Skil14 Amp Plunge and Fixed Base Router Combo — RT1322-00

Solid chunky build quality. Amazing considering the price, this feels way more premium. Operation is smooth and powerful, handling is comfortable. Great product, well recommended

It’s a nice router the plunge part of it is a solid feature. Variable speed and led reading on the top is really a nice feature.

Skil did a great job making this router.

Very strong, lots of features, great for professionals

There is a lot to like about this Skil router: it has electronic variable speed control with an easy to use programmable LCD, soft start, both fixed and plunge bases, 14 amp motor, 1/4" (using adapter) and 1/2" collet, three LED lights that turn on and off automatically, vacuum attachments for both bases, and an edge guide that can be attached to either base. Also, both bases can be attached to a router table and the height adjustment can be done from the top of the table with a special tool.I looked at Bosch, Dewalt, Ryobi, Makita, Porter-Cable, Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi), Kobalt, Milwaukee, Chicago-Electric, etc. and this one had all of the features that I would ever need for DIY projects without forking out over $200. However, there is some confusion about it as well.The first issue that I encountered with it was when I tried to use a Porter-Cable style template guide bushing and was astonished when the bushing would not fit (see photos). The center holes in the plastic sub base plates on both the fixed and plunge bases are slightly too small for the 1-3/16" diameter bushing to fit properly. Apparently others have experienced the same issue and some reviews go so far as to state that the sub base plates were not designed to work with template guides. I’ve spoken with Skil’s customer service and they were not much help either.I was this close to returning the router because the particular project that I’m working on required a template guide and there was no other option. I looked at aftermarket base plates like Powertec, Rockler, and many more. The problem is that this router is so new that none of the aftermarket base plates list this or any other Skil router as compatible. That is, until I did a google search of the numbers printed on the fixed and plunge base plates. It turns out that Skil must be using a crappy mold from an old Sears Craftsman router to make the sub base plates for this router because the numbers match part numbers for the 315 175 040/050/070 Sears Craftsman routers. I purchased a Powertec 6-1/2" Universal Router Plate (Model No. 71369) and as you can see from the photos, the screw holes line up with the hole pattern ‘D.’ This makes it much easier to use Porter-Cable style template guide bushings. However, there are a few small issues. First, if you use the Powertec plate on the fixed base and want to use the router’s vacuum attachment, then it will not work properly because the provided Skil sub base plate has six ~1" holes around the center hole that allow the wood chips to be pulled into the vacuum, whereas the Powertec plate does not have these holes. Second, if you want to use the Powertec plate on the plunge base and utilize the flat edge of the base to follow a straight edge, then you won’t be able to because the Powertec plate is round. Of course, one option is to buy two of the Powertec plates, one for each of the router’s provided bases, and just cut off the excess part along the flat edge of the plunge base. Another option is to simply make your own custom base plates.However, I found that the sub base plates that come with the router will work with Porter-Cable style template guide bushings with a little effort. The way that I get them to pop into the center hole is to take the plate off of the base, put the bushing in the hole, place the part of the bushing that sticks up (see photo) down on the edge of something flat and rigid (e.g., edge of counter top), and then gently push down on the plate until the bushing pops into the plate. I was able to do this with the sub base plates on both bases with each of the template guides that I bought (as a set) from Harbor Freight Tools (see photos).I have to say that I am quite pleased with this router and highly recommend it to anyone looking for the most common features of modern routers without breaking the bank. I recently used it to cut some very precise and clean notches in a beam that I am building for a swing set (see photo). I needed the notches to be within a 1/32" and the router did not disappoint.I plan on buying an Amana 3/8" collet adapter so that I can use some 3/8" shank bits and making my own custom base plates. I’ll update this review when I do.Update July 27, 2020: I have a few 1/2" shank router bits and have not had any problem with them fitting in the 1/2" collet. I don’t have digital calipers to show you the exact size, but so far this has not been an issue for me as it has been for other reviewers.

It’s a decent to work good

Fantastic

I got this router for my son-in-law. He loves it! He says that it is smooth and has plenty of power.