I was looking at routers on ebay to see if I could get a nice recon or
just a good buy. I feel bad buying a brand new one as I already have
seven...

BUT... I don't have a lightweight router except my DeWalt laminate
trimmer set!

I wanted to buy a router to dedicate to the new Akeda jig I will be
ordering tomorrow, one that I can easily set up and adjust. All my
other routers have homes and do specific tasks, and that works for me.

I was surprised that the sold prices on the Hitachi and Makitas are
almost cheap. Some are outright cheap. Some don't even get bids.
I have DeWalt, Bosch, PCs, my first Sears (32 years old and it still
runs!) and those first three are my preference in certain models.

I can see NOT buying the Hitachi as I would feel like I was looking at
a comic book Martian while I was trying to use the tool. But I have
understood from the guy at Lowes that the Hitachi tools sell well and
they have little problems with them. And I thought those newer
Makitas were supposed to be great with their quiet operation and
all.

So why are they so cheap?

I also found out something from a friend of mine, and he's usually
right about these things. Sears has switched from the Bosch line for
some of their routers to same manufacturer that makes Porter Cable. I
may have to drop by tomorrow and check that out. Anybody know
anything about that?

I wouldn't doubt it. I remember how stunned I was when I went to Sears
for their sanding belt blowout and saw the Bosch 1617 branded as
Sears. I contacted Bosch, and they told me it was the EXACT router as
the Bosch. They no longer sell it branded as Sears, but I think they
do have a couple of other routers made by the Bosch conglomerate.

Robert