Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router

by Hitachi

Product Description

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. --Brian Trinen

Product Description

18V, Cordless, Drill Kit, Includes: The New DV18DMR Cordless Drill, C18DMR Cordless Circular Saw, CR18DMR Cordless Reciprocating Saw, Universal Quick Charger, 2 3.0 AH Ni-MI Batteries, UB18DL Lantern & Ballistic Nylon Bag, Individual Tool Specs: C18DMR 18V, 6-1/2" Cordless Circular Saw, Blade Located On The Left Side For Improved Sight Of Cutting Path, Equipped With A 24 Tooth 6-1/2" Blade, Runs At 3,000 RPM, Features A Built In Spotlight For Better Visibility, CR18DMR 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw, Best In Class Stroke Length Of 1-1/8", Tool Less Blade Changing System, External Carbon Brush Access, 380W Of Output Power, DV18DMR 18 Volt Cordless Hammer Drill, Made With 2 Piece Rare Earth Magnets That Offer Greater Durability & Performance, Class Leading 550 In LBS Of Torque Allows You To Tackle Jobs Other Drills Can't, High Capacity 3.0 AH Ni-MI Batteries Saves Time By Providing Longer Run Time & Fewer Battery Changes, 3 Modes Of Operation Allow You To Drill, Drive & Hammer Drill.

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Product Details

Product Manual [579kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 16 inches ; 15 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223K9
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: M12V
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,021 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

145 of 147 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The incredible hulk, September 15, 2002

By 

iwoodknot "iwoodknot" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

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.

87 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good product and good value, December 5, 1999

By 

Dave Carmichael (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is a well-made and powerful tool.

The spindle lock makes bit changing easy and the built-in depth setting mechanism uses a ruled gauge which can be preset to zero in order to measure the required depth with a great degree of accuracy. The accessory pack is good too.

My only gripes are the lack of an electronic brake and there is no fine height adjustment screw handle, but you can buy the latter as an accessory.

It is slightly lighter than my Makita 3612 and I think I like it better overall. At the price it is a much better deal than Porter Cable's clunky 690 series plunge router.

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Value for a Solid Router, July 6, 2001

By 

wamp66 (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi M12-volts 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-inch Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is truly a Clydesdale among the industry 3HP+ router workhorses. Built like a tank, yet nimble enough to be comfortably used with the Leigh dovetail jig. The soft start is a tremendous help for this type of operation. It is a heavy but well-balanced machine, which is an asset when maximum stability is desired. The edge guide is top quality, easy to install and accurate. I used this router to plow out 3" raised panels in oak without phasing the beast. This was possible due to the variable speed settings for any sized bit. The router is also equipped with an adapter that accepts PC guide bushings. The height adjustment knob is a bit flimsy, but it works well and provides good accuracy. The only complaint I have is that the 1/4" collet will not sufficiently hold any of my 1/4" bits. I purchased an aftermarket slotted collet that does the job. The Hitachi collet simply was not ground accurately. However, now that the kit comes with the height adjustment knob, I'd say jump all over it. This is a great deal, and I'm elated with my decision to go with Hitachi's green machine. Wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars.