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39 of 40 found the following review helpful:
 As good as it gets. Jan 24, 2005
By Luke T. Evans
Since Porter Cable has pushed its 7310 laminate trimmer as its primary trim router, the 310 has become less familiar with the general public but has remained the production stop standard for professional woodworkers. With its outstanding quality and precision construction, I imagine that the $159 310 is significantly more expensive to produce than the 7310, and is thus not at a competetive price point with the $100 trimmers made by DeWalt, Bosch, and others. Those routers are OK, but they pale in comparison with the 310. See my review of the 7310 for a critique of this second-rate machine.
The 310 is a small little horse of a router. It has micro adjustment and is exceptionaly accurate. It has none of the numerous flaws that plague the 7310 and the other "Rotozip" style trimmers. Against the advice of my cabinetmaker colleagues, I originally purchased a 7310 as my sole laminate trimmer, thinking I'd save a few bucks. I was so unimpressed with it and its inaccurate base and adjustment mechanism that I sidelined it for 1/8" roundover work and purchased a 310 instead. I now own three 310's and have them set up for my commonly needed tasks. One cabinetmaker in my shop has a dozen 310 trimmers. Now that's an enthusiastic fan!
As for the complaints by other reviewers about the collet not letting go of the bits, that's a problem I have not yet encountered. Sometimes I have to tap the collet with the wrench and then the bit comes right out. Of the 20 or so guys in my shop that have this router, none have complained about bits that refuse to come free. Perhaps the other reviewers left the bit in for a very long time and the bit shanks rusted to the collet??? Not sure, but hasn't been a problem for me.
The only bummer about the 310 is that PC has discontinued production of the excellent optional bases for the machine. The offset and angle bases as well as the laminate slitter are the finest available. I say "available" because even though they are no longer sold complete by PC, you can buy the individual parts and assemble your own, though this isn't cheap. Used and new-old-stock bases are also available on Ebay and other sources, but their relatively high prices attest to the die-hard following this router has among professional woodworkers. Don't let that put you off though, since most trim work is straight trimming and these bases are rarely needed. If you ever find that you really need, say, an offset base, go ahead and splurge on the parts and build your own.
I just can't say enough about this router. You can spend $100 on a second-rate glorified "Rotozip" trimmer or spend $159 on this little gem and be set for years to come. Well worth every penny!
45 of 47 found the following review helpful:
 Great unit May 27, 2000
By Paul Vasquez
I purchased this after reading the Wood mag review and looking at most of the other brands. The only limitation I've found so far is my bits. This thing has plenty of power, fits my medium-sized hands well, and is very precise. The flat top makes bit changes very easy. I had to add a homemade plexi base and deburr the depth adjustment a bit but this is a great tool. I use it for most of my free hand routing, though caution is needed when starting--maintain a firm grip.
48 of 51 found the following review helpful:
Perhaps the only router you will ever need! Jan 24, 2001
Well, the time finally came when I had to replace my 30 year old Craftsman router. The main shaft was exhibiting a little too much wobble for my tastes - this, after I rebuilt the works with new bearings.I've had my eyes on the Bosch 1617 for a couple of years... nice router, but pretty heavy and the knobs felt too big to my average (yea, just average) hands. Then it occured me, "Jeez, all I ever do with my old router is edge work and pattern rout material in a table setup. Do I really NEED 2 hp and all that tool weight? Why not check out the trim router offerings?" With the exception of this one model, they all (DeWalt, Bosch, PC) seem to have very similar builds, features and "feel". They just seem like Dremels or Roto-Zips that will hold router bits. The depth settings were so-so in their accuracy; the feel was just not what I was looking for... Then, but what should my eyes fall upon, but the 25 year old design of the Porter-Cable 310 "Production Laminate Trimmer" - looks pretty much like a 690 on anti-steroids. Weighs in at less than half the weight at 3-3/4 lbs, has the ring depth adjustment just like the 690, the on/off in the same placement, round base, all ball-bearing, cast and machined body (not plastic like the other trimmers), and turns @ 27,500 rpm with its little 2/3 hp motor. And, only $150 bucks. WHAT!?! $$150$$?!?! I can get the Bosch for that just about that amount; guess I won't be saving any green with this purchase. Pry out the wallets boys & girls. Hmmm, could this one be what I'm looking for though? I do, afterall, seem to be gravitating to smaller, less beastly tools of late. But would the 2/3 hp be enough? Would it mount up in my table? Can I make bushings and other accessories work? The short answer is, "Yes!" to all of the above - accepts P-C bushings, mounts up to a table just fine. Zowie! This little router really packs a punch! Kind of like driving a sporty little roadster instead of a Mack truck. Boy does this thing handle! Mounted it up to my table and ran off some test cuts > A-OK. Will be making up a plexi/lexan/polycarb aux. base with knobs for it. Someday maybe I'll go the mega-hp router route, but for now I'm enjoying my new pint-sized screamer (actually it is MUCH quieter and smoother than my old Craftsman).
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Great little machine. Aug 10, 2004
By P. L. Palmer
A pleasure to use and I use it as often as I can. A solid, low vibration feel that speaks of lasting quality. This recommendation comes from someone who has owned seven (and still owns four)other routers. Those of you that have returned this little guy because of a sticky collet have lost out. A little engine assembly lube(molybdenum)on the outside of the collet insert and not cranking the nut down as tight as the self releasing type allow it to release easily. Use the small collet wrench for leverage to pop it up, but avoid prying up on the carbide edge, just in case it's really stuck. I recommend the guide kit but you'll still want to make your own clear plastic base to allow more light in to see.
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Built to Last!!! Aug 23, 2003
This is a solid tool. Porter Cable hasn't changed this proven design for nearly a generation! Yes, there is room for improvement but for precision routing there is no better tool for the job. First of all, this machine feels like a router and not like one of those flimsy Rotozip designs. The motor housing is machined aluminum and not cheap plastic. All the adjustments are simple with a no nonsense concept. What would be a nice improvement is a simple lever release instead of the tiny round knob. The beauty of this machine is how well the tool fits your hand. The half slot opening gives you worry free confidence your pinky finger won't turn into hamburger. Yes, there are a few sharp edges from the protruding contours but nothing beats the control your palm has over this trimmer. Maybe PC should adopt Milwaukee's "Body Grip" concept for this unit along with a plunge mechanism. Imagine a rubberized "Body Grip" plunge trimmer. Then again, too much change won't make this tool what the 310 is all about! I know there are cheaper trimmers out there with more bells and whistles. But wrap your hands around this baby first. You'll appreciate the elegance and control this machine has to offer. Vibration is kept to a minimal with the excellent power to weight ratio. Power is more than adequate for a router this size. Routing visiblity is great and is greatly improved with one of Pat Warner's clear lexan sub-bases. Best of all, PC did not cheap'in this machine to compete with the competition...instead they introduced the 7310 which is far from being the successor to this fine tuned legend. Too bad, PC didn't provide a metal case for this high priced machine. A cool pint size metal case would really complete the ensemble. I guess most people who purchase this trimmer are capable of building one with fine wood.
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