Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router

[nevems2]

Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router? Appreciate hearing any comments.

Thanks Mike B

[mp]

It's reasonably priced for what you get. It's not as refined as some of the other more expensive routers, but it's a powerful, reliable no-frills workhouse. I've had one for a few years. The only qualm I have is that it doesn't include a 1/4" collet, nor is one available (at least there were none last time I checked). You can use 1/4" bits through the use of a reducer bushing, but it's a mickey mouse approach and often results in slippage and bit wander.

[Brian in Vancouver, BC]

"nevems2" wrote in news:415852e9 [e-mail]:

[Pat Barber]

[Joseph Smith]

I like mine. I keep it mounted in my router table. Its noiser and may not have all the bells and whistles of a Porter Cable, but for the price it is a great router. Probably the best 3HP+ router to be had for the cost (Currently $159 from Amazon).

[Michael Baglio]

Like others have said: Buy one immediately. Gut the springs out of the plunger sleeves. Throw springs in trash. Put router in a router table. Never take it out.

Imo, It's not very user friendly as a hand-held plunge router. The plunge mechanism is the roughest I've used, it's loud, etc., etc... It's a pig, but a very hard-working pig. :)

Do a google "groups-advanced" search on this router. There was a lengthy thread here about 4 or 5 months ago. Also there are several web sites out there showing shop-built improvements for it.

Ordered it yet? :)

Michael "Love mine!" Baglio

[Rick Chamberlain]

Mike,

I have one - love it. One of the best values in a table mounted router.

Rick, who uses his PC690 for hand held routing

[Andy]

Brian,

Line up the slot in the 1/4" adapter with the slot in the 1/2" collet before tightening and that should stop slippage. Until someone else pointed that out to me I once had a 1/8" straight cutting bit come up through the work and slice up the push block I was using! Glad it wasn't my hand.

Andy

[Andy]

Mike,

I liked mine so much I bought a second. One in the table and one on the bench.

Andy

[Brian in Vancouver, BC]

"Andy" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

[NanaAno]

I fabricate Solid Surface countertops, and have done so for the last 16 years. I have gone through 3 PC 3 1/2 HP production routers, I still have 3 on the go and now I have added 3 M12V's. (I also own a variety of smaller routers, less than 2 HP, my absolute favourite being the Milwaukee 5615 BodyGrip, I use those for roundover bits and small bevel bits etc.) Dollar for dollar, there is nothing to talk about. Even using a 1 1/2" full bullnose router bit (and THAT is a whopper) the Hitachi has a nice soft start, maintains LOTS of power at low RPM's and not a problem yet. The adjustments are crude, the baseplates were immediatly replaced with

1/2" Corian, 7" square. The collet is NOT fun to undo when I use the built-in lock, so two SnapOn wrenches it is...that works better.

Rob

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