I just received a Hitachi M12V from Amazon and am shipping it right back. I'm very disappointed because I've heard mostly glowing reviews of the tool; great value, etc. Some of the reviews talked about the plunging mechanism sticking/being stiff. If it was just stiff I figured it would be fine because I planned to use it in a table most of the time. But with the one I received the problem is clearly that the threaded rod is rubbing the body of router. If forced the rod acts like a file on the body producing fine aluminum filings. If not forced the lock lever can be disengaged and the router body doesn't move at all. I removed the rod and things seemed fine. Was this a severe version of what others have experienced or do some also only have problems with stiff springs, etc. I would expect a tool of this size to feel stiffer than my 690/693 plunge base and it did without the rod in place. Either way, I think now it's a tool I'd want to see in person before trying again.
-Jim