MakitaRP1800 3-1/4 HP* Plunge Router

I picked this up after already having the RP2301fc (see seperate review). Another great router for sure. No soft start, variable speed, or LED lights but not worried about it its going in the table anyway. Initial quality is outstanding just like the 2301FC. Same smooth feel on the plunge action (actually these two routers have the best plunge action I have ever experienced - even far superior to Festool in my opinion). I did find that you can mount these to the track system for makitas plunge cut saw and they will be releasing a dust collection system soon. Here are some accessories and there numbers.'Guide holder assembly (132306-9)'Straight guide (342428-9)'Trimmer guide assembly (123022-4)'Template guide adapter 30(321492-3)'Collet cone (763622-4)'Extended depth adjustment knob (158980-5)'Clamp set (194385-5))'Guide rail adapter (194579-2)'Guide rail 55" (194368-5)118" (194367-7)For $185 (as of this writing) this is by far the BEST deal in the market. Particulaly when this router kicks the S*** out of everything else in its class and full retail price range. Get it while its hot! As mentioned in the other review of the Rp2301fc the makita rep that I ran in to at home depot said it would have been about $330+tax if I ordered there and that this current price on amazon is around $100 below there cost.More updates over the next year once I have put it to work. So far it looks great.Feb 22, 2011 - still works like new, no loss of power, plunge is still as smooth if not smoother than when out of the box, depth settings etc still accurate - buy one!April 12, 2012 - Still working like a champ - buy it!

I purchased this for cutting out a solid surface sink (Corian) using an AMANA cutting bit (made for solid surface). The bit was cutting from 1.5" to 2" of material and the speed did not diminish. It worked perfectly. It worked again when I had to put a 1/2" round on the new sink cutout for the under-counter stainless steel sink. I really like the fine adjustments and smooth operation of this router. I have not yet used it long-term, but for this initial project, it was amazing and the variable speeds worked flawlessly. It has excellent grips and a fully balanced feel when running.

I was working on building a 16 ft barrel sauna, so I was turning some really large bits (1.5” bead and cove bits) and I was trying to use the standard 1 3/4 hp and 2 1/4 horsepower routers, and I ended up burning through 4 routers. I decided I needed something more commercial grade if I was going to do more projects like this. This thing showed up and it is a beast. It feels incredibly solid and the plunge base is easy and intuitive to use. Even better, when using it with the large bits you can’t even feel any strain in the motor, which was absolutely apparent in even the most powerful router in stock from Home Depot. I am hoping I never have to buy another router and it feels like that might be the case.I will say that this is an incredibly serious router, and unless you are doing a significant amount of larger volume wood removal, this may be overkill. But if you are having trouble with burning up your routers, this seems like a good solution.If you are looking to buy an edge guide for this, it appears to be a European model, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to receive it.

Muy buena herramienta

I am not an expert wood worker but with the help of this router some of the thing I have made look like it.This plunge router is not for everyone.it has a lot of power,you should know what you are doing before using this But it produces a smooth cut and can do most anything a router should do and more.If i was to loose this router I would buy another just like it.Highly recommend....

BEAT THIS THING TO DEATH DAY 1... I STARTED ITS LIFE OFF WITH .5" ACRYLIC IMPREGNATED WITH GRAPHITE @ 32 FT PER MIN. HARDLY EVEN SLOWED DOWN AND THE WATER DIDNT EVEN EFFECT ANY INTERNAL COMPONENTS. STRAY FAR FROM VARIABLE SPEED IF YOUR A PRO. ITS COST ME 7 MILWUAKEE 3.25HP ROUTERS, NOW MAKITA IS OUR GO TOO.

I've used this thing pretty hard since getting it. It's great in that it takes bushings in the base with no adaptor, the adjustments and stops are accurate and easy to set up and the plunge mechanism is smooth and locks tight. The reason for the 3 star rating is the the switch lock is very poorly made and from about week two has required fiddling to keep it working. Also the base plate (the plastic cover not the metal base) is cracking and won't be around much longer. I've never had one of these fail and I don't really understand why this one is going. I assume it's just a plastic that is too brittle for the application. Last negative is that the brushes spark and are super noisy. I've run into this before with other tools and usually with a little use they run in to the commutator and things calm down but these are still cruddy after months of use.All in all it's a goodish router with some downsides. I don't think I'd buy it again.2022 now, I wrote the above review in 2018. I must say that I was kinda wrong. It's stayed exactly as it was then and has not failed in any of my predicted ways. The plastic base is still cracked but not worse than it was, the trigger lock is still terrible but hasn't gotten any worse. The sparking and noise from the brushes did die down about a year or so in ( at that point I was using it daily). I think I wouldn't be as harsh as I was when I first reviewed this router but it still has the flaws I mentioned originally.

This thing is so powerful I wish it had variable speeds or a slow start. When you turn this beast on it kicks quite a bit so keep it away from the wood until you are ready to go. I bought it for flattening live edge wood with a big 2 inch bit. I was taking off 1/4+ of wood in some areas and it didnt miss a beat. Very strong router.It's also very heavy. Don't try to use it for fine edging.