Skil 1825 10 Amp 1/2-Inch Hybrid Router

by Skil

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

There's no tool like a router for edging, trimming or cutting, and there's nothing like a plunge router for accurate detailed scrolling or inlay work. Skil's new 2-1/4 horsepower combo router comes with interchangeable fixed and plunge bases (can plunge cut up to 2 inches when using the plunge base). The variable speed motor can perform all the functions needed in a home workshop or on the job site while drawing only 11 amps at full RPM. The 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch quick-change collets accept a wide range of bits and cutters. The Skil 1825's Micro-Fine Depth Adjustment makes bit depth adjustments fast, easy and accurate while the soft-grip handles are ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use. The wide base opening allows for quick and easy bit changes plus the Built-in Work Light illuminates a pattern or an outline for more accurate cuts. Accepts Skil's 91018 18-Piece Carbide Router Bit Set as well as most other brands of 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch bits.

Ideal for woodworkers, carpenters and cabinet makers.

Applications: Use the Skil 1825 for making cabinets or shelves, decorative inlay work and for sink or fixture cuts in a wide range of countertop materials, as well as for mortising hinge plates or inlays, dovetailing cabinet drawers or edging counter tops. --C. Dwight Barnett

Product Description

Includes both a fixed router base and a plunge router base for added versatility. Site Light for added visibility. Ball bearing construction. Powerful 11A motor. 8000 to 25,000 RPM. Variable speed. Soft start. Self releasing collet. Trigger switch with lock for fingertip control. Integral self releasing collet. Collet lock allows 1 wrench bit changing. Wrench storage keeps wrench at hand. Chip deflector helps control flying chips. 1/4'' collet. Kit includes: Plunge base, fixed base, 1/4'' collet, and carrying case. .

Product Details

Product Manual [915kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 16.4 x 22.2 x 7.6 inches ; 12 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000C6DY0
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 1825
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,461 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here's the fix for the depth consistency issues others have had, October 1, 2007

By 

Jeff - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skil 1825 10 Amp 1/2-Inch Hybrid Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I recently purchased this product and found it to be powerful enough for weekend projects and the built-in light (which comes on when you grab the handles is a nice touch), but I was experiencing the depth consistency issues that others have reported and decided to return the unit. Before I did, I called Skill to see if they were aware of the issue and they noted that the base clamp lever isn't always adjusted appropriately before shipping the router.

If you remove the router base (either fixed or plunge) and look inside where the motor housing is inserted, you'll find a small hex screw on the back of the Base Clamp Lever. Turning this screw clock-wise increases the pressure applied by the Base Clamp Lever when in the locked position. One full turn was all I needed to ensure the Base Clamp Lever was able to lock the base into the motor housing and COMPLETELY ELIMINATE all of the play in my routing depth. I went from over 1/8th inch slop to zero play.

With this issue solved--I give it 5 stars. Great power, good ergonomics, nice light and a great price. Yes, the trigger lock isn't well designed--but for the price, that's an acceptable compromise.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the price? Can't be beat., June 28, 2004

By 

E. Jones (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Skil 1825 10 Amp 1/2-Inch Hybrid Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

Having not done any serious woodworking for over 20 years, I wanted to make sure I bought a decent Router, but not one that would cost an arm and a leg (just in case I didn't like the hobby). I looked at reviews on read the buyers guide in American Woodworking. Sounded like the Skil 1825 was the best combination of features and price.

Once I decided to actually sit down and read the directions and setup my workspace correctly, the router performed pretty darned well. I've done plunge routing and have had pretty good success. I've cut t-slots, stopped dados and done roundovers on a hand-held basis.

I've just finished building a router table had have the fixed-base mounted in the table. It's not so difficult adjusting the height while the router is mounted and getting the motor out is pretty safe although tedious. But the only issues I've had with this router have been due to my own inexperience/stupidity.

I got a dovetail jig for Father's Day and can't wait to start learning how to do these with the router.

The router is pretty light but the motor is powerful. Maybe some of the more expensive models have more features and more ergomic handles. Also, the little trigger lock switch is a bit difficult to get to stay in at times.

I'm looking to get a second router soon down the road as I get tired of swapping the motor in and out of the router table. I might get one of the Bosch plunge/fixed combos...but then again, I might just get two more 1825s for the same price so I can have a second freehand for general routing and one for dovetailing. If you're not doing woodwork more than on the weekends...give this puppy a looksie! :)

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a contractor's router, but a great deal for its price!, January 5, 2006

By 

J. Graben - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skil 1825 10 Amp 1/2-Inch Hybrid Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

For the price and the weekend wood worker the Skil 1825 can't be beat. As several others have noted this router does have a few irksome quirks. The trigger lock takes a little playing with to get it set, but as I only use this when the router is mounted in a table, I need only to set it once and then I control the on/off of the router with the table switch. The over size chuck wrench is cumbersome for reaching in to tighten the collet while with the other hand you are holding in the spindle lock. The height adjustment control takes a little working with and does not operate as smoothly as one might hope.

The base plates and the plunge work great. With these excellent options one can use the 1825 as both a hand held plunge or fixed base router or remove the base plate from the fix base and mount it into a router table. This allows one to use this one router in all three different ways. Visibility is very good with the led lights providing light right where one needs it most. The variable speed control is great and the 2.25 hp motor provides all the power one needs for most applications. And with the money one saves compared to similar and more expensive routers from other companies, you can invest the savings into quality jigs and good high end bits (this is where the wood meets the road) which makes the most difference in the quality of the cut that a router delivers. This is not a contractor's router, but for light jobs around the house (shelves & bookcases) and the weekend wood worker, I have not found a better deal for the price.