I Bought A Router. Is It Any Good?

[fjl]

Okay I went to a car swapmeet today and someone had an old router among the other junk they where selling. He wanted $30 for it but I haggled my way down to $20 bucks. It's pretty rusted from the looks of it. I have no bits to try on it. Actually this is my first router so I'm not really sure how to use it as in putting in the bits and such. It has dials but they don't really move anything. It's either stuck or meant to be that way. It works cause I turned it on and spins pretty much smoothly. Kind of noisy but I expect routers to be noisy. Regardless, look at the pics and tell me if its missing any parts or anything. What you see is all I got. There where no extra accessories or anything. Looks kind of old or maybe its just dirty.

One other question, is the part that holds the bit supposed to be a chuck that can be tightened? Mine seems to just be a hole with no way to tighten it. Anyone want to point me in the right direction on that part? Was this a good buy for $20 bucks?

[prOk]

I'd get my 20 bucks back.

[Xam]

Without seeing it work, its hard to tell. It looks pretty well used...but looks can be deceiving.

I just got a brand new display router at Lowes for $15...and that was with a case...so $20 for a well used one seems a bit high at the moment. However, if it functions properly, it will be a decent deal as most decent routers are pretty expensive.

Try it and see if it works!

Xam

[fjl]

After some research, it seems this is an old no longer made model. Supposedly, Ryobi made this one like many others back in the day for Sears. It's a 1HP 6.5 amp router.

Also, the rust was preventing it from going up and down. Took the base off and it seems like the plunge base still works as long as I get rid off the small amount of rust and the all the wood dust stuck in it and adjust some of the holding screws. I'll go by me a bit tommorrow and clean it up and try it out.

Although, I still plan to buy the Bosch model that comes with all the accessories. But this will help me play with using a router before I buy mine. So if I break it, it's only a $20 dollar loss


















ZOMG! $20 dollars down the drain! 

[NiteWalker]

Indeed. $20 down the drain...

Even if it did work, the craftsman routers made way back had bit slippage issues. That's a big problem for a router.

Here's a better choice for $47.49 delivered to your door. Not production quality, but I'm pretty confident it'll survive a few cabinets. Leagues better than the craftsman you got scammed for.

EDIT:
I just saw that you plan on getting the bosch model. That's an excellent model and the included accessories make it an even better deal. It's a high quality production router.

BUT...

I just got This router kit and I like it better than the Bosch. It's shorter so the center of gravity is lower thus making it more stable during use. It comes with clear sub bases sized for porter cable style bushings, and also includes an extra clear base with a larger hole for bigger bits. The centering cone is an excellent tool for ensuring accuracy, especially when using template guide bushings. One thing I really like is the cord that detaches at the motor so unplugging it is really easy when changing bits. Another place where this router really shines is the plunge base. The plunging action is very smooth (among the smoothest out there) and the dust extraction through the column is genius and efficient. All in all, my new favorite router kit.

The bosch is great, and I'll keep mine, but it's going in a benchtop router table I'm building. More on that later...
The included accessories are great, but I've found that the only ones I use are the dust vac ports...

[leapinlew]

ZOMG! $20 dollars down the drain! 

You'll be surprised once you total your arcade expense just how quickly it all adds up.

I got my first router for around $15 off ebay. A Harbor Freight model. It may not be much better than that router in it's current condition. Either way, congrats on getting started.

[sodapopinski]

I've used that same router before. almost as old too. It didn't compare to a porter cable, but it got the job done. New(high end) routers run for around $280 CND, so I figure 20 bucks ain't that bad. You're going to need your router wrenches.

[ChadTower]

I'd be afraid of taking something that rusty and unknown and standing in front of it at thousands of RPM.

[paigeoliver]

I have the cheapo harbor freight router and it has performed very well for what we do with them.

[ElKootcho]

you can download a PDF of th eoriginal owners manual here http://www.owwm.com/MfgIndex/PubDetail.asp?ID=222&PubID=613