I bought this router several years ago and set it aside for use in a router table. The collar size matches that of a Porter Cable 960 (88.9mm) for anyone looking to install it in a lift.
Bought that router for doing finger joints on the HF jig years ago. Works great. BTW, the 3/8 collet can use 8mm bits which are common for most finger joint jigs.
Thanks for this video. I just picked up one of these 2 HP Drillmaster routers for $25 on Facebook Marketplace, and I was amazed at how well put together this machine is. Solid, basic tool. I knew something was funky with that height adjustment ring, so thanks for showing your "work-around" technique. Question: does your 2 HP Drillmaster router get quite hot as it runs? Other reviewers mention theirs also getting hot quickly.
it does heat up a little, but that is kinda normal for this type of routers, they are a copy of aportal cable router, while they heat up a little, it does not create a problem for performance - they should have included a motor fan - thanks for subscribing!
I was looking for a router, and it was on sale at harbor freight. I did a RU-vid on the operation and came upon your channel. Great review. I am using it for making door hinges
Great video! Kinda reminds me of Porter Cable router. Do you still use it, and would you recommend it? Thinking about buying one. Thanks for sharing video 👍
this is a copy of the portal cable router, parts off each will fit the other, they come from the same factory - most of HF's router bits come from the same factory as Skil's router bits, I'm sure they are other HF tools that are the same as other manufactures - this router is a work horse, just works, no reservations - I take it out of the base and us it in a router lift - I still recommend it - a video that compares all of HF routers - thanks for subscribing!
I am NOT a carpenter, but I bought this router to use for setting the hinges into my new closet doors. I will also need to purchase a hinge jig, before I begin my project. But I'm wondering if this router is too big for the job. I've looked at a few other, smaller routers (with less HP), but they were actually more expensive!
this router will have more than enough power for hinges, its 2 hp, so it should do anything you need it to do, it comes from the the same factory that portal cable gets its routers, and portal cable sells the same router, but for 2x as much - thanks for subscribing!
I highlight anything like that with paint. Just get a paint marker with a contrasting color and go over all the tic marks and numbers. Then wipe the excess off. Works perfectly every time. Edit: Great video btw
Thanks you so much for making this video. I inherited this and the 1/4” router stuffed in a cardboard box. I now know that I’m missing everything under the locking nut. Do you know if HF sells replacement parts for this?
you can call HF customer service to find out if they sell it- if not - portal cable sells a version of this router in their 690 line, if you find the manual online you can confirm the parts are interchangeable - Thanks for subscribing!
check out woodgears.ca, I made the tilting router lift, it designed for a router this size and it works great, simple design overall - mathius wandel also has a youtube channel and has videos covering making the tilting router lift - thanks for subscribing!
I bought the same router. However, my insert looks different, and i cannnot put a bit in or change the inserts because of it. Do you have any idea what it is?
Do they still sell these routers or now please comment back in let me know and let me know if you know the price of it thank you so very much for this video
website link - www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-fixed-base-router-68341.html - you can check their site to see if your harbor freight has it in stock, website price is currently 59.99 - you should expect to get at least 20% off that price with a coupon, which would make it about $48 - check out this site to get a 20% off coupon = www.hfqpdb.com/gallery/pct - thanks for subscribing!
I literally JUST got home with this router, and after opening it, it's making a rattling sound inside, I think something is broken. I haven't even plugged it in yet. I guess I'll be exchanging it tomorrow as the only HFT in my area is almost an hour away. It seems to be well build other than that, however.
Have you tried putting larger router bits in this router? They seem to come in contact with the plastic base-is the solution to somehow enlarge the hole in the plastic base?
I made replacements for the plastic bottom, I used ultra-high molecule weight plastic (UHMW) to make the replacements, with different size holes - UHMW is workable with woodworking tools, so you can use a router with a straight bit to cut the both into a circle - coinvent source for UHMW? walmart cutting boards, they are white and come in many sizes and thicknesses - amazon might be a source for different sizes/thicknesses - a few are thicker than I want, but I can get close - thanks for subscribing!
I'm making handrails for my front porch and new steps. I used the 1/2" straight bit that comes with it to make the Dado' in the 5/4 cypress for the spindles to be placed in. Now I want to do Roundover/Beading with a 3/8 bit. The diameter of the bit as it relates to the up/down of height' of the 9' section of the top and bottom rails needs to be dressed up in the round-over fashion. The problem is that the round black plastic ring attached with 3 Phillips head Center ring is not large enough to pass the bit through for the correct adjustment. I am taking it off for the bit Clearance. Any other suggestions?
the center ring is made to come off for just the reason you are taking it off, its there to help the router slide over the wood, and it can get awkward sliding without it, I've had to do that a few times also - an alternative is to get UHMW plastic (ultra high molecular weight) and made replacement bottoms, cheap source? white cutting boards are walmart - UHMW is workable just like wood with most of the same tools, the replacements could have different center opening sizes - the replacements might need to end up thicker, not sure if walmart has a really thin board, and while it could theoretically go thru a planer, I have not tried it, and don't recommend it...... on the other hand, machining it with a router bit, yes I've done that and it works great - please provide an update of how this worked out for you
Does it have a 1/2" collet ?? There has to be something that squeezes the 1/2" router bit shank when you tighten the nut down. Couldn't be that the armature of the motor itself is slotted to squeeze down on the bit, is it ???
Its setup a little different - it has a built in 1/2 collet in the collet NUT and the 3/8 and 1/4 collets insert into the 1/2 collet, it works great - Thanks for Subscribing - btw portal cable has a router exactly like this one and its spare parts fit this router
How is this router holding up? Looking to buy a basic router to cut some circular holes and for some other projects around the house and was wondering if I should go with this or the ryobi.
this router and the skil router come from the same factory and are the same router - this is my favorite router, plenty of power, easy to change bits, and the handholds at the base make it easier to handle, having the base removable allows me to mount it in my router lift easily and with no mods - I recommend this router, I have not any issues with the router - thanks for subscribing!
Have you made a router table for this or attached it to a router table? I can't find any videos online on this. I love this router but I want a router table as well.
check out mathius wandel, he has plans and videos for a tilting router lift that fits this router perfect, I've built it and use a lot, work great with 1/2 and 1/4 inch router bits with this router - if you build it reach out with results - thanks for subscribing!
@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews Great review...what is the diameter of the router motor? Will it fit a 3-1/2" router lift like the Jess-Em Rout-R-Lift II?
