Makita RF1101KIT 2-1/4 HP Industrial Router Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)I needed a new router (or two), so I could keep my old router hooked up to a jig all the time. I was looking for a powerful and compact plunge router and a D-handle router in a combination kit with ¼ and ½ inch collets, and variable speed. I could not find any such kits.
In the past, the only corded tools I would purchase were Milwaukee or Porter Cable brands, but the Makita RF1101KIT 2-1/4 HP Industrial Router kit changed that.
Formerly, I used Makita brand for cordless tools exclusively. I have a Makita 9.6v drill that I used professionally, every day for two years and never had a problem. That drill is was purchased in the spring of 1986, and still works fine. It is now part of my collection of many Makita cordless tools, all of which are professional quality tools.
Since Makita offered a 2-¼ Router kit that has enough power to handle most of the bigger bits I use, and Milwaukee and Porter Cable didn't, it was an easy choice, but I still wanted a D-handle router.
Makita's Parts suppliers also offer a RD1101 2-1/4 HP D-Handle Router base that works fine with the RF1101 kit. The base is pricey, but not as bad as purchasing another router. **For safety reasons, it is advisable that you shorten the router power cord, or buy the cord for the rd110. This cord plugs into the D-handle base (Makita D-handle power supply cord AWG#16-3-0.7 - Part Number: 565055-7). This cord costs less than an average 25ft extension cord.
With the d-handle base added to the router kit, I now have three bases and don't have to spend the money for three different routers. The standard router base resides in my router table all the time. The D-handle is used for all fixed base routing, as well as a remote switch for the router table (until I purchase a bump type). The plunge base for plunge type work like mortises, stop dados.
The 1100 and 1101 series routers are very well built. The collets swap out quickly and also make stuck router bit shanks a thing of the past. You do need to use two wrenches that are provided to change bits and collets. I see this as a plus. A spindle lock or shaft lock type bit changing setup (what I had on my old router), puts too much stress on the router's shaft or arbor, which can weaken the shaft.
Other positives:
* This router has it is quiet for a router in it's amperage range.
* The kit comes with an extra clear base plate; I use it as a template to make other base plates.
* The dust collection is as good as it gets for a router. Although the dust collection attachment is clear, it does make it hard to see what happening around the bit. I hook it up to my Fein vacuum that automatically starts up with the tool, and it does pickup a large amount of saw dust, especially with upward spiral bits.
* The base uses standard Porter-Cable style template guides and is compact, but stable.
* An edge guide is also provided
* The soft start feature is a luxury that stops me from flinching and putting a death grip on the handles every time I start up.
* The router is light but solid, with out a lot of plastic.
* The plunge base has a turret style stop that allows plunges to be done incrementally in three steps.
I am so pleased with this router, that I have purchased other Makita corded power tools (LS1010 sliding compound miter saw, and four different sanders), all of which are top quality professional tools.

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The Makita 2-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router Kit features an ultra-quiet motor along with convenient fixed and plunge bases. It also has a variable speed control dial of 8,000 to 24,000 RPM, matching the speed to the materials. This router sports aluminum motor housing with a slender 3-1/4-inch diameter for easy handling, and a durable flat top design that allows stability when changing bits. For longer life, it has all ball bearing construction, and for convenience, it boasts externally accessible carbon brushes. Even better, the soft start allows smooth and safe start-ups. A fixed base, plunge base, and multiple wrenches come included with this router kit. Includes plunge base assembly, 1/2-inch collet, 1/4-inch collet, 2 No. 27 wrenches, wrench No. 8, and No. 4 hex wrench

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