Makita 3612 - $200 - should i buy?

[snickas]

Gday everyone!

My first post, although i have been browsing these forums for a little while now.

I am new to wood work and have no experience. Although i get 10 points for motivation. I am looking to all sorts of furniture home type things, but one thing at a time and that one thing i have decided will be picture/mirror frames - small and large(ish).

I have bought a Nobex Mitre Handsaw... so now i can make four sides to a frame. Not too attractive on their own though are they :doh:

So i need a router for rounding the edges and the rebates, and i have been interested in the 12 & 8mm Makitas, Hitachis and Tritons. I also want to do dove tail work and purchase a decent jig such as the Leigh D1600 (yes, i know i will be committing my back pocket to this hobby!).

Now i would be looking at an 8mm router for my current projects, but i came across the 3612 display model at my local store for $200. HOWEVER!!! they have lost the display box and all of the standard accessories (Straight guide, guide holder assembly, collet sleeve (1/2"), 2 wrenches, straight bit, inversion kit for under bench use - from the Makita website).

They are going to look again for the box/accessories, but have offered to sell it to me for $200 less the cost of getting the standard accessories from Makita Spare Parts. Not sure whether they will honour their offer or not, but what do you guys think? Worth it? And if they say $200 'as is' next time - still worth it?

Any idea how much these parts might cost??

My main intention for the 3612 is to use it however it will let me until i can get it in a router table, which was probably going to be next after i got an 8mm router (but will probably be bumped up the list if i get the 3612).

All recommendations and advice greatly appreciated!!

Thank you gentlemen (and ladies)!

[TermiMonster]

That's a good price for a good tool...I think I read in another thread that that model is on special Bunnies wide, have you tried another Bunnies, if one is handy? You might get the whole kit for that price....
...maybe.
TM

[kmthor]

i got one last week for $198.00 boxed. i have seen a few about on my search for the triton router

Makita is a good tool and im pleased with mine remember this is not a variable speed router though

i would have a scout around some of the other bunnies see if you can get a boxed one


km

[Torre]

at bunnings they were clearing them for $200 so on sunday i went to pick one up of course they were sold out in just about every bunnings in my area. they did have one 3612 thought the one on display exact same thing as you missing all parts including the collet so i ended up buying it when they offered it for $100. i called a few makita stores today and the collet alone is going to cost me around $60, not a good deal for me when you think about buying the fence and other bits and peices

[Bluegum]

Dam I paid $370 for mine about 8 years ago. Maybe I should have waited.

[JT]

$200 is a good price (if it has with the accessories). I own this router and the only thing I wish it had was variable speed for the larger bits. But other than that I can't fault it

[damian]

2c

Why do you want 8mm collet ? bits are hard to come by.

1/4 collet is somewhat useful but in truth your better off just sticking with 1/2" as much as possible. They are stronger and there are plenty of cheap ones on ebay etc.

Any Makita tool is a great addition to your workshop. I strongly suggest you buy a complete kit though because as others here have said the bits ain't cheap and some of them are useful.

Generally I'd keep an eye out, know the prices of things, people here are great for that, and buy when you see a great special. Make a shortlist of each thing you want to buy, say a couple of models of makita, hitachi etc then when one of those comes up at the right price jump on it. You'll get a top workshop at good prices and even if you sell stuff on the losses won't be too bad.

Your better off with a few good tools than many poor ones.