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**challagan** · 08-04-2007, 09:19 PM

My wife picked me up a copy of Router and Power Woodworking magazine and they had a review of the new Craftsman 2HP plunge/fixed base combo. For anyone interested in this router I will catch the highlights of the review but honestly, there wasn't anything they didn't like about this router.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cemldffidfko.0

Motor is 11 Amp sealed made from good quality materials featuring diecast aluminum upper and lower housings. Runs smoothly and quietly and electronic feedback holds any speed from 12,000 to 25,000 rpm. Switch is easy to reach and the illuminated power switch is a nice safety feature. 3 LED lights in the underside of the motor illuminate the workpiece nicely and a nice feature.

Plunge base has knobs on both bases which the review likes and so do I on my dewalt router. Plunge bars have gaitors on them to keep the dust out and the action is very smooth. The large lever lock holds any depth setting firmly. A depth rod and 3 position turret set it easily and a micro adjustment can make 1/64 fine settings and can be adjusted from the top of the table if mounted in one.

Fixed base is a positive cam locking buckle system which secures the router at the desired height to give reuire depth of cut and prevents self adjusting during use. Micro adjustment of 1/64 is done by turning the adjustment knob and gross adjustments of 1/2 or more than be made pushing a button to bypass the rack and pinion. Transparent dust port is included along with a fence.

Well balanced in both bases and is light enough for extended hand held use but weighty enough to hold a good cut. Well designed and easy to set up. They liked the router a lot and thought the router has the build quality of much more expensive routers. A real quality tool for a very affordable price.

or so they say... but when I can.. I will find out for myself

.

Corey

**Bob** · 08-05-2007, 05:32 AM

Corey,

Looks like a great router at a great price. If I find I need to add another router at some point, I'll have to take a hard look at this one.

BTW..... do you think the name tag and serial number can be removed?

Ray Dockrey · 08-05-2007, 10:50 AM

I gave a small review on just the motor in the table mounted router forum the other day. The router is very strong and smooth. I liked it so much that I went out and bought another one for hand help operation. I used it yesterday on my new Porter Cable dovetail jig and I was quite impressed with it. The only thing I have to get used to is the soft start. It takes longer to come up to speed then the other routers I have with soft start. Sears has the fixed base on sale for $70. I don't know how the longevity is going to be but so far I am very impressed.

**challagan** · 08-05-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob N

Corey,

Looks like a great router at a great price. If I find I need to add another router at some point, I'll have to take a hard look at this one.

BTW..... do you think the name tag and serial number can be removed?

Bob, Bob Bob..... what are we going to do with you!

Corey

**bobj3** · 08-05-2007, 01:31 PM

Hi Ray

You may also want to read the 2 links below ▼

http://www.routerforums.com/39447-post21.html
http://www.routerforums.com/table-mo...e-routing.html

Bj

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Dockrey

I gave a small review on just the motor in the table mounted router forum the other day. The router is very strong and smooth. I liked it so much that I went out and bought another one for hand help operation. I used it yesterday on my new Porter Cable dovetail jig and I was quite impressed with it. The only thing I have to get used to is the soft start. It takes longer to come up to speed then the other routers I have with soft start. Sears has the fixed base on sale for $70. I don't know how the longevity is going to be but so far I am very impressed.

**challagan** · 08-05-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobj3

Hi Ray

You may also want to read the 2 links below ▼

http://www.routerforums.com/39447-post21.html
http://www.routerforums.com/table-mo...e-routing.html

Bj

Damn BJ, I forgot you did that very complete review. Sorry about that. Oh well it's good to know others outside this forum think it's a good'n as well though. Seems like Craftsman can put together a decent product when they want too! The band saws are nice and they have some decent table saws again.

Corey

Ray Dockrey · 08-05-2007, 04:47 PM

Hey BJ,

It was actually thoses two reviews that swayed me to get one when I realized that the router I had wouldn't work with the lift I bought. LIke I siad, I liked it so much that I wanted to say how well it worked using it freehand so I bought another one. I didn't need the plunge base as I have the DeWalt three base set but I have been using the Sears just to see how it holds up and it has a nice balance to it.

I posted my reviews so people could see that there really was something to this router since you and a few people have had sucess with it to.

I will continue to post updates as I have quite a bit more cabinets and projects to complete.

**bobj3** · 08-05-2007, 09:20 PM

Hi Ray

Thanks and please do,,
I'm also sold on the router and I have two of them also my son was thinking about getting a new one or two for work (Car Toys ) and it took a hard look at it today and it looks like they have sold 4 more to him and Car Toys , they have two big 3HP Porter Cable and the guys have put them to hell and back a time or too...

and I told him the Sears will back it up like they do on all the tools they sale...

It like the fac that they could use a standard drop cord with it because it only pulls 11amps. at full draw...

Bj

del schisler · 08-06-2007, 08:24 AM

who make's those routers for sears I don't belive they make them I belive all sears does is make money ? just wondering thanks del

**Mike** · 08-06-2007, 09:20 AM

We see features from Ridgid and PC on these routers, not sure who is building them. For the price it doesn't really matter.

08-04-2007, 09:19 PM	#1
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,954 View challagan's Gallery	Craftsman Fixed and Plunge Base Combo Review..... My wife picked me up a copy of Router and Power Woodworking magazine and they had a review of the new Craftsman 2HP plunge/fixed base combo. For anyone interested in this router I will catch the highlights of the review but honestly, there wasn't anything they didn't like about this router. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cemldffidfko.0 Motor is 11 Amp sealed made from good quality materials featuring diecast aluminum upper and lower housings. Runs smoothly and quietly and electronic feedback holds any speed from 12,000 to 25,000 rpm. Switch is easy to reach and the illuminated power switch is a nice safety feature. 3 LED lights in the underside of the motor illuminate the workpiece nicely and a nice feature. Plunge base has knobs on both bases which the review likes and so do I on my dewalt router. Plunge bars have gaitors on them to keep the dust out and the action is very smooth. The large lever lock holds any depth setting firmly. A depth rod and 3 position turret set it easily and a micro adjustment can make 1/64 fine settings and can be adjusted from the top of the table if mounted in one. Fixed base is a positive cam locking buckle system which secures the router at the desired height to give reuire depth of cut and prevents self adjusting during use. Micro adjustment of 1/64 is done by turning the adjustment knob and gross adjustments of 1/2 or more than be made pushing a button to bypass the rack and pinion. Transparent dust port is included along with a fence. Well balanced in both bases and is light enough for extended hand held use but weighty enough to hold a good cut. Well designed and easy to set up. They liked the router a lot and thought the router has the build quality of much more expensive routers. A real quality tool for a very affordable price. or so they say... but when I can.. I will find out for myself . Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/ Last edited by challagan; 08-04-2007 at 09:25 PM.
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08-05-2007, 05:32 AM	#2
Bob Forum Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Metro Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,248 View Bob's Gallery	Corey, Looks like a great router at a great price. If I find I need to add another router at some point, I'll have to take a hard look at this one. BTW..... do you think the name tag and serial number can be removed? __________________ Cheers, Bob Pictures from the shop http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m292/bnoles616/
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08-05-2007, 10:50 AM	#3
Ray Dockrey Registered User New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 View Ray Dockrey's Gallery	I gave a small review on just the motor in the table mounted router forum the other day. The router is very strong and smooth. I liked it so much that I went out and bought another one for hand help operation. I used it yesterday on my new Porter Cable dovetail jig and I was quite impressed with it. The only thing I have to get used to is the soft start. It takes longer to come up to speed then the other routers I have with soft start. Sears has the fixed base on sale for $70. I don't know how the longevity is going to be but so far I am very impressed.
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08-05-2007, 04:47 PM	#7
Ray Dockrey Registered User New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 View Ray Dockrey's Gallery	Hey BJ, It was actually thoses two reviews that swayed me to get one when I realized that the router I had wouldn't work with the lift I bought. LIke I siad, I liked it so much that I wanted to say how well it worked using it freehand so I bought another one. I didn't need the plunge base as I have the DeWalt three base set but I have been using the Sears just to see how it holds up and it has a nice balance to it. I posted my reviews so people could see that there really was something to this router since you and a few people have had sucess with it to. I will continue to post updates as I have quite a bit more cabinets and projects to complete.
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08-05-2007, 09:20 PM	#8
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 7,141 View bobj3's Gallery	Hi Ray Thanks and please do,, I'm also sold on the router and I have two of them also my son was thinking about getting a new one or two for work (Car Toys ) and it took a hard look at it today and it looks like they have sold 4 more to him and Car Toys , they have two big 3HP Porter Cable and the guys have put them to hell and back a time or too... and I told him the Sears will back it up like they do on all the tools they sale... It like the fac that they could use a standard drop cord with it because it only pulls 11amps. at full draw... Bj __________________ *Router Tables plans FREE, plus more* http://www.absolutelyfreeplans.com/W...p_projects.htm Router Tip Archive http://www.routerworkshop.com/router_tip_glossary.html Calculators http://www.routerforums.com/dynamic-calculators/
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08-06-2007, 08:24 AM	#9
del schisler Registered User Forum Geek Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 231 View del schisler's Gallery	who make's those routers for sears I don't belive they make them I belive all sears does is make money ? just wondering thanks del __________________ del schisler
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08-06-2007, 09:20 AM	#10
Mike Senior Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, Michigan USA Posts: 3,091 View Mike's Gallery	We see features from Ridgid and PC on these routers, not sure who is building them. For the price it doesn't really matter. __________________ Mike
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