RIDGID #2900 Heavy Duty 2 1/4 hp Multi-base Router Combo Kit.

There is a new 2 1/4hp multi-base router kit on the block. The new offering from Ridgid has much going for it and it should challenge some of the majors already in this segment.
A 2 1/4hp multi-base router kit makes a great deal of economic sense. For one price you essentially get two types of tool - a plunge router and a fixed-base router. Each of these has its uses and limitations. A fixed-base router is ideal when you can approach the work from the side such as when profiling an edge but when you need to make a cut in the middle of a panel or want to cut mortises, you will need a router with a plunge base.

On taking the router and its accessories out of the box, the first impression is positive; the materials and construction evident give the impression of a solid, well-designed product. The fit and finish as well as the material choices all seem to be top notch. Almost all of the metal parts are made of magnesium which offers several important advantages: increased strength, reduced weight and extended durability.
At the heart of every router is the motor itself. The #2900 features a 2 1/4hp motor equipped with electronic circuitry that provides soft start and constant rpm under use. In addition, the #2900 offers speed control via a dial located directly above the power switch. The dial allows you to easily set the correct speed to suit the diameter of the bit you are using. Unlike other routers that do not have actual rpm values indicated, from a low of 10,000 rpm to top speed of 23,000 rpm this dial is graduated in rpm so that you can be sure of the speed setting. The dial is graduated in 3,000 rpm increments and there is a solid detent at each value in addition to an extra detent half way between each graduation. This means that you can precisely set the router in 1,500 rpm increments making it a simple matter to use any size bit. Users with very large fingers might find the access to the switch somewhat tight but as this is not something you would access in use, this is not much of an issue.

The on/off switch is located on the top of the motor unit and offers solid detents and graphics to indicate which position it is in. The motor unit is somewhat tall and unless you have 6 inch long thumbs you’ll need to take one of your hands off the handle to turn the router on and off.
One of the features I really appreciate is flat top on the motor unit. This gives you the ability to turn the router upside down after using it allowing you to set it down in the bench with a bit in the collet. To keep the router firmly on the bench, three soft rubber pads set into the top provide a high friction connection.

The 2901 motor unit comes with a nice 12 foot long power cord. This may seem like a minor issue, but when using a router, a long cord can make all the difference. When profiling a horizontal work piece, the long cord allows free movement. If the cord is short, then you have to plug it into an extension cord and then as you move the router along the work piece, eventually the connection to the extension cord will try to climb onto the bench top or work piece where the cord ends will hang up forcing an interruption in the middle of the process as you deal with the hung up power cord.

There is a white disc with a router symbol on the cord end. This disc will illuminate when the router is plugged into a power source making it very easy to determine if there is power present at the tool as well as making it easier to find. It also provides a handy grip to unplug the tool as well.

Externally accessible brushes will allow you to easily change the brushes when worn, eliminating the need to take the router to a service center.
The area under a router where the bit does its work is by its very nature a dark area. The placement of the motor, base components and safety guards block a substantial amount of the ambient light from reaching this critical area and the Ridgid #2900 has solved this by locating two LED lights in the underside of the motor. This provides plenty of illumination of the area to see layout marks while still being easy on the eyes.
The motor unit fits easily into both units as long as you keep it straight; there is no extra play in either base when the locking lever has been released. After releasing the locking lever, there is still another lock to release before the motor can be removed from the base. You’ll really appreciate this feature when the fixed base is mounted in a router table. Both bases offer exceptional visibility of the bit area through clear plastic guards.
On the fixed base, a finger operated screw allows for accurate height adjustments. Under the adjustment knob is a graduated ring that allows you to make adjustments as small as 1/128” with ease. The adjustment screw runs through a pivoting block that raises and lowers the router; pivoting this locking lever out of the way allows you to remove the router motor from the base. Also included in this block is an orange button that, when depressed, allows you to bypass the threads and make larger adjustments manually. Most users that purchase a multi-base kit will mount the fixed base in their router table permanently and then remove the motor unit and install it in the plunge base for hand held use. When used in this way, the fixed base also provides above the table bit adjustment via a T-handled hex wrench that can be inserted through that router table top.
Like the fixed base, the plunge base is nicely made from magnesium. A conveniently located locking lever right next to the handle can be easily operated to allow engage the plunge mechanism. A drop down rod allows easily setting of the plunge depth and has an indicator that indicates travel on a graduated scale on the housing. The depth stop turret on this router is the best I have come across on any router so far. Where most routers have a turret that offers four or five pre set depth settings, the one on the Ridgid #R2900 is much more practical. For every ¼ turn of the turret, the height changes by 1/64” making it extremely easy to use the turret for multiple depths as well as making it much easier to fine tune the depth of the final cut.
The plastic sub base on the router is 6” in diameter and uses a common three-hole pattern. This pattern is the same as the one on the porter cable 690 and 890 routers and if you already have one of those this means that your aftermarket or shop made accessories will fit the Ridgid #2900. Included with the kit are two clear sub bases. One has a hole that fits the standard porter cable style guide bushings while the other has a 2 ½” center hole to accommodate larger diameter bits and both sub bases will fit either the plunge or fixed base. Both sub bases have oversized mounting holes that allow you to center the base to the bit, something that is critical to any routing involving guide bushings such as using a dovetail jig.

I’ve had the chance to use this router for several months now and it has performed without any issues. Most of the features are well thought out and it seems that Ridgid has come to the market with a competent router that should have the competition taking notice. The LEDs in the motor are a great asset and make using this tool much more pleasant. One of my complaints with my older routers is that the bit sometimes can be difficult to remove. That is not the case with this one as both collets have a feature that releases the bit after you loosen the collet - you simply have to insert the bit 1/8” or so less than the full depth. The included alignment tools make it easy to center the sub bases on either base. The dust collection fittings included did a good job of containing and collecting the debris created during routing when hooked up to a shop vac.
I had the chance to use the router on several projects using soft cedar as well as much harder eastern maple and white oak and the constant speed circuitry keep the router running smoothly under all conditions.

The Ridgid #2900 is a solid well designed bit of kit with the features that woodworkers are looking for. I’ve added this to the list of tools we have on long term evaluation and if indications so far are that the Ridgid #2900 will become a mainstay of our shop for years to come.

Includes:
• R2901 Motor with 1/2" collet
• R2911 fixed base
• R29202 plunge base
• wrench
• centering tool and pin
• T-handle wrench
• 1/4" collet insert
• 2 vacuum attachments
• heavy duty contractor bag and Operator’s Manuals

Input: 120V AC
11 Amps Peak Horse Power
2 HP
No Load Speeds: 10,000 – 23,000.