Comments on: Reader Finds: Hitachi’s M12V Plunge Router http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:34:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Michael http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-23900 Michael Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:39:34 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-23900 Missed this entry until I saw the link on the Masonry saw entry. I used a M12V2 at my friend's cabinet shop recently. I'm not a fan of the "Aggressive Design", but the router was more than pleasurable to use. It was a lot quieter than the P.C.'s I've used and was definitely powerful enough. I don't think I'll need to be replacing my Bosch anytime soon, but if I had too I would look into replacing it with a Hitachi. Hitachi spent some time insuring that the router was easy and comfortable to use. Missed this entry until I saw the link on the Masonry saw entry.

I used a M12V2 at my friend’s cabinet shop recently. I’m not a fan of the “Aggressive Design”, but the router was more than pleasurable to use. It was a lot quieter than the P.C.’s I’ve used and was definitely powerful enough. I don’t think I’ll need to be replacing my Bosch anytime soon, but if I had too I would look into replacing it with a Hitachi. Hitachi spent some time insuring that the router was easy and comfortable to use.

]]> By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Finds: Hitachi’s New 4″ Dry-Cut Masonry Saw http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-23352 Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Finds: Hitachi’s New 4″ Dry-Cut Masonry Saw Sun, 18 Feb 2007 18:39:38 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-23352 [...] After all the positive comments on Hitachi’s very-powerful-for-the-price-point router last week, we thought you might want to check out their new 4″ dry-cut masonry saw.  It features an 11.6 AMP (!) motor that spins the blade at a no-load 11,500 RPM to plow through tile, marble, granite, brick, and such. [...] [...] After all the positive comments on Hitachi’s very-powerful-for-the-price-point router last week, we thought you might want to check out their new 4″ dry-cut masonry saw.  It features an 11.6 AMP (!) motor that spins the blade at a no-load 11,500 RPM to plow through tile, marble, granite, brick, and such. [...]

]]> By: Chris Murray http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20943 Chris Murray Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:04:43 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20943 Hitatchi tools are underrated in my opinion. My brother (a contractor) has this router and uses it everyday, and it takes a lot of abuse. Anybody who purchases this router will be very happy with it. Hitatchi tools are underrated in my opinion. My brother (a contractor) has this router and uses it everyday, and it takes a lot of abuse.

Anybody who purchases this router will be very happy with it.

]]> By: Paul http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20897 Paul Sun, 11 Feb 2007 20:20:15 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20897 Well I will say this about this router, the biggest beef people seem to have with this model is the ears inside the opening to accept collars limits bits to something like 2 1/2" which limits the use of some panel rasing bits. But in class these routers are so cheap that you can buy one to dedicate to your router table and just cut the ears out. I think I paid $169 for mine. This unit is variable speed with soft start. It does have some heft, but that just makes it more stable in operation for me. Hitachi makes everything from transistors to track hoes and this router feels like an industrial tool blending that range to me. Lots of tools I see the horsepower rating aod think to my self, yeah right, I have no doubts about Hitachi's rating for the M12V. But it is all usable power, I use my router mainly for hand routing signs. If there is a more challenging router application I have yet to run into it. I've heard that before Porter Cable sponsered their show the Rosenthals used the Hitachi on their TV show The Router Workshop. Watching the Rosenthals you'd think that all you need in order to work wood is a router. Routers are essential woodworking tools and the 1/2" plunge is the type of router you want. Hitachi is the least expensive quality tool in its class. I bought other routers before I bought my Hitachi, I feel that I am done buying routers now. And it is not that the other routers are doing something, but that the Hitachi is doing all that I need a router to do. Well I will say this about this router, the biggest beef people seem to have with this model is the ears inside the opening to accept collars limits bits to something like 2 1/2″ which limits the use of some panel rasing bits. But in class these routers are so cheap that you can buy one to dedicate to your router table and just cut the ears out. I think I paid $169 for mine.

This unit is variable speed with soft start. It does have some heft, but that just makes it more stable in operation for me. Hitachi makes everything from transistors to track hoes and this router feels like an industrial tool blending that range to me. Lots of tools I see the horsepower rating aod think to my self, yeah right, I have no doubts about Hitachi’s rating for the M12V.

But it is all usable power, I use my router mainly for hand routing signs. If there is a more challenging router application I have yet to run into it. I’ve heard that before Porter Cable sponsered their show the Rosenthals used the Hitachi on their TV show The Router Workshop.

Watching the Rosenthals you’d think that all you need in order to work wood is a router. Routers are essential woodworking tools and the 1/2″ plunge is the type of router you want. Hitachi is the least expensive quality tool in its class. I bought other routers before I bought my Hitachi, I feel that I am done buying routers now. And it is not that the other routers are doing something, but that the Hitachi is doing all that I need a router to do.

]]> By: Mark http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20891 Mark Sun, 11 Feb 2007 19:45:31 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20891 Looks like a good deal compared to Porter Cable. Has soft-start and variable speed. I see that Hitachi has an array of routers now: http://www.hitachipowertools.com/store_list.php?&iDepartmentID=61&arrPath=1,12,61, As noted, the M12V shown above is now being upgraded (replaced) by the M12V2 with the signature "aggressive design." I'd stay away from the single speed M12SA2. It is nice to be able to dial down the speed. Hitachi also has fixed/plunge base kits in lower horsepower. I'm surprised that they do not have the 3.25 hp in a fixed base style. It is easier to use the fixed base in a router table. I've never owned a Hitachi tool, but one of our local, high quality, woodworking stores carries many of their products and recommends their sliding compound miter saw above all others. Looks like a good deal compared to Porter Cable. Has soft-start and variable speed. I see that Hitachi has an array of routers now: http://www.hitachipowertools.com/store_list.php?&iDepartmentID=61&arrPath=1,12,61,

As noted, the M12V shown above is now being upgraded (replaced) by the M12V2 with the signature “aggressive design.” I’d stay away from the single speed M12SA2. It is nice to be able to dial down the speed. Hitachi also has fixed/plunge base kits in lower horsepower. I’m surprised that they do not have the 3.25 hp in a fixed base style. It is easier to use the fixed base in a router table.

I’ve never owned a Hitachi tool, but one of our local, high quality, woodworking stores carries many of their products and recommends their sliding compound miter saw above all others.

]]> By: Jeff T http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20683 Jeff T Sun, 11 Feb 2007 04:48:51 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20683 I saw some of these on eBay for like $150 a few months ago. Either way, that is inexpensive for a name-brand 3.25HP router. That thing probably has some serious b*lls. I saw some of these on eBay for like $150 a few months ago. Either way, that is inexpensive for a name-brand 3.25HP router. That thing probably has some serious b*lls.

]]> By: nrChris http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20661 nrChris Sun, 11 Feb 2007 04:16:31 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/10/reader-finds-hitachis-m12v-plunge-router/#comment-20661 I had the opportunity to play with some of the shop model P.C. routers the other day. Really heavy compared to my Craftsman, the guys in the cabinet shop swear by them. It was definitely a pleasure to use, but I can get by with a $100 router. The other day while in Lowes, the clerk came up to me while I was ogling a $200 base model regular base PC router, the clerk took the price tag and added a clearance sticker, new price $80. I decided to buy one, but the same clerk went on to tell me that the floor model was the only one in the store and they've been sold out for quite a while. Some deal, huh. I had the opportunity to play with some of the shop model P.C. routers the other day. Really heavy compared to my Craftsman, the guys in the cabinet shop swear by them. It was definitely a pleasure to use, but I can get by with a $100 router.

The other day while in Lowes, the clerk came up to me while I was ogling a $200 base model regular base PC router, the clerk took the price tag and added a clearance sticker, new price $80. I decided to buy one, but the same clerk went on to tell me that the floor model was the only one in the store and they’ve been sold out for quite a while. Some deal, huh.

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