Customer Reviews for Skil 10 Amp 2-1/4 HP Corded Combo Base Router Set

I gave this to my son for Christmas and he says, "4.5. Tell them the plunge base clamp loosens whole using router. Fixed base is very nice except for when locking and unlocking. Which it then moves the bit to were the dial for depth can't be set to spread cut depths real easy. But it is my first one. They may all be that way". He is having fun using it though.

A REPLACEMENT FOR A PREVIOUS MODEL, SAME BRAND, SAME H.P. ALTHOUGH NOT FOR CONTINUOUS USE, APART FROM HEAVY VIBRATION ERGONOMICALLY GOOD TO USE.

This was a gift to me that I was very excited about. I did not have a project to use it on right away so it actually sat in the box for about 2 years. When I got around to setting it up, mounting it to my router table and fixing a bit in it. Plug it in, turn it on and I hear sound but no movement. Then the bit starts spinning and then stops. Starts again then stops. I play with the adjustable speed knob and nothing changes. Really frustrated. Nothing like being in the middle of a project and your new tool out of the box does not work right.

This router has a lot of nice features on it but, not will constructed. First time I used the router the depth rod knob threads stripped out on the cast iron housing. fixed it with tap and die set. .Slow start and variable speed dial is great!

I bought this router because it had both plunge and fixed bases. 2.5hp is plenty of power to do most all projects. Unfortunately it seems Skil no longer supports the accessories for this router. Specifically the edge guide 98100. Do your research and pick a router that is still supported.

I have the fixed base mounted under my workbench and it is easy to remove and put into the plunge base to take with me for jobs outside of the shop. Great router for the money, never let me down. I use it frequently and never had any problems. Screws to mount the base are hard to come by, they are a metric size and an uncommon one (in the US) on top of that. I ended up drilling out the base and using through bolts and washers... easy enough.

I have a Skil 1810 router that I bought a number of years ago that has served me well. I needed another router with a 1/2" collet. The 1830 router kit comes with a plunge base as well as a fixed base. It can also be used with the Skil 4510 router table that I already have.

The router motor seems very powerful and the soft start is great. The tool will work but proved to be difficult to set up, for example, if you set a round over bit (or any other edge treatment bit) exactly even with the plate while holding the router upside down (with either the plunge or fixed base) when you preform the task your bit will not be in the same alignment it was originally. This happens because the tolerances for the production of the tool are not very tight ....allowing for slop.... but lowering price. As I said you can get it right but it is tricky. Also, the fixed base works great in a table... mainly because it stays upside down so your settings do not change like they do when its hand held.

I have owned this router for a couple of years already and the only thing about it I can complain about is somebody stole the first one I bought. For the price the quality is outstanding. The slow start is a nice feature, because it makes it easier to start your cuts without worrying the router will twist or jump on the material.

The combo idea is great, but in practice the router difficult to use. With the fixed base, you cannot easily adjust the height of the router bits. You have to unlock the housing first, adjust the depth, then lock the housing. It is tedious. I wanted to get the Skil router table for it, but decided not to because it seems like I have to remove the whole router from the table every time I need to adjust the bit depth. The router's features are nice, but operationally it is disappointing.

I bought this so I could have 2 routers setup to do Thru Dados. The plunger adapter will not clamp tight onto motor and the standard adapter will never center on adapter ring when you raise it up to do dados. The plunge adapter will creep up and centering will be off. No matter how tight I tighten the clamp it moves.

For the amount of money is a good buy, but the dust collector attachment and the guide for strait cuts are not include it. Had difficulties with small 1/4" inch collar getting stock to the tool

I bought this as a gift to myself after Christmas. I am extremely pleased with my purchase. This router has the soft start which works amazingly well. The first time I turned it on I noticed that it didn't torque in my hands like my old router does. I like the fact that it has a couple of LED lights on the bottom which helps let you see where you are cutting and also lets you know that there is power still going to it, sort of a safety device to let you know to unplug it before you change bits. It is very easy to change from a fixed base to the plunge base, but the thing that I don't like is the fine adjusting knob. I have the fixed base mounted in my router table and with a flip of the lever and a quick twist, its out of the fixed and into the plunge base. It would be worth five stars if the knob was larger at the top and not tapered because you have a difficult time grasping the knob and trying to turn it without your fingers slipping up and off making it hard to fine adjust it. Also, the knob has a hexagonal hole in the top of it, but unfortunately it must be metric because none of my Allen wrenches fit it, which would be a plus, thus four stars, because you would certainly be able to use it much easier under the table adjustment using an Allen T-wrench. It certainly has enough power to do most everything you need to do. I haven't tried any of the very large cabinet router bits, but they should work just fine if you make multiple shallow cuts. For an intermediate router it is built well, not very heavy, and handles comfortably and has variable speed control, Wow. The plunge base is a little stiff but should loosen up in time. A very nice router that comes also with a 1/4" adapter to convert from 1/2", a real plus in my opinion. For the price I definitely would recommend this to a friend and have. It comes with a very nice sturdy carrying tool bag that is plenty roomy for both bases and other tools or accessories as well. I think this has been a good purchase on my part.

Received this for my birthday and used for the first time this weekend (1/24 and 1/25/15). Never had a router before and after reading the manual and reviewing some "how to" and safety videos, inserted a bit, adjusted the depth and practiced quite a while on scrap. Then I got brave and rounded the edge on some red oak to make a small side table. Excellent results!

best value I've seen for all the things it offers- Total bonus getting both fixed and plunge bases. LOVE IT. Will get a lot of use out of it.

I bought this to make Christmas presents while it was on sale what a great router recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great router at a very affordable price

I really like the router but using it with the Skil router table the adjustments are hard. You have to unclamp the router base to adjust it and it fall about 1/2" then when you tighten the clamp back the blade is to high. But I do like it as a hand held and I like the plunge. I just wish Skil would make one you could adjust from top of the router table.

This was a Father's Day gift. It proved to be great! Dad is a first time user. He always wanted one so ease of use was a must. Dad has been able to use and assemble without problems. It has both fixed and plunge routing so now the only problem is what to work on next!! It even came with a bag to put his set into. The only thing is be careful when opening because the bag is at the top and dad accidentally cut it when cutting the tape on the box to open. Other than that, highly recommend!

I was very hesitant about buying another skill power tool. I have not had the best of luck with this brand name. But I did not want to pay a fortune for a router as I spent a big hunk on other tools at the same time. I have been very pleased, it has a delayed start which starts off slow, is a nice safety feature. Great thought went into the shaft lock this is a failure point on many routers, on this one, it is external so that if wears out or bends it is an easy replacement. Adjustable speed allows for a good finish on any kind of wood. Plenty of power without a ton of weight, but not light just right. Easy to adjust and get precise depth. Easy to change the base. Only thing I would give a ding on is that there is no case or bag provided, but ohhh well. Great buy.

I bought this router because I was building a rocking cradle for my daughter's first baby and needed to round all edges to protect the newborn. I was very nervous about using it, but it was a piece of cake - worked exceptionally well and the way it starts at low speed and builds up speed over a couple seconds helped me feel secure in using it. I love it! Great tool! And the cradle looks awesome!

I have a skil router I have had for over 35 years. Bought in 1978! I used it a few times a year. I was ready to start spending more time woodworking[just retired] .I decided to give skil a chance, no reason not to. I also bought a circular saw same day as router. [1978] both still run strong. Used saw hundreds of hours. [ will buy another saw when need to ] Bought new router, built router table-cabinet- work station with it.Used both bases . Mounted fixed base on router table. I noticed play in the adjustment screw. I took micro-adjuster apart, put shim in, tightened adjustment screw slop. I am hoping the longevity is there!

This router has a lot of features for the price. I'm a beginner and this worked well for me so I'm happy.

I have been wanting a router for years. I finally have a project where I need one and I was not disappointed with this router. I have only used it fixed base so far, but it has been easy to use and easy to adjust. I especially like the soft start feature as it doesn't try and whip the tool out of your hands. This is a great value for the money as an introductory, light use router. My only concern is the plastic base but time will tell how well it holds up.

This router was a Christmas present and have enjoyed making the quality molding it can produce

This tool is every woodworkers must have for his/her collection. It does all the things a professional Router would do, except completely drain your wallet. You will not be disappointed with this buy.

A fake adjustment nob... There's a "micro adjust nob" on the top of the plunge base. However, it's a fake one, and non-functional at all! Even though I might not need this feature, I hate the way they do thing like this. Everything else look OK for me, just don't like this part. So I return it to HD.

This was just what I needed to add to my woodworking tool box. Now that I've used it, I wish I'd had it years before on other projects.

Just bought the model 1830, only to discover that it cannot be table mounted. For a beginner without a table, this would do.

I have been very pleased since day one of pulling this tool out in the shop. I use a Router a lot in the shop and also on the job site. But being this tool is a Combo Router is just more pleasing to me. The 2 1/4 HP has held up to anything I have asked of it and then some. It feels so good in your hands and just a Super Combo Router that I have added one more. And No It Was Not Got For Any Reason More Than A Great Router. I have used them high dollar routers and I would not mind saying if I had to pick I would stay with my SKIL.

I have had this router for about 4 years but have used it about 4 or 5 times for small jobs . I was building some steps and on the forth one it started to cut in and out so I stopped to let it cool, later I tried to do two more with no luck, took it apart and the brushs were wore out, I went on line ordered new ones and put them in, It still does not work right. Im looking for a new one,, Wont be a skill.I am in the construction busness and did not abuse this tool ,it was hardly ever used, most of my tools are dewalt or milwakee and have been in service for years .As I said you get what you pay for.