PORTER-CABLE Plunge Router Base (8931) , grey

4 stars for the Plunge Base. 0 stars for Porter-Cable service. Sorry this review is so long, but I hope you find it informative and, more importantly, helpful.I bought my Porter-Cable 895PK kit over five years ago so it's long out of warranty. This kit is still available and includes the router motor with an interchangeable fixed base and plunge base The plunge base alone is model 8931, and that's what I'm reviewing here. As you can read in other Amazon reviews, the original 8931 plunge base had some problems, so P-C redesigned it based on a better Dewalt plunge base, and re-issued the new base a few years ago under the same model number. I experienced the well-documented problems with my original plunge base, so I ordered a new model 8931 plunge base directly from Amazon. The current 8931 is much improved in most respects but, unfortunately, the sub-base on mine is warped. The center is about 3/32" higher than the circumference, causing the router to rock on the workpiece - unacceptable. These things happen, so I called the Porter-Cable Customer Care Center at 888-848-5175, expecting them to simply apologize and drop an inexpensive replacement sub-base in the mail to me. That's all they had to do to keep this customer happy. Instead, the P-C customer service rep was argumentative, unknowledgeable, and arrogant. He clearly didn't understand routers in general, much less the P-C 890 with interchangeable bases. From the beginning, he offered me just two options: either I return the entire "thing" to Amazon (since he didn't understand what the "thing" is), or he'd transfer me to the parts department where they'd figure out what piece I need and charge me for the part and $9 shipping to send a replacement. At various times in our 20-minute conversation, he argued that the item isn't actually called a sub-base (it's called a sub-base on every router I've ever owned, every router article I've ever read, and even in the parts diagram in the instructions that came with this very plunge base), that accessories such as plunge bases aren't covered by warranty - only complete routers are covered (the instructions that came with the plunge base detail a "Three Year Limited Warranty"), and that if it came from Amazon it must be used and, therefore, not P-C's problem (while you can buy used items from other vendors on Amazon, this was a new, sealed item purchased and shipped directly from Amazon at their new price). He became even more uncooperative when I asked to speak with a manager, but I insisted and finally got through to one. I explained the problem and the manager quickly agreed to just send me a replacement sub-base. He said it should take 5 - 10 business days. I'll update this review if and when I receive the part. Either way, my confidence in Porter-Cable and their products is severely shaken. Starts to make Festool look reasonable despite the cost difference.Oh, by the way, if you decide to buy one of these new design plunge bases to replace your old one, consider just buying a new kit. Amazon currently sells the 895PK kit with motor, plunge, and fixed bases for $229.99, while the plunge base alone is $119.30. If I didn't already have two of the 890 series motors and a full set of bases, that's what I'd have done.Update 3/6/13: I received a replacement sub base from P-C today but, no surprise, it's the wrong one. The sub base they sent is for their long obsolete plunge base, not the current one. There's obviously no point in contacting P-C customer service again - they're clueless, useless, and hopeless. If, however, you purchase a new 8931 plunge base and discover your sub base is warped, here are some suggestions: 1) Obviously, you can return the entire router or plunge base for replacement. This seems wasteful to me, and there's no guarantee a replacement will be any better, but it's a valid option. 2) You can flatten the warped base. I taped some 60 grit sandpaper to my tablesaw top and carefully sanded mine flat in about 15 minutes. Then, I spent another 10 minutes working through finer grits, ending with 600 grit. My sub base is now frosty instead of clear, but quite flat. The problem is that it will no longer accept P-C template bushings because the recess is now too shallow to hold them properly. 3) If you have the old 8931 base, you can transfer the sub base to your new 8931. It isn't a perfect fit, but it's better than a warped base. 4) You can order a replacement sub base and hope it is flat. The correct part number for the sub base on the NEW model 8931 plunge base is 606246-00. This same sub base is also used on DeWalt and Black & Decker plunge bases (same part number), so check around for the best price. 5) Buy an aftermarket sub base from someone like Pat Warner (just Google "Pat Warner router"). He machines his router sub bases from thick, flat acrylic sheets instead of casting them, so they work great.

This definitely is better than the original plunge router base I got with my combo set I bought several years ago. Never replaced it because there was no reason to replace it with another one that wouldn't work anyway. Instead I used the fixed base as a plunge base. Well, I finally needed a real plunge base for a job I'm working on so I bought the new replacement base. Wow, what a difference. This was definitely the base that should of come with the original combo set.But, after just 1 board problems with the base still exist. The stops are wonderful to use if the locking pin actually holds fast. The first white oak board and template worked great. Everything was perfect. Cut the second board and then the start of the third and was noticing that the cut seemed narrower. Sure enough the locking pin was slipping and the cut was different from the second board to the first. The second board wasn't to bad but still needed to be redone. The third board was enough that I needed to reset the templates and re-route the boards. Luckily, you can't tell. But why should you have to reset everything two or three times.I contacted Amazon this evening and a replacement is on the way. Hopefully this is an isolated problem with just this one base. I really don't have the energy to buy new routers.I know at one time Porter Cable was made in America. I"m wondering if they still are.

It was a choice between buying another router to get a plunge router or to buy this based. Glad that I bought the base. It works great, is accurate and easy to set up and use. I am building some jigs for the dining room chairs that I am going to make and will be using the plunge base for the mortises. I did a test with a simple jig and was pleased with how easy it was to get an accurate size and depth. Recommended.

This is the DeWalt 618 plunge base machined for the P-C 890 motor. It's a huge improvement over the 690 plunge base and I've heard to earlier 890 series plunge bases weren't much better. This is a smooooth plunger, no sticking or slop, The spring strength is just right; strong enough to lift the motor but not so strong as to be difficult to plunge. The depth stops are okay and the dust collection is really pretty good, especially doing rabbets and cuts where the bit is covered by the base. Dust collection works with edge works but not as well.

This plunge base contain all the basic feature expected.It offers 4 adjustable depth settings which allows you to route in multiple passes very easily.There is a dust collector attachement but it did prove somehwat inefficiant when attached to my shop vac.The knobs that let you adjust the depth settings as well as the lock lever are all made of plastic that doesn't seem to be designed to last forever.Finally, the plunge mechanism is not as smooth in use as what I have experienced with some competitors router.If you already own the router and are planning to buy the plunge base separatly as I did I would suggest considering buying a seperate dedicated router for plunge operations with a smoother plunge mechanism.

This is a great improvement over the plunge attachment I have for my older 690 PC router motors. The really great improvement is the dust collection through the plunge shaft upright. There is a clear plastic plate above the router plate, this creates a 1/2" chamber between the two surfaces. Attach a small vacuum hose to the top of the flexible shaft and all shavings and debris go right up the shaft and into the vacuum. I use a small Stanley canister vac with a long hose, it doesn't have much suction power but works great for this application. The plunge mechanism works smoothly, and as it should. Very satisfied.

Buen terminado, facil de ajustar. Solo hay que tomar en cuenta la máxima carrera de profundidad.Lo he utilizado para varios proyectos con muy buenos resultados.