My only router is a Bosch 1617EVS in my router table. I have been looking
for a second base for it on ebay, but they rarely come up, and when they do
they sell for over retail. Go figure.
Well, at the moment a Hitachi M12v router is only $20 more than a Bosch
RA1166 plunge base! So, I was thinking of buying the Hitachi and putting it
in my table instead of the Bosch. Although I have read that plunge routers
don't belong in tables, I have also seen several threads here about how
great the Hitachi is in a table; right? I have never actually needed a
plunge router, but I would always pull the Hitachi out if I found a need.
Questions:
1) The Hitachi has some sort of adaptor for 1/4" bits rather than a collet
like the Bosch. Does it work alright, or will I be cursing my decision
every time I use it? (Sadly, I have a bunch of 1/4" bits from when all I
had was a 1/4" router)
2) Does this plan make sense? Any criticism (other than "get a backbone and
make your own decisions, you wimp") would be appreciated.
Has a collar, versus a collet, but no great problems. Joy of a router
table is that you can do heavier stuff - which uses 1/2" shanks.
I've been happy with mine. Take out, bag and save the springs, and you
might consider the Lee Valley plate. Slick and easy, but proprietary size
inserts.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=41776&category=1,43000&ccurrency=2&SID=
I've a 1617 and a 1613, myself.
"Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Questions:
> 1) The Hitachi has some sort of adaptor for 1/4" bits rather than a collet
> like the Bosch. Does it work alright, or will I be cursing my decision
> every time I use it? (Sadly, I have a bunch of 1/4" bits from when all I
> had was a 1/4" router)
>
> 2) Does this plan make sense? Any criticism (other than "get a backbone
and
> make your own decisions, you wimp") would be appreciated.
>
>
I have an M12V in my table and have never had a single problem with anything
about it. The 1/4" insert works fine if the bit is inserted to a
respectable depth and tightened. You will not regret this purchase.
Dig
"Dick Durbin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> It comes with a 1/2" collet and an insert for 1/4" bits. Do not,
> under any circumstances, use the 1/4" adapter. I have this router in
> a table and it does a great job with 1/2" bits, but the 1/4" adapter
> just will not hold.
>
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On 27 Dec 2003 17:36:40 -0800, [email protected] (Dick Durbin) wrote:
>"Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>> Questions:
>> 1) The Hitachi has some sort of adaptor for 1/4" bits rather than a collet
>> like the Bosch. Does it work alright, or will I be cursing my decision
>> every time I use it? (Sadly, I have a bunch of 1/4" bits from when all I
>> had was a 1/4" router)
>
>It comes with a 1/2" collet and an insert for 1/4" bits. Do not,
>under any circumstances, use the 1/4" adapter. I have this router in
>a table and it does a great job with 1/2" bits, but the 1/4" adapter
>just will not hold.
I have a 15amp freud router with a 1/2" collet and a 1/4" sleeve
adapter. it works fine, although I do tighten it a bit more when I use
the sleeve. you might want to look for a generic sleeve if the hitachi
one has grip problems.
Bridger
"Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Questions:
> 1) The Hitachi has some sort of adaptor for 1/4" bits rather than a collet
> like the Bosch. Does it work alright, or will I be cursing my decision
> every time I use it? (Sadly, I have a bunch of 1/4" bits from when all I
> had was a 1/4" router)
It comes with a 1/2" collet and an insert for 1/4" bits. Do not,
under any circumstances, use the 1/4" adapter. I have this router in
a table and it does a great job with 1/2" bits, but the 1/4" adapter
just will not hold.
> 2) Does this plan make sense? Any criticism (other than "get a backbone and
> make your own decisions, you wimp") would be appreciated.
Check out http://www.woodshopdemos.com/cmt-jr6.htm
I have used this router in a table for the last few years and have
been quite well pleased with it. The link I posted shows some
modifications you can make to make it a better performer in the table.
Dick Durbin
Tallahassee
Hitch <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> What he said. LINE UP THE SLOTS! Then it works like a charm.
Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt, shrank it in the wash and
gave it to my little brother.
I think I am going to buy a replacement 1/4" adapter and try it again.
I tried lining up the slots, but it didn't seem to help.
Dick Durbin
On Sat 27 Dec 2003 10:19:24a, "Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> 1) The Hitachi has some sort of adaptor for 1/4" bits rather than a
> collet like the Bosch. Does it work alright, or will I be cursing my
> decision every time I use it? (Sadly, I have a bunch of 1/4" bits
> from when all I had was a 1/4" router)
Seems like I've heard the 1/4 adapter for the Hitachi has had its problems.
Lemme see here... google, rec.woodworking, "hitachi" "1/4". Ah. Yep, some
people have gotten downright angry with that collet. Others haven't had
trouble.
That being said, I bought one anyway. I've got several 1/4 bits myself but
I figured I could use them in the Freud, and I also figure it's a good idea
to use the larger shank in a table anyway. Bits get dull and need
replacement, maybe the newer models have a better collet, maybe I won't get
a bad one, etc, etc. For that price, I can rationalize pretty good.
> 2) Does this plan make sense? Any criticism (other than "get a
> backbone and make your own decisions, you wimp") would be appreciated.
That's what I'm gonna do. 'Course, that doesn't really tell you whether it
makes sense or not, just that you have company. :-)
Dan
Bestest Handsander wrote:
> "Dick Durbin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>It comes with a 1/2" collet and an insert for 1/4" bits. Do not,
>>under any circumstances, use the 1/4" adapter. I have this router in
>>a table and it does a great job with 1/2" bits, but the 1/4" adapter
>>just will not hold.
>>
>>Tallahassee
>
>
> That has not been my experience. I have had the M12V upside down in my
> router table for several years and have found it extremely reliable with 1/4
> bits. When you use the insert, you just have to make sure the gap in the
> insert is lined up with the gap in the collet. Tighten and you're on your
> way. I haven't had a 1/4 slip since I started lining up the gaps (it's in
> the instructions).
>
> Two things that have enhanced the M12V/Router Table experience... I bought
> the PlungeLift from woodpeckers, love it. Second, get the bent wrench for
> changing bits, and you never have to pull the router out of the table. I
> got mine at Mark Sommenfeld (sp?), but I think you can find them at other
> places.
>
> HTH
>
>
>
What he said. LINE UP THE SLOTS! Then it works like a charm.
--
Hitch
-Remove the NOSPAM from my address and you've got SPAM!-
On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 16:19:24 +0000, Toller wrote:
> My only router is a Bosch 1617EVS in my router table. I have been looking
> for a second base for it on ebay, but they rarely come up, and when they do
> they sell for over retail. Go figure.
>
> Well, at the moment a Hitachi M12v router is only $20 more than a Bosch
> RA1166 plunge base! So, I was thinking of buying the Hitachi and putting it
> in my table instead of the Bosch. Although I have read that plunge routers
> don't belong in tables, I have also seen several threads here about how
> great the Hitachi is in a table; right? I have never actually needed a
> plunge router, but I would always pull the Hitachi out if I found a need.
>
> Questions:
> 1) The Hitachi has some sort of adaptor for 1/4" bits rather than a collet
> like the Bosch. Does it work alright, or will I be cursing my decision
> every time I use it? (Sadly, I have a bunch of 1/4" bits from when all I
> had was a 1/4" router)
>
> 2) Does this plan make sense? Any criticism (other than "get a backbone and
> make your own decisions, you wimp") would be appreciated.
After extensive searching, I settled on the Hitachi M12V and ordered it
from Amazon today. There is a $25 rebate on Hitachi tools ordered before
Dec 31. That brings the $159 price down to $135. Shipping/Handling
is free. Yesterday (Friday) the price was at $151. Little did I
realize that was a single day sale price. Apparently Amazon has Friday
sales, and some are quite nice. I almost bought the router yesterday but
hedged.
My Makita has a bushing that slips inside the 1/2-inch collet to handle
1/4" shafts. It works fine.
When you think about it, there are many routers on the market. Every one
has a different gimmick to make it "better". Well, a router is no
more than a motor, a method to hang onto the motor and a thing to keep the
bit attached. Get the Hitachi and have some fun. It's going to work just
fine. Except for one's opinionated spouse, nothing is perfect and life is
too short to really care.
"Dick Durbin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> It comes with a 1/2" collet and an insert for 1/4" bits. Do not,
> under any circumstances, use the 1/4" adapter. I have this router in
> a table and it does a great job with 1/2" bits, but the 1/4" adapter
> just will not hold.
>
> Tallahassee
That has not been my experience. I have had the M12V upside down in my
router table for several years and have found it extremely reliable with 1/4
bits. When you use the insert, you just have to make sure the gap in the
insert is lined up with the gap in the collet. Tighten and you're on your
way. I haven't had a 1/4 slip since I started lining up the gaps (it's in
the instructions).
Two things that have enhanced the M12V/Router Table experience... I bought
the PlungeLift from woodpeckers, love it. Second, get the bent wrench for
changing bits, and you never have to pull the router out of the table. I
got mine at Mark Sommenfeld (sp?), but I think you can find them at other
places.
HTH