Product Description 15-amp, five-speed, maintains constant speed under load and features an auto-release collet system that ends "frozen" bits! Includes 1/2" collet and collet wrenches.
Amazon.com Review When it's time to step up to a bigger router, Porter-Cable's 7518 should be on your list of contenders. It has as powerful a motor as you can find on a router and a reputation for accuracy and dependability. It's designed to work with bits as large as 4 inches in diameter and has electronic soft start and five speeds, to ensure that you'll be able to use those giant panel cutters safely and smoothly. The large bit capacity also makes it a great poor man's shaper when mounted on a good router table. Like most of Porter-Cable's routers, this model features their autorelease collet system, which does a good job of eliminating the problem of frozen bits and the need for rapping on the collet to remove them. Of all the routers we've tried, Porter-Cable's are among those with the lowest vibration and cleanest cuts. One thing we wish Porter-Cable would improve on is the lack of a spindle lock, which means that two wrenches--and potential knuckle wracking--are involved in bit changes. But given that a router's real value is measured by the results it produces, we'd still recommend the 7518 as one of the best routers available and a great choice for any shop. --Brian Trinen
Used for Raised PanelsJanuary 31, 2008 I wanted to make about about 60 feet of raised panel wainscoting (over 25 panels) for my dining room using 3/4 in. MDF board. I selected the PC 7518 router because of the power, favorable reviews and other recommendations. I mounted it in a Bench Dog Pro Lift and mounted that in a Bench Dog ProTop router table and used Freud bits including a 3.5 in. raised panel bit with a back cutter. This set up breezed through the rail and stile cuts like butter with 1 pass and made very smooth cuts. The cuts were so precise that no sanding was required where the rails and stiles were joined. The raised panel bit also generated very smooth cuts but I would recommend 3 passes for safety and a better result. I was using the set-up on a 15 amp line in the garage (it is a 15 amp tool) with a shop vac to suck up the dust and boy does MDF generate dust. After blowing the circuit breaker a few times (using the panel cutter), I moved the vac and work lights to a different circuit and that solved the circuit breaker problem. However the router still shut down if the cut was too heavy or the feed too fast. It was easily re-set by simply unpluging and repluging the power cord. Since this was my first major router project, I attribute this to "operator error" hence the 3 pass recommendation for the raised panel cutter. That cutter really pushes this router to its limits and once I got the hang of it, it performed really well. However if your looking to do a raised panel with 1 pass in MDF, get a shaper. The end result is that I have a very happy wife who loves her wainscoting.
This router is pretty heavy and is primarily intended for a router table which is where I plan to leave it. I'll use a different and lighter router for hand held router work. All and all, I'm extremely pleased with the PC 7518 and have no reservations in recommending it for use in a router table.
Relative to the recommendations of some that a used shaper might have been a better approach, have you ever priced shaper cutters relative to router bits? They are a lot more expensive. Also shapers are not easily moved from the basement to the garage for a project. If I were a production shop, then a shaper makes sense. Since I'm not, the router table approach is the more flexible and cost effective approach for me. Besides, I more than covered the cost of the equipment in the savings from not having to buy or have someone make custom wainscoting.
Excellent router........................................July 12, 2007 You can't go wrong using this router. Excellent balance, power, and speed control are just a few of the features that make this router a tool to have. A little heavier than most routers, but what do you expect for a 3 1/4 production router?
The Big DadyJune 1, 2007 1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Listen people...this beast is a continuous duty production router, not the one router you will ever need. It is HEAVY because it is made to spin big bits without vibrating. Mass absorbs energy e=MC sq! Notice the handles? It can be used freehand. I have used it freehand to bullnose 200 LF of 3" solid Mahogany counter tops that could not be pushed through a shaper do radiused corners. It can handle your biggest jobs with grace. It has good balance and finesse, beautiful soft start and NEVER bogs under load. There is no other 15 amp production router by any manufacturer this smooth and balanced, and I have tried most . I use it only on jobs for which it makes sense and no other machine will do. Otherwise you are just lugging a barbell. It is not a laminate trimmer nor a lightweight edge profiler. Panel raising is no reason to to spend this much on a router. If you are stupid enough to spend $400 on a router then $500 on a lift then more on a table to "raise panels" when you could have bought a small or used shaper then my condolences. My shaper raises panels clean in one pass and will do so all day long. This router will too but 1/2" shank router bits can't take that kind of stress for long. For occasional panels buy a nice 2-hp model or run vertical bits. If you don't plan or need to use it freehand you can buy just the motor at a discount for a dedicated table application from some suppliers, great choice for a table if you have the money. Ps-why would you want to spin 1/4 inch bits in a 15-amp router?
Powerhouse of a routerApril 12, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Purchased this router in conjunction with the Jessem Mast-r-lift what a fantastic combo. As an armature woodworker and enthusiast I highly recommend this combination.
RouterMarch 19, 2007 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have several 7518 routers and several 7539 style routers. I have found them to be very dependable and repairable if needed, so far not because of the manufacturer but foreign objects getting inside. To make these easier to use in a table the Quick Change collet is a great addition.
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