SKIL 14 Amp Plunge and Fixed Base Router Combo — RT1322-00

Across the reviewers we read, the SKIL RT1322-00 is the standout value pick. The high-trust protoolreviews.com review scores it 9.2 out of 10, calling out smart electronic features including bit-and-wood-hardness presets, a digital speed display, and a 14-amp motor that competes spec-for-spec with routers costing significantly more. The included fixed and plunge bases plus 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets out of the box round out a kit that mainstream reviewers consistently describe as overdelivering for the price.

Verified-purchase signals echo that read — 4.7 across nearly 2,000 Amazon reviews — and a YouTube reviewer summarized the kit as 'surprisingly good and budget friendly.' For a first router or for a hobbyist who wants both bases without spending Bosch 1617 money, this is the candidate that mainstream coverage and a high-trust expert source most often steer buyers toward.

That said, specialist communities are not unanimous. High-trust r/woodworking threads voice concerns about Skil's long-term durability reputation and describe the plunge base specifically as 'pretty flimsy.' The expert protoolreviews.com review also notes that the center hole on the bases isn't big enough for bits over 1-1/4 inch. The honest read: strong value, real spec sheet, but with longevity and large-bit limitations that come up repeatedly in serious-hobbyist threads.