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I want to temporarily convert my old but still serviceable Makita N3701 trim router to a plunge router for a one-off job (roughing out for chigiri bowtie/butterfly wedges). There are many ads for a plunge base for the newer Makita DRT50 or RT0700 but nobody says whether this base will fit the N3701.
Does anyone know for certain whether the N3701 can be used with this plunge base?
Thank you.
Welcome to the forumsQuote:
Originally Posted by Nekton
No I don't know for certain that the N3701 motor housing will fit into a newer Makita plunge base.
But you could always take the N3701 motor unit into a tool store, or a Toku Hands store, and check.
It is probable that the newer Makita router motors have a rib or two that makes fitting the motor unit to the plunge base easier.
Hi NektonQuote:
Originally Posted by Nekton
I had a N3701 (since sold - one too many trim routers), and now have the newer powered model, as well as the Chinese copy of it. Here are pictures ...
N3701 ...
https://i.postimg.cc/gJ2L3jYj/Aa.jpg
... and newer versions ...
https://i.postimg.cc/pdfyRrL5/Colleta.jpg
From memory, the bases are interchangeable. However I do not have the N3701 to hand to be 100%. If I were you, I would take the gamble. I think that the odds are very much in your favour.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Have you tried ringing Makita direct and ask the question, they are usually very helpful.
Thank you all for answering—I am taking my N3701 to local tool shop and Makita agent today to check. The pictures make me feel hopeful. Calling Makita here in Tokyo is an option of last resort b/c it's hard to get through the automated answering to reach the right person who knows.
Found a Makita service and sales store about 3 km from my business that had plunge base stock so I bicycled over with my old N3701. Sadly, it does NOT fit; there is a raised ridge inside the barrel that matches the slot in the side of the new motor models.
It's a typical way to force obsolescence on an older perfectly working unit. Instead (and in protest) I shall borrow a non-Makita plunge router from a friend and not buy Makita.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nekton
Or, you could machine/grind/file off the slot? Is that doable?Quote:
Sadly, it does NOT fit; there is a raised ridge inside the barrel that matches the slot in the side of the new motor models.
Regards from Perth
Derek
I probably could Dremel it out and would if I were using a plunge router on a regular basis, but for a one-off chigiri rough-out, it's easier and cheaper to borrow from a friend. If the job is a success and I do it more frequently, I'll try.
Here's an odd thing though; this exact same plunge base is £39 in UK or 5263 yen; at the local Tokyo Makita service station, it's 12,900 yen—more than twice the price!
Hi guys , I’m new here so gday.
Recently I bought the Milwaukee plunge base for about a hundred dollars AU, to try on my Makita trimmer and it fitted perfectly ! It was as if the good people down at Milwaukee said to themselves let’s solve this challenge for Makita because it’s such a great little router. And they added a fence plus vacuum attachment !! It’s very well made snd had because my favourite little tool in the shed ! I hope the photos come out !!
It seems I cannot post photos (yet) so the Milwaukee base is a Laminate Trimmer Plunge Base 48105601
Welcome Gavin
Sorry Gavin, a newbie here too. The router you fit to the Milwaukee base was an N3701? Just looking to buy one cheap off Amazon
Yes that’s the one, I’ve got 2, one lives in the Milwaukee plunge base.Quote:
Originally Posted by StevoKaye