One does make some compromises in choosing this over standalone plunge or fixed routers: most plunge routers (including PC's own dedicated 1.5 HP plunge router) have smoother action than this and more precise adjustments. The router is perfectly capable in this role however, and the average home woodworker will have no trouble with it as a plunge router. By contrast, this router is really excellent in a table: it's solid, quick to adjust, and relatively powerful. However, it doesn't have the power to drive the largest horizontal panel raiser bits, and to safely operate this router in a table you will need to buy a separate speed control.
I highly recommend Porter Cable routers; I think they are the best out there. If you're on a budget but still want a strong tool with lots of capabilities, this is absolutely the best choice. But if you have the money, buy the PC 3.25 HP fixed router for your table and buy the PC 1.5 HP plunge router for plunge work.
I was routing a 1/2 inch wide by 3/4 deep rabit on a piece of red oak, using the router in a table. I had four bords to rout. I was almost done with the second board when the router started to make rude noises. A few seconds later, it just quit, leaving large amounts of ozone tainted air and a very frustrated user.
It turned out that both brushes were gone, totally burned away. One of the brush contacts on the spindle was entirely fused off. The router is now scrap.
I would buy, and am now, a router with more horsepower if you intend anythin else but occasional weekend work. Do not expect this router to last under anything other than ossasional use.
That being said, this is really a great router. The double base is wonderful in that I know I won't have to purchase another router for a long time. I don't find swapping the bases to be that big a deal at all. Bits are easy to change in and out. The only thing that concerned me was that it was only 1 1/2 horsepower. I thought I should get a beefier router at 2 or 3 HP. But after using this router for several projects now, I have learned that 1 1/2 HP is clearly enough power for nearly any job out there. I've not had a single hiccup or hesitation. The motor moves through the wood like a knife through butter.
I've used this router for detail work, like cutting details into picture frames, and for grunt work, like etching out mortises for a bed frame, and it handled both with ease.
For all my fellow weekend warriors, I'd highly suggest this router.
