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-> -> -> MTSHITM12V2 ->
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Hitachi M12v2 240v 1/2in Variable Speed Router in Moulded Case |
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Average Rating
5 of 5 Stars! |  |
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| Displaying 1 to 3 (of 3 reviews) |
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by Neil Tavaris |
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| 5 of 5 Stars! |
Date Added: Friday 09 March, 2012 |
| Firstly, my order was placed and the router was dispatched and received within 8 working hours - Thanks MTS! Secondly, I wasn\'t sure if the M12V2 would meet my needs. There are very few reviews to be found, and even Hitachi\'s own website lists only the basic spec without making any attempt to \"sell\" it to potential customers.
Because there might be others who would like to know more than just plain numbers, or what can be seen in the picture, I thought it may be helpful to leave a more detailed review.
Prior to purchasing, what did worry me was the review on Amazon.com (and duplicated on sawmillcreek.org) where the reviewer was scathing. Now that I have used the router, I can offer my own opinion about his complaints of the \"blatant defects and design faults\" which he listed in order of importance as:
1) Startup mechanical chatter. (Cobblers. Perhaps he had a faulty unit, but my one starts very smoothly and gets up to speed quickly without any drama.)
2) Collet nut problems. (I have had no such problems. Perhaps he had an old or faulty model.)
3) Height adjust mechanism jumps. (I have experienced this, but only when experimenting with settings, and making an adjustment of more than 1cm and it is not entirely clear how the height setting is affected.)
4) Depth stop bar comes away from the guide channel. (Again, cobblers. The bar cannot come loose even if the locking nut is removed and the router turned upside down.)
5) Height adjust knob vibrates loose. (Huh? Not on mine it doesn\'t)
The reviewer listed more negatives, but seeing as he returned the router without ever using it, it is difficult to understand how he came to his conclusions.
In my experience:
(Bearing in mind the M12V2 is a 2KW router, not a laminate trimmer.)
THE PROS:
(as a plunge router)
- Extremely well balanced, and disguises its 6Kg+ bulk very well. I have had no difficulties routing freehand or otherwise.
- Extremely smooth plunge mechanism with ideal strength return pressure.
- Excellent dust extraction setup. It is a single piece of plastic (unlike those found on some competitor machines), held firmly in place by one screw. It allows easy viewing of the work, and the view cannot be obscured by being \"fogged up\" with resin. It is not perfect, but in my opinion is a very smart design and does not reduce the extent of the plunge travel at all. (With some routers that I have used, putting the extractor adaptor on meant that the cage bashed against it before reaching the bottom of the travel.)
- Simple coarse depth setting. (The Hitachi has the type that I prefer i.e. one that allows the operator to lock the bit height at the surface of the stock, and to set the reading to zero and go from there. Personally I find it easier to then lay the router down on the work surface to make the adjustments.)
(as a table router)
- Easy height adjustment with the (included) knob.
- Plenty of power. Be sensible with the number of passes for deep cuts, and it handles them with no bother.
THE NEUTRALS:
- For the most part, the ergonomics are excellent, but some may not like the placement of the power switch, and on more than one occasion when being a bit clumsy, I have moved the speed setting wheel when reaching around to press the height lock lever. This is because the speed wheel is in quite a shallow recess.
- Although it works perfectly, the fine height adjustment procedure can take a bit of time to get used to, and (in my opinion) is not really intuitive. Once learned, it is easy to repeat, but reading the manual shows that the procedure is strangely difficult to describe. In addition, with no markings on the adjustment knob, I have found it useful to stick a white piece of tape on for reference. On the plus side, it is sturdy, and a reliable mechanism.
- The case has plenty of space, and a large compartment for sundry items (not just those included with the router). Unfortunately, the case is the size of a wheelie bin (well...a small suitcase).
- The parallel guide has quite short rails and although it has a good fine adjustment mechanism, it has no markings to gauge how far the fence will have moved.
- The depth stop marker is ok at the moment, but I am not convinced it will be alright in the longer term. To set the depth using the gauge, the marker is slid up or down the pole, and I don\'t reckon it will take a great deal of wear before it becomes flaky.
THE CONS:
For me, other than a pretty poor manual, there are no glaring faults. I understand that some people may not like the way the Hitachi is set up but I have found it to be really well thought out. I did have a Bosch GOF 900 CE, and thought about buying a new one, but the Hitachi was considerably cheaper, and has not disappointed me at all. |
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by frank whittle |
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| 5 of 5 Stars! |
Date Added: Friday 01 July, 2011 |
| Excellent product, have used hitachi routers for last 15 years and lastest model is as good if not better than previous models. Very pleased.!!!!!!!! |
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by Mark Williams |
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| 5 of 5 Stars! |
Date Added: Thursday 27 January, 2011 |
| I bought this router as a replacement for a freud 2000w that had lived mainly under the table. For the size and quality of the hitachi I consider the price I paid to be a good deal, this is a large and very powerful router and it comes in a big carry case, so you will need a nice big space in your cupboard when its not in use. In use the hitachi has a nice comfortable feel to it, the handles seem well designed and give good control also the on/off switch is well positioned. It starts up very smoothly and is quieter than the freud when running, the fine adjust works well and it is very easy to remove the fine adjuster knob when not needed. The plunge lock is pretty good too, it has an easy to use and effective spindle lock which makes changing cutters a breeze. The only negative I could for see is the styling may not appeal to everyone,personally I have no problem with it. So my verdict is , Great router at a very good price and for anyone looking for a good quality big 1/2\" router at a surprisingly good price they should seriously consider the M12v2. |
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| Displaying 1 to 3 (of 3 reviews) |
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