Hitachi TR-12 3 HP 1/2-Inch Plunge Router

by Hitachi

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This Hitachi 3 HP 1/2-inch plunge router has a 12.2 amp motor for cutting soft and hard wooks. Its depth scale provides at-a-glance reference. The comfortable, easy-to-grip handles provide greater control and accuracy. There is a quick-change knob for variable cutting depth and a three-stage, multiple depth adjustment for a wider range of tool use. The smooth, plastic sub-base prevents scratching of work and eases operation. Its double insulation prevents electrical shock and it requires no external grounding.

Product Description

Here is the ultimate value in 18V cordless combo kits. The model

Product Details

Product Manual [462kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 46.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 19 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• 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.
• ASIN: B00005AUYI
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: TR-12
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,422 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Value on the Market, September 24, 2001

By 

Dennis N. Schmidt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi TR-12 3 HP 1/2-Inch Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

Without a doubt this is the best router value on the market. I state this owning 24 routers and I have at least one of nearly every model available. For the price of a PC 690 you get an extremely powerful PLUNGE router with the best balance of any plunger. It is not an accident that nearly every time you see someone in Fine Woodworking cutting a mortise with a plunge router they're are doing it using the TR12. It doesn't have variable speed or a soft start feature which would be nice but unless your doing raised panels the lack of variable speed is inconsequential. This is the best balanced hand held plunge router at the best price in the world.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great machine, June 8, 2005

By 

BluesSRV "William" (Calif) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi TR-12 3 HP 1/2-Inch Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have had mine for years and years . It does not have the soft start as meantioned , it does not have variable speed , who cares .

What it does have is power , balance , smooth bronze bushing plung action and an easy to reach on/ off switch mounted on the tools body .

I dropped mine with the edge guide in place and cracked the base long ago but it still has held up , the nice depth knob handle is gone too .

Still it is my favorite plunge router of all time . Even at its size it is light and very stable and easy to control .

I want another but they are not made any longer , now we have the MV-12 which personally I don't feel is a nice or as well made as this older TR-12 .

I am going to spring for a new base and brushes and cord rather than but something new , I feel this router is well worth the repair . I happen to like a round base , I'm used to one . I don't need soft start or variable speed , you hold the handles , that's what they are there for .

Why not just leave well enough alone or keep making this one hitachi ? Give the consumer a choice the old reliable and the new high tech version . I truely do not understand what the benefit is of having soft start on a plunge router , the bit is well away from the wood and no router I have ever used was so powerful that it jumped out of my hands on startup , so what's the point ? Something else that can and will fail and cost a fortune to repair ?

This to me is one of the largest mistakes manufacturers make , all trying to keep up with the competition when in fact they were ahead of the game long ago .

A tool is something people become adjusted to and are then comfortable with , not a fashion statement .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best ever made, February 7, 2011

By 

Rocky - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi TR-12 3 HP 1/2-Inch Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have used this router for around 20 years and it has never failed me in either hand, jig or table use for making mortises, mouldings or raised panels.

Like any plung router you have to keep the slides and other moving parts clean of wood residue.

It is not for a novice who does not know how to use a router. I would highly recommend a novice take a class or at least check out a few good books from the library on router use and safety before considering a router of this class. You could end up loosing all your fingers in a heartbeat if you mess up with a machine of this class. Remember that we are considering a handheld machine with the same amount of power as a lawn mower that however spins many times faster than a lawn mower. At 10,000 plus rpm when things go wrong they do so very, very quickly.

The template guides, fence holder and other accesories that come with it work beautifully.

The two wrench collet system is the best system for a heavy duty router allowing you to tighten or loosen the bits with just one hand when used properly.

As head of maintenance in a woodworking millwork I would use these or PorterCable for many of our custom production machines for making windows and doors before considering even Bosch or Dewalt. Makita or Ryobi would not hold up under that type of use and maintain their precision.