It’s a low end beginner Router table for $159 + tax…. It’s great 👍🏻! C’mon Man! Thank you for your video! 👍🏻

My first router table was a Skil, it was crap, but I used it for something like 3 years that way - made me respect the tool in a whole new way because I had to take a deep breath and focus on what I was doing the whole time otherwise bad stuff would happen. Saved up my money for those 3 years selling my projects and spent the most money I have ever spent on a tool and got the Rockler cast iron table with the Pro lift. I'm telling you people, after dealing with the Skil for years, upgrading to the Rockler table was amazing - worst case scenario, it makes you appreciate your upgrade so much more.

I’ve been dealing with an old 80s craftsman router table for years now. The router crapped its guts out and now I’m on the market. Anything is gonna be an upgrade, and this is tempting.

5:13 - lining up the plate "I assume it's this one". I got this router and table today on Amazon. No instructions and missing parts. I swear I spent 30 minutes trying every set of holes to get this lined up. So frustrating! 🤦😢

Mike, good job, though this is what I've come to expect from you. Are you kidding me, they have a power lift in a $200 combo router/table? Even though you are not going to use that feature it's nice that it's there. It took me buying a table and router combo that cost in excess of eight bills (though it is a professional grade vs. homeowner table and router). I also love your tongue-in-cheek comments (the door should open outwards) because you don't make it seem like you are being a wise guy. Last thing, that cat, idk.

HONEST OPINION from a experenced craftsman.... Appreciate the video and the fact your not bought and pad for by the products manufacture like a lot of these youtube review are..

I have this same router table combo and actually like it a lot. For the price it can't be beat. I work in one side of a two car garage and put my car in every night, so efficient use of space is very important to me. I mounted the router table between the two extension arms on the right side of my Delta 36-725T2 Table Saw. The space saved is tremendous and having the extra work surface helps as well. I am by no means a master woodworker but do manage to produce many beautiful projects, many using this router table. I agree the fence sucks, but I was able to make it usable by removing the ridiculous red plastic sliding adjustment piece on the left of the fence. I then removed the left sliding part of the fence itself, and using a straight-edge I was able to shim the fence with washers behind the fence to make it Co-planar with the right side of the fence. It now works great for precise work such as making dadoes. It cannot be used as a jointer with this simple modification, but with all the play on the left side of the fence it was useless as a jointer anyway. I also have used the router tabIe to shape chair legs using a template, and it works very well for that. I would highly recommend this router table combo, just understand it is not heavy duty and will not stand a lot of abuse. However, when I purchased it, it was about half the cost of the Bosch router table combo. I am not a professional, so my philosophy is to buy inexpensive tools that will still get the job done. I have a mixture of Wen, Ryobi, Delta, and Dewalt tools in my shop-and they all do just fine for me. I enjoy and appreciate your videos, they are some of the most detailed and entertaining on KZfaq. Your review of the Delta 36-725T2 Table Saw is actually what convinced me to buy it as an upgrade to my jobsite saw. I had been considering spending much more but I have had the Delta for close to a year now and it is awesome.

Thanks for the review - a few months ago I bought this table and it has worked pretty well. I'm new to woodworking and felt this was a good starting point since I don't have the skill (yet) to build my own and not am ready to spend $500+ for a really nice table. If you think about it, you're getting a pretty decent router for $100.00 and a functional table for $100.00. The out-feed fence on my table does not have the wiggle yours seems to have nor do the inserts spin. However, I agree and would not use it for jointing. I have also made a secondary fence that I clamp sideways on the table for larger pieces of wood and that works really well too. Also my old Ridgid vac connects into the larger dust collection port (think it's about 2 1/4") and does a decent job although dust does get into the side storage areas - not great! Overall, I'm happy with it and feel it will work well until the time comes to upgrade to a more professional table. Best, Larry

I bought it all for $179 tonight on Amazon and over at Lowe's I bought the SKIL 30-Piece Carbide-Tipped Router Bit Set for $103 so $300 bucks. It will do what I want it to do I'm sure

Had mine for over two years and use the shit out of it with zero problems. It's NOT a piece of garbage!!

Thank you for the honest review!

You have hands down the best tool reviews. Anyone ever tell you, you sound a bit like Christopher Walken? 14:50 lol

You are too kind, you are the master, they listen to you, call it as it is. :)

Thank you so much for this insightful video! I am trying to objectively seek a "budget friendly" router/table for my meager needs and the details you've pointed out here have stricken this one from my list.

You get what you pay for right. Awesome video thanks for being objective and non-biased 💪🏽

Thanks for your honest opinion. I bought this router and table together and have had similar problems with attempting joining.

You just my life so much easier. Thank You Sir!

Another great video Mike

Well enjoyed. I like your style. Liked and Subscribed!!! Thanks!

I finally found best review video for skil router table and machine set. This video helps the most compare to others.

Thank you Mike for the review. One year later and I am stuck with the same dilemma Kobalt vs Skil. 😂 I like Skil router and Kobalt aluminum top. I guess you can't just have both under $200. 😂

I would love to see them make a $700 router table with the same quality as the table saw!

Thanks. I need a router table for my shop and have been looking at the Rockler table and lift. That runs over $1,000. I think it'll be money well spent.

Another great video. Thanks for the honesty. Need a router and table. as a newbie this may do me as a first one. By the way, i chuckle every time you mention the cat as i too have an orange cat i cant trust.

Thanks for this

Ummm...retired woodworker here. 30+ yrs. My thoughts? In my experience...in what I do in a wood shop...routers tables are the second most important stationary tool behind the table saw. Yes...I call a router table a stationary tool because it needs to be large enough to support full-size cabinet doors and stable enough to be firm and solid throughout the routing process. The router connected to the table has to be able to run for an hour or better between rest times. Needs to 1 1/2hp+, variable speed. The fence (when in use) needs to rock solid, absolutely square and infinitely adjustable. I still go out...about 5-8 days a month. Can't seem to get sawdust outta my system. The table we use on the jobsite comes from Rockler. Standard 24x36inch tabletop with t-track/miter channel. Extruded aluminum fence mounts similar to the Skil. Split melamine MDF faces. Aluminum router mounting plate. Modular square steel tube table. Pre-covid price for that set-up was about $400, as the store offered several options for most parts, and you "built" yourself a custom table assembly. Still need a router...we use the DeWalt 618. Boss likes yellow and black. All that said...could I see using that Skil setup in a weekend warrior type environment? Router...maybe. Table...no. If you want a router table, find a set of plans here on DaTube and build one. Buy the mounting plate first! Fences can be homemade if you are confident of square, or adequate models start at about $100. I've built a few myself...not afraid to build another ... for me, in my shop. Router...there are good choices for routers starting at about $150 today. Look for 1 1/2hp...or 10amps...plus. Look for variable speed and soft start. You might look at the DeWalt 618, the Bosch 1617, the Harbor Freight Hercules (don't start laughing until you put one in your hands!) or the Skil shown here. Porter-Cable quit making routers a couple years ago or I would have recommended the 890series. A good router table can also double as a flat spot...lightweight workbench, a place to store parts for assembly, etc. Build a quick-n-dirty plywood cover for that tabletop to keep it glue and smudge free! It will also become a memory machine..."I made this/that here." so do it right the first time. I heard "Buy once, cry once" the other day...and it certainly applies to router tables.

It was worth it for $140. If all you have is a palm router, a homemade fence and a bunch of clamps, this is a way better setup.

really appreciate the thorough honest reviews. stll looking for a good router table. i have 4 routers but no table. Dont want to spend a thousand

I was thinking about getting this now having second thoughts

I’m appreciative of the anti-orange_cat safety features.

I gotten 14amp router & it is the plunge base & fixed base model with a break button....I need to figure out how to mount it o the table...idk if I remove the plastic cut ring then mount with the fixed base??

I enjoyed this as well as the Kobalt review. Pretty sure I'm sold on this one. Did they not provide a wrench with the router?

I got one of these lightly used for $75 and used it to make ~1500' of moulding. It wasn't in great shape at the end, but it did get me there. I had to build a new fence about 1/4 of the way though though. I wasn't being particularly gentle with the plastic fence and damaged it. I made a new fence out of some scrap plywood that wan't adjustable in about 30m. That lasted to the end of the job. I was using reclaimed wood and budget was the concern rather than time. I think it is a good value for what you get, especially if you don't have the ability to make your own table yet. It's a good place to start.

Good, HONEST review. I guess you would have to make your own fence and call that your 1st project. Doing so would correct the dust collection issue. I'm spending my next few days demoing a tile on cement on wire mess shower. Ryobi Multi-tool and diamond blade works pretty well with little dust.

Nice review. I didn't get the impression that you expected too much, personally. I got the impression that you were expecting certain basics, and for what you say is an entry level tool we now know what to expect. For what I may be doing, basic moldings, and rounding over pieces it sounds like it would get the job done. Thanks!

My table came with a very nice allen wrench to adjust the height from the top. Maybe they added that precisely because of what you have mentioned.

For a very limited and tight budget, it’s a good place to start. From here you can judge what you like and don’t like.

Another good video, I do like that you call it as you see it. As a general comment, although I can understand that people who expect to do a lot of work on their router table may have different needs from those who only intend to use it occasionally, this is only really to do with longevity ie how well will the item deal with prolonged usage. However, where accuracy is concerned, such as the flexible fence issue, then this is surely a concern to everyone regardless of usage level, who wants their work compromised by poor build quality?

Sure seems like a lot of play in that snap-in mounting plate at 5:56. Is there a way to just screw that down permanently?

200 bucks for all this? A steal! even for those who have expensive kit to play with having a second inexpensive router table around may make sense. It does for me. Hats off for Skill to add a mitre gauge: yes it is toy like but I assume that if you dont want to spend more than 200 bucks you are not gonna spend another 200 bucks say on an Incra mitre gauge...therefore at least these people will have a mitre gauge at hand that otherwise they wouldn't

Honest review, even as a starter I would rather save up the extra for something better. I do like some Skil but I would not touch this one.

I have this set up and I love it!! The table and router are perfect. I have zero complaints about it!!

There are other router tables out that are comparable to skil. I bought the Vermont American brand years ago. All metal construction. Still works great.

I have this exact set up. The sniping issues and damage you have to the fence is not an issue for me. My only issue is for larger pieces such as a shelf, cutting dados is near impossible.

The table is on sale this Memorial Day week at Lowe's for 149.00, at Amazon for 159.00.

I’ve had this for a year and like just about everything except for the fence. It’s sticky and hard to adjust

This one was my first choice, before I finally bought the Cobalt instead. I live in Gulf Coast Texas, and my shop is not air conditioned,... so MDF will not last more than a couple of years before it starts swelling up around the raw edges and the seams of the formica. The Cobalt has it's issues but is still holding up so far.

Most people pick one family of tools for the battery, but you know all the Skil Table Saw people are going to grab this and move that featherboard between the router table and the table saw.

Hmm, looks like a huge step up from the old Craftsman router/table combo I have...the table itself is some sort of plastic, and have a lot of flex to it. I may look into this combo for the occasional user its a great price point, and the router can be removed and used by hand if I want...doubt I'd ever try that though LOL.

I bought the Kobalt in December and paid $129. It was a no-brainer. Had it been a higher price this Skil would be worth comparing.

I don't think I'd pay $25 for that table. The router itself seems pretty good though. Great review. Manufacturers beware!!! Don't send your stuff to this guy if your stuff is junk. Honestly after seeing the portable table saw review I expected much better from Skil on this.

Great review. What unit would you recommend that can be used for joining?

It's ain't that bad consider a good router lift plate cost around $250 and still have to build the table and fence.

I bought this router table kit and really like it so far. Beginner woodworker so it's fine for my needs and BUDGET! What brand & model calipers were you using in the video?

I have a Mastercraft table (Canadian Tire) that looks exactly like this one.

"attention to detail" ... that is what my late father drilled into me as child (or at least he tried to). Skil seems to have missed that lesson. Regards the dust collection port: perhaps use the router to to put a bit of a relief in the table top ?

what about CRT/MK3 ?

Been looking at the Skil router with the fixed and plunge base. It looks solid for $100. Might be a good one to get started with. Any thoughts?

Get out of my head!!! I was just thinking about getting this last night!

1st thing I would do is clear coat the painted surfaces so they and the particle board last a reasonable amount of wear/time. Take care.

I was able to get this for $115 and felt that was the correct price for it. certainly wont spend $200 for it.

I used this to build 4 cabinet doors and the measurement lines were already worn out. It has good features but the quality of the table is garbage MDF and plastic. I took it back.

For $200, probably not. But i just picked one up for $110. 🤞It worth that much.

if a fence only has a mechanical fastener at each end then it has to at least be metal reinforced from end to end to keep from flexing in the center but in reality like with a table saw, a fence made completely out of metal is far superior then plastic for accuracy as you demonstrated...

It's like the tool equivalent of an Easy-Bake Oven..... I can't afford the best of everything, but I'd rather have fewer tools, but good quality ones. I see so many people using Skill and Ryobi, etc. and they're always making excuses for them; their work is hobbled; the tools end up broken before long, and they just get no joy from them. Spend 40-50% more and get stuff that'll really help you work and give you joy when using...and in the long run, it really doesn't cost more because the tools last much longer. Screw plasticky junk and MDF!

Is it worth 159?

My recommendation is to build your own router table. Many of the features on store bought tables you will likely not use. Besides, you are a craftsman, right? Go with a Porter Cable basic 1/2" router and build yourself a table with the features you need. For $200 you can buy a lot of materials and have some fun as well! But you won't need nearly $200. There are router table build videos on youtube, that I am sure.

Or you have a orange cat you don’t trust!!! 😂 I feel your pain!!!

If you buy a cheap tool make sure you have enough money to buy a better one later.

On this whole ‘you get what you pay for thing’. If only that were true. No, you pay for what you get.

Looks like a Craftsman.

I’ve built several router tables over the years but started with a decent router ($150-200), a sink cutout laminated on both sides, (free) and made a plate from 1/4” aluminum ($5-$10 at the scrap yard) and made a fence from scrap plywood. Yes, it took more time to set up but I was young, poor, and had time. With some care putting the pieces together it was flat and square. Start with a good router, make or buy a good plate and the rest can be upgraded as necessary. Even the bare bones version would be better than the Skil unit shown here.

first impression, meh, it's fine. Sounds about right.

Excellent review! I'm ready to upgrade from a hand held trim router. I've been looking at this unit on the Skil refurbished site. Brushes on routers seem to be an issue because the size is not specified and brushes are just pain in the butt. Thank you so much for this review.

it reminds me of one of those kids kitchen sets... all plastic and not something for real use.

I'm not feeling all that plastic. I like the idea of on board storage but if those "legs"get damaged you're fooked.

Don't know why but all stock miter gauges are garbage. Such a simple thing an they always are junk...huge turn off for me is that fence movement, so I'm out on this...get what you pay for ....

Yeah, It's not a Binford.

To much plastic for $200. I prefer an expenssive one made from aluminium instead of plastic. These tools are an investment..for a shop owner. Quality of tools for me is the priority then comes the cost of them.

Honestly this thing looks like a waste of their efforts/talents... I'd rather see a cordless edge router, but to fully commit to this platform I need to see a 20v nailer, or something like a stapler at least

I’d say it’s very disappointing compared to the skil table saws. Definitely a pass.

What? You don’t trust your orange cat? 😅

other than the lift, seems pretty bad ;/

I wouldn't say that stuff like this is a good starter piece. Beginners using junky flimsy tools will either get frustrated and quit the hobby, or just have to go out 2 months later and buy a decent quality tools- so why not just skip wasting the money on the junk and get something that's at least half-way functional from the git-go? This might only be $200, but really, I'm sure every one tha6t has been purchased has ended up in the garbage or stored in an attic long before a year was up. It's sad that they manufacture so much crap these days that just ends up in the garbage.

No go. A toy at best. BOSCH RA 1181 table is so much better.

It looks like it is made for someone doing a small one-off job or a gift a mother would buy for her teenager.

Typical junk sadly. Greedy Skill. Last about a month if you use it a lot. 5 years if you never use it. They always say but its only $200. Yea $200 for $5 worth of plastic fantastic.

Skil has let me down

I'll stick with my Kobalt

No lo compraré... gracias

If you recommend this piece of junk over the kobalt, I can't even imagine how terrible the kobalt is.

Sorry Skil. That’s a hard pass for me.

Not good

Hard pass

JUNK! like Ryobi, B&D and many others, it just depends on what your buying. Quality is all over the map.

If you were qualified to review routers, you would know that the depth adjustment dial is supposed to be loose. You'd also know why.

You a grumbler period its just $200 dollars

Looks like a piece of garbage. Thanks for the review and saving me money. Do you do any reviews of Lumberjack?

Sorry bro … I wouldn’t put that in my shop … I do have some HB tools …..Bauer and Hercules but … I have makita and dewalt tools … all my tools have a purpose … my router table is HB … my hand planner - Bauer … my brand new miter saw is - Hercules .. my hand router for edging is - Bauer .. my big table planner is a brand new - Dewalt …. My plunge router is - dewalt all my hand drills are brand new - Makita … I do not like changing bits … ( as little as possible ! … it’s time consuming … time is money ) don’t put junk in your shop .. you will pay for it … I’m getting a new table saw … it’s 2500 bucks … major tools are needed … I would rather build a router table … my HF one is pretty good … but .. I need a really good one … so it has to happen … I do not like what skill did here … its not worth 200 bucks to have to fix wood issues or product issues from a poor design.

Routers and table saws are the ones that you should not cheap out on. You can find an legit craftsman 10 flex drive for so cheap. I got mine for free. But there's tons of old saws that just need some love. My papa gave me his dewalt since he's retiring and I'm getting started