Skil 14 Amp Plunge and Fixed Base Corded Router Review

Click image to go to Skil's website

I purchased this product from my local Lowe's in May, 2022. I have many thoughts on it, so here we go.

I love this router! After having built a router table and not wanting to take the router I placed in it constantly, I purchased this one at a discounted price and have not regretted anything about it since!

I started out using a 2001 Porter Cable 7529 2-HP mid-sized plunge router and absolutely love it, but it has since made a home in my router table. After having it in the table on my robust homemade router lift inspired by the ShopNotes shop-made router lift in Issue 121 released in January of 2012 (I made mine out of hickory, but for a full build video, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLj2M43Zclo or www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfjeS5jolBs),I didn't want to have to take it out and put it back in each time I wanted to use it out of the table - which consists of undoing three top screws and four bolts. I just keep it in the table, unless maintenance calls.

I knew I wanted a router that I could have for non-table applications, so I began looking at the Bosch 1617EVSPK 2.25-HP router, the DeWalt 618 2.25-HP router, and the Skil RT1322-00 router. All three are plunge/fixed base combo kit. I did extensive research on each model and also went to my local Lowe's to try out the handles on each model as they were on display.

There were several factors that appealed to me the most concerning the Skil, and that I was looking for. Having used and being very familiar with my Porter Cable router, I knew what I was looking for.

Factors:

1) The Porter Cable router doesn't have any 'workpiece lights', which made it difficult to see my routing, especially when making deep plunge cuts, so I knew I wanted something that would give me more light on the workpiece and Skil has that feature...

2) The porter Cable's speed-setting dial is a pain to adjust, so naturally, I wanted an easy way to adjust the speed setting. Skil has the LCD display, the Bosch and the DeWalt both have dials like the Porter Cable.

3) The Porter Cable's handles are a dream to hold, minus the switch on the handle needing to activate the spindle. After having tried "testing" the display models in my hands at Lowe's (they were zip tied to the shelf, but I gave it my best shot), I came to the conclusion that I prefered the feel of the Skil's handles best, followed by the DeWalt, and the Bosch came in thrid.

4) I was surprised to find out that the Skil came with an edge guide seeing how the DeWalt and the Bosch did not. which I found that to be a win.

5) I was also factoring in price, even though the Skil was cheaper (possibly due to cheaper materials used), i have found that it functions very, very similar to my robust Porter Cable "Tank" router.

6) I needed a router that would give ample power for tough wood and not bog down. The Skil has a 2.5-HP, 14-amp motor while the Bosch and DeWalt have a 2.25-HP, 12-amp motor. Skil for the win.

7) The Porter CAble has a spindle lock which makes bit changes easier as only one wrench is needed instead of two. The Skil and DeWalt bboth have the spindle lock feature.

8) Dust collection is a must for routers. The Skil and DeWalt has dust collection, but the Bosch does not have dust collection.

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As a recap, the factors I was looking for in a router were: workpiece lights, easy speed controls and general ease-of-access to the controls, handle feel, included accessories?, price, horsepower/power, spindle locking?, and dust collection; all of these things were present in the Skil plunge/fixed base router combo kit. I was seriously considering the DeWalt, but I could not in my mind justify the price difference as the DeWalt did not have the light feature - that turns out to be much appreciated - so, I went for the Skil combo set which was on sale for $129.99 USD at my local Lowe's when I bought it.

Click image to go to Lowe's website

After reading many reviews online and watching all the YouTube videos I could on the Skil 14-amp, 2.5-HP router combo kit (pictured left), I decided to purchase it. And now that it has been many, many months of using it, I can have a few things to say about it.

Thoughts and Tips:

1) I love the LED lights that illuminate the workpiece to make it easier to see.

2) I hardly ever need to adjust the settings on the router, but it is nice to know that those options are there.

3) I use the plunge base more than the fixed based, but trying to get into the fixed base more.

4) The plunge base's dust collection is better than the fixed base's dust collection.

5) I really love the handles on both bases, perfect size, even for small hands like mine.

6) The Porter Cable guide bushing set is compatible with both router bases.

7) I haven't had any issues with the plunge action on the plunge base, regardless of the many video reviews and online reviews I have read and watched (most, if not all, the reviews stated that the plunge action was sticky sometimes).

8) I never do use the chip sheild on the plunge base due to it getting in the way most of the time. The dust collection on the plunge base is more than adequate for removing enouigh dust to allow the chip sheild to not be present.

9) Some reviews online and on YouTube have stateed that the 1/4" adapter for the 1/2" collect can be troublesome; however, I have not found any issues with the 1/4" adapter. Yes, some 1/4" router bit shanks may be slightly oversized for the 1/4" adapter, but I have found that the slightly oversized shanks can be found on the big-box store brands such as Diablo and/or Bosch router bits. Router bits like Freud, Whiteside, CMT, or other high-end bits are not as likely to me over-sized for a 1/4" adapter, according to my expereince.

10) Please throw away the wrench the manufacture provides in the box (for loosening/tightening the collect) because it is absolute garbage. That wrench will either destroy the collect nut and/or the wrench itself. Do yourself a favor and get a solid 15/16" wrench (I really like my Craftmans) that is more heavy duty. The wrench that the manufacture provides is so sloppy when trying to tighten or loosen the collet nut for changing bits.

11) The edge guide that comes with the package has two 'wings' that reference the edge of a workpiece for straight cuts. If you want to use it for referencing smaller stock, drill a hole in each metal 'wing' and screw a piece of wood to it in order to close the gap between the two 'wings' for greater control.

11) Edge guide...

12) If the main router motor/body gets difficult to slide in and out of each base, apply a thin layer of paste wax on the main router motor/body. I found it helped a ton!

13) Last, but not least, when you purchase the kit, the plunge base's swivel depth stop (the Turntable Assembly) will be sloppy. I have found that to illiminate the slop and to get a more accurate 'seating', put some blue thread-locker on the threads of the screw that holds the turntable down to the base. tighten the screw just enough to where the slop dissappears, but the turntable still has the ability to turn and sit in each position. (Be careful not to lose the little ball bearing when you unscrew the turntable from the base).

All in all, I do recommend this product for beginners, intermediates, and professionals who are looking for a great router at a wonderful price! It doesn't matter what stage you are at in your router journey, this router kit is a great option! If this option wasn't available for me, I would have chosen the DeWalt kit, but I would buy this Skil kit again in a heartbeat! Now, for the table of Pros and Cons.

Pros	Cons
2.5-HP $149 (DeWalt: 2.25-HP $229 ; Bosch: 2.25-HP $249) (I purchased my Skil while it was on sale @ $129.99	The plastic plunge-depth indicator (with the red strip) is a joke
Handles are great	The 'bit-type' on the LCD display is confusing, but a quick look-up on Google helps out (Cove bit, rabbet bit, round-over bit, chamfer bit, dovetail bit, bevel bit, straight/spiral/flush-trim bit)
Lights to illuminate the workpiece	The fixed base dust vacuum attachment port does feel a bit flimsy and does come off quite easily if you twist the vacuum hose off the wrong way
Easy access to the plunge lock lever	Locking down the edge guide to a base does tend to mar the bars of the edge guide, so take caution when tightening down the bars (I have a tendency to over-tighten bolts and screws)
Easy On/Off switch
Great value for the money