Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router

> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge
Router?
> Appreciate hearing any comments.

It's reasonably priced for what you get. It's not as refined as some of the
other more expensive routers, but it's a powerful, reliable no-frills
workhouse. I've had one for a few years. The only qualm I have is that it
doesn't include a 1/4" collet, nor is one available (at least there were
none last time I checked). You can use 1/4" bits through the use of a
reducer bushing, but it's a mickey mouse approach and often results in
slippage and bit wander.

Brian,

Line up the slot in the 1/4" adapter with the slot in the 1/2" collet before
tightening and that should stop slippage. Until someone else pointed that
out to me I once had a 1/8" straight cutting bit come up through the work
and slice up the push block I was using! Glad it wasn't my hand.

Andy

"Brian in Vancouver, BC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "nevems2" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>>
>>
>> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge
>> Router? Appreciate hearing any comments.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Mike B
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
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>
> I love my Hitachi. I think it is the best value in a large plunge
> router. I have had no problems with the 1/4" bits slipping in the sleeve
> however I usually use 1/2" bits. My router came with a screw mechanism
> which allows fine-tuning the height when used in the router table.
> Although the process is slow, it works. The router also came with a
> 1/2" straight bit and an edge guide - at a price lower than the
> competition which didn't include these accessories. For me, it was no
> contest!
>
> Brian

Mike,

I liked mine so much I bought a second. One in the table and one on the
bench.

Andy

"nevems2" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge
> Router?
> Appreciate hearing any comments.
>
> Thanks
> Mike B
>
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>
>
> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router?
> Appreciate hearing any comments.
>
> Thanks
> Mike B


Mike,

I have one - love it. One of the best values in a table mounted router.

Rick, who uses his PC690 for hand held routing

I like mine. I keep it mounted in my router table.
Its noiser and may not have all the bells and
whistles of a Porter Cable, but for the price it
is a great router. Probably the best 3HP+
router to be had for the cost (Currently $159
from Amazon).

Joey
"nevems2" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge
> Router?
> Appreciate hearing any comments.
>
> Thanks
> Mike B
>
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

"nevems2" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
>
> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge
> Router? Appreciate hearing any comments.
>
> Thanks
> Mike B
>
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

I love my Hitachi. I think it is the best value in a large plunge
router. I have had no problems with the 1/4" bits slipping in the sleeve
however I usually use 1/2" bits. My router came with a screw mechanism
which allows fine-tuning the height when used in the router table.
Although the process is slow, it works. The router also came with a
1/2" straight bit and an edge guide - at a price lower than the
competition which didn't include these accessories. For me, it was no
contest!

Brian

"Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Brian,
>
> Line up the slot in the 1/4" adapter with the slot in the 1/2" collet
> before tightening and that should stop slippage. Until someone else
> pointed that out to me I once had a 1/8" straight cutting bit come up
> through the work and slice up the push block I was using! Glad it
> wasn't my hand.
>
> Andy
>
> "Brian in Vancouver, BC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "nevems2" <[email protected]> wrote in
>> news:[email protected]:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge
>>> Router? Appreciate hearing any comments.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Mike B
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
>>> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
>>> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
>>
>> I love my Hitachi. I think it is the best value in a large plunge
>> router. I have had no problems with the 1/4" bits slipping in the
>> sleeve however I usually use 1/2" bits. My router came with a screw
>> mechanism which allows fine-tuning the height when used in the router
>> table. Although the process is slow, it works. The router also came
>> with a 1/2" straight bit and an edge guide - at a price lower than
>> the competition which didn't include these accessories. For me, it
>> was no contest!
>>
>> Brian
>
>
>

Hey - you sent the reply to the wrong guy. I was just replying to the
original post. I DO line up the slots and I do NOT have slippage. But
then, I usually use 1/2" bits wherever available.

Brian

Go here for the BIG picture on that router:

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm

nevems2 wrote:

> Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router?
> Appreciate hearing any comments.
>
> Thanks
> Mike B
>
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 10:54:05 -0700, "nevems2" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Anyone have any experience with a Hitachi M12V 1/2" 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router?
>Appreciate hearing any comments.

Like others have said: Buy one immediately. Gut the springs out of
the plunger sleeves. Throw springs in trash. Put router in a router
table. Never take it out.

Imo, It's not very user friendly as a hand-held plunge router. The
plunge mechanism is the roughest I've used, it's loud, etc., etc...
It's a pig, but a very hard-working pig. :)

Do a google "groups-advanced" search on this router. There was a
lengthy thread here about 4 or 5 months ago. Also there are several
web sites out there showing shop-built improvements for it.

Ordered it yet? :)

Michael "Love mine!" Baglio

In article <[email protected]>,
"Andy" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Mike,
>
> I liked mine so much I bought a second. One in the table and one on the
> bench.
>
> Andy

I fabricate Solid Surface countertops, and have done so for the last 16
years. I have gone through 3 PC 3 1/2 HP production routers, I still
have 3 on the go and now I have added 3 M12V's.
(I also own a variety of smaller routers, less than 2 HP, my absolute
favourite being the Milwaukee 5615 BodyGrip, I use those for roundover
bits and small bevel bits etc.)
Dollar for dollar, there is nothing to talk about. Even using a 1 1/2"
full bullnose router bit (and THAT is a whopper) the Hitachi has a nice
soft start, maintains LOTS of power at low RPM's and not a problem yet.
The adjustments are crude, the baseplates were immediatly replaced with
1/2" Corian, 7" square.
The collet is NOT fun to undo when I use the built-in lock, so two
SnapOn wrenches it is...that works better.

Rob

[email protected]