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Leon[_7_] Leon[_7_] is offline
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Default craftsman 1 1/2 HP router good ?

On 7/20/2020 3:40 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Monday, July 20, 2020 at 3:39:42 PM UTC-4, dpb wrote:
On 7/20/2020 2:12 PM, Leon wrote:
...

And 26 years ago and a bit further the collects did not hold well on the
Craftsman routers.


Never a problem on the ones I had/have that are at least that old...

Doesn't say some models may have had problems but I never ran across it.
Still use the 1/4" fixed base one now and then for smaller stuff. I'm
not sure whether the 1/2" is still around or not, even.

I've always liked the 1/4" a lot -- very nice handles w/ integrated
switch, the top is flat like a pancake so can just set it down upside
down w/o worrying, has spindle lock for changing bits, ... all could ask
for in an inexpensive tool that has lasted 30 years, probably. Couldn't
begin to say when actually got it.

--


I don't recall what model I had, but my first router was a Craftsman 1/4".
I don't think it was 1.5 HP though. 3/4 HP sounds more familiar.

Timing wise, 30-ish years ago sounds right. Hated that thing. So frigging
loud! Got introduced to the PC 690 and never looked back. Quieter, smoother,
more powerful. I've actually got 2, one handheld, one hanging on the router
table. ($55 pawn shop find, brand new.)

I'd like a full size variable speed router (I have a VS trim router) but with
2 working PC 690's and the trim unit, I just can't justify spending the money.

I remember watching Norm build a router table way back then. He had huge
drawers on the bottom built to hold multiple routers. I remember saying to
myself "Holy crap! He doesn't change router bits, he changes routers!"


I do not often say anything good about Bosch but I have had a 1617 EVS
for about 22 years not. It was a new model then and is still popular.
One of its features was that it was quieter. And surprisingly it is
pretty quiet on all but the top speed, until you start actually using it.