Hitachi M12V 3-1/4 HP Super Duty Electronic Variable Speed 1/2" Plunge Router with Accessory Package and Height Adjustment Knob
HitachiShipping weight: 17.4 pounds
ASIN: B0000223K9
Check price and buy @ amazon.com
You'll get fast, clean cuts when groove cutting, chamfering, trimming, shaping, or pattern cutting with this Hitachi M12V 3-1/4 HP super duty electronic variable speed 1/2" plunge router.
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
- Built-in spindle lock
Amazon.com Review
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.
From the Manufacturer
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-inch adapter, straight guide, bar holder, feed screw, wing bolts, template guide, wrench, straight bit, 1/4-inch chuck sleeve, template guide adapter, and lock springs.
Customer Reviews:
The incredible hulk, September 15, 2002
Reviewer: iwoodknot from san diego, ca United States
I did my homework before buying my larger 3+hp router for my router table. From the Internet, woodworking books, local stores and personal opinions the Hitachi M12V 3-1/4 HP router time and time again came up to be the router of choice or best for its price. I have a mid-size plunge router already, (the DeWalt 621-a fantastic router, read the MANY reviews) and needed a heavy duty machine for my table.
This router at it's normal everyday price is a good value. I'm not allowed to disclose this price unfortunately, (sorry Amazon's policy). When purchased with the accessory package and the height adjustment knob it's a great deal. I got mine at Amazon with all the above and an additional twenty five percent off. This unique Amazon offer was a terrific (once in a lifetime??) deal!
3-1/4 hp is more power than most people are going to need unless you plan to use it for panel raising or using 3" diameter bits. I just used it in my router table for cutting 3/8" deep 1/4" dados in purpleheart, a very hard/heavy exotic hardwood I plan to join for a heavy duty cutting board. The cutting was flawless. Earlier I used a 3/8" radius bit for rounding off corners in some pine shelves and a 3/4" straight cutter in redwood for some 5/8" deep dados. The soft woods of course did nothing to arouse the Hitachi beast's attention.
The Hitachi M12V has been around a long time and has proven itself in countless professional and school woodshops and of course at home with the everyday woodworker. It has a long and positive track record.
While some might argue getting a plunge router for a table is not a good idea because of their inherent design (you have to fight gravity and the plunge springs to adjust). This router is easy to convert. The plunge springs are quickly removed with the loosening of a couple allen head screws. The height adjustment knob is easily attached with the refitting of a nut/washer assembly on the threaded adjustment bolt attached to the router base. If you wish to run larger bits of 3"+, simply turn the router/base upside down, hold it secure and cut off the magnesium tabs that hold the template guide with a jigsaw. (If this is your only router you may wish to keep this useful feature for hand held routing, otherwise its not really necessary.) The whole conversion time including cutting is a little over ten minutes.
The height adjustment knob works adequately for most table routing but it's a little slow and can be awkward to bend down each time you wish an adjustment and measurements are done by hand (meaning literally your hand holding a ruler from the table top to the tip of the bit). You may wish to purchase the Router Raizer system, I plan to. This system then is essentially the same as buying a 3hp fixed base router+router raising assembly at 1/3 to 1/2 the cost! And for those of you Tim Taylors, those large 3"-3-3/8" bits can be used to hog off a small forest in your next cabinet or door project.
The fit and finish is adequate. I've seen better from Porter Cable and DeWalt but it's the performance and reliablility I'm after here along with a good price. This incredible hulk is lurking under my router table unseen anyway, ready to chew through anything I can throw at it. The accessory package aside from the height adjustment knob and included 1/2" carbide straight bit is of questionable usefullness to me since mine is primarily for the table. The quality of these items is average.
The Pros:
- Unbelievable value (when purchased on sale), otherwise still a good value
- Incredible 3-1/4 hp power
- Soft start, electronic speed control and feedback
- Well designed, simple to use plunge lock
- One touch spindle lock
- Easily converted to table use
- Long track record as a proven workhorse
The Cons:
- Fit and finish average
- Macro and micro plunge adjustment action fair when used freehand
- Base opening < 3" diameter (to fix, see above)
Summary: A terrific big mean green machine for the table and the most bang for the buck available. Just don't get it angry.
It is a good router with some problems, September 2, 2002
Reviewer: thegridrunner from Corona, NY United States
I've owned this router for over 8 years and am somewhat satisfied with it. It is quiet and has plenty of power. I find that it is stable in my hands and its' weight actually contributes to that stability. That said, I am disappointed in the plunging mechanism. Shortly after I brought it, the plunging shafts started sticking. After repeatly cleaning and recleaning, it still stuck after using it for a little while. I no longer use it as a plunge router, only as a stationary or table mounted router. If the plunging action isn't that important, then this is a great router. If the plunging action is critical to your work, look elsewhere.
Hitachi 12V, July 15, 2002
Reviewer: A home improvement enthusiast from Louisville, MS
I have owned this router for 3 years and have enjoyed using it very much. It has simple and easy to use features. It also has ample power for routing almost any job. I recommend it highly and am presently considering another one to set up permantly in my router table.
High Power Low Cost, July 12, 2002
Reviewer: jeffreyt78 from Orange County, CA.
At the last Anahiem WW Show I decided to get the M12V. I was some what sceptical when I seen the price deference between the other makers of comparible HP. I bought it! I have 5 routers, I use them all! I make furniture and cabinetry. I cut 30-50 raised panel doors a month using every specie of wood imaginable. Maple, Koa and Cherry giving us the hardest time with burning and splintering. The M12V has been great. The height adjustment works well- not perfect. The wood can be pushed thru fast or slow with little bog. The true test is its ability to be forgiving when coping a rail. What I really like about- its quite, it can handle my work load and it was so cheap that I can throw it away and buy another one without blinking. Good luck and cut wood!!!!
Powerful Tool, July 10, 2002
Reviewer: macschrim from Mt. Juliet, Tn.
I have been impressed with the power of the Hitachi M12V. It doesn't bog down under load. Cuts are easy and smooth. I use it on a router table, and it is works well. The major reasons I didn't give it a five are: One, I didn't think the fine adjustment worked well. I replaced it with a Router Raizer and it works much better. Two, the single wrench just doesn't work well. The sliding latch is does not stay in place. It is almost all you can do to change bits with two hands (you need three). I am trying to purchase a second wrench, and I think it will improve the function greatly. Other than this, I am very pleased with the router and would buy it again. I really liked the price...
Whole lotta tool, July 3, 2002
Reviewer: 22hornet from Fort Pierre, SD United States
Beefy. Brawny. Ready to tackle anything. Great value. I love my green monster. Thanks, Hitachi, for a rugged, reliable tool that simply does the job with a minimum of marketing gimmicks that get in the way. This thing was built to use, and I've enjoyed using it, in and out of router tables. It's got the goods.
This probably isn't a good candidate for your first or only router, but it really goes to work when you have serious cutting to do. The accessories make it truly flexible and adaptable.
Awesome Power, May 14, 2002
Reviewer: Scott W. Lalonde from way upstate, NY
I purchased two of these beauties. For exclusive use in a double router table I have been building. I have a tendency to do quite a bit of research before I drop money on a tool and everyone I talked to loved this router. One cabinet shop has been using one regularly in a router table for 11 years without a problem. My routers arrived promptly and I actually used one of them in the construction of the router table. The design of the collets is excellent and far exceeds any of the craftman (toy/junk) routers I have previously purchased. I have since used them to cut all the stiles and rails for my first kitchen. They were easy to setup with plenty of power to hog through anything I have encountered. I have less money invested in the router table and dual routers than I would have if I had purchased a single cheap reliant shaper. The setup works awesome, as with any tool I look closely at the individual tool for it's merits, and not just the company as a whole. I say this because I am not particulary fond of the hitachi compound miter saw. As I find it inheritly inaccurate by design. I would however highly recommend the m12v router !
Hitachi Router M12V, April 16, 2002
Reviewer: macschrim
I use the Hitachi M12V in a router table. It is a little large for my table (Rockler), but that isn't the fault of the router. Because of this I have removed the handles. I like the speed control. It works well with the larger bits. (I prefer 1/2 inch bits). It has plenty of power. The fine adustment knob which came with the router was very difficult to use on a router table. Finally, I gave up and I purchased a Router Razier. After getting it installed (which wasn't an easy task), it makes fine adjustments easy. The one wrench systems makes changing bits somewhat difficult. I am seriously considering purchasing another wrench and just not using the "sliding wrench" which comes on the router. All in all I am pleased with the router. The power, low noise operation, and speed control makes up for the problems I have experienced.
Not On My Table, April 3, 2002
Reviewer: A home improvement enthusiast from Michigan USA
At first glance, this is a tough, heavy-duty machine that is surprisingly quiet at lower RPM. Problems arise when attempting to fit it to a router table. The single wrench and spindle lock system for tightening the chuck is clumsy and puts fingers much too close to the wrench. The slightest slip when tightening or loosening a bit will result in skinned knuckles. It also makes the machine very difficult to hold on to while changing bits. A two-wrench system would be far better for this application. The 1/2" collet seems a trifle indersized, at least on mine, making changing bits a chore.
Another POOR Router, March 28, 2002
Reviewer: Kenneth R. Buser from Hinckley, Ohio USA
This router was a huge disapointment. The depth adjustment was sloppy. The speed control is recessed too far in the housing and required a tool (screwdriver or dowel rod) to effect any speed change. It was impossible to change the speed with just my fingers. My son tried it and he too couldn't change the speed without an assist. I did like the heft of the machine. It felt rather stable in my hands (heavy though.) I sent it back, as I think that the speed control is either poorly designed or defective. All in all, not very good.