SKIL 10 Amp Fixed Base Corded Router —RT1323-00

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

This is a great beginner and advanced router if you are on a budget. I am a woodworker and I would use this over many HD brand routers. It is powerful and it is adjustable, which is good. The plunge base works very well for juice grooves on cutting boards, sign making or anything else you would need it for. I’ve had it for over a year now and it’s still running strong and good.

This is very versatile and quality built. I am an advanced beginner so I am still learning but have used it for a plunge project (Chinese checkerboard) and a fixed level project (cutting out a longboard/skateboard) and this thing worked great. Lessons learned on fixed application is to use guides to control for a straight edge. Multiple speeds, depth (not plunge and fixed) and lighted. It does NOT come with any bits.

Very nice router for a great price.

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.

Something worth noting about this router is how solidly engineered it feels. Right from unboxing, you're holding a heavy, but well-balanced piece of machinery in your hands. The depth adjuster and locks are well-engineered and easy to work without being something you'll hit by accident. The power and speed switches have a good feel to them and the operation indicator light is easy to see even in a bright room. All of the mechanical parts fit perfectly, and the soft start feature helps the tool from kicking out when you start it, particularly at higher speeds.I was able to get a new bit mounted and round-over the edge of a piece of wood very quickly. The handles have a great shape and feel to them, and there's great visibility of the cutting area with the LEDs shining down in there. For an around-the-house hobbyist, this does a great job at a very nice price. A case or bag would have been a nice addition, but its absense probably kept it under $100.I also really wish the power switch was something other than a horizontally-operated toggle switch. I would have preferred something more easily visible, like an up/down switch or a push/pull like on Craftsman tools, although if you're mounting this on a table, that doesn't really matter.

The media could not be loaded. This Skil router works perfectly. It allows you to use router bits from 1/4" to 1/2" shank.I love it comes with both bases: plunge and fixed base. Both bases have the vaccum connector. The set up time is minimal and installing the bases is easy and fast. Both bases are sturdy and are very precise once set.The electronic speed controller is WOW!. You just need to select the router type, diameter and the material type and the router fixes the speed and adjuts the power as per your demand while working.A great plus is also the led lighting it shoots at your working area. You can clearly see what you are doing through the clear base. No more guessing work.The router includes and edge guide, which is very sturdy and attachs easily to both bases.Probably, an opportunity area is the power cord. It is kind of short and not so flesxible compare with other major brands. Not a showstopper thought.Bottom line, I am very pleased with this Skil router. It really surprised me the array of features it has and the performance and precision from this router.

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.