Product Description2-1/4 HP Motor, Fixed Base Router, Powerful 11 Amp, To Route Through Hardwoods, 2 Stage Motor Release Clamp For Accurate Depth Adjustments & Base Changes, Nicklel Plated Motor Housing For Smooth Depth Adjustments, Electronic Speed Control To Maintain Constant RPM's Even As Load Varies, Lightweight At 7.3 LBS, Includes: 1/2" Collet Chuck, 1/4" Collet Chuck, Template Guide Adapter, Centering Guage, Sub Base Plate, Wrenches: 16MM & 23MM, 4MM Hex Bar Wrench, 5 Year Warranty.
Only one thing (Rating: 4 out of 5) I really like this tool. It has accepted a Porter Cable accessory and probably will others. The one thing, it is Chinese, although its name lead me to think Japanese. It works in the Bosch router table. I'm happy, almost completely.
Hitachi router (Rating: 4 out of 5) Good price for a good quality router. Light weight and controls are easy to use and access.
A cautionary note (Rating: 3 out of 5) I bought this router during a promotion about a year ago. I figured for the price, I couldn't go too wrong. I use this router mounted in my router lift with good results. Positive experience echos that of many other reviews. However, I do need to sound a couple notes of caution:
1. I've had some problems with the collet(s) releasing bits. The design seems a little odd, and Its a struggle releasing some bits without damaging the collet jaws. For best results, be sure you don't fully seat the router bit. If you have problems with the bit releasing, tap it in before removing the bit.
2. Buried in the manual, just before it turns to French, owners are cautioned to inspect the carbon brushes for wear. DO IT. Neither I nor my carpenter peers have had a router go through carbon brushes in less than a year, but this one did. Hitachi did honor its warranty for damage caused by worn brushes, but in my wildest dreams I wouldn't have expected the brushes to wear out with the moderate use I've given this tool. I'd buy this router again, but I'd check it more frequently.
Be nice if I could actually use it (Rating: 3 out of 5) I wanted to use this router for my router table but they have the screws in the base plate so tight I am going to have to drill them out, so I keep putting off using it with the table. Seems to work find free style. Also the manual is of little help for beginners, instructions are the bare basics in three or five different languages. Typical cost saving greed found throughout the global market. What would it cost them for a couple extra pages of instruction in English, 5 cents?
Good router, great price (Rating: 4 out of 5) The few times I have used this router so far, it has worked extreamly well. It is quiet, powerful, and well built. Changing bits is more challenging than other routers I own. Having to use two wrenches on square nuts is unnecessarily difficult--if Hitachi is smart they will correct this problem to make a good router a great router.