Hitachi M12VE/J6 1/2-inch Variable speed router

Product Information

The Hitachi M12VE Router is a powerful variable speed router with accurate depth adjustment for increased cutting effucency, soft start and adjustable handles for optimum comfort. Again, I have to prefix this with the fact that it's my first router, but it seemed pretty quiet to me (however, this was using ear defenders, which I strongly recommend for router work, along with safety glasses and a dust mask).

Nobody can tell you which router will feel best to you and the simple truth is they all work and none of them are perfect. It is also very heavy but that is only to be expected of a powerful tool so I can’t really complain about that. Unfortunately I don't have enough posts yet to reply to private messages, but I live in the Pac NW so the distance is unrealistic- but I really appreciate the offer.The Hitahci M12VE is a powerful variable speed router with accurate depth adjustment for increased cutting efficency, soft start and adjustable handles for optimum comfort. I can say that any tool I have ever tried by Hitachi performs well and they are usually good value for the money. We are currently experiencing substantial delays with Hitachi/HiKoki and Metabo spare parts due to the two brands merging warehouse. Whyat I have the MV12, actually two of them because I burned out the speed controller on one and now only use it with an aftermarket controller.

They mention it has plenty of power, is a great router, and looks and feels like a nice workhorse no-frills tool. The Hitachi M12V2 1/2" shank router has a powerful 2000 watt motor in 240v and 1570 watt in 110v, so is therefore able to deal with the most demanding of applications. When i couldn't get the bits to go fully into the collet, i thought maybe i was doing something wrong, and when one of the bits flew out of the machine when i tried to use it, i knew i had to ask an expert. Our sales and service team based in our Kilmarnock Trade centre have a combined experience of over 100 years in the trade and we are proud of the fact that we can provide a first class service and advice on any of our products whatever your requirements.

Not being a go-to machine for me, i lose sight of that between uses--but i don't think that's a common issue so that may not be a stopper either. I have a V2 that allows you to take the threaded rod out of gear by using a half round nut against it.

The carry case is impossible to pack the router back into, and,more importantly, the screws fixing the boss benefit from being replaced with machine screws: the ones supplied vibrate loose and can throw the boss. Its a 2 kW machine so it has the extra power when you need it, the layout of the switches seem fine, It's a solid bit of kit. It's not mentioned in the documentation, but this router does come with a 1/4" collet in addition to the 1/2" one fitted to the router. If you are not sure if you will be using a table or free hand try to imagine what you will be doing then decide if it can be done on a table.

Whyat, over the years there has been a lot of discussion about the Hitachi M12V routers, and to make matters difficult they used the M12 prefix on a 1-1/2 hp 1617 clone as well as the big 3-1/4 hp models. This may in part be due to the quality router bits I used (I recommend Wealden), but it still felt like it had bags of power. This is not what you want to be doing with expensive router bits (fortunately this was an old and well-used straight bit). Soft start to eliminate any small initial movement that might misalign the cutter, especially important with a router as powerful as the M12V2K.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. mgmine- I am planning on doing a lot of table work which is why I am leaning towards one of the higher power models.With fine height adjustment and a max plunge depth of 65mm the Hitachi M12V2 does boast impressive specification and doesn't disappoint.