I boight this router after reading and hearinf some good reviews on it. I've pwned it for a few months now but only took it out to use in the the last couple of days. I ran some roman ogee bits with 1/2" shanks through it and it was perfect. It chewed though the wood flawlwss without loosing speed. It is definitely a good value for money machine if you don't mind it's flaws which I describe below.

I also like it's hefty feel and it's weight makes it stable when I use the router for freehand routing. The soft start feature is also great. I intend to build a router station in the future to house this green beast, but I am holding off until I find an easier way to master the art of changing bits with this time consuming system.

I have 2 complaints about it.

Firstly, the bit system involves holding a spring loaded sleeve (which locks the shaft for bit change)down and tightening the collet with a wrench using your other hand which should be free. I found it so difficult to hold the bit to the correct height (for some specialty bit) as well as hold the spring sleeve tightly locked so that the collet can be tightened with another hand.

I also own a craftsman router witn 1 3/4 hp and it has a switch lock which frees one hand to hold down thr router or to adjust router bit height while tightening the collet. I find the craftsman so much easier to change bits.

Secondly, the 1/4" reducer collet will NOT hold 1/4" shank bits down. No matter how hard I tighten the collet, my bits keep slipping out after monor cuts. I was using a dovetail bit with a dovetail jig and the bit just kept sliding further down as I cut! I had no problems with 1/2" shank bits, only 1/4" shank bits. Hitachi should do something about redesigning it's collet reducer to grip better.
I boight this router after reading and hearinf some good reviews on it. I've pwned it for a few months now but only took it out to use in the the last couple of days. I ran some roman ogee bits with 1/2" shanks through it and it was perfect. It chewed though the wood flawlwss without loosing speed. It is definitely a good value for money machine if you don't mind it's flaws which I describe below. I also like it's hefty feel and it's weight makes it stable when I use the router for freehand routing. The soft start feature is also great. I intend to build a router station in the future to house this green beast, but I am holding off until I find an easier way to master the art of changing bits with this time consuming system. I have 2 complaints about it. Firstly, the bit system involves holding a spring loaded sleeve (which locks the shaft for bit change)down and tightening the collet with a wrench using your other hand which should be free. I found it so difficult to hold the bit to the correct height (for some specialty bit) as well as hold the spring sleeve tightly locked so that the collet can be tightened with another hand. I also own a craftsman router witn 1 3/4 hp and it has a switch lock which frees one hand to hold down thr router or to adjust router bit height while tightening the collet. I find the craftsman so much easier to change bits. Secondly, the 1/4" reducer collet will NOT hold 1/4" shank bits down. No matter how hard I tighten the collet, my bits keep slipping out after monor cuts. I was using a dovetail bit with a dovetail jig and the bit just kept sliding further down as I cut! I had no problems with 1/2" shank bits, only 1/4" shank bits. Hitachi should do something about redesigning it's collet reducer to grip better.