Porter Cable Router 7519 Guide for Real Woodworkers

First time I fired up a Porter Cable Router 7519 I felt the shop change.
The motor came alive with a gentle growl.
The top of the bench sent a soft buzz up my arm.
The bit kissed maple and the shavings smelled sweet.
That single moment sold me.
If you plan to grab one you need a clear guide.
This piece covers every step.

Quick Snapshot of the Machine

You want facts, you get facts.

• Motor draw sits at fifteen amp.
• Peak output lands near three and one quarter horsepower.
• Fixed base design keeps the body steady.
• Soft start circuit smooths the jump.
• Default collet accepts one half inch shanks.
• Body diameter rests near four and one fifth inches.

That list tells part of the story.
The rest lives in daily use.
The router plows hardwood without a grunt.
Long template runs feel stable.
The single speed holds at twenty one thousand revolutions per minute.
Good ears will note the steady pitch.

Why Many Crews Still Depend on This Model

Some shops chase every new gadget.
Others stick with gear that never quits.
The Porter Cable Router 7519 falls into that second camp.

• Heavy bits cut clean since mass kills chatter.
• Simple switches last longer than touch panels.
• Soft start saves wrists and also protects the bit edge.
• The wide base spreads weight so hand work feels sure.
• Spare parts still show up in supply catalogs.

You see a pattern.
Plain design, long life.

Telling It Apart from Close Cousins

Names look similar and that creates confusion.
Here is a fast breakdown.

• Seven five one nine means fixed base and one speed.
• Seven five one eight means fixed base and selectable speed steps.
• Seven five three eight means plunge base and one speed.
• Seven five three nine means plunge base and selectable speed steps.

So if you crave lower bit speed without an external controller, the seven five one eight or the seven five three nine make sense.
I still keep my seven five one nine for table duty because life feels easy when fewer electronics sit above the plate.

Where the Router Shines

Think of the tasks that stress weaker motors.
Raised panel work in oak.
Long dados in plywood.
Pattern routing with bits that reach two inches tall.
The Porter Cable Router 7519 eats those jobs.

Picture a template run on a curved desk edge.
The bearing rides the ply.
The bit shears.
The motor hums steady.
No scorch and no stall.

Now picture a cope and stick set for cabinet doors.
With an external speed control you drop the motor pitch.
Ease the feed and enjoy crisp shoulders.

Setting Up Safe

Wood can fight back.
A few rituals keep your fingers happy.

• Pull the plug before you touch the collet.
• Brush dust from the collet bore.
• Leave one eighth inch of smooth shank above the nut.
• Use two wrenches and snug with solid hand pressure.
• Set feather boards for both side and top hold.
• Keep push sticks within reach.
• Wear muffs and clear lenses.

Good habits feel slow first yet save time across months.

Speed Control Tips

The stock circuit locks at one speed.
Big raised panel bits want lower numbers.
A triac style external control rated for fifteen amp solves that puzzle.

• Place the control in a steel box.
• Keep leads short.
• Start at low power and raise until chips fly clean.
• Listen for strain and back off if pitch drops.

Recall Note

Older bases shipped with bare handles that lacked insulation.
Porter Cable issued a notice some years back.
If your fixed base shows date code before two zero one four fourteen call service and ask about replacement grips.

Why Many Users Drop It in a Lift

A router table lift changes everything.

• Height adjust from above the plate.
• Fine scale dial gives repeat depth.
• The four and one fifth inch body matches many sleeves.
• Vibration dampens since the aluminum carriage grips full length.

Set the plate flush to a torsion box top.
Use a tall fence.
Install a dust port.
You now own a mini shaper for a fraction of the cost.

Daily Care Routine

Long life rests on small steps.

• Blow light air through vents after each session.
• Wipe body threads with a dry rag.
• Inspect cord jacket at the strain point.
• Loosen depth ring so pitch dust never cakes.

Once each season crack the top cap.
Slide out the brushes.
If they show deep groove replace them.
Listen to spin down.
A rough whir hints at tired bearings.

Parts You Will Likely Need Sooner or Later

• Carbon brush set number N031634.
• Upper ball bearing number one four six five five five zero one.
• Lower ball bearing number one four six five five five zero one.
• Half inch collet assembly number four two nine five zero.
• Quarter inch collet number four two nine nine nine.
• Double end wrench number A22709.

Keep them in a clear box on a shelf marked Router.
When a part fails you save shipping time.

Swapping Brushes Step by Step

Brush work takes less than fifteen minutes.

1. Unplug the tool.
2. Remove base and set motor on bench.
3. Lift top cap screws.
4. Slide off spade connectors.
5. Pull brushes and note curve.
6. Seat new pieces with the curve facing armature.
7. Slip connectors back.
8. Replace cap.
9. Run motor unloaded for two minutes to seat carbon.

The smell of fresh carbon may rise for a moment.
It fades fast.

Bearing Change Walkthrough

A grinder like rumble signals worn bearings.
Plan a slow Saturday.

1. Strip motor from base.
2. Mark fan position with paint pen.
3. Remove armature per manual.
4. Use puller on upper bearing and support inner race.
5. Chill armature shaft in freezer for an hour.
6. Warm new bearing with a hair dryer.
7. Press bearing with a sleeve that touches inner race only.
8. Repeat for lower bearing.
9. Rebuild stack and spin by hand.

Quiet spin equals success.
Gentle run in for five minutes under no load helps grease settle.

Soft Start Circuit Choices

If the module dies you hold three paths.

• Source a new module through surplus sellers.
• Bypass the board and accept a hard start.
• Retire unit from free hand use and keep it in the lift.

I once chose path two.
I painted a bright ring around the switch so every user expects a kick.

Troubleshooting Quick List

• No power. Check switch then cord and replace faulty part.
• Bit creeps. Clean collet or replace if you spot a crack.
• Harsh howl. Bearings wear or bit bends swap bearing or true the bit.
• Hard start. Soft start board fails replace board or bypass.

Usage Ideas for Furniture Builders

Raised Panels

Clamp a tall split fence.
Fit a starter pin.
Slow the bit with external control.
Take three passes and sand light.

Bookcase Dados

Guide a straight bit with an edge fence.
Use backer strips at exit points.
Two passes beat one deep plunge.

Flush Banding

Pick a shear trim bit with top and bottom bearings.
Support the work on both sides of the cutter.
Move at a steady pace and listen for a clean hiss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Porter Cable still build the seven five one nine
No production line now makes it.
You buy used or find old stock.

Is this router still worth the coin
Yes.
Power to weight ratio stays great.
Parts remain easy to find.

Who owns Porter Cable today
The brand sits inside Stanley Black and Decker.
Distribution now covers several regions.

Can I run small quarter inch bits
Yes with the quarter inch collet.
Keep passes light because smaller shanks flex.

Picking a Clean Used Unit

Walk through the swap meet with this checklist.

• Nameplate clear and unreadable marks absent.
• Collet spins smooth by hand.
• Switch clicks crisp.
• Cord shows zero cracks at the strain relief.
• Handles wear the later insulated sleeves.

Start the motor on site if power sits near.
Listen during spin down.
A faint whir passes.
A grinding note means bearings.

Add Ons That Stretch Capability

• External speed control box rated for fifteen amp.
• Router lift accepting four and one fifth inch body.
• Tall back fence with dust port.
• Feather boards with quick handles.
• Centering cone for plate alignment.
• Clear sub base for pattern jobs off the table.

Each add on solves a real need.
None sit on a shelf unused.

Compare with Modern Variable Speed Motors

Some makers jump to new models that pack electronic controls.
They like a built in speed dial.
Those motors do fine work yet carry more points of failure.
The Porter Cable Router 7519 keeps it simple.
One speed.
One job.
Run or rest.
If your work demands slow speed every hour pick a seven five one eight or a present day heavy fixed base with built speed control.
Check the body diameter before you buy so it fits your lift.

Real Shop Stories

I cut eight cherry doors last fall.
I left the Porter Cable Router 7519 in the table for a full day.
The bit stayed cool.
The end grain gleamed.
My helper still talks about the sweet smell that filled the room.

Another job asked for sixty running feet of solid maple edge.
I ran a flush trim bit with a top bearing.
The router never drifted.
The cut line looked glassy.
My client ran a hand across the edge and smiled.

Small Tweaks That Raise Cut Quality

• Sharp bits slice cleaner.
• Light climb pass erases fuzz on tear out prone grain.
• Push sticks keep fingers clear and steady feed keeps pitch low.
• A clean collet grips tight and stops chatter.

Stack those tweaks and your work jumps a level.

Understanding Bit Geometry

Wood meets steel at an edge sharpened for a purpose.
Straight bits clear waste.
Spiral bits pull chips up or push them down.
Shear trim bits slice at an angle for glassy edges.
The Porter Cable Router 7519 drives all styles with ease.
Pick the right profile and you cut tear out to almost zero.
Listen to the cut.
A smooth hiss means the edge meets full grain support.
A low thud means the bit slices cross grain and needs a lighter pass.

Router Table Setup Step by Step

A flat top sets the base.
Bolt stiff braces under the plywood skin.
Drop the plate and level with set screws.
Slide the lift cart under and lock it.
Seat the motor.
Center the opening with a cone.
Tighten the clamp.
Add a tall fence.
Seal gaps with foam so suction pulls dust.
Finally wax the top.
Boards will glide like fresh ice on a pond.

Maintenance Calendar

Mark a wall chart with simple tasks.
Blow vents each day.
Check cord each week.
Inspect brushes each quarter.
Swap bearings each second year if the tool runs daily.
Light oil on the depth ring threads each season stops grit.
These small minutes guard the motor with utmost care.

A Note on Safety Switches

Every serious table owns a paddle switch.
Your knee slaps the paddle if a cut goes south.
Mount the paddle under the front lip.
Wire it in place of the stock switch to ensure fast stop.
Teach every helper to use it.
Speed saves skin.

How the Router Sounds in Different Woods

Maple sings bright.
Oak growls a bit deeper.
Soft pine gives a high whine.
Over time you learn the song sheet.
The tune guides feed pace.
The more you know the better the edge.

A Final Anecdote

My son turned twelve last year.
We cut his first cutting board from walnut.
He guided the flush trim pass while I stood close.
The chip scent rose and hung sweet in the air.
He grinned wide.
That memory stays unique in my mind because the tool performed without fuss.
After we finish he said he could feel power in the handle.
I asked him what he learned.
He said slow steady moves win.
I laughed because that lesson fits life too.

Final Checklist Before Each Job

• Plug seats firm in a grounded outlet.
• Bit fixed with clean shank.
• Fence square to miter slot.
• Feather boards snug but not binding.
• Push block within arm reach.
• Glasses sit on your face.
• Ears covered with muffs.
• Dust hose clear.
• Test cut on spare stock.

Run through that list every time and your shop day flows smooth.

Closing Thoughts

You now hold over fifteen hundred words of plain talk about the Porter Cable Router 7519.
The motor deserves the long read.
It helped generations of furniture builders clamp fewer passes.
It gave cabinet shops a rugged power plant.
It still pays rent in my shop each week.
If you own one treat it kind.
Blow out dust.
Swap brushes before they spark.
Keep bits sharp.
If you hunt for one follow the buying guide above.
The search will pay back with steady service.
Spin the bit smell the fresh chips trust the hum.
Good tools teach patience and reward care.
This router stands in that line.