Makita RF1101KIT2 2-1/4-Horsepower Variable Speed Plunge Router Kit

Other products by Makita

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Makita 2-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router Kit features an ultra-quiet motor along with convenient fixed and plunge bases. It also has a variable speed control dial of 8,000 to 24,000 RPM, matching the speed to the materials. This router sports aluminum motor housing with a slender 3-1/4-inch diameter for easy handling, and a durable flat top design that allows stability when changing bits. For longer life, it has all ball bearing construction, and for convenience, it boasts externally accessible carbon brushes. Even better, the soft start allows smooth and safe start-ups. A fixed base, plunge base, and multiple wrenches come included with this router kit.

This router has plunge depth of 2-19/32 inches and a large calibrated depth control ring for easy depth adjustment. To ensure a long tool life nickel-plated plunge poles protect it from corrosion. It is backed by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
Plunge base assembly, 1/2-inch collet, 1/4-inch collet, two No. 27 wrenches, No. 8 wrench, and No. 4 hex wrench.

Product Description

Durable flat top design, all ball bearing construction with makita 11 amp motor. Soft start feature and externally accessible carbon brushes. Fixed base has industrial cam-lock, large calibrated depth control ring and has 2 all wood handles. Makita sub-ba se accepts industry standard template guides. Plunge base has conveniently located plunge lock lever, easy-to-use fine depth adjustment with 3 depth stops and nickel plated plunge poles. Maximum plunge depth of 2-19/32". Removable clear plastic shield. ST ANDARD EQUIPMENT: No.RF1101, plunge base assembly, No.193214-9 1/4" collet, No.763643-6 1/2" collet, No.193155-9 clear sub-base (211/2" hole) 2 each: No.193234-3 wrench 27, No.781213-9 wrench 8, No.783202-0 hex wrench 4 and 1 No.824648-2 pl

See all Product Description

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 7 inches ; 20 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 19.8 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.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002HC4IM
• Item model number: RF1101KIT2
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,532 in Home Improvement (See Bestsellers in Home Improvement)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #12 in

  Home Improvement > Power Tools > Routers > Fixed-Base Routers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good router at a good price, December 29, 2006

By	Brian M. Terreau "Norm Abram is awesome" (Oshkosh, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this router after extensive research. I looked at Makita, Porter Cable and Dewalt. It basically came down to the PC and the Makita since I read many reviews about the Dewalt motor going out rather quickly! This is a great router kit for the money. Router has plenty of power, and is fairly quiet, too. Zipped right through oak and ash with no problem. Variable speed and soft start are nice. It also comes with 1/4 and 1/2 collets which is awesome. Another nice thing is that the porter cable guide bushings work with this router. The case for this router is very nice and holds everything well.The only two problems I have with this router are with the plunge base and the power switch. The plunge base has a very smooth action when you get it, but the slides seem to get filled up with sawdust fairly quickly (A common plunge router problem) and the clear chip guard comes off too easily. The other problem is that the power switch is on the top of the router (like the porter cable 690), which is a difficult spot to turn it off at. It would be nice to have the switch at your hands. It seems that basically this router is just a copy of the Porter Cable 690 with an extra 1/2 hp. With the great deals on the PC 690 and the fact that basically ANY accessory works with the PC, make the 690 also a good choice. One nice thing about the PC is the ability to use a D handle (an add on) which puts the switch at your fingertips. I opted to go with the extra 1/2 hp however and have not been disappointed. Either one is a solid choice.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good buy, December 8, 2006

By	S. Sampson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very good router. Sturdy and good smooth motor typical Makita craftsmanship.
Light weight and easy to use and manuever. Its powerful and goes through the wood easy.
Carrying case makes it easy to keep all its accesories together.
It comes with 1/2 and 1/4 inch collets for different shank router bits. Flat top allows for easy bit changing. Can't say enough good things about it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good router, I guess..., October 21, 2007

By	A. Babcock (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've had this router kit for about 4 months and have used it on three projects so far. It has performed well--powerful, accurate, smooth.
But I have a couple of complaints. The first is that the collet wrenches supplied tend to slip. I have a large crescent-style adjustable wrench that I substitute for one of the wrenches when I tighten/loosen the collet, which reduces the slipping by about half. But the remaining Makita wrench still contrives to slip most of the time. Perhaps this is intentional, to prevent the user from overtightening the collet?
My second complaint is perhaps attributable to my own clumsiness. The plastic collar that is meant to index the depth of cut falls out with great regularity when the base is removed and the clamp is loose. Each time it falls out, it breaks off one of the tabs that is meant to hold it in place. There are only three tabs, so it is not long before the collar is useless. But the markings on it seemed rather crude and difficult to read, so I really don't miss it very much.
This brings me to my last point, and I want to be clear where I'm coming from, because my reactions to this router may be highly skewed. My first router, which I still have, was a 5/8 horsepower, 1/4-inch collet Craftsman number that I paid $35 for in 1972 or 1973. To adjust depth of cut on this guy, you loosen the clamp and slide the motor up or down. There's a scale which is practically unreadable, and which I always ignored, preferring to measure the depth of the bit below the router base directly. I found this arrangement awkward, although I managed to do a certain amount of work with it.
The Makita has a helical depth adjustment, which helps, and the aforementioned plastic depth collar, which doesn't help much, and the final result is that the Makita is only slightly less clunky than my 35-year-old Craftsman. Frankly, I expected more progress in 35 years...
I wanted to buy a Triton 2 1/4 HP router, but they were unavailable, and I needed a more powerful machine, so I got the Makita. But I wonder what I might have gained in convenience and usability if the Triton had been available.