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Hitachi M12V 3-1/4 HP Electronic Variable Speed 1/2-Inch Plunge Router
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List Price: $383.44
Our Price: $406.99
You Save: $ ( % )
Availability:
Manufacturer: Hitachi
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Tools & Hardware
Brand: Hitachi
EAN: 0717709000117
Feature: Powerful 15 amp motor
Label: Hitachi
Manufacturer: Hitachi
Model: M12V
Publisher: Hitachi
Studio: Hitachi
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Features
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Powerful 15 amp motor
Three-position side handle with easy-to-reach controls
Electronic dial-in variable-speed control
Multislide scale and scale index system
1 year warranty
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Truly a Beast, as Another Reviewer Calls It
Comment: I mounted this router in a table, using a Rousseau router plate. I have used the machine for some light molding and grooving over the last year, and it works very quietly and smoothly. You can't even tell the router is cutting under load. I just experimented with a couple 3 1/2 inch panel raising bits, today. My samples were 3/4" pine. I cut a cove pattern and an ogee pattern on two separate samples. Both profiles were cut in a single pass. You can tell the router is working hard, but it didn't bog down. My shop vac was providing chip collection while the router was operating. The router eventually needed all 15A, and 15A circuit breaker popped. For panel construction, I will definitely use 2 passes over the panel raising bit. I experienced no tear out on the cross grain cut, or the long side cut. This router is a great performer, from my perspective.
I noticed that many people recommend removal of the template guide tabs on this router. I did not remove the tabs, since the bottom surface of the panel raising bit is well above the template guide ears. The ears prevent the bit from being lowered from the table. But it is easy enough to remove the router from the table to change the bit.
If anyone can provide a reason why this practice may be unsafe, if indeed it is, I would be grateful to know about it. It seems that as long as the panel raising bit is well above the template ears, there should be no safety issue. I guess if you need to lower the bit below the table to change the bit, the template ears would definitely have to be removed. Thanks for any feedback you are willing to contribute on this. I'm no expert; just a pragmatist. I'm curious what more experienced woodworkers think about this.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Workshop cornerstone
Comment: As the majority of commenters have noted, this router is a workhorse (or team of oxen) that is an incredible value. It's variable speed and will plow through anything you throw at it. I've had mine a couple of years now and don't get a chance to use it nearly as much as I'd like, but thought I'd offer up some observations.
First, get the Router Raizer and the Xtreme Xtension. I cannot stress enough how useful these are. Let me elaborate. First, this is a big router. While it's awesome to have that kind of horsepower in your hands as a plunge router (the first time I used it, to put a bead on a shelf, I assumed something was wrong and it wasn't cutting, because I didn't feel or hear anything as it routed my profile), you're probably going to want to mount it in a table and leave it there.
Once in the table, the Router Raizer, for peanuts, makes raising and lowering this thing a piece of cake as you simply insert a wrench through the base plate and turn. Instead of taking minutes to adjust, it takes seconds, and it's all done above the table.
Regarding the Xtension, the thing I used to really have trouble with was changing bits. The M12V does not use two wrenches to loosen the collet. There's one wrench and a little sliding mechanism that you push in to lock one nut while you turn the other. But the mechanics of using one hand to push this latch while trying to pull/push hard with the other wrench to loosen the collet is awkward and sometimes ends with a wrench inadvertently flying. When mounted in a table, it was a bit easier in that I didn't have to secure the router itself, but it was awkward trying to work under the table. I found myself going way out of my way to plan my work to minimize bit changes, to a degree that led to paralysis by analysis. The Xtreme Xtension solves that because you install the Xtension and all of your bits are secured via a little allen screw, which you can tighten from above the table. Install a separate switch and you'll never have to monkey around under the table again.
Another thing to consider. This is a very heavy router. I made my own baseplate for mounting in a shop-made table out of 3/8" Lexan as I'd seen done elsewhere. Mistake. There's simply too much flex in the Lexan under the weight of this router. Invest in something more solid. There's work involved in making the Router Raizer work with your baseplate, and you're only going to want to do it once.
Finally, if you're going to mount this router in a table (and you probably should), take a few minutes to file off the template guide tabs so that the machine can accommodate large panel-raising bits.
All-in-all, the M12V is a fantastic value (if you can still find one). It'll handle all your table work like a champ. Get some quality 1/2" bits and have fun making chips!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Big green mean routing machine
Comment: First of all, I didn't buy this for hand use. I have used it a couple of time by hand and I don't know if I would want lug it around all day long. With that said, I mounted it in a table and proceeded to gobble up anything that I put in front of it. It is a monster, period. But that is where it really shines. It has the torque of a diesel engine, smooth as silk an fairly quiet running (for it's size and power). I love the soft start, so if you do use by hand, it doesn't want to jerk when you first start it up. After all it is the one that Marc Summerfield recommended for several years. Although it has gotten a little pricy since I bought mine a couple of years ago.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Beware: M12V is Great, but Discontinued. Got an M12V2 Instead
Comment: I ordered an M12V, but got an M12V2 because the router I ordered is discontinued (even though there was no mention of it anywhere). Amazon/Contractors Tools/Hitachi felt that substituting a $197 router for the $324 router I paid for was OK. Luckily, I was able to find an M12V router locally. I highly recommend one if you can find it. The M12V2 is more plastic and less ruggedly built, but the price is proportional, so it may not be a bad deal. I am now dealing with the mess of getting an RMA from the manufacturer because they shipped me something I didn't order. The router I received isn't actually shown on Contractors Tools' website, and now the image for the M12V router has been replaced by some combo kit, not the actual router image shown when I ordered it. I seriously looked at a Bosch 1619evs instead.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Hitachi rules
Comment: This router is everything you need in a large plunge router for a great price. I have two older hitachi routers as well as three of the newer m12v's and if these new ones last as long as the old ones I have, I'll have to will them to someone when I die.
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Editorial Reviews:
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18V, Cordless, Drill Kit, Includes: The New DV18DMR Cordless Drill, C18DMR Cordless Circular Saw, CR18DMR Cordless Reciprocating Saw, Universal Quick Charger, 2 3.0 AH Ni-MI Batteries, UB18DL Lantern & Ballistic Nylon Bag, Individual Tool Specs: C18DMR 18V, 6-1/2" Cordless Circular Saw, Blade Located On The Left Side For Improved Sight Of Cutting Path, Equipped With A 24 Tooth 6-1/2" Blade, Runs At 3,000 RPM, Features A Built In Spotlight For Better Visibility, CR18DMR 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw, Best In Class Stroke Length Of 1-1/8", Tool Less Blade Changing System, External Carbon Brush Access, 380W Of Output Power, DV18DMR 18 Volt Cordless Hammer Drill, Made With 2 Piece Rare Earth Magnets That Offer Greater Durability & Performance, Class Leading 550 In LBS Of Torque Allows You To Tackle Jobs Other Drills Can't, High Capacity 3.0 AH Ni-MI Batteries Saves Time By Providing Longer Run Time & Fewer Battery Changes, 3 Modes Of Operation Allow You To Drill, Drive & Hammer Drill.
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