All tool manufacturers offer a 3+HP plunge router in their lineup (some
have more than one) but only two makes a fixed base router (PC and
3HP). My impression is the following:

- Those routers are very heavy and not really suitable for hand held
work.

I have used my Freud FT2000EP 3.25HP router freehand (i.e. not even a
guide), no problem. The experience is about the same as with my much older
2HP router.

- Some of them have a very small base opening preventing them from
using large diameter bits.

Not in my case, at least.

- Some may claim they're designed to be installed in a table. Well, you
don't need a plunge router to gain the ability to raise the bit? A
fixed base router does the job well... Many plunge routers have
powerful springs that makes them very hard to raise once they're
installed in a table.

Some people have recommended removing the springs for table use. I leave
mine in because I want to use it outside the table sometimes. This router
has a knob that you can turn for quite fine adjustments, and there's enough
leverage for the spring counterforce to be a non issue. It can take a long
time to move it through large height differences, though. That doesn't
happen so often.

- As far as I'm concerned, a plunge router is designed "to plunge" in
the material. I don't know many "plunging" tasks that requires such a
monster. Making mortises is done easily with any 2HP plunge router.

My 2HP seemed to be bogging down on me during ordinary jobs. That's when I
decided to try just plain more power. I like it.

Well, this is my understanding so far. Am I missing something? There
must be over 10 plunge router monsters available but only 2 fixed base.
There must be a reason for it that I ignore. What's the advantage of
the plunge base in such big router?

Versatility? I want plunge capability, and don't feel I can afford to go
buy another router just for that.

These routers aren't THAT big. With electronic soft start it's not going to
yank itself out of your hands on startup, either.

- Owen -