Router hand me down, anyone seen this?
scooleen
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
My father in law just handed me down a router his brother had a while ago and I was wondering if any of you wisened ones can help I.D. the age of the thing.
It says “Sears Craftsman Commercial” inside of an orange colored logo. Develops 1HP at 25000 RPM Model 315.17380
Simpsons-Sears LTD
It is hefty, almost entirely metal, and it looks like it has a 1/4 chuck. Really great hand off, maybe put it in a router table?
Replies
Not in a table. Quarter inch collet isn't worth squat in a router table; bits are too short and are prone to flexing under heavy use. Take the router, build a case for it, and mount it above your fireplace. Conversation piece about 'back in the day. . . "
Maybe you could post a pick, and we could give you advice on how best to use it; you know, as in a doorstop, etc. : )
sounds like one of sears older models back when thet had decent small power tools
power is low for a router and only a 1.4 inch chuck?, might find a dedicated use for it like motising for hinges, laminate trimming etc, router table? forget it
but small edge routering etc, be a great tool
caulking is not a piece of trim
I've got one of those but I can't tell you its age. Sears parts department can't come up with an age, either. Still works well either by hand or under the table. Will have to replace the trigger cable one of these days because just moving the cable will start the machine. Not too safe. Use it mostly as backup.
It sounds like my original router. I had to go out in the shop and look at the part number --- 315.25070. Mine is about 35 years old, so yours is probably older, if the numbers get bigger with the newer models. I only use it for dovetails. It actually handles dovetail templates better then my big fancy new PC.
sounds similar to my Stanley ... the info book is dated 1954 .. if I remember correctly.
Still running great ... and the most comy router I've ever used. The bits slip down a little after a while ... so the smaller the run the better.
Mines never getting mounted over no damn fireplace!
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
I think I have an identical router, old Craftsman 1hp with 1/4 collet. I think it was made in the 1960s though, I find it to be a useful tool for dadoes, laminate trimming and a few other tasks. Haven't been real impressed with edge shaping with it at all but will try a few more bits/guides to see if it makes a difference. I'd never put a tool above the fireplace, I like using the old ones and don't really need a higher powered one outside of the shop; this is a good one to take on site(except for everybody laughing at your dinosaur router).
-Ray
Go to http://www3.sears.com/ and enter your model number. It shows a blow up of the parts, and there may be some parts still available.
Once upon a time, there was a Sears Craftsman Commercial circular saw in my tool kit. It was the best saw I've ever had. Until it burned up. It must have been 20 years old when I got it. Couldn't bring myself to throw the carcass away. It looks too cool.
Good Luck rg
Just went out to the truck to look cause that sounded very familiar. Mine, however, is 315.17480. Same 25,000 rpm but does not say "commercial".
My brother originally bought the thing back in 1974. Switch went out eventually and he tossed it. ('88?) I put the new switch in and have carried it with ever since for those little jobs that pop up unexpectedly. Nice and light for use with the mortising jig, too.
Maybe yours is about the same age, but the "commercial" model was .17380
Edit: Well, Duh for me. Maybe the 74 in mine is 1974 and yours is 1973.
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Edited 11/18/2003 9:28:18 PM ET by GOLDHILLER
My Sears tool reference says 315.xxxxx tools were made by Ryobi, if that's worth anything to ya.
No, My Sear's 315.25070 was made in the USA most likely by Emerson. In fact the one of that model I have has a Ser # of 5913. Works OK but I would not call it a great Router. I got mine in 1968 or 69. Most likely this one is older as other have said.
One of the last Sear's tools I bought, soon there after they turn to junk and have gotten worse since. (I grew up on Sear's tools, fact Sear's everything -- they could have had a customer for life except that they just started making everything cheaper and cheaper.)
deblacksmith
I guess that may mean this list is somewhat untrustworthy.
FWIW.....Serial # on that little Sears router is P1059
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Sears Model/Manufacturer Table
originally submitted by Cecil Ramsey, updated by others
Sears, of course, does not manufacture the products that it sells. It is possible to know
the manufacturer by decoding the model number on the equipment. The model number is
in the form of xxx.xxxxxx. Using the table below, you can find out which manufacturer
made which machine.
071.xxxxxx =
Agri-Fab Corporation
103.xxxxxx =
50's stationary tools by King-Sealey(?)(#103.0213-early 50's tablesaw)
113.xxxxxx =
floor model tools by Emerson Electric
115.xxxxxx =
Rixon
135.xxxxxx =
Skill/Bosch
149.xxxxx =
AMT
472.xxxx =
Dremel (Emerson)
103.xxxxxx =
Sarlo Power Mower
128.xxxxxx =
EJ Rugg
131.xxxxxx =
American Yard Products (AYP)
133.xxxxxx =
AYP
136.xxxxxx =
Toro
143.xxxxxx =
Tecumseh
180.xxxxxx =
Lambert Corp
219.xxxxxx =
MTD
234.xxxxxx =
Poulan
247.xxxxxx =
MTD
253.xxxxxx =
Gibson - Gibson is now owned Frigidaire
271.xxxxxx =
Kioritz Corp (Echo)
306.xxxxxx =
Belsaw
315.xxxxx =
Ryobi tools
316.xxxxx =
Ryobi tools
317.xxxxxx =
Makita
358.xxxxxx =
Poulan
359.xxxxxx =
Bolens
378.xxxxxx =
Omark (Oregon)
426.xxxxxx =
Parker Sweeper
473.xxxxxx =
Quincy Compressor
498.xxxxxx =
Didier Mfg. Co.
500.xxxxxx =
Briggs & Stratton
502.xxxxxx =
Murray
517.xxxxxx =
Homelite
536.xxxxxx =
AMF (Murray)
538.xxxxxx =
AMF (Murray)
580.xxxxxx =
Generac
582.xxxxxx =
Clinton Engines
576.xxxxxx =
D & M which was gobbled up by Frigidaire
636.xxxxxx =
Echo
663.xxxxxx =
Air Cap (MTD)
809.xxxxxx =
AMF
854.xxxxxx =
White (MTD)
900.xxxxxx =
Black & Decker/Dewalt
917.xxxxxx =
AYP
919.xxxxxx =
DeVilbiss
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Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Edited 11/18/2003 10:12:41 PM ET by GOLDHILLER
Edited 11/18/2003 10:16:31 PM ET by GOLDHILLER
I would guess the list reflects the source of Sear's stuff today -- based on converting the parts numbering system they have had in place for at least 40 years.
I wonder if LandsEnd now has to have the same parts number listing too? (Sears bought LandsEnd last year so they could learn how to sell again. Heaven help LandsEnd -- Sears may screw them up too.)
deblacksmith
Thanks everybody, I love this forum, because the members here are awesome. I cant tell you how many forums get filled with mean spirited comments due to the anonimity (sic?) of the web in general.
Thank you for taking your time to answer my question regarding this hand me down. I think I will use it for dovetails, and put the Milwaukee in a table sometime.
Now, he says he has a saw he wants to give me, hope it is a worm-drive!
I wanted to look up a little parts info, if available and found this thread. I got mine from my grandfather, along with a ton of old craftsman and Stanley tools that just do not quit. Once in awhile it involves a $10-15 bearing or fabbing some sort of little part. I do, as a matter of fact have this router in my router table in my garage. The thing does just fine, as long as you keep your bits sharp and don’t horse your boards through it. One, two, and sometimes maybe three passes and she gets the job done....plus the satisfaction of using a tool my grandfather used when I was a youngster sitting in the shop watching him create. By the way, I’ve got 1972 as a date on that model. Also have a ‘52 Stanley belt sander that I put on a bench jig and it’s the only thing I have that’ll eat through some ipe. Do not use it as a door stop!
Got mine pulled apart tonight for a little cleaning and maintenance, might swap the bearing while it’s apart. Cheers!
After reading comments on craftsman 315.17380 router I just have to add my 2 cents worth. I have used this router in a table and out for 47 years. I also have several Bosh and Delta routers. I am a remodeling contractor and need to duplicate old door and molding profiles often. I have routed these with the 315.17380 with no problem at all. Except! Last week the commutator on the armature fell apart. Not bad for 47 years of use. I like this router so much I found one on eBay and bought it. I leave it set up in the table all the time.