Customer Reviews

Makita RD1101 2-1/4-Horsepower Variable Speed D-Handle Router

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I expect Makita tools to be better than most. This router is no disappointment. You won't believe how quiet it is until you use one for yourself. I like that I can use my existing Porter Cable accessories with it. As far as fixed base routers go , I have 3 PC 690's and the Bosch D handle. Iv'e also hade few craftsman, B&D and Dewalt routers. I like this one better. Why? It just feels right. It runs so smoothly. It's easy to adjust.It is very powerful. I like the simple but effective lock mechanism. Most of all it is so quiet compared to the others. The only thing I would change is I would add an arbor lock. I don't like using two wrenches to change bits. Are you listening Makita ? That is a very minor point and doesn't tarnish my over all opinion of the tool. If I had to go with only one router this would be the one. No hesitation , no thinking about it, no contest this is the best on the market.

I HAVE BEEN USING MY NEW MAKITA RF1101 FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW,OH MY GOODNESS WHAT A ROUTER. I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT ON THE FIRST JOB. I BUILD HIGH END CUSTOM FURNITURE IN MY SHOP IN LUBBOCK TEXAS AND I HAVE ALL MAKES AND TYPES OF ROUTERS INCLUDING THE MAKITA 3601C WHICH IS THE LITTLE D HANDLE ROUTER THAT SO MANY WOODWORKERS HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH, ANYWAY, THIS NEW MAKITA IS POWERFUL WITH A 2 1/4 HP MOTOR I RAN IT IN GOOD HARD MESQUITE AND IT NEVER LOST SPEED NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I WAS RUNNING IT ON. I ALSO TRIED IT ON SEVERAL OTHER JOBS WITH DIFERENT WOODS AND FOUND IT TO BE JUST AS GOOD. IF I COULD OWN JUST 1 ROUTER I KNOW IT WOULD BE THIS NEW MAKITA. ALSO I WENT AND BOUGHT THE MAKITA RD1101 D HANDLE VERSION. THESE ARE ABSOLUTELY THE BEST 2 ROUTERS THAT I OWN. I OWN 9 ROUTERS BEFORE THESE 2 NEW MAKITA'S AND I FEEL THAT THE DUST WILL SETTLE ON THOSE 9. THIS IS THE FIRST ROUTER THAT I HAVE EVER FELT THIS WAY ABOUT. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR FIRST ROUTER THIS IS IT. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ROUTER BUY THIS ONE. I FEEL SURE THAT YOU WILL SOON AGREE WITH ME ABOUT THESE NEW ROUTERS FROM MAKITA

The Makita D Handle is a super unit. It is so light and quiet, that it soon, will become your favorite hand held router. The stability of the D Handle configuration, is all the more reason.
Their is no router that is a catch all, but this one is at the top of the heap for a favorite handheld. Two and one quarter horse power is great for most all applications. The smaller opening on the base lends itself to improved stability when working over smaller stock.
The Makita is incredibly quiet. I thought I couldn't love a router more than I love my Fein, but this Makita has earned a side by side spot in my heart. The Fein is so light that it is excellent as a hand held, yet strong enough to be classified as an industrial production machine.
Pertaining to the self locking collet, as found on the Fein, the Makita uses the twin wrenches. I am equally happy with both systems. The twin wrenches are easy to use. Centering your attention on the fact that your hands are actually stronger at squeezing two opposing arms together than your complete arms are, you understand the beauty of attaching the wrenches carefully, then squeezing to make a very secure clamping.
By the way, the second resistance that is felt when removing the bit is a safety issue. If you have ever experienced a dislodging bit go flying across the room, you will know the second grip as a real asset.
Some get confused, and wonder why when the nut is loose, the bit won't come out. Loosen it some more to the next tension before removing. The Makita has a flat top, so you can turn the unit on its head for easy access for bit changing.
My initial interest in the Makita D Handle, is that I noticed Norm Abram using the previous model as his number one unit, most frequently used. The Makita and the Fein Router are actually my favorites. The Bosch's are very nice units, make great table mounted units, but are substantially louder, although it doesn't make that much difference because I wear ear protection while routing anyhow.
It is nice that the Porter Cable template guides work in the Makita as well. I found the motor to be very smooth, with more than enough power, to not even slow down in hardwoods using normal size bits. Quiet, smooth, and powerful make this a top buy. Buy it you won't be sorry. Hope this helps.

Overall, it's a fine machine. I selected it for its features as reviewed in American Woodworker. Most outstanding are noise level (very low) and compatibility with the Porter Cable 690. The 1101-series works with PC template guides, replacement sub-bases and edge guides. The collet can be tightened and loosened either with or without the base in place.

I bought the Makita to replace an aging Craftsman. The current Craftsman offerings just don't measure up. They don't have the features in a fixed-base model, and the models they do have seem flimsy by comparison. This machine is very solid.

The height adjustment works like most other routers by rotating the motor housing in the base. It works well, if you can read the all-black dial. I brushed white paint into the ruler-like markings on the dial and sanded the surface, leaving the markings white against the black foreground.

If I had any complaint, it would be the stamped collet wrenches. Because they're thin, they tend to slip while tightening and loosening the collet. For the price, Makita should provide automotive-quality wrenches.

By the way, as of this writing, the 1101 is so new that even the Makita factory stores don't have it...

No disappointments here. This is one excellent router. I saw it perform at a local woodworking show. That's all it took to convince me to buy it. Lots of engineering went into its development. Operation is very quiet compared to other makes. While being lightweight, and well balanced, it has a "soft start" for easy start up. Other nice features are a stable flat top for easy bit changing, and compatability to use porter cable accesories. I also have a Bosch model 1618EVS, which is great, but if I had choose between the two, I would pick this one. You won't be sorry with your purchase.

I don't know how this thing lasts, but it runs fantastic. It's quiet, easy to handle, and powerful. I have a PC also, this one is much nicer to use. The PC is good, just that I think this is such a nice router.

I have only used this router on freehand work (rounding over, etc) but will try it in my router table if I ever get one. This is the first router I have used with a D-handle and I love it. I don't think I could use a standard base again. It is very quiet (for a router). Variable speed is nice too....like the D-handle you don't realize what a nice plus this is until you get used to it. 1/4" and 1/2" collets extend usefullness of this tool too. The bits could be easier to change, but it is really no more inconvience than on other routers. Haven't found many neato accessories for this one, but I hear they interchange with PC 690 routers (no shortage of accessories there). If you need a mid-size router this is the one for you (especially for freehand work). Get it, get it, get it.

I have had this router for several months now and have used it on hardwood and softwoods. It does a great job. It starts smooth, has very low vibration and is reasonably quiet - more importantly, it just feels good in your hands. It has 50% more juice than the 1 1/2 horse power routers but is not so big as to be unwieldy.

My only complaint involves the collet. You need to use two wrenches to tighten (or loosen) the collet. The thin stamped wrenches provided with the tool are tough on your hands and slip off the nuts easily.

I would definitely buy this tool again but I would consider getting the plunge base accessory package (with the RF1101) to eliminate the hassle of removing the router base from the router table.

Before I bought this router I had also looked at the PC691 and the Bosch 1618 EVS, and I also owned the PC693. When I open the box I thought I was looking at a PC691 with a different paint scheme. However, I think this router is little nicer than the 691 is that it has variable speed, and soft start, and the locking mechanism is nicer than the PC. My edge guide and templet guide from PC693 fit this router without any modification, that is nice. I have used this router for couple weeks now and so far no down time yet. The PC690 series is a proven work horse and time will tell whether this one will do the same. I've used this one with Oak and hard maple and no bogging down so far. And yep this puppy is quiet. My 690 will make a lot of noises when I tried to cut sliding dovetail in maple. This one won't. Still I would recommend wearing hearing protection. I wish the wooden handle comes in different color other than black. The depth adjustment is the pretty much the same as the PC. I gave it 4 stars since I think it is a little bit pricey, it does not have micro adjustments. It does not come with a case or edge guide considering the price. I didn't get the Bosch because getting hold of the Bosch accessories could be a pain. I liked the micro adjustment and the centering feature on the Bosch 1618. I didn't like the feel of the Bosch when I try to use it. Bottom line, I bought this because I've other PC routers and I didn't have to buy more accessories for it. Now if its reliability holds up, then money well spent.

I have had my Makita variable speed R1101 router in the shop for repair three different times in the space of 2 years. First the varible speed switch went out. Major bucks to repair! Second the router shaft began to wobble. This was repaired at no cost, however it still had some vibration and a slight wobble. Third the "new" varible speed switch crashed again. This time the shop removed the variable speed switch at no charge. Finally after a few months the wobble returned with a vengence. This tool would not even make a good boat anchor!