New and used routers

Jack I'm not sure I agree. Older routers still aren't worth much to me nor most of the other experienced members of the forum. Often the parts are either unavailable or so expensive that it doesn't make economic sense to fix them.

Small power tools are subject to lots of wear and tear. And parts, repairs are not always available or practical. I'm not much of a mechanic, so I prefer new, tried and tested brands and models. Some hand tools, such as hand planes, are great used and revitalizing them is very doable, but I think you have to go a long way to beat a Bosch 1617 EVSPK outfit with an older model of some other brand.

Not necessarily Jack. The really old ones with metal cases were made better but parts for them weren't available 20 or 30 years ago already. About that same time warranties for routers and most other hand power tools was one year. Some makers are now offering 5 year warranties.

In the early 80's a lot of shops were using Stanley and craftsman. But this isn't about those routers but the never versions compared to the older versions less than 20 years old. I've been looking to much at these newer kits I guess..

Jack; when did 'soft-start' and electronic speed control come in? The plastic cases are pretty tough and part of the whole double-insulated protocol.
It's my impression that some folks buy used power tools largely because they don't want to spend hundreds on a new (warrantied) one. In my opinion a false economy.
The dark side of that used tool thing is not knowing whether or not it's hot. I think an Estate Sale might be the exception to the rule. If, looking at the whole tool collection, it's obvious the deceased had high quality standards, then maybe it's worth the risk.

We've seen a lot of people drop by the forum trying to find parts for Craftsman routers that they picked up used for $10 only they needed a part. Often a collet. And there aren't any so they basically threw the $10 away on a corded paperweight. Same goes for some of the B & D routers. Even lots of the better brands have unavailable parts when you start getting back around 20 years old. Generally speaking any old power tool that needs a part is a bad deal. If they are in working condition and you get them cheap that's different. But when those quit on you toss them.

Interesting discussion. Passed by an Estate sale sign today, but on reflection, realize I'm very well set up already. Can't really think of any tools I don't have at this point. And I have some I'd like to sell or pass to someone else. I find myself going for simpler techniques for joinery, in many cases by making smarter use of my table saw.

I've got five Craftsman routers, made by Ryobi I believe. The new one is I guess 15 years old, more or less. I bought that one new, for around $50, because the other I had bought new, for around $50, had a soldered connection come loose, wire too short. Haven't bothered resoldering it yet, because I had been given, free, three even older Craftsman routers, same model. So, right now I have four working routers, and one repairable. They are all low price, low horsepower, 1/4" collets, and do just what I need them to do. When/if one dies, it will likely get tossed, possibly tucked away as a parts router. As long as they work, and do what I need, I'm not interested in knowing anything about new routers - with one exception, I will likely buy a low low priced trim router, for some new projects where a trim router would be very useful.