Customer Reviews

Skil 1823 1-1/2 HP Plunge Router

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It works pretty good for most work. Only think is you are limited to using 1/4" shank bits. When overheated sometimes the bit gets stuck. Other than that it is a very reliable router. If you are planning to use with table I would go for a PC 690 or similiar model. That way you will have a lots of choice for tables and the accesories. The power of this Skil router is good. The depth table and the plunge action make it a very easy tool to use. I also bought an accessory guide sold by Skil which I find is useless. Don't spend money on that instead buy an edge guide titled 'Clamp n' Guide'. You can get that in ToolCrib.

i have found this router to be very reliable. the cost was a factor for me choosing this as well. i'm an old yankee who dosen't part with his money very well. this router gets the job done. i guess one could spend a lot more, but in the end a router is a router. the skil does what it's designed to do. and very well.

OK. This router is inexpensive. Why spend so much on a real router? Because this one has plenty of probelms. It is a very light weight, low powered, tool that lacks precision. When plunge cutting, the base and motor-housing do NOT remain on course. The very light weight columns connecting the base to the housing do not hold with adequate precision. Thus the machine tends to cut "u" shaped mortises. There is a lot of wiggle in this machine.

It has no speed control. Only a quater inch collet, that has a tendency to come loose while routing. A very flimsy guard. Any one who needs a decent router does not need this tool. Save your money a get a good Makita or DeWalt.

It has plenty of power to do the job, and it is excellent as a plunge router. I have attached this to the table and have noticed few things. It does not have positive locking system which may become loose during the use. Fighting gravity and its own spring may seem too much using upside down on the table. Also while on table, one arm is locked while other side is free causes uneven cut (depending on the type of bit you are using.) Finally bit has tendency to get stuck after several cut from the heat.
On the positive note, It has plenty of power and all the features you need as plunge router and price is nice. I have not had any problem with my machine and I think its a very nice starter router.

So far i haven't had any of the problems other people mention in their reviews. i'm gonna say right now that this router isn't nearly as good as the porter-cable 8529 (my other plunge router) but the skil is the one i find myself reaching for the most. i don't reccommend using this router in a table (very hard to adjust that way) but as a plunge router its just fine.
my only gripe about this router is the plunge lock lever needs some improvement.

(this is a follow up to the message from Jan 2002)
My third router has worked so far without failing. I have mostly used it to route pressure treated lumber.

I gave it only three stars because I had to get it replaced twice. Otherwise it would have been a 5 starrer.

Mind you, I believe my router has not been submitted to rigorous use.

This router came as a part of a router-table combo kit that I bought at Lowe's, and the router died in the first few hours of use - TWICE. I exchanged the router for a new one, and am hoping that 'third time is a charm' will work for me this time.

I have stuck with it so far because it is the lowest priced, and also because of the brand name.

I will be sure to update this review if the third one breaks too.

A router absolutely has to do three things to be useful: spin the bit, hang on to the bit, and hold the bit straight relative to the base. The Skil 1823 fails to fulfill the third function and so cannot be used for routing. The plunge mechanism tends to lock the base up to 1/8" off kilter and allows the base to wiggle back and forth. It is not just that I got a lemon. Every Skil router with this plunge mechanism that I've tried behaves the same way. The flaw is designed into the tool. No other brand of plunge router I've ever tried permits the base to move this way.

I exchanged it for an even cheaper fixed-base Ryobi router that has done its job well for several years now.

Skil was once synonymous with the circular saw but has squandered its reputation on frustrating tools like this one.