Craftsman router...Really??

[tom_s]

Building some small towers for my Cryolites, my router took a dive in the shop today with my Jasper Jig attached. Jasper did not survive...and I was hopping mad! I had been down the DIY circle jig route and didn't want to mess with that again. So I set out looking to see what I might find locally. Nothing that would work for speaker building at Lowes. Nothing at all at Home Depot. Sears was right across the street so I figured, what the heck, but didn't expect to find anything. They actually had one and it didn't look all that bad. But...it wasn't universal. It was drilled to fit only their routers.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...26+Attachments

Well, I had been pondering a new router for the past year, wanting something with variable speed and integrated dust collection. They had a 2HP kit that was only $119 and it didn't look like the cheap Craftsman stuff my dad had years ago.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...inate+Trimmers

There was actually less flex in the plunge base than the $250 Porter Cable kit I saw at Lowes. Don't get me wrong, I like my trusty PC 690 and it's been a workhorse, but it's missing some of the features that are common these days and it screams quite loudly under any load. I checked with the Sears sales guy and he said if I didn't like this one, I could return it. So far, I'm fairly impressed. The circle jig dropped right on to the fixed base as advertised. It didn't fit the plunge base without making a shim plate, but after that simple task, it seems to work just fine. This router is smooth, fairly quiet, dust collection works well, and I love the LED work light. We'll see how it holds up over time.

I never thought I would buy a Craftsman router.

I really need to learn to never say never...

[nikbrewer]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

i believe porter cable makes that for craftsman

[DDF]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

I have this exact circle jig. fwiw I find it's OK but really takes a lot of eyeballing to get a true circle with, of the right size. There's a fair amount of slop in them thar adjusters, but if you're patient, its manageable.

I don't do much woodwork, so I bought a green series Craftsman a number of years ago. Lasted about 2 hours and the cooling vanes near the motor snapped off and wiped themselves out!

[AJ]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

At ~30$ the Craftsman circle jig will do everything the jasper will assuming you take the time to set it up right (measuring, tightening, measuring, loosening, measuring, tightening, etc...) as it doesn't have set points - infinitely adjustable.

It might even do some other things the jasper can't. I already had access to an older craftsman router (which has worked great, 1.5HP I think), and couldn't afford the jasper set quick enough so I tried it and have been happy with it. It's also pretty solid, and much thicker than the original Craftsman base.

[tpremo55]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

I have had, and have been very happy with, the 9amp plunge-only version of that same router. I think it is one of the best values out there. It's accurate, powerful and reliable. I've posted about it before you can search to see more details as to what I've done with it.

[tpremo55]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

Regarding the circle jig, there are many ways to make circle cutouts. I've done the board and nail trick before - the ultimate in cost-effective and the results are essentially the same as with a pricey jig. What I REALLY like about the Jasper jigs is the pure simplicity and consistency of using them. It simply takes all the trial and error out of the game. I've easily done over 100 holes with mine (and that 9amp craftsman router) and have only messed up one hole (used radius rather than diameter - which actually was a relatively easy fix). I think the Jasper jigs are worth it. Wait until the combo pack goes on sale at PE and put it in your basket.

By the way, as important as the jig and the router (if not more) is the router bit. I recommend a solid carbide spiral up-cut bit (unless you will always be cutting in a veneered board - then get the down-cut). Keep them clean and give them a chance to cool. With the ease of the Jasper and the power of the craftsman, you can quickly overheat the bit while doing many parts in quick succession. A good source for bits is http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/. I've purchased just about all my bits from the past 10 years there and have been quite happy.

[hempy]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

I LOVE this router package. I got one two years ago, and when mine fell and broke the plunge base, I just bought another to replace it (this time getting the $18 coverage plan). It had lots of great features and it really is a great tool.

It's been my favorite tool since I bought it.

[moosespeaker]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

I have used the Craftsman router jig for all my speakers builds (5 designs); it serves my purpose. Yes, it takes a MINUTE to measure and remeasure the adjustment and cut a shallow 1st cut to make sure the diameter is correct. Since I have an older Craftsman router (not a plunge) there is the requirement to drill (carefully) a hole at the exact edge of the cutout but that is easily done with a Forster bit in a drill or a drill press. I cannot make the $$ argument to buy new when my existing tools serve the purpose (the time for the setup is cheap).

George

[daver]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have used the Craftsman router jig for all my speakers builds (5 designs); it serves my purpose. Yes, it takes a MINUTE to measure and remeasure the adjustment and cut a shallow 1st cut to make sure the diameter is correct. Since I have an older Craftsman router (not a plunge) there is the requirement to drill (carefully) a hole at the exact edge of the cutout but that is easily done with a Forster bit in a drill or a drill press. I cannot make the $$ argument to buy new when my existing tools serve the purpose (the time for the setup is cheap).

George

I have a similar situation. I got a fixed Craftsman router for Christmas one year, and picked up the adjustable circle guide for cutting holes. I've used this setup for almost 10 years now, and won't replace it until one or the other breaks. When the router goes, I'll probably get a plunge router, and one or both of the Jasper Jigs to go with it. Although, I do like the "infinite adjustment" with the Sears guide.

[skatz]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

I looked at that router and almost bought it, but read reviews critical of it for not always being able to make reliabe repeat settings. I bought a Hitachi with both plunge and fixed bases instead and have been happy with that. I have a Jasper jig but find it hard to use on small circles. Getting the pin into the correct hole with certainty is a bit iffy if the base of the router blocks the back side of the jig, as it will on smaller diameter circles; on larger ones, the base will be clear and you can put the pin in from the other side, or mark it on the back of the jig. I don't know how clear I am being in describing this. I bought a router buddy from PE and like it. It was drilled to fit my Hitachi, and its a simple matter of measuring with a caliper to set the diameter of the cut. I find that easier than the Jasper.

[isaeagle4031]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

This is the one I bought last year ($100 on sale for the whole set-up!!!) I think it may have been a price screw-up on their end, but I wasn't about to complain. I LOVE this router. Best one I have used. I also have a HF OK, but not great and a dewalt trim router. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...inate+Trimmers

I'm also using the router buddy jig, but will be replacing it with the Jasper setup soon as the router buddy cracked the other day

[critofur]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

The sale price has dropped down to $109 now, you could prob. go and get $10 back.

This is the one I bought last year ($100 on sale for the whole set-up!!!)...

Do you mean w/the Craftsman circle jig?

[tom_s]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

reviews critical of it for not always being able to make reliabe repeat settings

I saw that review too. They were complaining about the adjuster on the fixed base being sloppy. I took that with a grain of salt. That's why I use the plunge base...or use calipers...or both! The Hitachi looks like a nice kit too. I didn't see those when I was out and about. I probably would have grabbed that instead, seeing that I love my Hitachi 18v Li drill!

Seems like portable power tools just keep getting better as I get older!

The sale price has dropped down to $109 now, you could prob. go and get $10 back.

Must be a regional sale...it still shows $119 on the Sears site for me. Too bad...the $10 would paid for about half of the spiral down-cut bit I just bought.

[martyh]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

Tom,

Mine popped at $109 too. And I concur, I love mine. Great deal, well made - so much better than the $69 Craftsman purchased 5 years ago (lightly used cuz I hated it). This one is well made, easily adjustable, and I've had no base drift problems.

At $109 (or even $119) she's a beauty.

[lhwidget]

Re: Craftsman router...Really??

I bought the same two items from Sears about a year ago. They work great, BUT The circle jig would not fit my plunge base. It fit the fixed base just fine, but doesn't have a set of holes for the plunge base.

And yes, the fixture is a bit finicky, but I can manage good circles with it.

I finally gave up on the Sears jig and got the router buddy from PE. Great router and great circle cutting jig

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=365-270&FTR=router%20buddy&CFID=249419&CFTOKEN=73565733