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Prior to receiving the router I fretted about whether or not to add a router lift and finally decided to wait and see how much of a hastle it would be to deal with under the table adjustment given the cost of most router lifts. I've been using this router regularly for the past two years and the height adjustment using this method has always performed flawlessly, and it didn't cost me a thing. But if you're looking for a work-horse for your router table, I would give this one my highest recommendation. My wife bought the router for me 2 years ago for christmas. I've never used this router other than in my router table, so I can't comment on some of the problems others have encounterted.
I got it as a dedicated router for a router table cabinet I was adding to my table saw. As I removed the sub-base to attach the router to the table insert, I noticed a lock nut on the bottom of the height adjustment shaft. I turned the nut using a socket wrench (sorry, don't remember what size) and it seemed to turn the height adjustment shaft easily. I figured I had nothing to lose, so drilled a hole in the phenolic router table insert large enough to slip the socket through to make above the table adjustments.
As others have noted there are some plastic parts that are a little disappointing, but none of mine have broken so far. It may not have the fit and finish of some of the far more expensive routers, but around 200, its price/ features cant be beat, and seeing that I paid much less for mine, I am quite happy. The dust collection is a nice feature, but doesnt work as well as it could. Ill start by saying that I have 2 of these and one 2 base Hitachi kit (KM12VC) and am very pleased with all of them. I have one mounted and the other for freehand use. Watch for a sale that occurs quite often, I got the second one for less than 135 delivered, unbeatable for a 3 1/4 HP router. The edge guide seems very high quality, but the 1/2 inch collet seems a little thin walled, although I have not noticed the chatter that others have.
I purchased the M12v2 for a 2nd router assuming it would be as capable as its predecessor. In the M12V these are metal and are easily removed.6) Very heavy. Once this happens the sleeve is very difficult to remove from the spindle opening.2) The height adjust is controlled by a lever to select screw (using the knob/shaft) or free slide for course height. I will be purchasing another manufacturer's 3 hp router after this experience.
Much more heavy and cumbersome then the M12V. 1) The tightening sleeve in the locking collet nut will not lock in place inside the nut as its designed and when a bit is inserted the sleeve breaks loose from the nut and is pushed to the bottom of the spindle opening not allowing the bit to be tightened. 5) There are dowels inserted into the center of of height tension springs to prevent them from full collapse. It should soft start smoothly with no mechanical chatter.3) The height stop bar, if fully retracted will offset from its guiding slot and then recess into the side of the router. This occurred consistently with only turning on and off the router and never actually cutting wood. For reference I have used the Hitachi M12V for years and it is a wonderful router.
I have listed problems below and attempted a general order of importance first to last. When the lever is engaged into the threads to use the screw adjust, the height will often suddenly slip as if the gears are not fully engaged.2) When the unit 1st starts it chatters and growls for a 1/2 second. When the springs are removed for table mounting, the dowels remain loosely in the shaft and cannot be easily removed. The shaft will then vibrate off during the first few seconds of vibration. It has several defects and design faults that were so blatant I returned the unit without ever using it. This is with or without the collet installed and at the lowest or fastest speed and in or out of table mount.
14 vs 12lbs.7) I bought this for commonality with the M12V but even the hole pattern in the plate is different. The shaft then has to be manipulated with a screwdriver to return it to position.4) The height adjust shaft/knob is attached by pushing the shaft over a recepticle with rubber o-rings to hold it in place.
In one day , the first da the plastic on the fine adjustment broke and stripped, right now it is in an company approved repair shop. I am really discussed.Michael DiCastro
This is my first router and I love it. I have used several other routers, but this one is better than the others I have used.
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