Customer Reviews

Skil 1825 10 Amp 1/2-Inch Hybrid Router

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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! :)

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.

Okay, I knew this was a bargain basement priced router, my best guess was about 1 to 1 1/2 HP usable and otherwise a good "cheapie" as a beater.

I was right. The 1/2 to 1/4 adapter had VERY sharp edges and stuck badly. A little 800 grit paper and a scraper and the burrs were gone. Now the adapter works really well.

The controls leave a bit to be desired. Some of the indicators are a bad joke. The instructions are minimalistic (to be polite).

On the other hand, the variable speed seems to work over even a wider range than advertised, I have yet to use the router hard enough to stall it.

The base plate is amazing. It takes the same bolt circle as my Craftsman and has both 3 hole (10-32) and 4 hole patterns. I am still waiting for the dust extraction kit which I had to order from Skil. When you order this, get a 1/4 or 1/2 to 1/8 adapter (Porter-Cable makes a good 1/4 to 1/8 one) and a template bushing set. RotoZip bits with a small bushing are a great way to make the roughing cut from a pattern, then finish with a pattern cuting bit. Lots less dust and the patterns last longer.

I got this router based primarily on its low price and its many features. I wanted 2+ horsepower, variable speed, and both 1/4" AND 1/2" bit capacity. I'm not a super-experienced router user, so the reviews here helped me decide that this router, though half the price of a comparably equipped Bosch, might do the job. This despite my unpleasant experience with a Skil jigsaw, (Model #4580-04)

Upon getting the router home I installed it in a Craftsman 926608000 router table, (the laminate "Professional" model where the scale decals rub off after 5 minutes of use) I was pleasantly surprised to find that it fit the stock mounting plate without the need to drill more holes or buy an adapter plate from Sears.

My one complaint so far is that the depth adjustment when it's mounted in the table doesn't feel all that precise. It feels like it hangs up, and once you re-clamp the base clamp after making your adjustment the bit seems to change height a little. The "feel" of how the motor fits and slides in the plunge and fixed bases leaves a little to be desired.

I've since played with the depth adjustments on a couple of the more expensive routers(DeWalt, Porter Cable, Bosch) at various stores and they feel more smooth and positive. You get what you pay for, I guess.

Overall I like the router, and the many features you get for the money are impressive.

ps- don't buy the Skil jigsaw, Model #4580-04

I bought this router about 6 months ago. It has worked fine for many jobs. I have one complaint- the sidefence attachment (not included) does not attach well. I couldn't tighten the screws enough to keep the sidefence from sliding around. I ended up breaking one of the screws off in the fixed base. If I were to do it again I would have purchased a better (more expensive) router.

4/07 Here is an update- I bought another more expensive router. I rarely use this one anymore. I strongly recomend that you get a better router the first time, so you don't have to buy two like I did.

I really like this router. The plunge/fixed bases make it an excellent value. The built in light comes on when you pick the router up or move it (it senses movement) so you can see your work clearly even before you turn on the motor. It has a nice view window with a plastic shield so you can easily see your work while cutting (and really there isn't much need for glasses - but use them anyway). It is variable speed and mounts easily to a router table.

The 2 1/4 HP rating is probably an overstatement (as is the case with pretty much all tools these days), especially since it draws 11 Amps at 120 Volts (so it is probably more like a true 1 3/4 HP). But all routers are going to be overrated on the Horsepower! In any case, I've never had a need for more power than it delivers - I've never stalled it. It is plenty of juice for me!

It comes with a decent plastic case that holds the router, both bases, and has plenty of room for accessories. It supports 1/2 inch collets, which is a very important feature (you should get 1/2 inch bits whenever possible) and it comes with an adapter so you can use 1/4 inch bits as well. It cuts and runs very smoothly.

It is a great value, it really is. I've seen many of these refurbished, so you can get it for even less if you are okay with refurbished tools!

This is a beginner's router. It was the first router I purchased. I now wish I would have spend 50% more and purchased a better set. It is much harder to get precision out of this tool than my Porter Cable or Bosch routers. It is just cheaper made and doesn't index as well. This set now sits in the bottom of my tool box and I am not able to find anyone willing to purchase it, so I will probably wind up giving it away. I made some decent projects and this is a fine router if you are only planning on using it very occasionally. If you get serious into woodworking, you will wish that you spent more for a better unit. It is cheapest to upgrade when you buy it. Wish I had.

Plenty of power, fairly light, good visibilty, control and is comfortable. Oversized chuck wrench makes changing bits a little difficult and the fine tuning adjustment is a little cheezey. Would prefer a Porter Cable but I ain't Bob Villa anyhow.

After reading some of the other negative reviews I was kind of leary but I've always learned to try something yourself...

Here are a few tips:

I find the micro depth adjustment works just fine...But you do need to pull the motor itself down (when used on a table) a tad to align the adjustment...Then tighten the clamp...Also make sure the clamp exerts enough pressure and if not adjust the allen screw as others have noted...

Also make sure the base lock is securely in place or the router will try to change its position...

Also make sure the collet is clean and use quality bits or either may cause the bit itself to slip...

I find the unit has plenty of power and will hold the adjustment just fine with a little user intervention...

Frankly all of these quirks if you want to call them that are normal for a piece of mechanical equipment...Especially for a router that costs only $89 with both bases...

Some posters had mentioned their units broke but they didn't say what happened...More expensive items aren't immune from such failures as well...

This is my second Skil 1825 as my first one is going strong after one year and about 200 hours of use...That's plenty good for me on a $89 router...