Craftsman  14-amp, 2.5-hp Fixed/Plunge Base Router with Soft Start Technology

Needed to install some hinges on a few new doors, and wanted to buy a cheap router. Wife insisted that I buy something of better quality, so I came home with this kit. Did it do the job? Certainly. Would I buy it again? Definitely. Any caveats? Yes... The power switch is in the wrong place. Even with soft-start, I like to keep both hands on the machine, and I can't reach it where it currently is. A brake would be a useful addition. When you're doing lots of repetitive small cuts, the 20seconds for the motor to spin down really eats into the time allowed for the job. The silly fabric case is a waste of space. Firstly, there are no instructions on how to efficiently pack the router and all the accessories into the case, and it's already (one day in, one trip in car) showing signs of wear. If there was an alternative blow-moulded case available, I'd buy one in a shot. As it is, I can't see it living in this bag for very long. I'll buy (or make) a better alternative.

So now that I've used it, I'll add my other comments. They said my post above wasn't approved, but was passed along to customer service. The unit is very smooth. A much better unit than my previous 1.5 hp router. I am using the plastic baseplate from my old router which has a larger opening for larger bits. Kind of ridiculous, because it's all of a 1.25" diameter. This unit is not as heavy as the stats would indicate; that's the packing weight. The speed is settable, but once you start up, that's the speed. The separating bases are very convenient, especially if you want to change bits while attached to a router table. There's a learning curve to adjusting the depth, but once you're used to it, it's pretty good. I complained in a previous post about the plastic baseplate and trying to deal with customer service, but apparently, they wouldn't post it because it didn't meet standards. Note: no foul language was included. Hmmm. Overall, I really like this router.

I'm rewriting this review changing 5 starts to 1 star. I was initially sold on the price with all the bells and whistles in spite of the fact that the 1/2 inch collet was extremely tight. In my router table: The motor base started to move around in spite of adjusting and tightening (yes I know how to use in a table). This is very unsettling as the guard on my table was what kept it from literally flying up at one point, ultimately scratching the motor as it turned from the vibration. Plunge base: I tried for hours to get a straight cut in my dado jig to no avail. How do I know it is not user error versus the router. Well I used my other top brand router (yellow) had no problems whatsoever. I have learned my lesson not to stray from the tried and true. My last ditch effort at trying craftsman. You really do get what you pay for.

Pulled it out of the box and the 1/2" collet is so tight I can't even get a bit in it rendering the entire unit useless! I called Sears Repair & Service. They can't just send me a new 1/2" collet assembly which only costs $10 online. I have to drive the router up to a Sears repair shop 45 minutes away. I think I'm done with Sears Craftsman! PLUS, the little button you have to push to lock the cylinder and tighten/loosen the collet is a total pain. I had the predecessor router to this one. Used it for 7 years and had no issues. Bring back the 2 wrenches. That's SO much easier than trying to push a button with one hand and using a wrench in the other. I ordered this online because I had such a great experience with my last Craftsman router. I really wish I had taken the time to physically go into the store to look at this unit. I wouldn't recommend this unit to anyone and I haven't even powered it up yet!!!

I wanted some capacity to learn various techniques with a router, and to have some headroom in the way of power...this fits the bill perfectly. I have only done a few very simple fixed base operations with it, but it's been easy to use and I am very happy with my choice. I even like the look of it...it's very 'industrial design' in appearance, and it all goes together beautifully. The documentation is very good, and the carry case is very functional.

2.5 did not ship in time, exchanged for 2.0 fixed base. A great machine for pro craft man due to the excess power. Only con very dusty.

Use for business purposes and so far we have been extremely impressed with the ease of using this.

I had the fixed base 1/2 inch 2.5 HP craftsmen router and needed the plunge router for making barn doors for my workshop. Very good price and well built, it even has more amps then my previous 2.5 HP router. The progressive spin up to full power ovoids the jolt that instant full speed gives.

This was my first router purchase ever. So far I love it. Cuts with ease and is very powerful! Like that it comes with a bag that carries the router and both bases for easy storage. The led light is handy. Only thing that seems as a down side is the opening of the base doenst fit bigger bits but you can easily fix that.

I have owned and used a LOT of routers over the last 50 years. About a year ago, I picked this one up thinking, "Well, I'm here at Sears, and my 1/2inch machine has been really giving me some trouble, so I'll go ahead and pick up this one for now, and get a good one later on. To my astonishment, it has (and does) perform better than ALL of the much more expensive ones I have owned, and I have owned all the "big name" brands. It's smoother running, the soft start and stop is excellent, it doesn't run hot, it doesn't make me ware hearing protection needed for a cannon, its heavy enough for the really tough jobs but agile enough that I don't find myself swapping to my 1/4inch router nearly so often. It comes with a lot of extras you don't get with other brands (like alternate bases, a tote bag (very well made as well), a line fence and pad blanks. So if you have been thinking about a replacement, I would recommend you give this one a spin.