Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router
by Hitachi
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Product Details
Manufacturer: HitachiModel: M12V
Product features:
- Powerful 15 amp motor
- Three-position side handle with easy-to-reach controls
- Electronic dial-in variable-speed control
- Multislide scale and scale-index system
- 1-year warranty
- Hitachi 725003 Height Adjustment Router Knob for M12V Router
- Rousseau 3509 9-Inch x 12-Inch x 3/8-Inch Deluxe Router Base Plate
- Freud 91-100 13-Piece Super Router Bit Set with 1/2-Inch Shank and Freud's TiCo Hi-Density Carbide
- Quick-Grip Quick Change 518QCN 18-Inch Bar Clamp/Spreader
- CMT 800.505.11 13-Piece 1/2-Inch Shank Router Bit Set
Description of Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router
You'll get fast, clean cuts when groove cutting, chamfering, trimming, shaping, or pattern cutting with this plunge router. The 15 amp, variable-speed motor allows you to match proper rpm with the bit you are using. A thumb-slide switch gives you soft starts, reducing start-up torque and initial current surge. The spindle lock makes changing bits a snap. The tool also features a three-position side handle with easy-to-reach controls, multislide scale, and scale index system. Accessory package includes a 1/2-inch collet and 1/4-inchadapter, straight guide, bar holder, feed screw, wing bolts, template guide, wrench, straight bit, 1/4-inch chuck sleeve, template guide adapter, and lock springs. While supplies last, includes a free 1/4 sheet sander.Routers don't get any bigger and tougher than this Hitachi workhorse. It has the solid construction, horsepower, and features we've come to expect in a top-of-the-line router. Its heft goes a long way toward eliminating vibration, working with the soft-start motor to cut out torque at startup. Despite its nearly 12 pounds, it actually handles as well as most 3-1/4-horsepower routers we've tried in freehand applications. It has a 1/2-inch collet and a wide sub-base opening, making it suitable for working with all but the very biggest panel bits. It features electronic variable speed, so the router makes clean cuts in a wide range of different materials. We found the controls to be within easy reach of the handles, and though this isn't the quietest router we've used, it comes pretty close. We like the unique eight-position handles that let the tool be adjusted to the worker rather than the other way around. While this is a topnotch plunge router, it's also an excellent choice for table mounting, and many people choose this model for exactly that reason. This is an all-around solid tool that offers more bang per buck than many competing models. --Brian Trinen
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router
Customer Review: Workshop cornerstone
Summary: 5 Stars
As the majority of commenters have noted, this router is a workhorse (or team of oxen) that is an incredible value. It's variable speed and will plow through anything you throw at it. I've had mine a couple of years now and don't get a chance to use it nearly as much as I'd like, but thought I'd offer up some observations.
First, get the Router Raizer and the Xtreme Xtension. I cannot stress enough how useful these are. Let me elaborate. First, this is a big router. While it's awesome to have that kind of horsepower in your hands as a plunge router (the first time I used it, to put a bead on a shelf, I assumed something was wrong and it wasn't cutting, because I didn't feel or hear anything as it routed my profile), you're probably going to want to mount it in a table and leave it there.
Once in the table, the Router Raizer, for peanuts, makes raising and lowering this thing a piece of cake as you simply insert a wrench through the base plate and turn. Instead of taking minutes to adjust, it takes seconds, and it's all done above the table.
Regarding the Xtension, the thing I used to really have trouble with was changing bits. The M12V does not use two wrenches to loosen the collet. There's one wrench and a little sliding mechanism that you push in to lock one nut while you turn the other. But the mechanics of using one hand to push this latch while trying to pull/push hard with the other wrench to loosen the collet is awkward and sometimes ends with a wrench inadvertently flying. When mounted in a table, it was a bit easier in that I didn't have to secure the router itself, but it was awkward trying to work under the table. I found myself going way out of my way to plan my work to minimize bit changes, to a degree that led to paralysis by analysis. The Xtreme Xtension solves that because you install the Xtension and all of your bits are secured via a little allen screw, which you can tighten from above the table. Install a separate switch and you'll never have to monkey around under the table again.
Another thing to consider. This is a very heavy router. I made my own baseplate for mounting in a shop-made table out of 3/8" Lexan as I'd seen done elsewhere. Mistake. There's simply too much flex in the Lexan under the weight of this router. Invest in something more solid. There's work involved in making the Router Raizer work with your baseplate, and you're only going to want to do it once.
Finally, if you're going to mount this router in a table (and you probably should), take a few minutes to file off the template guide tabs so that the machine can accommodate large panel-raising bits.
All-in-all, the M12V is a fantastic value (if you can still find one). It'll handle all your table work like a champ. Get some quality 1/2" bits and have fun making chips!
More Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router Customer Reviews:
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