Skil 1823 User guide

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 1

IMPORTANT:	IMPORTANT :	IMPORTANTE:
Read Before Using	Lire avant usage	Leer antes de usar

Operating/Safety Instructions

Consignes de fonctionnement/sécurité

Instrucciones de funcionamiento y seguridad

1823

Consumer Information

Renseignement des consommateurs

Información para el consumidor

Toll Free Number:	Appel gratuit :	Número de teléfono gratuito:
1-877-SKIL999 (1-877-754-5999) http://www.skil.com
For English	Parlez-vous français?	¿Habla español?
See page 2	Voir page 12	Ver página 22

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 2

Power Tool Safety Rules

! WARNING Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below, may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Work Area

Keep your work area clean and well lit.

Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents.

Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

Keep by-standers, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool.

Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical Safety

Double Insulated tools are equipped with a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other.) This plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install a polarized outlet. Do not change the plug in any way. Double Insulation eliminates the need for the three wire grounded power cord and grounded power supply system. Before plugging in the tool, be certain the outlet voltage supplied is within the voltage marked on the nameplate. Do not use “AC only” rated tools with a DC power supply.

Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded. If operating the power tool in damp locations is unavoidable, a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter must be used to supply the power to your tool. Electrician’s rubber gloves and footwear will further enhance your personal safety.

Don't expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.

Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to carry the tools or pull the plug from an outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electric shock.

When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked "W-A" or "W." These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electric shock. Refer to “Recommended sizes of Extension Cords” in the Accessory section of this manual.

Personal Safety

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease.

Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is “OFF” before plugging in. Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or plugging in tools that have the switch “ON” invites accidents.

Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool “ON”. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.

Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions.

Tool Use and Care

Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.

-2-

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 3

Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.

Do not use tool if switch does not turn it “ON” or “OFF”. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.

Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained tools, with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control. Any alteration or modification is a misuse and may result in a dangerous condition.

Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect the tools

operation. If damaged, have the tool serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools. Develop a periodic maintenance schedule for your tool.

Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool, may become hazardous when used on another tool.

Service

Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury. For example: internal wires may be misplaced or pinched, safety guard return springs may be improperly mounted.

When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual.

Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance Instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury. Certain cleaning agents such as gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, ammonia, etc. may damage plastic parts.

Safety Rules for Routers

Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Contact with a "live" wire will make exposed metal parts of the tool "live" and shock the operator. If cutting into existing walls or other blind areas where electrical wiring may exist is unavoidable, disconnect all fuses or circuit breakers feeding this worksite.

Always make sure the work surface is free from nails and other foreign objects.

Cutting into a nail can cause the bit and the tool to jump and damage the bit.

Never hold the workpiece in one hand and the tool in the other hand when in use. Never place hands near or below cutting surface. Clamping the material and guiding the tool with both hands is safer.

Never lay workpiece on top of hard surfaces, like concrete, stone, etc...

Protruding cutting bit may cause tool to jump.

Always wear safety goggles and dust mask. Use only in well ventilated area.

Using personal safety devices and working in safe environment reduces risk of injury.

After changing the bits or making any adjustments, make sure the collet nut and any other adjustment devices are securely tightened. Loose adjustment device can unexpectedly shift, causing loss of control, loose rotating components will be violently thrown.

Never start the tool when the bit is engaged in the material. The bit cutting edge may grab the material causing loss of control of the cutter.

Always hold the tool with two hands during start-up. The reaction torque of the motor can cause the tool to twist.

When routing or cutting, the direction of feed with the bit’s cutting edge into the material is very important. Always feed the bit into the material in the same

-3-

! WARNING

4

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page

direction as the cutting edge is exiting from the material (which is the same direction as the chips are thrown). NOTE: inside and outside cuts will require different feed direction, refer to section on feeding the router. Feeding the tool in the wrong direction, causes the cutting edge of the bit to climb out of the work and pull the tool in the direction of this feed.

Never use dull or damaged bits. Sharp bits must be handled with care. Damaged bits can snap during use. Dull bits require more force to push the tool, possibly causing the bit to break.

Never touch the bit during or immediately after the use. After use the bit is too hot to be touched by bare hands.

Never lay the tool down until the motor has come to a complete standstill. The spinning bit can grab the surface and pull the tool out of your control.

Never use bits that have a cutting diameter greater than the opening in the base.

-4-

Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction

activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

•Lead from lead-based paints,

•Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and

•Arsenic and chromium from chemicallytreated lumber.

Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 5

Symbols

IMPORTANT: Some of the following symbols may be used on your tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer.

Symbol									Name	Designation/Explanation
				V					Volts	Voltage (potential)
				A					Amperes	Current
		Hz							Hertz	Frequency (cycles per second)
			W						Watt	Power
		kg							Kilograms	Weight
	min								Minutes	Time
				s					Seconds	Time
									Diameter	Size of drill bits, grinding wheels, etc.
			n0						No load speed	Rotational speed, at no load
.../min									Revolutions or reciprocation per minute	Revolutions, strokes, surface speed,
										orbits etc. per minute
0									Off position	Zero speed, zero torque...
1, 2, 3, ...									Selector settings	Speed, torque or position settings.
I, II, III,										Higher number means greater speed
0									Infinitely variable selector with off	Speed is increasing from 0 setting
									Arrow	Action in the direction of arrow
									Alternating current	Type or a characteristic of current
									Direct current	Type or a characteristic of current
									Alternating or direct current	Type or a characteristic of current
									Class II construction	Designates Double Insulated
										Construction tools.
									Earthing terminal	Grounding terminal
									Warning symbol	Alerts user to warning messages
									Ni-Cad RBRC seal	Designates Ni-Cad battery recycling
										program

This symbol designates that this tool is listed by Underwriters Laboratories.

This symbol designates that this tool is listed by the Canadian Standards Association.

This symbol designates that this tool is listed to Canadian Standards by Underwriters Laboratories.

This symbol designates that this tool is listed by Underwriters Laboratories, and listed to Canadian Standards by Underwriters Laboratories.

This symbol designates that

this tool complies to NOM Mexican Standards.

-5-

! WARNING

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 6

Functional Description and Specifications

Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any assembly, adjustments or changing accessories. Such preventive safety

measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.

Routers

VIEW OF OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROUTER

FIG. 1

LOCK

LEVER

		WRENCH & STORAGE AREA
		VENTS
COLLET LOCK	DEPTH	ON/OFF
		SWITCH
	SCALE
	DEPTH
	GAUGE
KNOB
LEFT
HANDLE

			RIGHT
			HANDLE
FINE DEPTH			PLUNGER SPRINGS
ADJUSTMENT			BASE
	NUT	TAB	CHIP DEFLECTOR

Model number	1823
Voltage rating	120 V 50 - 60Hz
Amperage rating	8.5 A
No load speed	n0 25,000/min
Collet capacities	1/4"
	-6-

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 7

Assembly

SELECTING BITS

A wide assortment of router bits with different profiles are available as accessories.

! WARNING To prevent personal injury. Always remove the plug from

power source before removing or installing bits or accessories.

INSTALLING AND REMOVING BITS

1.Place router upside down as shown in (Fig. 2), or lay router on its side with the flat side of base resting on the bench.

2.Press collet lock to stop rotation of collet nut. NOTE: it may be necessary to rotate collet nut to engage collet lock.

3.With the wrench provided, turn collet nut counterclockwise to loosen.

4.Insert bit three fourths into the collet, and securely tighten collet nut clockwise with the wrench provided.

	! CAUTION	To prevent damage to tool,
		do not tighten collet nut
	without a bit.

REMOVING BITS

Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 of above and remove bit.

ATTENTION: Be sure that the diameter of the bit shank is the same size as the inside diameter of the collet — your router is equipped with a 1/4" collet.

FIG. 2	BIT
	SHANK
	COLLET NUT
	BIT
COLLET	COLLET
LOCK	COLLET NUT
	WRENCH

BASE

Operating Instructions

CHIP DEFLECTOR

The chip deflector helps keep dust and chips out of your face. To remove, press inward on center of deflector until it releases from tab in base and lift out. To attach, place deflector into position as shown in (Fig. 1). Then flex sides of deflector while pushing down until tab on base snaps into slot on deflector.

! WARNING	Safety glasses must always
	be worn.

Skil plunge routers are designed for speed, accuracy and convenience in performing

-7-

cabinet work, routing, fluting, beading, covecutting, dove tails, etc. It will enable you to accomplish inlay work, decorative edges and many types of special carving.

PLUNGING ACTION

The plunge feature simplifies depth adjustments and will allow the cutting bit to easily and accurately enter the workpiece. To lower, loosen lock lever (Fig. 1), and apply downward pressure until depth gauge makes contact with the fine depth adjustment screw, and tighten lock lever. Loosen lever and

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 8

release pressure and the router will automatically retract the bit from the workpiece. It is advisable to retract the bit whenever it is not engaged in workpiece.

WRENCH AND STORAGE AREA

Your router is equipped with a double-ended wrench. The large end is for removing or installing bits. The small end is for securing the nut on the fine depth adjustment screw. Your router also has a convenient storage area located on top of your tool where your wrench may be stored by simply sliding it into place as shown in (Fig. 1).

DEPTH GAUGE

Your router is equipped with a depth gauge and a depth scale calibrated in inches and millimeters. It also features a fine depth adjustment screw that allows the depth gauge to stop the router at desired depths of cut.

TO ADJUST DEPTH

1. Loosen knob so that the depth gauge moves freely.

SCALE

DEPTH GAUGE

KNOB

Clockwise	Counter-
	clockwise
To Lower	To Raise

FINE DEPTH

ADJUSTMENT HALF

TURN = 1/64"

NUT

2.Loosen lock lever and push down on router until the bit touches the work surface and the depth gauge is resting on top of the fine depth adjustment screw as shown in (Fig. 3), and tighten lock lever.

3.Raise depth gauge desired amount on scale and tighten knob. For example, if you raise the depth gauge up 1/8" on scale you will get a 1/8" depth of cut.

4.Loosen lock lever and lower router until depth gauge stops on top of the fine depth adjustment screw. Make a few practice cuts on a piece of scrap wood to check if depth of cut is correct. If depth of cut needs to be changed slightly, loosen nut on fine depth adjustment screw with the wrench provided and rotate screw until you reach desired depth. Half turn of the fine depth adjustment screw equals 1/64 of an inch. Full turn equals 1/32".

5.After depth of cut is obtained securely tighten nut on fine depth adjustment screw with the wrench provided to maintain adjustment.

FIG. 3

BIT

WORK SURFACE

ON/OFF SWITCH

Your router is equipped with an ON/OFF switch located in the right handle. The switch also has a red “ON” indicator that alerts user that the router is on before plugging in tool.

To turn router on, press switch to ON. To turn router off, press switch to OFF.

-8-

Always hold the router off the work when turning the switch on or off. Contact the work with the router after the router has reached full speed, and remove it from the work before turning the switch off. Operating in this manner will prolong switch and motor life and will greatly increase the quality of your work (Fig. 1).

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 9

FEEDING THE ROUTER

As seen from the top of the router, the bit turns clockwise and the cutting edges face accordingly. Therefore, the most efficient cut is made by feeding the router so that the bit turns into the work, not away. Figure 4 shows proper feed for various cuts. How fast you feed depends on the hardness of the wood and the size of the cut. For some materials, several cuts of increasing depth are required. As a general rule, it is best to pull the router

— not push. You get greater visibility, cleaner cut, more control and less flying sawdust.

If the router is hard to control, heats up, runs very slowly or leaves an imperfect cut, consider these causes:

1.Wrong direction of feed — hard to control.

2.Feeding too fast — overloads motor.

3.Dull bit -— overloads motor.

4.Cut is too large for one pass — overloads motor.

5.Feeding too slow — leaves friction burns on work.

Feed smoothly and steadily (do not force). You will soon learn how the router sounds and feels when it is working best.

FIG. 4

WORK

CUTTER	DIRECTION
	OF ROUTER

FEED

GUIDING ROUTER

The router can be guided through the work in any of several ways. The method you use depends, of course, on the demands of the particular job and on convenience.

STRAIGHT AND CIRCULAR EDGE GUIDE (Not included, available as accessory)

Use this handy accessory for ease and accuracy in making curved and straight cuts.

ATTACHING GUIDE

Insert edge guide rods through holes in base, slide edge guide to desired width as shown in (Fig. 5), and secure in place with the two wing screws provided.

One method of locating the guide is to mark the center of groove to be cut, set the router flat on the work with the bit just touching and aligned over the center of groove. Bring the guide to the edge of the work, and securely tighten screws. Whenever in doubt about dimensions, make a trial cut on scrap material. For guiding along a circular edge, the notch in the center of the edge guide will contact the material at the two points shown (Fig. 6).

FIG. 5		FIG. 6
	EDGE		CUT
BASE	GUIDE
	RODS
CUT
DESIRED	WING		POINTS OF
	SCREWS
WIDTH			CONTACT
	WORK EDGE GUIDE
		WORK	EDGE GUIDE

-9-

SM 2610995785 3/03 3/3/03 3:28 PM Page 10

BOARD GUIDES

Clamp a straight or curved board onto the work to form a guide as shown in (Fig. 7). This is particularly handy for panels or any large surface area.

SECURELY CLAMP

BOARD GUIDE

FIG. 7

BOARD

GUIDE

	PILOT TIPPED AND BEARING GUIDE BITS
			FIG. 8
	The lower portion of a pilot tipped bit, as
	shown in (Fig. 8), is a shaft with no cutting
	edges. Bearing guide bits have a ball bearing	CUT
	to pilot the bit.
	This pilot slides along the edge of the work as
	the rotating blades make the cut, forming	CUTTER PART OF
	molding or decorative edges. The edge on
	which the pilot slides should be perfectly	PILOT TIPPED BIT
		PILOT SLIDES ALONG
	smooth since any irregularities are transferred
	to the shaped surface.	EDGE OF WORK

TEMPLATES

Using a template lets you duplicate designs or letters uniformly time after time. This technique requires the use of an accessory adapter plate and a guide bushing.

ADAPTER PLATE

(Not included, available as accessory)

Attach the accessory adapter guide to the router base with the three screws provided as shown in (Fig. 9), and you can use a variety of Skil guide bushings available. The accessory adapter plate also has auxiliary holes which will allow you to attach other guide bushings made by Craftsman, Milwaukee, Porter Cable, Rockwell and Black & Decker.

GUIDE BUSHINGS

(Not included, available as accessory)

The guide bushing shown in (Fig. 9), is essentially a plate with a collar which is inserted through the hole in accessory adapter plate from below and fastened with screws from above. The guide rides along the edge of the template while the router bit, protruding below, cuts into the work.

Be sure the thickness of the template is the same or larger than the guide surface of the collar.

Do not use a bit that may touch the inside of the collar. Select a bit that is about 1/16" less in diameter.

After attaching any guide bushing, always turn the router upside down and lower base to check if the bit is protruding through the center of the collar. If adjustment is necessary loosen the three screws that secure the adapter plate to the base and move adapter plate until bit is in the center of collar (Fig. 9).

ADAPTER PLATEALIGNMENT SCREWS
ADAPTER	BIT	FIG. 9

PLATE
GUIDE	BASE
BUSHING

FREEHAND ROUTING

Many effects are gained by using the router freehand with a small diameter bit. Usually the craftsman pencils the outline or script he desires onto the work and uses the pencil line as a guide.

-10-