Should I get this Hitachi router or hold off...

[Erech Myers]

...for a nicer router? I currently have an old Skil plunge router from the mid 90's that has roughly 1 1/2 hp. It only holds 1/4 shank bits. I also just purchased the Triton 3 1/4 hp, but it will be mounted under a table.

I was planing on waiting until I could afford the Milwaukee Body Grip 2 1/4 hp router combo ($240), but I found a good price on this Hitachi 2 1/4 hp router kit ($99, see link). It seems to get good reviews for the price.

So here is the question...should I get the Hitachi or hold off a while until I can afford the Milwaukee? Does anyone on here have experience with either or both?

http://www.toolbarn.com/product/hitachi/KM12VC/

[J. Z. Guest]

Eric,

I'd hold off for the Milwaukee, personally. The Skil will get you through until then, and Milwaukee NEVER disappoints. My hat is off to them for not lowering their standards when everyone else has.

Edit: I seem to remember reading somewher that the Hitachi is a great router, but that it goes through motor brushes pretty quickly. Did you read the amazon reviews on it yet?

[Matt Wolboldt]

I have the Hitachi set, and the only problem I have had is that I sometimes the router bit seems to slide a bit. I don't know if I'm not making sure that it is tight, or a problem with the collet, but it only happens occasionally.

[Joe Mioux]

The old Hitachi M12v is a great router. I have no reason to doubt that this one is as well.

The thing I don't like about it, is that it looks like a atheletic shoe.

tools shouldn't look like toys or tennis shoes

just my .005cents worth ;)

Joe

[scott spencer]

That's really a call you'll have to make depending on how badly you need the new router. It's always nice to get what you had your heart set on, but if you need it now, you need it now.

I had the 5615 BodyGrip and loved the way it felt for handuse. I sold it to get a 5625 but I still miss it.... :(

[Bob Hallowell]

I have that set and love it, my bits have never moved.

Bob

[Marc Prudhomme]

Has anyone tried the rigid router Kit?I have been looking at it and am interested

[Mike McCann]

I have that router set up I like it alot. Also the bases are set up exactly like porter cable.

[Jim Andrew]

I have the same Hitachi router set, like it very well. Mounted it to a plate and use it in a table. No blade movement on mine. Think Hitachi tools are not getting the respect they deserve.

[Erech Myers]

Eric,

I'd hold off for the Milwaukee, personally. The Skil will get you through until then, and Milwaukee NEVER disappoints. My hat is off to them for not lowering their standards when everyone else has.

Edit: I seem to remember reading somewher that the Hitachi is a great router, but that it goes through motor brushes pretty quickly. Did you read the amazon reviews on it yet?

Yes, I read the reviews on Amazon and a few others. It seems to be a good router that is great for the money. A few people have had complaints about things like the bit slipping, the motor being a little high, etc., but mostly good reviews.

I'm with you on the Milwaukee, but there is one main reason I hesitate to wait. I have so many other tools I need/want that it may end up being a year or two or longer before I can spend almost $250 on a router. :confused:

[Erech Myers]

The old Hitachi M12v is a great router. I have no reason to doubt that this one is as well.

The thing I don't like about it, is that it looks like a atheletic shoe.

tools shouldn't look like toys or tennis shoes

just my .005cents worth ;)

Joe

I grew up in the Air Jordan era, so I'm kind of partial to athletic shoes. ;) Besides, the bright colors help your significant other find you when you are covered in dust!

[Erech Myers]

Has anyone tried the rigid router Kit?I have been looking at it and am interested

If you're going to spend $200 on a router kit, you may want to take a close look at the Milwaukee Body Grip kit. I'm going strictly off of reviews, but it seems to be the best.

[Erech Myers]

If you don't mind me asking, for those of you who have the Hitachi kit, what did you pay for it? Or better yet, $99 is a pretty good price for it, correct?

[brad kellner]

i have a buddy that bought the hitachi router not too long ago and he wasnt too pleased with it. he did what your talking about doing and bought it becuase it was on sale somewhere dirt cheap. and hanging out in his shop doing more drinking than working we did have a nice drunken stuper about the graghix on their tools. i never had many routers i had an old bd plunge that the hieght lock slipped gradually while using it. sold it and bought a pc690 when lowes was selling off some old stock, got it brand new in the box un opened for 40 bucks along with a pc 557 plate joiner (display modle) for 40 bucks also. i really liked the 690 but having to buy a speed box sucked. i usually keep an eye on ebay and bought an 890 and just about an hour ago bought a brand new milwaukee 5625 for 250 out the door with 5yr warrantee. i was reading up on this router and from the sounds of the features on it, it looks like it will burry the pc7518. atleast from what the features on it say. i know what made me buy it was the hieght adjustment and no need for a router lift with it either.

i would say if you really want a good router wait and buy a good router. hitachi makes weekend warrior tools in my opinion, you would be better off going with a professional brand name like porter cable, bosch, milwaukee. (dewalt is not a pro quality tool so i didnt include it) all of them are known for making pro quality tools. and it is always better to get what you really want than to have to make due with something you dont want.

[Erech Myers]

I have that router set up I like it alot. Also the bases are set up exactly like porter cable.

The fact that it has a base like the PC is an excellent point. It should make it easy to find accessories. :) I'm starting to lean towards getting it.

Do you think $99 is a good price for it?

[Erech Myers]

i have a buddy that bought the hitachi router not too long ago and he wasnt too pleased with it. he did what your talking about doing and bought it becuase it was on sale somewhere dirt cheap. and hanging out in his shop doing more drinking than working we did have a nice drunken stuper about the graghix on their tools. i never had many routers i had an old bd plunge that the hieght lock slipped gradually while using it. sold it and bought a pc690 when lowes was selling off some old stock, got it brand new in the box un opened for 40 bucks along with a pc 557 plate joiner (display modle) for 40 bucks also. i really liked the 690 but having to buy a speed box sucked. i usually keep an eye on ebay and bought an 890 and just about an hour ago bought a brand new milwaukee 5625 for 250 out the door with 5yr warrantee. i was reading up on this router and from the sounds of the features on it, it looks like it will burry the pc7518. atleast from what the features on it say. i know what made me buy it was the hieght adjustment and no need for a router lift with it either.

i would say if you really want a good router wait and buy a good router. hitachi makes weekend warrior tools in my opinion, you would be better off going with a professional brand name like porter cable, bosch, milwaukee. (dewalt is not a pro quality tool so i didnt include it) all of them are known for making pro quality tools. and it is always better to get what you really want than to have to make due with something you dont want.

Thanks Brad. Did he say what about the router made him not pleased? Did he just not like the way it functioned or did something specific happen?

[Bob Hallowell]

I paid $119 with free shipping from amazon over a year ago. People can say what they want about it but it works great. I plan on buy another.

Bob

[Rocky Ragano]

I have that model Hitachi and I am very pleased with it's performance. Its noise level rating is really good.

The price of $99 for the router and plunge option is a good one, although I think the stated retail price of $316 is a bit high.

[Maurice Ungaro]

A few people have had complaints about things like the bit slipping

Remember folks....when installing router bits, seat them to the bottom of the collet, THEN pull the bit out abouth 3/16ths to 1/8th of an inch. Failure to do so will cause the bit to slip, as the collet has no hold on it - I don't care what router you use.

[Andy Haney]

I think it is a heckuva buy, but for hand-held use I've found soft start to be a significant plus. I saw no mention of that in the specs. For those of you who own one...is it difficult to hold onto when you turn it on?

Andy

[Mike McCann]

99 is a very good price for the this router. The only time I saw it cheaper was on ebay for 89.

[Bart Leetch]

Does this router have a dust control hook up?

[Erech Myers]

Does this router have a dust control hook up?

I don't think there is dust collection.

So that makes two things, no soft start and no dust collection...hmmm...:confused:

[Bart Leetch]

Erech Myers

Thanks I think I'll buy or make my own for my PC690

[Travis Gauger]

I don't think there is dust collection.

So that makes two things, no soft start and no dust collection...hmmm...:confused:


I do have this router. I would have replied quiker but I just acted on the deal and bought a backup. I have this mounted in a jess em master lift in my table saw. It has the same motor body diameter of a makita 1100. I also have a makita 1100, a PC 694, 2 older rockwells, a bosch colt, an older b&d industrial, and now another Hitachi. I love this router. I'm not a big fan of the colors, but when it's in my lift you can't see it anyways. I burned out my makita while doing some raised panels and couldn't get a replacement for it at the time. I found out that this one would fit the lift so I bought it and it has been getting abused in that lift ever since. No complaints at all for this router and the bases. I haven't actually used the fixed base yet, but here are a few pictures from the plunge base in action.

I would suggest that you buy this at $99. Heck, I just did. I also shot the link off to a buddy who is looking for a router kit right now too. I'm sure he's going to get it too. I paid $189 for the kit at lowes right around x-mas time. Sounds like I get took on the price, but I needed a router at that exact moment in time. Not in three days or ? I have been very impressed with the tool. As far as it not being a "Professional" tool, I disagree whole heartedly. My Hitachi is seeing about 5 good hours of use per day since I bought it and more on the weekends. Before the Hitachi I had a makita in there. I went thorugh three makita motors in 4 months. The hitachi has not failed yet. That is the reason to buy another one for me. I know that it is just a matter of time before I burn this one out, and now I have a ready replacement.

If you have any other questions let me know. I personally reccomend this product and use it everyday. I beat on this tool too. It is not getting babied in my shop. The pictures shows it making some table legs in White Oak. I was routing a 2 1/2" deep grove in three passes with a half inch bit. My PC 694 would stall in this setting.

here are a few more corrections.

Router does have soft start. and is one of the quietest that I have used.

Router does not have dust collection built on.

PC Base does not relate to Hitachi motor, but the Bases plates mounting is the same.

Standard PC guides will bolt right in to the hitachi base plate.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=78986

here is a link to the weekend thread that has the pictures of the router in action. I guess you can't load the same picture on two threads. But you can still see it in the pictures on the above thread. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'll try to help.

[Stephen Edwards]

I have this router kit and I like it fine. It's a good basic router for the money.

[Jerome Hanby]

I have that kit and payed more than that on EBay for a good condition used one. Mine has done everything I've asked of it, in table or in hand. My fixed base stays bolted to my extension wing on the table saw and I use the plunge for everything else. If shipping is halfway reasonable, I'd jump on it!

[John Hain]

I have that router and love it. No slippage.

That's the sale price that comes around a couple times per year. They make a variable speed for about 30 bucks more.

EDIT: Oops, that is the variable speed. You won't find a better price. I'd jump on that with the performance I've received from mine.

[Erech Myers]

I do have this router. I would have replied quiker but I just acted on the deal and bought a backup. I have this mounted in a jess em master lift in my table saw. It has the same motor body diameter of a makita 1100. I also have a makita 1100, a PC 694, 2 older rockwells, a bosch colt, an older b&d industrial, and now another Hitachi. I love this router. I'm not a big fan of the colors, but when it's in my lift you can't see it anyways. I burned out my makita while doing some raised panels and couldn't get a replacement for it at the time. I found out that this one would fit the lift so I bought it and it has been getting abused in that lift ever since. No complaints at all for this router and the bases. I haven't actually used the fixed base yet, but here are a few pictures from the plunge base in action.

I would suggest that you buy this at $99. Heck, I just did. I also shot the link off to a buddy who is looking for a router kit right now too. I'm sure he's going to get it too. I paid $189 for the kit at lowes right around x-mas time. Sounds like I get took on the price, but I needed a router at that exact moment in time. Not in three days or ? I have been very impressed with the tool. As far as it not being a "Professional" tool, I disagree whole heartedly. My Hitachi is seeing about 5 good hours of use per day since I bought it and more on the weekends. Before the Hitachi I had a makita in there. I went thorugh three makita motors in 4 months. The hitachi has not failed yet. That is the reason to buy another one for me. I know that it is just a matter of time before I burn this one out, and now I have a ready replacement.

If you have any other questions let me know. I personally reccomend this product and use it everyday. I beat on this tool too. It is not getting babied in my shop. The pictures shows it making some table legs in White Oak. I was routing a 2 1/2" deep grove in three passes with a half inch bit. My PC 694 would stall in this setting.

here are a few more corrections.

Router does have soft start. and is one of the quietest that I have used.

Router does not have dust collection built on.

PC Base does not relate to Hitachi motor, but the Bases plates mounting is the same.

Standard PC guides will bolt right in to the hitachi base plate.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=78986

here is a link to the weekend thread that has the pictures of the router in action. I guess you can't load the same picture on two threads. But you can still see it in the pictures on the above thread. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'll try to help.

Thanks Travis, you just put me over the top. I'm glad to know it has the soft start. I was leaning towards getting it, but I had set my heart on the Milwaukee a while back. But for that price, I'm getting a router that will do everything the Milwaukee can do (minus dust collection), and should last me a long time since I'm just a weekend hobbiest. Plus, I can put that other $130 towards the many other tools I need! :D

[Jason White]

I've seen these on the Lowe's "closeout" table for as little as $50. Don't remember if they came with the plunge base, though.

That's a pretty good price, so I'd grab it if price is a major issue. Otherwise, I can't say enough good things about my Bosch 1617EVSK. Paid twice as much. However, it came with a bunch of nice accessories (edge guide, dust collection shrouds, etc.). Sears still has a few of these with the "Craftsman" label on them on closeout for around $120 or so. You'll have to visit a few stores and dig around to find them, though.

Jason


...for a nicer router? I currently have an old Skil plunge router from the mid 90's that has roughly 1 1/2 hp. It only holds 1/4 shank bits. I also just purchased the Triton 3 1/4 hp, but it will be mounted under a table.

I was planing on waiting until I could afford the Milwaukee Body Grip 2 1/4 hp router combo ($240), but I found a good price on this Hitachi 2 1/4 hp router kit ($99, see link). It seems to get good reviews for the price.

So here is the question...should I get the Hitachi or hold off a while until I can afford the Milwaukee? Does anyone on here have experience with either or both?

http://www.toolbarn.com/product/hitachi/KM12VC/

[Jack Briggs]

Do you think $99 is a good price for it?


Yes. I saw the same at Woodcraft last month for $139, which I thought was a good buy then.

Toolbarn are good folks, too. I bought parts for my TR12 from them recently and their customer service was top-notch. Changed bearings and brushes in my 20 yr. old TR12 and hope to get another 10 years or more out of it.

[Erech Myers]

Yes. I saw the same at Woodcraft last month for $139, which I thought was a good buy then.

Toolbarn are good folks, too. I bought parts for my TR12 from them recently and their customer service was top-notch. Changed bearings and brushes in my 20 yr. old TR12 and hope to get another 10 years or more out of it.

Thanks Jack, glad to know that about Toolbarn. I had never heard of them before, so that was another small hesitation.

For those curious, I did purchase it last night. :D Thanks for all the input! I could have just purchased it a few days ago without all the input, but this made it much more exciting! ;)

[Travis Gauger]

Thanks Jack, glad to know that about Toolbarn. I had never heard of them before, so that was another small hesitation.

For those curious, I did purchase it last night. :D Thanks for all the input! I could have just purchased it a few days ago without all the input, but this made it much more exciting! ;)


You won't be disappointed. I forwarded a link for this thread to afew people. As of this morning, I had replies from 11 different people that have went out and bought the same deal from tool barn. This unit comes with a nice case, both bases, 3 sub bases, 6 or 8 different sized rub collars, an alignment tool, wrenches, collets, etc. You are really getting a lot for the money. When my second one of these comes I will have 7 routers all together in the shop. The hitachi bases are going to get setup for specific jigs and uses. Dovetail jig, Big Trammel, Mortising jig, etc.

[Robert Strebler]

If you don't mind me asking, for those of you who have the Hitachi kit, what did you pay for it? Or better yet, $99 is a pretty good price for it, correct?

I have the kit and have found that it's a very good kit. I'm extremely happy with it. I paid $140 for mine and thought I got a screaming deal. The price was around $180-$200 at most places when I bought it.

For $99, it's a no brainer. It would be hard to find a better value.