Thread: Hitachi M12SE plunge router on sale $230

Take a 1/2in shank router and play before you buy. Another pack of idiots that think 12mm and 1/2in (12.7mm) are one and the same. I suspect that someone bought in a container load and then discovered that they had euro collets. 12mm shank bits as rare as hens teeth here.

Ah good to know thanks, I'll confirm with them in writing it's 12.7mm before buying and if when it arrives it turns out to be 12mm they'll have to refund.

Same as malb said. Is it 12mm or 1/2" or does it have some interchangeable collets?No mention of speed control.

The SE is single speed (and the VE is variable speed)

Cracker of a price if everything else is right!!!

Another bloody metric/imperial confusion for people to deal with!!!!!

One thing, Hitachi is good gear.

A not very helpful response from Just Tools …

Hi Nathanael
Thank you for your email.
It is 12mm(1/2").

And now they've taken the product listing off the website.

hitachi.jpg

As I said, another pack of idiots that don't know/care that 12.7mm is not 12mm. I wouldn't even bother if you cannot physically handle a demo unit and check it with a 1/2inch shank bit.

May not be a great saving if it is a single speed unit, particularly if you intend to work with larger bits in the future. Typical 1/2in size routers max out at 20,000-24,000 RPM, or run at that speed if single speed. At that speed range, you are limited to bits with a max diameter of 22-25mm, because of the tip speed of the bit.

For larger bits, you need variable speed so you can slow the router correspondingly to preserve a safe tip speed. Variable in that size range have smart controllers than can maintain speed and power capacity with bits to 80mm, and generally have better cooling systems to cope with high power levels at lower speeds.

You can use external speed controllers to reduce the speed of single speed units, but they are either expensive, or the speed varies substantially with load. You would probably be better to spend the extra initially to by a unit with inbuilt speed control and maintenance, and know that the machine is apable of virtually any task you throw at it.

Just Tools got back to me again this morning "Yes, it is a ½ inch but we've sold out now"

Thanks guys …