Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Select delivery location

Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 169 ratings

Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Brand Metabo HPT
Power Source Corded Electric
Voltage 120 Volts
Item Weight 9.9 Pounds
Horsepower 2.25

About this item

  • 11 Amp motor (2-1/4 Peak Horsepower), for precise, controlled cuts
  • 2-stage motor release clamp, for quick and accurate depth adjustments and base changes
  • Electronic speed control, maintains constant RPMs even as load varies
  • Class leading noise level, only 79.5dB for a quieter workshop
  • Fine depth adjustment (plunge base) for precise depth control
  • Includes: 1/2" Collet Chuck (323293), 1/4" Collet Chuck (323293), Template Guide Adapter (323272), Centering Gauge (323296), 16mm Wrench (323294), 23mm Wrench (323295), 4mm Hex Bar Wrench (944458), Sub Base Plate (323297), Hex Socket HD Bolt M5x10 (10pcs) (949819), Case (323358)
See more product details

Customer ratings by feature

Versatility
4.6 4.6
Easy to use
4.3 4.3
Value for money
4.3 4.3

Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

From the manufacturer

Fixed Base Router

Features of the 2-1/4 Peak HP Variable Speed Fixed Base Router | Metabo HPT M12VC

The 2-1/4 Peak HP Variable Speed Fixed Base Wood Router (M12VC) is made for fine groove cutting, chamfering, window cutting, trimming shaping and cutting patterns. Featuring Metabo HPT ergonomic styling and designed for precision, this router would be a welcomed addition to any workshop.

Router Adjustment

Router Motor

Router Base

Router Low Noise

ADJUSTMENT

Whether you’re adjusting the depth or changing bases, the 2-stage motor release clamp makes the process quick and accurate

MOTOR

11 Amp motor (2-1/4 Peak Horsepower), for precise, controlled cuts

APPLICATIONS

Great for fine groove cutting, chamfering, window cutting, trimming shaping and cutting patterns

LOW NOISE

Class leading noise level, only 79. 5dB for a quieter workshop

Fixed Base Router

Product guides and documents

Product Description

Product Description

Hitachi KM12VC 11-Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit

Amazon.com

The Hitachi KM12VC 2-1/4-Peak-Horsepower Fixed/Plunge-Base Router Kit is made for fine groove cutting, chamfering, window cutting, trimming, shaping, and pattern cutting. Featuring Hitachi's ergonomic styling, a powerful motor that is the quietest in its class, a two-state motor-release clamp, easy base changes, quick depth adjustments, and more, this router kit is a valuable addition to any workshop.

Powerful, Quiet Motor Handles Hardwoods with Ease
At the heart of the KM12VC Router Kit is a powerful, 11-amp motor with 2-1/4 peak horsepower and nickel-plated housing. The motor has an adjustable no-load speed of 8,000 to 24,000 RPM for dialing in the perfect setting for the job. And the KM12VC motor features Hitachi's electronic speed control, which means this tool maintains constant RPM as the load varies, so you get precise, controlled cuts every time.

Not only is the KM12VC's motor powerful, it's also quiet--at just 79-1/2 decibels (dB), it's the quietest in its class. And because less noise means less vibration during operation, this kit will give you the precise, controlled cuts you expect.

Two-Stage Motor-Release Clamp for Quick and Accurate Adjustments
With a two-stage motor-release clamp, the KM12VC Router Kit lets you make quick and easy base changes and depth adjustments. And switching from the fixed base to the plunge base takes just seconds. An added bonus, the plunge base features a fine-depth adjustment knob for precise depth control.

The KM12VC Router Kit is a versatile tool that accepts 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch bits, so it's compatible with the bits found in most workshops. In addition, the kit includes a 1/2-inch collet chuck and a 1/4-inch collet chuck for easy bit changes.

Ergonomic Design Enhances Comfort
Hitachi designed the KM12VC to be both comfortable and portable. For comfort, the handles are ergonomically designed, which allows for control, accuracy, and precision. For portability, the fixed base weighs only 7.3 pounds, while the plunge base weighs only 9.9 pounds. Additionally, both bases, the motor, and all of the kit's accessories fit securely within an included protective case for easy travel between jobsites.

This well-crafted router kit features a durable design that is backed by Hitachi's five-year warranty.

What's in the Box
KM12VC Fixed and Plunge bases with Motor, 1/2-inch collet chuck, 1/4-inch collet chuck, seven template guides, lock nut, centering gauge, 16-mm wrench, 23-mm wrench, 10-mm wrench, 4-mm hex-bar wrench, sub base (B), 10 hex socket HD bolt M5x10, and case.


Looking for specific info?

Product information

Technical Details

Additional Information

Warranty & Support

Amazon.com Return Policy:Amazon.com Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee: You can return many items you have purchased within 30 days following delivery of the item to you. Our Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee does not affect your legal right of withdrawal in any way. You can find out more about the exceptions and conditions here.
Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here. [PDF ]

Feedback

Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets

Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets


Found a lower price? Let us know. Although we can't match every price reported, we'll use your feedback to ensure that our prices remain competitive.

Where did you see a lower price?

Fields with an asterisk * are required

/
/
/
/
Please sign in to provide feedback.

Top Brand: Metabo HPT

Highly Rated
100K+ customers rate items from this brand highly
Trending
50K+ orders for this brand in past 3 months
Low Returns
Customers usually keep items from this brand

Important information

Bulb Voltage

120 volts

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
169 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the performance, value, and guide of the router power tool. They mention that it works well, it's a great product for the price, and that it comes in a very useful kit. Customers are impressed with the power of the motor and how quiet it is even under load. They are also satisfied with ease of use, noise, and speed. That said, opinions are mixed on quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

33 customers mention28 positive5 negative

Customers like the performance of the router power tool. They say it is very quiet, works well, and has operated without any defects. They also say the plunge base is easy to adjust and is a very good tool that allows quick and simple depth adjustment. Overall, customers are satisfied with the performance and value of the product.

"...can make a determination about its durability, but it operates thus far without any defects. I am not disappointed with this purchase...." Read more

"...I used a 3/4" roundover bit from MLCS, (also bought here)and it worked flawlessly. Plenty of power and the soft start feature is a must have...." Read more

"...Once I figured out how to get it installed the router works really well." Read more

"...price + Kit contains some very useful accessories + Works really well + Porter-cable baseplates/accessories appear to suit..." Read more

31 customers mention31 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value of the router power tool. They say it's a great product for the price, with amazing savings. Some reviewers also mention that the kit provides more features for little more cost. Overall, most are satisfied with the quality and performance of the product.

"...at Freud, but was turned off by the owner reviews, although the price was good (cheap)...." Read more

"...Positives: + Powerful motor + Affordable price + Kit contains some very useful accessories + Works really well + Porter..." Read more

"...Overall it is a lot of product for the money...." Read more

"Overall not bad for the money. I am a woodworker and my router had given out. I have a couple, but all for specific needs...." Read more

20 customers mention20 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the guide. They mention it's a very useful kit, with some very useful accessories. The tool is a welcome addition to their shop, and it works really well. The kit contains a good selection of template guides, as well as a set of guide bushings.

"...It also comes with a complete collar set, A CLEAR BASE, and a good array of accessories...." Read more

"...It actually lets you get a nice, tight grip on the bit that other collets don't allow for...." Read more

"...+ Powerful motor + Affordable price + Kit contains some very useful accessories + Works really well + Porter-cable..." Read more

"...Less flex it cuts nicer with the 1/2 any how. It does come with a template set that is a nice bonus but I have yet to use...." Read more

20 customers mention20 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the power of the router. They mention that it has good power, more than enough power to handle basic tasks, and is impressed with the motor's power. Some say that the router is accurate, quiet, and versatile. Overall, most are happy with the quality and performance of this router.

"...Overall the router is easy to use, has good power and runs very smoothly...." Read more

"...It is one of the best routers I have ever used. Its almost as good as my old Bosch. I dont think you can find a better deal right now...." Read more

"...Positives: + Powerful motor + Affordable price + Kit contains some very useful accessories + Works really well + Porter..." Read more

"...plenty of power. even running at lower RPM's with a large bit it keeps its speed and goes thru the work..." Read more

16 customers mention12 positive4 negative

Customers find the router easy to use. They say it's simple and quick to change between bases. They also say it works flawlessly and with minimal effort. Customers also mention that the directions that come with the router are okay, and seem to be written for experienced woodworkers. They appreciate the solid construction and the ease of installation into a router table. Overall, customers say the kit is high quality and perfect for beginners.

"...It is very simple and quick to change between bases too. I have not used it enough to say how well the repeat-ability of the depth stop will work...." Read more

"...3 tier system, the micro adjust was decent and the motor assembly attached quickly and easily...." Read more

"...The directions that come with the router are okay and seem to be written for the experienced woodworker, but pay close attention to what they are..." Read more

"...This is without a doubt the best and easiest to use router I have ever owned. I have always used Porter Cable or some other big name brand...." Read more

14 customers mention14 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the noise level of the router power tool. They mention that it is remarkably quiet and hums beautifully.

"...The self-start works well. The motor itself is relatively silent and very powerful...." Read more

"...this good parts :the tool is really quiet running which is great...." Read more

"...Initially I was impressed with the power of the motor, and with how quiet it was even under load...." Read more

"...to handle all of the basic routing needs that I have and the low noise level is a welcome relief from the high decibel scream of my old Craftsman..." Read more

14 customers mention10 positive4 negative

Customers like the speed of the router power tool. They say that it runs very smoothly, has good power, and the variable speed works great. The motor operates smoothly and quietly, and it keeps its speed and power with hardwoods. The slow-start feature helps keep the tool from wanting to fly out of the box. Customers also mention that the router has excellent performance for making drawers, and that the smoothly operating metal finish is convenient.

"...The adjustable speed is nice but I have only really used the higher settings...." Read more

"...The slow-start feature really helps keep the tool from wanting to fly out of your hand when you hit the power switch...." Read more

"UPDATE : about 1.5 years later, the speed control doesn't work. the router runs at a speed of about 1/3 from the lowest.. usable for now...." Read more

"...The soft start is a very nice touch and the variable speed works great. It is very simple and quick to change between bases too...." Read more

45 customers mention30 positive15 negative

Customers are mixed about the quality of the router power tool. Some mention it's a great heavy duty router that will take anything you throw at it, and is nicely made. However, others say that the accessories that came with it are very poor, of lesser quality, and functional. They also mention that the plastic is cheap and unfinished, with rough edges and scratches.

"...Both the plunge and fixed base seem pretty nicely made...." Read more

"...It went throught it like it was butter. Purpleheart is very hard wood and is very demanding when rounding over end grain...." Read more

"...problems paled in comparison to faulty switches and low power and faulty bases. Knowing what I know now I would make this purchase again...." Read more

"...This tool has a great 5 yr warranty and it seems well-built enough that it will easily outlast most tools I have in my garage...." Read more

Dismiss the bad reviews.
5 Stars
Dismiss the bad reviews.
So far I’ll give it 5 stars. There are a lot of complaints on the Internet about this router. The plunge base can stick if you don’t know what you’re doing. I’ve also read complaints about the power switch being black on a black background. Fixing that issue took about 6 seconds. Red electrical shrink tubing and a heat gun.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2008
This is the first plunge router I have used, I needed to get one to cut holes for some subwoofers I built. I shopped around the local suspects, Lowes, HD etc and none of them had anything decent in the price range I wanted to spend in. Of course there are better routers out there but unless your ready to drop a few hundred bucks on one then I think this is a great product. I read about others having problems with the collets. I have found once you loosen it, you need to keep unscrewing the nut and it will get tight again and you must loosen it past that second point THEN it will release the bits very easily.

Overall the router is easy to use, has good power and runs very smoothly. The other routers I have used were all your standard issue porter cable's and they do not run nearly as smooth. Also when I bought this router I thought "why would i care about a soft start?" even such a small thing as that makes it nice as the router doesnt want to jump out of your hand when you turn it on. The adjustable speed is nice but I have only really used the higher settings. Perhaps if different router bits came with a guide as to what kind of RPM they work with best it would be more useful.

The case is nice although the little compartment in there I throw all the cutting template thing in always opens and dumps them out. Both the plunge and fixed base seem pretty nicely made. Having never used a plunge base It took a little bit of reading the directions to figure out what all the levers and things were for. The directions are quite poor.

overall I wish I bought this a long time ago. There are so many things I didnt know you could do with a router that would have been handy. This seems like an excellent buy at $130 bucks with free shipping.
5 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2009
I own seven routers: Ryobi, Bosch 1619, DeWalt, PC 690 (3 and a D-handle), and have issues and appreciation for each one. I was looking for a 2-base router since none of my present routers have both.

Ryobi was my first router. It was not a very good tool. The plunge mechanism never worked smoothly or well and I never could get a 1/4" colet to retain a hold on the bit. In all fairness, this was 20 years ago and I'm sure they are much different now.

I looked at the Milwaukee, Triton, and Makita, which I will lump together. All are excellent routers and get good owner reviews. The router I eventually purchased received equal positive reviews from owners but was half the price. I saw no reason to spend the extra money on an equivalent tool.

I next looked at Bosch, although I'll never buy another Bosch router. Overall I like Bosch tools - I own Bosch jigsaws, movable table saws, drills, miter saws (2)and other Bosch power tools. The problem is that no other or third party accessories will fit my 1619! Bosch doesn't even make a clear base for their routers for heavens sake!!! I spoke with a Bosch rep at a woodworking show who said he couldn't understand why Bosch didn't offer one for purchase but I could always make one. Although I was looking at a 1617 model with two bases I read reviews where a number of people had problems with the on/off switch; something pretty basic. Can you imagine getting all set up, flip the switch and - nothing - even with a less than one-year old tool? Even worse, consider having a sharp blade spinning at over 20,000 RPM's and trying to hold it with one hand while fumbling with the plug?

I next looked at Freud, but was turned off by the owner reviews, although the price was good (cheap).

I waited to look at PC because I knew I would appreciate the quality; and all of my current attachments (templates, fences, centering guides, and even my CLEAR BASE, etc. would fit what I purchased. I knew I couldn't go wrong with another PC router. But PC routers with dual bases are in the price class with the Milwaukee, Triton, and Makita.

Out of curiosity I looked at the Hitachi, mainly because I am more than pleased with the three trouble-free Hitachi nail guns I own. All the specs looked OK and owner reviews had only minor complaints: needing two wrenches to change bits, lots of grease, sticking 1/2 inch bits in the Collette, and a hard time finding a guide fence. These problems paled in comparison to faulty switches and low power and faulty bases. Knowing what I know now I would make this purchase again. Two of the complaints I found unfounded: hard to remove bits, and no fence guide available. My Porter Cable fence fits like it was made for the Hitachi and by loosening the colet until it stops, returning the wrench and giving it a half a turn will allow you to finger loose and extract the bit easily. And, in addition, I found no excessive amount of grease on the tool. It also comes with a complete collar set, A CLEAR BASE, and a good array of accessories.

I suppose that what finally determined my purchase was the price - not the best reason for buying a power tool. Had I not purchased this I would have gone with the PC, because of my positive personal experience and the accessory question. My experience with the Hitachi has not left me disappointed. It is a solid tool, that performs as advertised. When I have used it for a year or so, then I can make a determination about its durability, but it operates thus far without any defects. I am not disappointed with this purchase. When Bosch figures out that everyone who buys a router needs a clear base and may not want to make one, and when its base plate has holes that line up with anything else found on the market - then I'll take them more seriously.

I really like my Hitachi as well as any of my other routers and consider its quality to be better than some and at least equivalent in operation and features to others. The price savings on this quality tool is only a bonus - not THE best reason for making this purchase! I now use the Hitachi and PC 690 almost exclussivly ... with use leaning more to the Hitachi since it has a plunge base AND the regular base of my 690. Having the 690's allows for leaving bits in the router (like for dovetailing) so my settings are the same each time, and the Hatachi gives me the extra plunge ability.

My only reason for 4 stars lies within my personality - I have a hard time finding anything perfect. . . maybe something will come up later?
57 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2009
I bought this Router kit from Amazon, six months ago and have used it in a ton of applications. It is one of the best routers I have ever used. Its almost as good as my old Bosch. I dont think you can find a better deal right now. It has all the features and as soon as you pick it up you know its for real. I used it the other day to cut holes for speakers in a 3/4" peice of Purpleheart that I am using as the baffle in a set of bookshelf speakers I am building. It went throught it like it was butter. Purpleheart is very hard wood and is very demanding when rounding over end grain. I used a 3/4" roundover bit from MLCS, (also bought here)and it worked flawlessly. Plenty of power and the soft start feature is a must have. At first it felt a little top heavy and slightly awkward but I realize now that it was just different from my bosch. So it was more me that the router. It is well balanced. Better than some I have tried.
Buy it!! You wont be dissapointed.
2 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2009
This is my first router but I checked out alot of other ones before deciding on this one. After doing a speaker building project with it I'm extremely pleased. The motor and plunge/fixed bases performed flawlessly for everything I needed to do and it has a great feel in my hand. As others have mentioned, the collet does require 2 wrenches to be turned counter to each other to tighten the bit down but its really no big deal. After finger tightening the collect most the way it only takes 2 seconds to tighten/untighten it the last bit using the wrenches and isn't awkward at all. It actually lets you get a nice, tight grip on the bit that other collets don't allow for. The slow-start feature really helps keep the tool from wanting to fly out of your hand when you hit the power switch. After working with MDF for a few days using this, I do wish it had some sort of dust collection system but nothing else I saw in this price range does so I don't count that against it.

If you're looking at less expensive routers and wondering if the extra money is worth for this one I'd say ABSOLUTELY. This tool has a great 5 yr warranty and it seems well-built enough that it will easily outlast most tools I have in my garage. It also comes with the plunge and fixed bases which comes in handy and will save you some money down the road if you need to switch bases.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Sergio
5.0 out of 5 stars Buena calidad de Router
Reviewed in Mexico on July 16, 2018
Llegó el día que me dijeron y esta en muy buenas condiciones, ya lo usé y todo muy bien, lo recomiendo