Editorial Review:

18V, Cordless, Drill Kit, Includes: The New DV18DMR Cordless Drill, C18DMR Cordless Circular Saw, CR18DMR Cordless Reciprocating Saw, Universal Quick Charger, 2 3.0 AH Ni-MI Batteries, UB18DL Lantern & Ballistic Nylon Bag, Individual Tool Specs: C18DMR 18V, 6-1/2" Cordless Circular Saw, Blade Located On The Left Side For Improved Sight Of Cutting Path, Equipped With A 24 Tooth 6-1/2" Blade, Runs At 3,000 RPM, Features A Built In Spotlight For Better Visibility, CR18DMR 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw, Best In Class Stroke Length Of 1-1/8", Tool Less Blade Changing System, External Carbon Brush Access, 380W Of Output Power, DV18DMR 18 Volt Cordless Hammer Drill, Made With 2 Piece Rare Earth Magnets That Offer Greater Durability & Performance, Class Leading 550 In LBS Of Torque Allows You To Tackle Jobs Other Drills Can't, High Capacity 3.0 AH Ni-MI Batteries Saves Time By Providing Longer Run Time & Fewer Battery Changes, 3 Modes Of Operation Allow You To Drill, Drive & Hammer Drill.

Routers don't get any bigger and tougher than this Hitachi workhorse. It has the solid construction, horsepower, and features we've come to expect in a top-of-the-line router. Its heft goes a long way toward eliminating vibration, working with the soft-start motor to cut out torque at startup. Despite its nearly 12 pounds, it actually handles as well as most 3-1/4-horsepower routers we've tried in freehand applications. It has a 1/2-inch collet and a wide sub-base opening, making it suitable for working with all but the very biggest panel bits. It features electronic variable speed, so the router makes clean cuts in a wide range of different materials. We found the controls to be within easy reach of the handles, and though this isn't the quietest router we've used, it comes pretty close. We like the unique eight-position handles that let the tool be adjusted to the worker rather than the other way around. While this is a topnotch plunge router, it's also an excellent choice for table mounting, and many people choose this model for exactly that reason. This is an all-around solid tool that offers more bang per buck than many competing models. --Brian Trinen

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

Truly a Beast, as Another Reviewer Calls It:

I mounted this router in a table, using a Rousseau router plate. I have used the machine for some light molding and grooving over the last year, and it works very quietly and smoothly. You can't even tell the router is cutting under load. I just experimented with a couple 3 1/2 inch panel raising bits, today. My samples were 3/4" pine. I cut a cove pattern and an ogee pattern on two separate samples. Both profiles were cut in a single pass. You can tell the router is working hard, but it didn't bog down. My... more info

Workshop cornerstone:

As the majority of commenters have noted, this router is a workhorse (or team of oxen) that is an incredible value. It's variable speed and will plow through anything you throw at it. I've had mine a couple of years now and don't get a chance to use it nearly as much as I'd like, but thought I'd offer up some observations.
First, get the Router Raizer and the Xtreme Xtension. I cannot stress enough how useful these are. Let me elaborate. First, this is a big router. While it's awesome to have that kind... more info

Big green mean routing machine:

First of all, I didn't buy this for hand use. I have used it a couple of time by hand and I don't know if I would want lug it around all day long. With that said, I mounted it in a table and proceeded to gobble up anything that I put in front of it. It is a monster, period. But that is where it really shines. It has the torque of a diesel engine, smooth as silk an fairly quiet running (for it's size and power). I love the soft start, so if you do use by hand, it doesn't want to jerk when you first start it... more info

Beware: M12V is Great, but Discontinued. Got an M12V2 Instead:

I ordered an M12V, but got an M12V2 because the router I ordered is discontinued (even though there was no mention of it anywhere). Amazon/Contractors Tools/Hitachi felt that substituting a $197 router for the $324 router I paid for was OK. Luckily, I was able to find an M12V router locally. I highly recommend one if you can find it. The M12V2 is more plastic and less ruggedly built, but the price is proportional, so it may not be a bad deal. I am now dealing with the mess of getting an RMA from the... more info

Accessories:

Hitachi 725003 Height Adjustment Router Knob for M12V Router from Hitachi (Tools & Hardware) - Usually ships in 24 hours

Rousseau 3509 9-Inch x 12-Inch x 3/8-Inch Deluxe Router Base Plate from Rousseau (Tools & Hardware) - Usually ships in 24 hours

Freud 91-100 13-Piece Super Router Bit Set with 1/2-Inch Shank and Freud's TiCo... from Freud (Tools & Hardware)

Quick-Grip Quick Change 518QCN 18-Inch Bar Clamp/Spreader from IRWIN (Tools & Hardware) - Usually ships in 24 hours

CMT 800.505.11 13-Piece 1/2-Inch Shank Router Bit Set from CMT (Tools & Hardware) - Usually ships in 24 hours