Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets

This 1/2-inch router kit from Hitachi is built to handle all the precise groove cutting, chamfering, trimming, shaping and pattern cutting that a detail-oriented professional requires. Tough, powerful, and ready to work, the KM12VC comes with both plunge and fixed base attachments. These bases attach easily to the motor and detach with a simple release clamp for quick, tool-free changes that keep workflow interruptions to a minimum.
Ergonomically placed handles and easy-to-use depth dial ensure control and accuracy.
The 11 amp, 2-1/4-horsepower motor routs clean lines through all types of wood with control and precision. This powerful motor has the lowest noise level in its class (only 80 dB), and less noise means less vibration -- not to mention a more pleasant working environment.
The KM12VC also features a steady, secure electronic speed control to maintain constant RPM even as the workload varies, and a durable nickel-plating to help guarantee smooth cutting depth adjustment and a permanent resistance to scratches and stains. Packed with high-end convenience features and presented in a sleek, aggressively ergonomic design, this set offers modern style and advanced technology in one exceptional kit.



Technical Details

* Plunge and fixed base router kit with 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets
* 2-1/4-horsepower, 11 amps; variable speed (8,000 to 24,000 rpm)
* Nickel-plated motor housing for smooth depth adjustments
* Includes plunge and fixed base router; 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch collet chucks, template guide adaptor, centering gauge, sub-base plate, 3 wrenches
* 5-year warranty

Customer feedback:

1. The motor is a work of art. It is so smooth and quiet compared to many routers. As sound is a product of vibration, I tend to think that a router that is quiet and powerful at the same time is going to be more precise and smooth than a loud and powerful one. It's true that you have to use 2 wrenches to loosen the collet, but I feel more confident in its durability than a locking collet (as noted by another reviewer).
I really think this the best 2 1/4 HP router combo on the market. Yes, even better than the old vanguards like Porter Cable and Bosch. It doesn't hurt that it is also a bit cheaper than most. Now if Hitachi would make a D-handle and include the edge guide in the package, then it truly would be the perfect router. But even without those, I still highly recommend this router, whether you buy it with the combo or just the fixed base.

2. The first thing that I noticed about this router is how solid it is. The motor is surprisingly hefty for its size. I love the ease at which I can switch from the fixed base to the plunge base. The soft start is smooth and yet powerful. One of the things that made me decide on this Hitachi was the fact that I was constantly seeing it being used in the background of woodworking magazine article photos as well as on the covers and in advertisements for different products related to routers. The base locks are a breeze to use, they hold tight and are easily adjustable. I would have been satistied had I paid even more for it regardless of the free palm sander which is also a fine piece of equipment. It is true that it takes two wrenches to loosen the Collette but that is a give and take situation.