The Porter Cable 450 and the Dewalt 611 are both compact routers that will allow you to carry out your intricate woodworking and cabinetry requirements. With both models being so similar it can be difficult to choose which one will be right for your needs.
We have picked out the best features of both the Porter Cable 450 and the Dewalt 611 to find out which one is the better model.
Size
The Porter Cable 450 and the Dewalt 611 are both a similar size to allow you to access tough to reach areas and carry out more intricate applications. They are both lightweight models, with the Porter Cable weighing 5.4 lbs and the Dewalt weighing 5.5 lbs.
The Porter Cable and the Dewalt are both small enough to be operated with just one hand. The Porter Cable measures 11.2 by 7.1 by 5.4 inches, which is similar to the Dewalt that measures 11.5 by 7.3 by 5.6 inches.
Functions
The Dewalt features handy dual LED lights fixed into the clear sub-base that highlight the area you’re working on, so you’re able to get better visibility during applications compared to the Porter Cable. The Porter Cable and the Dewalt both have an adjustment ring to let you control the bit depth changes to within 1/64 of an inch.
The Porter Cable has a clamping mechanism that ensures the motor stays locked in position during applications. The Dewalt benefits from a lower grip handle so you can get closer to the cutting, ensuring better control over the cut and minimizing vibration.
Power
Both the Porter Cable and the Dewalt feature powerful 1.25 horsepower motors for extra strength when cutting through tougher materials. Both models also feature full time electronic feedback so the speed and power is maintained throughout the cut, which is beneficial for tougher applications.
The Dewalt benefits from having variable speed settings to allow you to control the speed on different types of applications or for more intricate work. The Porter Cable has a fixed speed of 27,000 rpm.
Ease of Use
The Porter Cable and the Dewalt models both have a comfort grip designed to optimize one handed applications. The Dewalt features a large button to change the bits that can be accessed using the same hand that’s using the router, making it easier to carry out bit changes.
The Porter Cable features a low pressure spindle lock button to change the bits quickly. Both of the routers are easy to use, with the Dewalt having a two tabs to allow you to easily and quickly remove the base.
Recommendation
Having looked at the features of both the Porter Cable 450 and the Dewalt 611 we think the best compact router is the Dewalt 611. It has more features to help you get the precise cutting that you’re looking for, with the benefit of having the LED light feature.
Both the Porter Cable 450 and the Dewalt 611 are great handheld tools but the Dewalt allows you to get better control over your application as you can get closer to it. Being less than a $20 price difference we think the Dewalt is worth the extra money.