MakitaRF1101KIT2 2-1/4 HP* Router Kit, with Plunge Base

The Makita RF1101 router - via this kit - was my very first router as I got into woodworking. It's well built and has plenty of power for just about any task, but without the weight that higher horsepower routers has (making this a great mid-range router). It comes with two collets - a quarter and half inch - a pair of wrenches as well as several bases (one clear). The wrenches are a little bit narrow but not impossible to use: once you get the hang of things it isn't difficult to remove or tighten router bits in it. The router does have a few weak spots, one being that the on/off toggle switch is located at the very top and requires removing one hand from the base when flipping it (potentially harming stability during the heat of the moment). But the flip side to that is that the switch is much more accessible from the bottom when mounted upside down in a router table. So overall, I think the Makita RF1101 deserves four out of five stars.But wait...why three stars, then? Because I'm not reviewing the RF1101 by itself, I'm reviewing the KIT2 set - it's the other half of this kit that drags the package down for me, particularly the plunge router base - the reason to buy the kit over the standalone model. I'm surprised more reviewers haven't commented on the following, but I think most are fixated on rating the router itself and not the kit accessories or the entire package as a whole. Anyway, it's hard to explain, but unlike the fixed base which feels very sturdy, the plunge router base comes off feeling a bit chintzy / cheap, almost like an afterthought. As a matter of fact, I wasn't able to find anything about the plunge in the manual which was merely a few English pages covering the regular base and some accessories not included with this kit. The router needs to be tightened into the base via a screw, which is baffling as the fixed base already locks strongly with a convenient latch. This also makes the plunge base inconvenient when you need to take the router out to change bits or put into a router table. The screw also can come loose at times, this happened to me on a challenging operation which required me to halt and retighten the router to the base. In short, the only time I started groaning about the Makita was when using it with the plunge router.One other thing to note about this kit is that no dust attachment is included. Like so many power tools that brag about the ability to attach to a Shop-Vac - yet never carry these adapters in stores - you'll need to buy a dust attachment online. (Heck, the guys who sold Makita tools at a woodworking show I was at didn't know a thing about the attachment.) When found: the attachment is useful and works, but doesn't come cheap - more than the dust attachment on FESTOOL routers of all brands. Not only is a mounting screw not included, attaching it to a vacuum may be difficult without a universal step adapter (which adds weight and has the tendency to fall out). See my other reviews for more details about the attachment, but the point of this is a warning that the Makita ecosystem may be sparse when it comes to certain accessories (unless other brands's accessories happen to be compatible).To make a long story short, I decided that I needed a better plunge router; two routers are quite handy to have, anyway. So I put out the money on a Festool OF1400. While pricey, it addressed nearly everything that was a groaner on my Makita plunge base, well constructed, well thought out and a much better ecosystem of accessories. As for my Makita, it has become the permanent router in my router table which is where I think it absolutely works the best. The fixed base is easy to mount and the dust collection can be handled by the router table fence instead. The remaining question is, should you get this kit? I think I would mildly recommend it if you're trying to be cost effective and get everything you can out of one router. The plunge base is certainly useable, but I think it can be heavily improved on. Otherwise, if you got a little more money to throw around, I would save the money on the kit and get the RF1101 alone as a starter table router, along with a secondary plunge router from Porter Cable, Festool or whomever tickles your fancy.

This is my first router but I've used several PC 690s. I handled a 2 1/4 PC in a store, and was not at all impressed with the quality, and the on/off switch was horrible.I knew I wanted a 2 1/4HP for the occasional large bit and flexibility for table or handheld use.I probably spent a week researching routers and reading reviews online.I finally narrowed it down to this kit, or the Hitachi.What settled it for me was I called Hitachi to inquire how big the sub-base was, and asked a few general questions. The rep told me "it's just a homeowner tool." So I went with the Makita.The fixed base seems of very high quality and nice design. I have no problem with the two wrench collet adjustment. Simply finger tighten the collet, and then another 1/2 turn or so at the most with the wrench. Couldn't take more than about 15 seconds to change bits. The kit comes with a nice 2 1/2" opening sub-base, as well as the standard sub-bases that are basically worthless for anything but the tiniest bits.I barely notice the soft start, but I guess it takes the edge off a bit. The router is much quieter than the PC690, like night and day. Variable speed works great and is stupid simple to change.The on/off switch is of course up at the top, where most of them are. It is however a nice little toggle lever, rather than a cumbersome button. Unfortunately it's made out of plastic.I haven't used the plunge base yet, but honestly I have to say it seems to be of pretty cheesy quality with a lot of flimsy plastic parts. The plunge action seems decent enough with a bit of spring noise.Having to tighten a philips head screw to lock the plunge base onto the motor seems a bit ridiculous. Can't they make some kind of cam lock or something? Anyway, I don't plan on using the plunge base often so it's not a deal breaker for me.The case is pretty nice, but I would have much prefered metal buckles. The plastic latches seem like they might not last long with average use.All in all, I'm perfectly happy with the router kit, and I look forward to years of routing with it.As always a great experience with Amazon. $4 overnight shipping with Amazon Prime. Awesome.UPDATE:8/22/2010Have used the router sporadically.Only thing I would change about my review is the fact that I regularly have a very difficult time getting the bits OUT of the collet!! I've tried not tightening them down as much, and I wound up ruining an expensive railing because the bit loosened!I've had to pry the bits out a few times with the wrenches, and am worried about damaging the base blate.What is up with this, MAKITA?! Come on!Am I missing something here? Curious to hear how others find this issue, if at all.UPDATE: 9/15Sent the router in for repair under warranty. Apparently they replaced both collets, and all is great. Amazing difference. Like a different machine. Bits come out effortlessly, like they should. I would probably buy the router again, but I wonder what happened?

I purchased this combo kit after burning out a PC 690 LRVS, which has been my workhorse in my custom sign carving business. I'm gonna just say it how it is because I don't really care about bells and whistles and I did not intend on using this under a table. My main purpose is carving wood signs hours on end and digging 3/8 inch across 1.5 inch thick Cedar and Fir. Now, I have to tell you that the motor on the 1100 is smooth, very powerful and has a finesse I have never found in a PC. In plunging 3/8", I found nothing but clean and smooth cuts. After reducing the speed to 23-24k RPM, I found the sweet place that this powerful machine excels. I love the simple and hassle free height adjustment. The plunge base is smooth and solid. Not nearly as nice as the PC 892 pk, but it certainly does the job with no questions asked! I don't have any problems with the simple switch and wooden handles (although the softer rubber ones are nice on the PC). Bottom line is THIS ROUTER ROCKS! Day after day, hour after hour and never even hesitates to catch it's breath! That's what I want...a workhorse that can stand industrial like use and beg for more! Because this machine meets my needs 100% in being light weight, powerful and precise, I am giving a full 5 stars. The heart of a router is in it's motor...regardless of the bells and whistles! Like a 690 on steroids!

One of my hobbies is car audio and I build a lot of subwoofer enclosures. For many years I didn't have a router. I would use a jig saw with a decent wood cutting blade. That setup was less then optimal for the level of quality that I wanted to make. If you want to make a speaker cut out that's exactly 9-1/8's, you'll need a router and a circle cutting jig/template. I also purchased a Jasper Jig and some Whiteside 1/4" upspiral carbide bits, (both available on amazon) and I was set. This is my first router set and I am very pleased with the purchase. This router has a variable speed control, an easy to use on/off switch and will bolt up to other router attachments commonly used on the popular PC690 series routers. It has more then enough power to cut through 3/4" MDF. The ergonomics are great for me. It had nice handles on both the fixed base and the plunge base. The depth cutting adjustment takes some getting used to but it's east to adjust. It is also a very loud machine so make sure you have some ear protection and eye protection. Dust protection from your face is also a good idea. I also recommend that you buy the Makita dust collection port that's also available here on amazon. Now all my friends ask me to make them subwoofer enclosures and speaker baffles for their car audio door components.

I recently purchased this Makita router after a Porter Cable router broke. This is my first Makita tool and I am very pleased with the quality. Everything feels like it is made very well and made to last. I do not feel that the router is "quiet" as some other reviewers mentioned. It is still very loud just like every other router I have used. The only negative aspect of the router is the need for 2 wrenches to change a bit. This is quite difficult and makes you feel stupid, like you have two left hands. I thought the Porter Cable one wrench design is better in this regard but the Makita feels like a higher quality tool. Hopefully the engineers can improve this in future models.