Makita 3612 3-1/4-Horsepower Plunge Router

by Makita

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With a powerful 15 Amp motor, the Makita 3-1/4 HP Plunge Router delivers 22,000 RPM for smooth, clean routing. Featuring an electric brake for quick stops, it won't mar your workpiece. The 2-3/8-inch plunge depth capacity provides easy penetration and multiple depth adjustments. Designed with all ball bearing construction, this Makita is built to last. A conveniently located switch allows for easy operation, and accepts 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch shank bits. The shaft lock provides quick and easy bit changes. This plunge router comes with a 1-year warranty.

What's in the Box
3-1/4 HP plunge router, 1/4-inch collet sleeve, 1/2-inch collet cone, and two wrenches.

Product Description

15 Amp, 2 23/64" plunge depth capacity, 3 plunge depth presets, 1/4" and 1/2" collet capacity, Non-marring base, Chip deflector, Contoured handles with built-in switch, Weighs 13.2 lbs., Comes with 1/4" collet cone, spindle wrench.

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Product Details

Product Manual [195kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 13.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15.1 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: B00004YODA
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 3612
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,057 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth and powerful, February 4, 2001

By 

J. S. Schlatter "jschlat" (Midwest United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Makita 3612 3-1/4-Horsepower Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

Having used only a 1 1/2 HP router in the past, this tool is a bit intimidating at first. It is very large and very heavy. However, the router is a dream to use. The extra power (and weight) make pattern/free-hand routing much smoother. The controls are well layed out and seem to work equally well in a table or free-hand. The depth stop screw has a quick release for faster course placement and the tall depth setting knob extends well above the top of the router for easy use in a table. Overall I have been extremely pleased with this tool.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10+ years strong... nothing beats it., February 21, 2005

By 

Paul Bergstrom (MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Makita 3612 3-1/4-Horsepower Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have nothing but praise for the Makita 3612 plunge router. I have used it for about ten years on furniture and cabinetry projects in maple, oak, pine, fir, cedar, redwood, others, and have never had any trouble with it with any table mounted, handheld, or plunge routing project. I bought it gently used from the father of a friend who had owned it for at least 3 additional years, and have used it on many furniture and cabinetry projects for my family.

The pros of this unit:
1) Immensely strong, as is stated in other reviews. Not even the hardest and most figured sugar maple slows the 3612 down.
2) Well built with craftsmanship. The motor shaft is still tight and smooth after 10 years of table mounted use. I have not needed to replace any component on the unit in all my use. I have even done plunge and rabbet operations for 1 1/2" deep grooves with no issue. Amazing machine. I keep it clean, so perhaps I have avoided other problems that might come up.
3) Smooth operation. The router spins up smoothly with or without the use of a speed controller. I have used it with a speed control unit very successfully, with little or no loss of power and torque for table mounted applications.
4) I recently bought a Router Raizer unit to use with the 3612. The installation of this add on has made the unit even more useful and valuable for table mounted applications. Topside elevation changes are very well controlled using this system, and the system works seamlessly with the original Makita functionality. This made the system even more useful to me. The newer 3612s have an efficient height control knob, whereas the older units did not. I might not have needed the Router Raizer with a newer unit.
5) An absolute pro for 1/2" shank bits and panel raising bits. This machine is perfect for table mounting and can handle any bit you want to attempt. I have used a wide variety on a lot of different woods and have never found an issue or limitation.
6) Well balanced with good handle ergonomics. Some people may argue this point, but I feel the positioning of the handles, switches, and levers are very functional and easy to manage when plunge or template routing with the unit. Like I've said above, I really like this router.

The cons of this unit:
1) Heavyweight. While this may also double as a strength, the power of the system comes at a price. The 3612 can get a bit heavy for handheld use at uncomfortable angles and heights.
2) Not a large number of accessories available by third parties. While Rockler and others do carry table plates and universal baseplate mounts to utilize Porter Cable template inserts, there are not as many options other than those Makita supplies with the unit (edge guide, etc.)
3) Also tied to the strength of the unit, I have found it to be almost too powerful when using 1/4" bits. The router isn't struggling even in a hard cut, and can sometimes result in damage to the 1/4 bit because you feel that you can push harder laterally than the bit shaft can handle without damage. I have broken 1/4" shaft bits during template half blind dovetail cutting in maple. This isn't really the fault of the 3612, but power can have its price.
4) The lack of the speed control in the 3612 as compared to the 3612C is a bit of an issue. It does require an external speed controller when working in hard to route materials like maple, hemlock, and other hard woods. The 3612C has a 5 speed control, which is sufficient for most applications. If I were to replace or buy a second 3612, I would most certainly acquire the 3612C in order to get the speed control and soft start built into the unit.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid machine, June 6, 2001

By 

"srightnar" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Makita 3612 3-1/4-Horsepower Plunge Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have two of these routers, a 9 year old and a newborn. The only difference is the varible speed, and the depth control but everything else is exactly the same. With that said, I can truely say this router will last. My older one has not been treated as well as it should have but the plunge action is still smooth and predictable and everything from the motor to the case has been trouble free. The only thing that I can complain about is the eye shield ( I have somehow broken both of them) and my girls are a bit on the heavy side (but these are also powerful 3.25 hp motors so wieght comes with the territory). They will cut anything ( O.K not metals...) but I can cut oak,maple,cherry with even the biggest bits and they don't bog down. My hat is off to makita for a great machine.