Skil Router Model RT1322-00. Tool review

I thought I would share this router with you. I just bought this tool the day before making this video and when I unboxed it I felt it was a descent tool for the money. I made the purchase at Workshop tools (not affiliated) for just a little over $100 and knowing what it is like to work on a budget I decided to share. How this router will do over the long haul I do not know. I did read some reviews and there were a few not favorable as with most any tool. Any tool man made is subject to fail. So as with any purchase do your own research and make your best purchase. I do hope you find this video helpful. If you enjoy the content please hit that like button and subscribe. Thank you for watching

[@jeffmaestro]

Excellent review. I have this router and you hit all the good and not so good points. The digital display sets this apart from the rest (if it last). Knowing how fast you’re going ensures the best outcome. Appreciate the time you took reviewing and getting right to your points. I wish all reviews were like yours. Great job! 👍🏾

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Thank you for those kind words

[@luisotero6292]

Thanks for the lesson, it is very usefull. I use the Skil router with the same brand router table and a Dewalt for all other works. The table is a great value for the price.

[@carlkellogg5342]

The base plate is set up for Porter Cable style guide bushings. It's a very desirable feature to have on a router.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Thanks for the information

[@Weshopwizard]

Good review. I got this about a year ago and love it. Runs like a champ and has survived a couple of falls in my shop and keeps right on kicking.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Thanks Wes. I think it's worth the money. I haven't had any issues with mine either. It could stop tomorrow but it's been good so far

[@marcdessureault2235]

J’ai apprécié votre critique du produit. Merci!!

[@carlkellogg5342]

One thing is for sure the Skill and or the Harbor Freight (Hercules look a like ) router is a much better buy then the Wen router. And that is all I am going to say about that.

[@Xdonald331]

Good review. I got one from Woodcraft on a one-day sale on black Friday 2022 - $99!

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Thank you Don. That's a good deal you got

[@maxpolaris99]

It's a $149 Router. If you're a heavy duty woodchucker and really need super accurate, heavy duty, high quality rugged construction meeting "QS9000" manufacturing standards and a recipient of The ISO Excellence In Engineering Award, prepare to spend more money and I mean a lot more money!

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

This router was $119 when I purchased it. And I am not needing to meet any certain type of standard. I simply put this information out there to help any hobbyist working on a budget based on my knowledge and experience. I did not go to some website and obtain the information I put out there and I know what I paid for it and I know what the router is

[@maxpolaris99]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 The comment was mostly directed at the subscribers with the intention of comparing the value of this router which is obviously at the entry level of the market and top of the line alternatives . It was in no way meant as a criticism of your review. I forgot to mention I had just ordered one for $149 from Amazon based on another review. I apologize for any offense given.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

@@maxpolaris99 No harm done. Thank you for replying again. Maybe I took the comment the wrong way, which is easily done when there is no emotion or facial expressions to texts. Most wood workers are hobbyist and more often than not they are working on a very restricted budget. Which is why I try to put information out there on any tool I can when I feel like it may help someone out. It is a low end router but for the cost and anyone being a hobbyist it is a descent router for the money. It like most tools has its flaws. I purchased mine at workshop tools in East Tennessee and at the time I purchased it the cost was $119. I actually bought it the day prior to making the video. When I shot that video the router had never been used. But in this economy it may very well be $149 now and I am sure it has a different price range in every state across the nation. But most, not all, but most people watching tool reviews are looking for the best bang for their buck. Not everyone can afford top of the line tools. Your input is certainly welcome and I may have taken your intent the wrong way. For that I apologize to you sir. I just strive for good reliable information for my viewers and not a smoke show. Hope that makes sense.

[@simonflr]

I believe the reason the hole in the middle of the bases is at 1 3/16" is so they can accommodate Guide Bushings... If you look closely the hole is "Stepped" this allows the Bushing to screw through the base into the collar to hold the Bushing in place. BTW this isn't a real powerful machine, I wouldn't recommend it for bits larger than an inch or so...

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Yeah I wouldn't recommend a very large bit in it like a raised panel bit either but it should accommodate a 2 or 2.25 inch bit. I am aware of the reason for the guide bushings. Both plates did not need to accommodate guide bushings. I would have liked to seen one for guide bushings and the other for a little larger bits.

[@edm.6657]

“You can never have enough routers”, 100%

[@spydie]

$139 now. Can't find it any cheaper. Wish I could.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Yeah. They are a little over 100 almost anywhere you look. Mine was $119 when I bought it

[@spydie]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 I just dropped the hammer and paid the $139 after hours of searching for a better price. $139 and $149 are the only two prices I could find on it. I bought the Skil table for it also so that makes a very universal router even more universal.

[@rebeltoharriganjr6158]

Can this router use the porter cable bushings for the dovetail super jig ?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Yeah it can. I used it with it with a bushing in my last video. The base will accept them

[@johnliu8801]

Very good router, been using mine for a year. The only problem is I wanted to use it with my track saw guide rail and can't find a suitable router guide rail adapter!

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Will it work just keeping the base against the back edge of the track? Might even be something you can make

[@gattonpc]

You've placed the dust colection hose on the wrong side.. Try the other side and test it again.. and show to use after that.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

What do you mean? There is only one dust port on it?

[@jensbodal2253]

Yeah it looks like it’s in the correct and only spot. The other side has a clear plastic plate that only fits on that side as well. As for 3rd party dust collection, I’ve found the collet brake interfere with bases like the Rockler adapter. The vacuum flange gets in the way of the brake so you can only a limited depth (and not enough to accommodate a pattern bit)

[@rebeltoharriganjr6158]

thank you for such a fast response. I have followed your channel, I was brought there by the porter cable dovetail jig, and want to use this router to make dovetails only and leave set up with the bits in it. I have bosch and triton , but love two of these to do the bulk of the dovetail routing. What do you think?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

I think setup whatever routers you want for what works best for you. I have 7 or 8 routers in my shop and some of them have certain tasks and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The skil router in a great router for the money and should serve you well cutting those joints. Thank you for following my channel

[@nicolasg.514]

What do you expect for the dust collection when you do it on an edge and you have the other side completely open🤦‍♂️

[@MBSGAMES_]

And the other dept adjustment (on which he says he sees no use for) is to adjust the router when mounted in a routertable

[@Markdoubts]

Great review of the router. Thank you! What would you use a bit large than 1 1/4 for? I am a novice woodworker and I am considering this for my first router. I would mainly use it for making grooves for Z clips and shaker style cabinet doors. Thank you sir! Appreciate ya. Mark

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Thank you Mark. Some of your bits will be slightly larger than 1 1/4. I use a lot of bits which are larger. The shaker style cabinets will require larger bits. The cope and style bits are around 1 1/2 in diameter and the panel bit for those door panels is around 3 to 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Honestly I have more router bits larger than 1 1/4 than I do smaller. But it just all depends on what you use the router for. I am fortunate to have around 7 or 8 routers in all so I can assign certain tasks to each during a build. Most people only have one and that's why I mentioned the size of the base. I didn't want to recommend a router and maybe cause someone to purchase it with their hard earned money and it not do everything they need it for. So that's why I stated that. BUT you can always take that base plate off and/or make one that will work for the bits you are using. 1/4 inch Plexiglass works well for this

[@Markdoubts]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 Thank you Tracy for detailed feedback. I think the Bosch 1617EVS has my name on it. Take care!

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

@@Markdoubts I have that router also

[@Markdoubts]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 Tracy you may have a problem LoL. Either the Bosch or the DW618, but after your video of the DW I did a little research and some other folks had a similar problem. So I am leaning towards the Bosch.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

@@Markdoubts lol yes I have a problem. I have 3 tables saws in my shop lol. I could buy a replacement part for the dw for a few dollars but I just decided to get a few more routers 😆

[@kerrwindempsey4835]

I’ve had my Skil, same model, less then a year and already the buttons on the top for setting speed, bit type and size no longer work. What gives?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

I have had mine for 2 yrs now and everything still works fine. I don't know what my routers work load has been compared to yours but it might be that you got a bad one. They are all man made and subject to fail. Even the most expensive items sometimes fail. Sorry to hear about your issues. You may want to contact the company and see if they will do anything for you.

[@kerrwindempsey4835]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 I may just reach out to Skil, it could be a known issue and a fix is available. Thanks for the comment.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

@kerrwindempsey4835 good luck with it. If you reach out to them please post a comment so we all will know what their reply is

[@nickbucci1220]

Question for you: The opening where the bit comes out of. It will not fit the diameter of the rabbiting bit that I have on it. This forces me to have it at one height. I am very green as far as wood working goes, and just want to make sure I am getting the most out of it, as well as using it correctly. Any suggestions?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Thank you for stopping by my channel. Are you talking about the hole size in the base plate? If so you may have to make a base plate out of 1/4 inch plywood or acrylic. That way you can make the hole size what you need. I would be careful though about putting too large of a bit in it. There should be a manufacturer recommended bit size. I would refer to that before putting like a large profiling bit or a large paneling bit in it. You don't want to go over that the machine will handle

[@carlkellogg5342]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 Go to Harbor Freight and see if you can purchase the one that comes with the Hercules router they sell. It has a large opening for bigger bits. The Skill and Hercules router are the same thing so the base plate will fit.

[@carlkellogg5342]

Go to Harbor Freight and see if you can purchase the one that comes with the Hercules router they sell. It has a large opening for bigger bits. The Skill and Hercules router are the same thing so the base plate will fit.

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Thanks. I have multiple routers in my shop. It's not a big issue for me that the hole is small. It still serves the purpose I bought it for. But is good information for anyone who might need a different plate. Thanks for posting

[@munawarsoomro8958]

Thanks for the review. How would rate Skil against Bosch 1617EVS?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

They both have their pros and cons. I actually just got a Bosch I plan to do a review on it as soon as I have the time to shoot the video. They are both made well as far as the router motors and base construction. The Bosch doesn't have the micro adjustment features the skil has. The Bosch wrenches are MUCH better than skils. There is some differences. The Bosch has 2 collets. 1/2 and 1/4 inch

[@munawarsoomro8958]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 I appreciate it and your review helped. I actually have a Bosch but bearings are making noise after about 6 or 7 years. I just decided to go back with the same. Skill is $30 cheaper, but I guess I stayed with the known. Again, I appreciate fast help. My Bosch fixed base does have micro adjustment though, I used it all the time in table mounted.

[@marloswagler]

What is the diameter of the rods on the edge guide?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Mine are 5/16 inch

[@marloswagler]

Awesome thanks a lot! I couldn't find that info anywhere!

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

@@marloswagler Glad to help

[@joelethalcruz4417]

I had the same router lasted 2 months I only use it like 6 times doing rough opening for windows the motor died,lots of smokes...not worth it

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

I have had mine for a year now and no issues yet

[@joelethalcruz4417]

@@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679 do you think its because they force it,like when in use they push to hard ?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

@@joelethalcruz4417 that's a possibility.

[@zhugeliang777]

good to know.

[@zhugeliang777]

@@joelethalcruz4417 what push too hard?

[@samuelpuckett7954]

Does there need to be any type of lube when changing bases?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

No. Not really. You can if you feel you need it

[@WilliamVG]

Here in Canada, it's selling for $190.00 plus taxes, still worth it?

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

Yeah. I think so but I would difinantly compare it to others in and around that price range

[@joelethalcruz4417]

no.

[@hobiecat901]

NO, Do not buy this Router. I bought this Router from Amazon and it worked for maybe 5 minutes. It goes on and Off. I tried several power sources, did not help. All of my other tools work on my recepticles but this Skil router sure doesn't. Use the money to put on a Bosch ..

[@hammerdownwoodworkingtracy3679]

@@hobiecat901 I haven't had that issue with mine. You can return it

[@ravenheart1439]

I've heard router is decent, the router table is garbage and people seem to like the table saw...but don't waste your money on the router table it's not even worth the review lol...

[@buttcrack7784]

The dust collection system performance is almost entirely about your shop system and has very little to do with the router itself.