brushes need replacing once in a blue moon, but the motor doesn't die).

That said this particular model definitely shows its age in comparison to others. The quality is still excellent, probably still best in its class, but some of the refinements in terms of ergonomics, and general fit and finish now becoming standard on the most recent generation of mid-size routers are missing. The lines where the cast aluminum base was removed from its 2-part mold are very visible. The gray enamel paint job seems somewhat indifferent as does the haphazardly applied "porter-cable" sticker (if you're casting the base why not have the brand name in the mold?). There isn't a spindle lock which is a definite drawback: fumbling with two wrenches is inconvenient and would be a nightmare if the router didn't have its trademark "flat top". The plunge action on the plunge base isn't all that smooth. The black plastic case is fairly cheap and baffling in its layout--I can never figure out where to put the bundled up cord. The extra rubber reinforcement where the cord enters the housing (where cords flex most and thus break most) doesn't seem to be as tough as the older steel coil. The variable speed dial--an excellent feature--always seems to slip into lower speeds (vibration?) which means you constantly have to check it: this could be potentially remedied by going with its big 3hp brother's positive speed selection switch. All in all, while I can't necessarily call any of this "poor quality" and certainly doesn't reflect on the terrific performance of this router, it certainly doesn't reflect well on P/C which doesn't seem committed to meaningfully updating an otherwise solidly designed tool for the 21st century.

The 1.75hp motor I have found completely adequate, overly so in many cases. The weight, while heavier than some comparable models is not nearly as heavy as some others. The soft start works great and the bit depth adjustment on the fixed base, a simple corkscrew, is a great example of simplicity being the best, most effective approach. The generally basic, simple approach of this tool--an admirable approach for P/C which still produces the incredibly rugged worm gear driven circ. saw, jig saw, and belt sander--would be a benefit except, many of the "improvements" introduced in the course of router evolution by other companies, and apparently ignored here by P/C are genuine improvements that ought to be mandatory.

The Bosch 2.25hp with the wooden handles and the Milwaukee with the rubber gripped housing are both extremely nice options I wish I had considered more seriously--especially the Bosch (although removing the fixed base from the motor is really tough). Both of these seem built to higher standards, at least superficially, and both are a pleasure to use. Unfortunately, neither manufacturer has the long router legacy that P/C still has; a legacy P/C may not perpetuate much longer without a serious commitment. I have yet to use their new 2.25hp models, which look great in catalogs and probably are excellent--but I can't help but feel as though in releasing a totally new router they've neglected to perfect the already fantastic one they've been producing for decades. Nonetheless it remains the standard router--almost all router accessories are designed for this model: edge guides, sub bases, table base plates, etc. All in all a good router at a reasonable price.

A solid value
I bought this kit a couple of months ago and have used it for one project. The first thing I was surprised be was how quite it was. I had used a 690 router years ago, and it screamed. This is much quieter.

The soft start is nice and smooth. The lever release works well, big improvement over the thumb screw setup on the 690.

The plunge base works well, the springs are stiffer than they need to be. It would have been nice to have a lever release on the plunge base, not an allen screw. If you are going to changing between the bases frequently, that would be an issue.

I agree with the other reviewer that Porter-Cable should have sent a sub base with a wider opening with one of the bases, you don't need two the same. I just widened one of the holes to fit my 1/2" roundover bit.

Overall this is a great router and a good value, definetly worth considering.