Customer Reviews

Hitachi M12VC 2-1/4-Horsepower Variable-Speed Router

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this router during a promotion about a year ago. I figured for the price, I couldn't go too wrong. I use this router mounted in my router lift with good results. Positive experience echos that of many other reviews. However, I do need to sound a couple notes of caution:

1. I've had some problems with the collet(s) releasing bits. The design seems a little odd, and Its a struggle releasing some bits without damaging the collet jaws. For best results, be sure you don't fully seat the router bit. If you have problems with the bit releasing, tap it lightly with a rubber or plastic mallet before removing the bit. It should drop free. (Please see the following comment section for some updated information)

2. Buried in the manual, just before it turns to French, owners are cautioned to inspect the carbon brushes for wear. DO IT. Neither I nor my carpenter peers have had a router go through carbon brushes in less than a year, but this one did. Hitachi did honor its warranty for damage caused by worn brushes, but in my wildest dreams I wouldn't have expected the brushes to wear out with the moderate use I've given this tool. I'd buy this router again, but I'd check it more frequently.

I own them all 12 routers in all and this is by far the quietest router ive heard period.Im a pro cabinet builder/home remodeler and use my tools constantly this is very smooth and stable on its base and although its made in china it has extremely good build quality throughout.The quick lock lever for locking the router in its base is the best and easiest ive seen, no struggling here its so easy to close and lock it seems it wont hold the router in its base but it works like a charm even on heavy cuts, very good engineering..as far as power it has more than enough without bogging down to handle all but the largest raised panel bits with ease. You wont be dissapointed with this router and the price cant be beat for the quality..Now i want this in a 3-1/4 horsepower model, maybe that will be available ...

I have been looking at this router for some time now and waiting for one of the woodworking magazines to include it in a head to head tool review. Unfortunately that didn't seem to be happening, so armed with a discount coupon I took the plunge...and I am happy to report that this is a very good tool. The motor is superb - very quiet for a router, especially one this powerful. The electronic variable speed works flawlessly and so far I have gotten great results hand routing in pine, oak, and walnut. Though the collett wrenches are cheap stamped things, they do the job. Speaking of colletts, this model includes one of each - 1/4" and 1/2". They seem to be of the no-frozen-bits variety so that is all good. I have not tried this router in my table yet as I feel my DeWalt 2 1/4 hp is better suited to that for its ease of adjustment and quick motor removal.

Overall, I am very impressed with the quality, fit and finish of this tool and for the money I am astounded. I don't like it quite as much as my DeWalt DW618, but with a pricetag that is $40 less it is an incredible value. I highly recommend it!

Recently I finally got serious about getting my woodshop in order. A co-worker of mine sold me on the value and performance of Hitachi tools, so in the last few months I've also purchased their jig saw, a 3/8" corded drill, a circular saw and a 10" compound miter saw. I've been more than satisfied with all of them. This router is my latest addition, and I just used it last night to cut some 3/4" rabbets in plywood. Here are my humble impressions:

I think the overall design is great. The way the motor housing slides into the threading of the base is butter smooth, and thus depth control is a snap. The handles are very comfortable, and the locations of the controls (power switch and speed dial) are obvious and easy to access. I wish however that Hitachi had overcome the need for two wrenches to change out the bits. I understand more models are coming out these days that require just one wrench, or none at all. 1/4" and 1/2" collets are included with this router, so it should meet the needs of most woodworkers for light and medium duty jobs.

I love the way this machine starts up- quietly and smoothly. I guess they're calling it "slow-start." It sounds and feels solid and well put-together. Also, it stays very quiet during operation. There's not much of that piercing whine you expect with a router. I found this to be an extremely compliant and easy-to-use tool.

The cord is plenty long and of a heavy gauge. It looks like it will last a good long time.

Lastly, you can't beat the dramatic alien-looking design. The Hitachi logo is treated with a translucent green glass-looking eye thing that is just cool to look at. And who doesn't like looking at their tools? I know I do.

I'm not an expert, just a weekend warrior with aspirations. This is my second router. The other is a no-name plunge router from one of the discount houses. It weighs about 15 pounds, is loud and cumbersome. In contrast, the Hitachi feels immediately comfortable, is quiet and smooth to use, and for my needs, has plenty of apparent horsepower. I'd recommend it to pros and amateurs alike who are looking for a great performance/price combo. I could say that about all the Hitachi tools I've purchased so far. I didn't give it five stars, because it's so new, and I just don't feel experienced enough to give any tool that rating. But it's a great tool so far and I can't wait to get home and fire it up again. Enjoy!

For the money it can't be beat. Super quiet. Lots of extras thrown in with the kit that you don't get with others.

My only gripes are my plunge base is a little sticky. You need alot of control do bring it smoothly down. And I wish the speed control would have been more prominent. With all the stylin' contours on this thing its hard for your fingers to figure out where it it when its running on a router table.

To any router noobs out there - buy this model - not the single speed. Depending on the bit diameter you're going to need to be able to adjust the speed to maintain control and/or avoid burning your wood.

This router seems well made but has a major flaw. I just recieved it. I tried it out with the 1/2 inch collett tightened fully and while routing some solid surface material (like Corian) the bit came fully out of the chuck and struck me in the leg, causing a large gash.
I again tried it with a brand new 1/2 inch straight bit tightened to my max and watched as the bit slid out of the collett. Hitachi is sending a new collett I will keep you informed.

I bought this router for permanent mounting in a router table in my wood shop. I especially like the horsepower and electronic speed control. I router both soft and hard woods and have yet to underpower the router or deal with varying shaft speeds under load. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 only because it lacks a spindle lock for ease in changing bits, a minor issue really. This is one fine router for the money!

Note: I'm using this router in a CNC machine, not handheld.

Hitachi makes some very nice basic power tools. This router is a good example. It lacks fancy features, but what it does, it does well and reliably.

Pros:
- High power
- Small size
- Quiet (one of the quietest for the power available at any price!)
- Soft start motor
- Smooth speed control
- Stable bearings (low runout)
- Compatible with fancier ER20 style collets available for Bosch routers

Cons:
- Ugly
- Stock collet a little dodgy for high volume work (I experienced some bit slippage before upgrading collets)

When these little guys are in stock, they can't be beat for basic work. CNC machine owners buy them two or three at a time so they always have spares on hand! Mine has over 1000 cutting hours on it, and is holding up great.

This Hitachi router is a great router and for the price, really can't be beat.

Now if you read any of the other reviews you know why this router keeps a solid four+ star rating. The features, the power, easy of use, all of that is in this package so I'm not going to delve into the details of what makes this a good router, I'm just going to stick with the issues I have with it.

First off the speed control. The router is adjustable from 8K-24K RPMs. However figuring out what speed you have the router set to is hard because the knob is labeled 1-6... which makes it really hard (if not impossible) to accurately tell what speed you have it set on. So I have to constantly remember that 1 is 8000 RPMs, 2 is 11200, 3 is 14400, 4 is 17600, 5 is 20800, and 6 is 24000. Minus a half a star.

After that the only other issues I have with it are the on/off switch (not all that easy to use and it won't automatically shut the router off when placed upside down like my PC router) and the fact that it's made in China and has a TON of plastic bits and pieces all over it. I own several other Hitachi tools that have the same amount of plastic on them as this router and they are lasting and working just fine, so I don't think this is all that big of an issue, minus a half a star.

So in the end this is a great router with a ton of features at a really great price, but is NOT as good as my Porter Cable. A solid four stars.

Pros:
Price.
1/2" and 1/4" collets included.
Great power, not once have I had an issue with it bogging down.
Includes wrenches.
Five year warranty, totally awesome.
Quieter then my Porter Cable and Craftsman.

Cons:
Speed control not labeled with the RPM speed, instead labeled with 1-6... worthless.
On/off switch not as easy to use as my other routers.
Made in China.
Not sure on how all of the plastic is going to hold up over the years, verdict is still out on this one.

Ditto all the reviews so far in smoothness, quietness, and sheer power. This is a quality tool that rivals, amd maybe surpasses the porter cable. I'm using it to make the tenons on log beds, and it's swinging shaper-table sized 1/2 bits and chewing thru logs with ease. The 119.00 pricetag marked down from 179.00 is deceiving. If you go to Lowes, you can get this for 119.00 off the shelf. The 179.00 price includes the plunge router base, a variety of collets, 2 bases, and a very nice hardcase. The 119.00 price does not include the plunge base of course. I bought the full kit with plunge base for 173.00 using a 10% discount which essentially deleted the taxes plus six bucks. Bottom line, this router is not marked down from 179.00 because this ad does not include the plunge base. If you can swing the 179.00 price tag, I recommend the deluxe kit.