Never used vintage router, whats it worth?

[Endswithley]

Hi all. Grandpa bought a Craftsman Router 315.17461 probably back in the late 80's and never used it. I don't have the box but I do have the case, manual, wrench, and a cool brochure showing all the power tools available that year.

What's it worth and how do I get it to someone who may appreciate it? I know I can put it on Ebay with a random price or FB Marketplace and see what hits but since it has never been used, I was wondering if there is some other option.

 

[IMCA38]

Check on www.hibid.com and see if there are any auctioneers near you that do multi-party consignment sales. (Many just do sales where the entire sale is one client.). If so, you could consign it there and see what happens.
We have a local auctioneer here who does frequent consignment sales and I’ve had excellent luck selling things there. I’ve had a couple things (a vintage IHC can and a Baldor bench grinder) that far exceeded my expectations.

 

[Firebrick43]

It’s not worth much, I don’t know anyone collecting handheld powertools from that era and it’s seriously lacking in power and features for someone that actually uses them.

 

[RMERR]

Saw an ad for one like it today on CL. Price looks about right.

Craftsman 1HP Router - tools - by owner - sale - craigslist

1hp of power, includes wrench and carrying case, 1/4" collet. Please INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER because using “Craigslist Reply” often ends up in spam folders, both to me and back to you. ALSO NOTE...

sacramento.craigslist.org

 

[driftpin]

Craftsman 1HP Router - $29 (Citrus Heights)​

Sacramento CA
Barely enough for a fast food lunch for two

 

[Endswithley]

Thanks. So basically about the same price as it was when it was new.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I see these at auctions, and have bought a couple, about $20-25

 

[yatg]

I had the 1-1/4hp version of that router.
Good enough for most tasks.

That red slide lever on the top is a spindle lock and a knuckle saver.
Only one wrench needed to change bits.

 

[Shiftless]

If it’s similar to the one I used to use, the spindle lock is plastic so when it wears down and gets rounded over, you can’t lock the spindle which makes tightening the collet impossible. Terrible design shortcut. No spindle lock? Trash the whole tool.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I had the 1-1/4hp version of that router.
Good enough for most tasks.

I have that too. Not special or valuable, but does the job.

 

[Cruzan80]

If it’s similar to the one I used to use, the spindle lock is plastic so when it wears down and gets rounded over, you can’t lock the spindle which makes tightening the collet impossible. Terrible design shortcut. No spindle lock? Trash the whole tool.

Or just spend the $29 and get a spare tool. Then you have ALL the replacement parts. This is GJ, after all...

 

[bwringer]

Ah, a woodworking tool

Not the intarwebnetz thingamajobby in the corner of the living room.

Never mind. Carry on. I know nothing about this sort of router.

I was curious as to why someone would even want to use a vintage router.

 

[CJ7VFR]

.....I was curious as to why someone would even want to use a vintage router.

A router like the one shown by the OP is perfect for someone who is just starting out in woodworking. If someone doesn't have a lot of money to spend on tools yet or is not really sure they will like woodworking but wants to give it a shot and try, it makes tools like this router just the thing.

The OP's grandfather was probably one of the above since he bought the router but never ended up using it. That or it was on sale for a really good price and he figured hey, why not, maybe I will use it someday.

Jim

 

[toolmiser]

Not to be negative, but I bet it only accepts 1/4" bits, and most now are 1/2", and I doubt you can change the collet.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Yah, it is quarter inj. But plenty of 1/4” bits available.
That Cman would not power half inch bits at the speed required, esp for larger bits. But these have a great niche, esp for beginners and for light work like edge profiling.
i have maybe eight routers from tiny trim routers to 2 hp half inchers in tables for rail, style, raised panel work. I save the Cman routers for edges, bevels, roundovers, etc

 

[Firebrick43]

Not to be negative, but I bet it only accepts 1/4" bits, and most now are 1/2", and I doubt you can change the collet.

You realize that the most common routers in use are palm/trim routers with 1/4" collets.

30 seconds shows my local menards has 13 different router bit styles in stock with 1/2 shanks compared to 62 different styles with 1/4" shanks

 

[Torque&Recoil]

I had that exact Craftsman router. Back in the day. Honestly, it wasn't very good. I tossed it while it was still working. Be happy with whatever you get from eBay.

 

[toolmiser]

I haven't bought a 1/4" router bit in probably 20 years. I upgraded almost all my routers to 1/2" collets.

 

[jar944]

I haven't bought a 1/4" router bit in probably 20 years. I upgraded almost all my routers to 1/2" collets.

I grab a 1/4" router about 10 times more often than a 1/2" and a have a literal pile of both.

 

[Davefr]

I have three routers but the one I use 99% of the time has a plunge feature. If I had to do it over again I'd go cordless. I don't mind corded tools but with a router the cord is always getting in the way

 

[mikedodge]

When i read vintage I thought old and metal lol.

I have the same router or one very similar. I bought it for about $60 with table and a case full of bits. I don't think it had that slider to adjust depth but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Carguy99]

I have one. it's dedicated to the dovetail jig. I leave it set up with a bit so I don't need to mess with it when I do dovetails.

 

[exmaxima1]

Not to be negative, but I bet it only accepts 1/4" bits, and most now are 1/2", and I doubt you can change the collet.

Worse yet, those CM routers did not have a removable collet. The collet is machined into the end of the motor shaft and when it wears out you toss the router out.

 

[Sumboodie]

Not to be negative, but I bet it only accepts 1/4" bits, and most now are 1/2", and I doubt you can change the collet.

Both my routers use 1/4" shank cutters. Very common. I've never even seen 1/2" ones.

 

[Jgaz]

Worse yet, those CM routers did not have a removable collet. The collet is machined into the end of the motor shaft and when it wears out you toss the router out.

This is exactly why I scrapped my Dad’s “vintage” Craftsman router years ago.

Don't get me wrong, it was well used (abused) by that time but the collet being part of the motor shaft was a cost concession that makes that router less desirable IMO.