Customer Reviews

Hitachi M12V2 15 amp 3-1/4-Horsepower Plunge Base Variable Speed Plunge Router with 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch Collets

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I bought this router as an upgrade from a crappy, underpowered Craftsman 1/4" router that I had for years. That thing was so bad that it turned me off from using routers, and I hardly touched it for years. It was underpowered, wouldn't hold a bit, and screamed like a banchee even under light cuts.

Now that I have this new M12V2 I love routing again! It's awesome.

High Points:

Power: This thing is powerful! I just ordered some panel raising bits and have no doubt this will drive those very well. I will try to get back in here and give an update after some experience with these big bits. I has powered through 3/4" cuts easily (even when I tried to hog too much)

Plunge: Smooth as silk!

Speed control: Having it on the handle is really, really nice. It is right under your right thumb. I use it for every startup and shutdown. It gives you a reall feel of control.

Table mount: Mounted easily, and height control is easy with the standard height adjustment knob.

Low Points:

Size: This thing is BIG and heavy. You will probably want to have a smaller router as well to complement this router.

Collet: So far I have been having trouble getting bits into and out of the collet. Hopefully this will wear in and get easier. I will try to do an update after a couple of months.

Overall I am thrilled.

Patrick Robinson

Washington Woodworker

Update: I have had this router for 6 months now and still love it. The collet has loosened up nicely and bits come out easily. You need to make sure that the collet is snapped together when you put the bits in place, or they will be hard to remove. It has a ton of power. I have been driving large bits and it just plows through hard woods. It works great in my router table!

I was needing a router to be used with a ProMax Cast Iron Table. I looked at several routers before deciding on this one. I saw the tool had a very good warranty, but questioned the low price. However, this is one deal where quality, power and design are excellant. Also did not have to buy anything extra for fine tuning, i.e. a router lift. After using it for a while I find only one minor issue. The collet likes to hug the bit. I have several other routers, including Bosch, Milwaukee an old Black and Decker and etc. Their power ranges from 3/4 hp to 3 1/4. They are all good tools and do what they were built for. However, the Hitachi will clearly hold it's own with my other routers. Won't waste time thinking if I need another router.

I was looking for a large, powerful router for woodworking to replace an old router I own. This one has performed beyond my expectations. It is much larger in size than I imagined, but all the controls, clamps, adjustments, etc. were thought out and executed so well, that its size hasn't been an issue at all.

My wife bought the router for me 2 years ago for christmas. I got it as a dedicated router for a router table cabinet I was adding to my table saw. Prior to receiving the router I fretted about whether or not to add a router lift and finally decided to wait and see how much of a hastle it would be to deal with under the table adjustment given the cost of most router lifts. As I removed the sub-base to attach the router to the table insert, I noticed a lock nut on the bottom of the height adjustment shaft. I turned the nut using a socket wrench (sorry, don't remember what size) and it seemed to turn the height adjustment shaft easily. I figured I had nothing to lose, so drilled a hole in the phenolic router table insert large enough to slip the socket through to make above the table adjustments. I've been using this router regularly for the past two years and the height adjustment using this method has always performed flawlessly, and it didn't cost me a thing. I've never used this router other than in my router table, so I can't comment on some of the problems others have encounterted. But if you're looking for a work-horse for your router table, I would give this one my highest recommendation.

For reference I have used the Hitachi M12V for years and it is a wonderful router. I purchased the M12v2 for a 2nd router assuming it would be as capable as its predecessor. It has several defects and design faults that were so blatant I returned the unit without ever using it. I will be purchasing another manufacturer's 3 hp router after this experience. I have listed problems below and attempted a general order of importance first to last.

1) The tightening sleeve in the locking collet nut will not lock in place inside the nut as its designed and when a bit is inserted the sleeve breaks loose from the nut and is pushed to the bottom of the spindle opening not allowing the bit to be tightened. Once this happens the sleeve is very difficult to remove from the spindle opening.

2) The height adjust is controlled by a lever to select screw (using the knob/shaft) or free slide for course height. When the lever is engaged into the threads to use the screw adjust, the height will often suddenly slip as if the gears are not fully engaged.2) When the unit 1st starts it chatters and growls for a 1/2 second. This is with or without the collet installed and at the lowest or fastest speed and in or out of table mount. It should soft start smoothly with no mechanical chatter.

3) The height stop bar, if fully retracted will offset from its guiding slot and then recess into the side of the router. The shaft then has to be manipulated with a screwdriver to return it to position.

4) The height adjust shaft/knob is attached by pushing the shaft over a recepticle with rubber o-rings to hold it in place. The shaft will then vibrate off during the first few seconds of vibration. This occurred consistently with only turning on and off the router and never actually cutting wood.

5) There are dowels inserted into the center of of height tension springs to prevent them from full collapse. When the springs are removed for table mounting, the dowels remain loosely in the shaft and cannot be easily removed. In the M12V these are metal and are easily removed.

6) Very heavy. Much more heavy and cumbersome then the M12V. 14 vs 12lbs.

7) I bought this for commonality with the M12V but even the hole pattern in the plate is different.

I bought 3 hitachi units for my router table for producing stile / rail / and door cutter on the same table and this unit exceeds my expentations !

the original router I recieved was not working properly on the cam lock for the plunger on the router , I EMAILED AMAZON AND THE REPLACED IT RIGHT AWAY, NO PROBLEM! AMAZON STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS !

I bought and returned two of these routers. I had hoped to get 3 1/4hp for cheap and was disappointed. To start with it was very poorly packaged. Bits didn't fit into the collet, the height adjusting mechanism broke on both of them, the second one(to replace the first) came apart and wouldn't go back onto the rods. My biggest beef with this thing is that it wouldn't fit inside the hole in my router table. I had used an old M12V by Hitachi for eleven years and loved it; cheap hp! This new model looks like something Spiderman would have designed. Spiderman is not a tool designer; he's a superhero. If you want a workhorse router that is simple, fits, and everything works, try the new Triton. I got the 2 1/4hp model which has some of the coolest features ever and I'm happy. Now I'm just waiting on my $176 refund from Amazon...

I wanted to get a router to mount in a table and after doing a bit of research I decided to buy this Hitachi. I haven't used it a lot, but I am very pleased so far. The controls are easy to use, it has plenty of power, runs smooth in all speeds and best of all, even though it is table mounted bit changes are easily done from above the table!

I bought it on Amazon for $159 with free shipping...at that price I think it is one one the best values in it's class. Plus hitachi warranties this product for 5 years.

As I said at the I haven't used it a whole lot, but I have no doubt that it will perform well in its intended use!

I bought this router two years ago from amazon. I have nothing but good things to say. I mounted it on a bench dog router table and it has performed very well since. I use it with a router raizer for easy up and down movement. I have made many raised panels with this router. Even though some will tell you to make multiple passes with with a large raised panel bit, I don't! Not even in oak. It eats right through it on the first pass. Get your speed right (2-3) so you don't burn or chip and it does great. Even with 1/4 inch shaft bits. Trust me, it's a good buy!

I'm also returning this router after the plastic height adjustment knob broke. I called the Hitachi service center to get a replacement and, even though it's only a $2 part, Hitachi doesn't yet stock parts on this new model. I was excited about using this router and chose the Hatachi for its power (3 1/4 HP), feature set (variable speed, and plunge), and price. I'm disappointed that it didn't live up to my expectations.