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Rocky 30 Trim Router with fixed base
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SAVE $20! Works great with most 1/4" shank router bits! This heavy duty, variable speed compact laminate trimmer/palm router has a durable, 2‑1/2" diameter, machined aluminum housing.
The high performance 1‑HP motor speed is adjustable from 10,000 rpm to 30,000 rpm via a speed control dial on the top of the motor housing. Etched into the aluminum housing is a 1" long rule marked in 1/16" and 1mm increments. The double insulated motor features a spindle-locking button to facilitate single wrench bit changes. The metal base uses a rack and pinion system to adjust the height of the motor and a flip lever to lock the motor at the desired height. In addition, a rubber pad partially wraps the base to provide a positive gripping surface when holding the router in your palm. 120 VAC.
Rocky 30 Trim Router
with Fixed Base
SAVE $20! List $99.95. (9056)
#1598........SALE $79.95 
Replacement Sub-Baseplate for
Porter-Cable style template guides
For owners of the old style Rocky 30 who would like to use 1‑3/16" Porter-Cable style template guides.
#9057.......................$9.95
all customer reviews and ratings
Average Customer Rating: (8 reviews)
Add your own review for this product
By William Clark (Atlanta tx US)
I already reviewed this set upon unpacking and gave good review. Problems were apparent but not a real problem. Then on first use I noticed an unacceptable problem. Either the shaft or the collet are not concentric. The bit wobbles making it un safe and unusable for inlay guide template use. I contacted MLCS by email and got a prompt answer. I was advised to return it and was sent a no cost return label. Thanks MLCS for good service. I did like the whole system if it did not have issues.
By Don Scharfenorth ( Co )
My experience mirrors almost exactly Louis H. G.'s below. In my case the plunge base pin wasn't missing, but what was there was too short to engage the router. MLCS immediately sent me a replacement. Excellent support! I have a large router table with a 3.25 horse router in it, but I'm thinking about building a benchtop router table too, and if I do I'll be ordering another Rocky 30 to reside permanently in it.
By Louis H. Goaziou (Taylor Ar US)
After many years of ordering from MLCS I finally got my first bad item. The plunge base was missing the locking pin to keep the router in place. They send me a replacement right away. For this they deserve an addition 5 stars. NOW about Rocky, if you are thinking about making bowls or inlaying do not over look this router. I make very small children urns and bowls when needed & this router should have been bought when it first came out. It is an excellent tool for the price, believe me I own a half dozen other router of all makes. MLCS has excellent customer service, 5 stars to them.
By Loren Haas (Napa CA US)
I have lots of big bad routers from Milwaukee, Bosch and Porter Cable, but this is the one I reach for when possible. Very convenient size, plenty of power and it does not wear you out like the big ones. Looks suspiciously like it came from the same factory as the equivalent Makita router. I will let you figure that out...
By Tom Peters (Philadelphia PA US)
I have 5 bigger routers right now and have wanted a smaller router for some time, but didn’t really need one. I have a need right now to construct a large walk in closet organizer where this would be a big help. I read a LOT of reviews of the various makes online, and tried out some in the big box stores. Was leaning towards the compact Hitachi when I received the MLCS mailer and saw this. Then I did some more research.
I live close, so I tried this out in the store first. I knew its limitations before I bought it. For the price/quality and included accessories, this tool cannot be touched in the market today. It is virtually identical to the Grizzly and Makita compact routers, so must come out of same factory. I did note that the Makita appears to have a thicker cord protector, but all pretty much the same except for colors.
I bought the whole kit 2 weeks ago and have used the fixed base for about a dozen different uses and the plunge base for about 6 different uses so far. I like it; would buy it again. Time will tell if it holds up.
I did buy the brass adapter for the plunge base, as I wanted to be able to use my PC bushings in either base. The standard PC bushings fit both the fixed base (need nothing else) and plunge base adapter great, but really hard to tighten the nut in the fixed base (not much room in there).
The material for the bottom of the bases is kind of soft, so it does scratch easily. Not a problem for me, all of my other routers did that too, and I made bigger, thicker clear polycarbonate bases for each anyway (lets more light in there too). The mounting bases screws are 4 x.7 mm, and was able to easily buy longer ones at local hardware store for my new bases.
The plunge had a fair amount of play in it, but I shoved a small piece of .003 thick plastic shim in one side and that helped a lot. I have not plunged a mortise yet, just used it to make 1/8 deep passes for dados), so time will tell. I really like the fact that the plunge lever is unlocked when up, and locked when down. This is what I am used to on my big Hitachi on my router table, and all of the other tools on market today seem to be opposite (unlocked when held down, locked when up).
Both of the edge guides are nice (but cheaply made like all the other brands). I added wood strips to both to make them longer. Have not used either of the dust ports (don't have anything small enough that connects to it yet), but at least they are included.
Have not taken heavy cuts with it (biggest was 3/4 wide by 1/2 deep), but have not had any issues with power or heating up. Mostly trimming hardwood edges flush on plywood, routing 3/4 dados, and various radius cutters. Can be guided easily with one hand, very stable, and reasonably quiet (or at least quieter than my old Craftsman routers were). Have not used the lower speed settings, I seem to like the way it cuts on 4 and 5 with my 1/4 and 1/2 wide bits.
I also bought the Makita compact router tilt base, and this router fits & works in there exactly. Have not used it yet, but just wanted the capability in case it is ever needed.
By Brian Rogers (East Syracuse NY US)
The button on the plunge base to release the depth rod has a very stiff spring, and there is no micro adjustment on the fixed base.
By David Sandlin (Valparaiso FL US)
Bought this little router because I've been impressed with the whole concept of 1hp routers, I have another brand in my CNC and liked that enough to purchase the same brand for general use rather than having to unmounts one of my two table routers. But I still kept finding myself having to dismount a router because I didn't have a plunge base. When I saw the rocky 30 with the plunge base on sale for less than $100 I decided to give it a try.
I wish this had been my first 1hp router! Solidly built and ALL the accessories, Template guide bushing is a real bonus and the trimmer accessory is like having a pin router or having a bearing on every router bit if desired. A capability to route circles using the edge guide is a nice innovation that didn't cost anybody anything more than thinking to drill one more hole in the guide. Dust collection too.
I can tell already that this little guy will get a lot of use so its a good thing they give you a set of spare carbon brushes.
Oh, by the way the plunge base looks like it will be useful too.
By Herb Stoops (Auburn WA US)
This is a solid little tool. I have 3 other trim routers and this one is just as good as the big name routers and a fraction of the price. Very handy tool, right now I have it set up in the pantograph and I use it to do freehand engraving in wood.
I like the height adjustment as one of the best and easiest to use of all the routers I own. the cam lock is the best that I have seen and really a smooth running motor with lots of power. It is a solid bargain for the price I expect it to last a long time.