New craftsman router family

[vaking]

Just passed by Sears and saw a couple of new Craftsman router models. They are "Professional" series, model numbers I believe are 28084 and 28190. Basically same router but 28190 is a fixed base only, 28084 is a 3-base kit. Looks decent, red top similar to the craftsman-bosch clone, metal housing, unlike older line of craftsman professional routers with plastic body.
They are 2-1/4HP (12.5 Amps), includes above the table height adjustment with fixed base.
The 3-base kit goes for $200 and includes fixed, plunge, D-handle bases, edge guide, vacuum port attachement. Anybody knows anything about those? Sears web site has nothing on them.

[gwyneth]

A few months ago someone posted a way to tell who manufactured which Craftsman tools--and I've been looking for it recently. Perhaps that member will weigh in so we can find out who made this new router.

[Stavs]

This site is a great reference for who makes Craftsman tools: http://owwm.com/MfgIndex/Detail.asp?ID=222

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Can you find them on the website? All I see are the ones they introduced a few months agon and none of those have red top similar to Bosch clone. That is unreal if they are adding more routers to their Craftsman brand line up! The new ones seem real decent for the $.

[gatordogs2]

What do you guys think of the 26620 (Bosch 1617EVS clone)?

I want to buy my first router and make sure it's a good one. The local sears has them for $105. Deal or No deal?

[Jeffrey Schronce]

What do you guys think of the 26620 (Bosch 1617EVS clone)?

I want to buy my first router and make sure it's a good one. The local sears has them for $105. Deal or No deal?

Do a search on the subject and you should find a lot of info.

Summary : Deal. Real good deal. Will likely want to buy a standard base plate for it, otherwise just a great router. Again, very good price. I need to see if that a multi-region price change as last time I checked it was around $147 I believe.

[gwyneth]

This site is a great reference for who makes Craftsman tools: http://owwm.com/MfgIndex/Detail.asp?ID=222

That site appears to specialize in tools that are at least 40 or 50 years old.

[Stavs]

That site appears to specialize in tools that are at least 40 or 50 years old.

You're right! My bad...I thought the prefix codes still applied.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

That site appears to specialize in tools that are at least 40 or 50 years old.

Look deeper on the site. There is a link that gives like 100 manufacturers for Sears including craftsman, kenmore, etc.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Here ya go . . . . .

http://www.owwm.com/Craftsman/Manufacturers.asp

[Stan]

Well, they do show that the 64180 (12-piece Router Bushing & Centering Cone Set) fits on both the 28084 and 28190 routers... Guess they should be showing up on the Sears website before too long.

[Stavs]

Look deeper on the site. There is a link that gives like 100 manufacturers for Sears including craftsman, kenmore, etc.

I feel vindicated

[mschrank]

So has anybody figured out who is making these new routers for Sears? The Sears website (even if they were there, which apparently they're not) doesn't show the 3 digit prefix indicating the OEM.

[KevinK]

What do you guys think of the 26620 (Bosch 1617EVS clone)?

I want to buy my first router and make sure it's a good one. The local sears has them for $105. Deal or No deal?

I'm brand new here, ...just happened to look at the exact same router (26620), ...but the local sears near me was $159.
Just curious where you are located, ...$105 seems like a great deal.

Thanks,
Kevin