Makitas new 18V trim router

[pingvinlakrits]

It is the DRT50 in Europe and the XTR01 in the US. Anyone here has one?  Spill yer beans if you do...

I have used the corded model that shares base accessories with the new model. The corded was not a favorite of mine personally, but a decent machine - and very affordable.

I did take a look at the 18V model and it feels very solid and the idea of not having a cord on a light duty router is very appealing to me. I sometimes hinge mortise on site and similar tasks apart from a regular edge trimming so a 18V plunge base and edge base router is very appealing to me.

I would be more happy to see one from Festool, Mafell or Metabo but I do have the odd Makita 18V tool.

I think the current generation of 18V battery systems open up a lot of possibilities.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I used the new Matkita cordless trim router and it’s pretty impressive.  It felt like it had the same power and feel as my Bosch Colt.  Overall I was impressed.  I was impressed with the cordless Tracksaw too!

 

[Llap Goch]

I bought one last week. It is the basic tool as I already have the 110v corded version with all the base. The full set, which has the offset base included but no battery or charger is not available until early November (in the UK).

It is a cracking bit of kit and is as powerful as the corded version. The brushed motor is not only quieter but the soft start is far more controlled and... err soft. I initially thought that it would be a bit top heavy with the bulk and weight of the battery but it isn't and it is just as easy to use as the corded one without the embuggerance of the cable which can, and does, get in the way at times.

I like both versions but I do like the freedom of the cordless one. It seems to last forever on a fully charged battery albeit I am not using it constantly and only as a DIYer. Being able to use my existing RC0700 Makita bases and the side fence and bars off my beloved Elu MOF96e is a real bonus.

If you already have the Makita battery platform then it is an excellent addition to your tool fleet. If you don't, then the total price of the cordless version and a battery and charger makes it a considered purchase. Unless of course, freedom from the mains is an essential. If it is then this lovely little trimmer is just the job.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Thanks Tyler and PatR for the replies.

The comparisons are much appreciated. I did have a Bosch Colt for a number of years and a colleague has the corded Makita, well three of them...

I have a Virutex edge router with plunge base and add ons and I like the simplicity and low weight of the tool. The Makita is quite similar and having a cordless one would help out a lot in the workshop too. For some routing I don't bother with a vac and this year there has been plenty of on site small router tasks that I didn't bring a router for - just because the hassle of a cord.

I have a Festool OF1010 with a lot of bells and whistles but I hardly ever use it. I use the OFK500 for edge routing, Bosch for larger work and the Virutex for small tasks. The Makita would replace the OF1010 (!!!) and the Virutex. I can't get rid of the OFK500, like it too much and have a lot of bits for it.

Going Makita I would see a few years good use out of it and then perhaps Mafell, Metabo or Festool has an 18V'r out on the market too.

Will take a long hard look at the kit.

 

[glass1]

I have corded and cordless. Both are good routers. The cordless is awesome in that it’s as powerful as corded and just rocks. All the bases are cool. One disapointmented in each, the corded has no light and the plunge base has play in plunge, I have yet to try to address this with a mod. Note, that the Makita guide rail attachment works with this router, even has the little leveling foot like on the festool routers.

 

[DB10]

Hi [member=2085]Henrik R / Pingvinlakrits[/member]  I have both the corded and cordless Makita trimmer / router, I picked the cordless version up about six months ago and it is now my go to small router. All the bases from the corded model fit the cordless model and as others have mentioned the soft start brushless motor is great but the best part of the cordless router is the inclusion of LED lights that the corded model doesn't have.

One of the most frustrating things with the corded model was the very short length of cable that came with the router, a right pain when routing door jambs up high as the extension lead was just another obstacle to get in the way but with the 18v trimmer door jambs and other hinge work is fast and simple, I haven't cut a door butt by hand since I got the 18v trimmer.
As for batteries I use the 5ah batteries as they weigh almost the same as the 3ah batteries and the trimmer does not feel top heavy in any way,  in fact it feels the same as the corded version, the only down side to the 18v trimmer I've noticed is when the battery dies half way through a long cut but in saying that a more methodical planning strategy and this could be avoided.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Thanks again, I have all the info I need now.

Good to know about the weight of the 5 Ah battery, the only battery I have is the 3 Ah one, for a Pin Nailer, so I was thinking I would get two 5Ah batteries to the router and if they are roughly the same weight that is just a bonus. The Pin Nailer is a very good little unit and it seems it has gotten an upgrade too - pity it is so expensive!

Makita has several attractive 18V offerings - though some really awkward ones too (cough cough, nail gun). I am not looking to expand the Makita outfit that much but the router will work as a self contained unit regardless of my other line ups so I am quite sure I will bite - the responses in this thread has confirmed my expectations of the router.

What DB10 posted about working door jambs is one of the tasks I was thinking about that cordless is way nicer to lug around. I modified some 60 or more hinges on a house a week ago and had to run around the scaffolding and in and out through the windows. I was going to use a router but the whole prospect of running around with a cable put me off so hammer and chisel it was for a full day and a half. I would honestly not have saved much time running a corded router.

Cheers guys, great feedback!

/ Henrik
 

 

[DB10]

  Your welcome let us know how you get on with it.
That 23g pin nailer you mentioned that has been upgraded is next on my Makita list, just waiting for them to release it down here. The problem with Makita is, some tools like the cordless router we got first in Aus, other tools we can be left waiting a year or more for a release date, might have to import one from Europe if it's as good as the reviews are saying.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

  Your welcome let us know how you get on with it.
That 23g pin nailer you mentioned that has been upgraded is next on my Makita list, just waiting for them to release it down here. The problem with Makita is, some tools like the cordless router we got first in Aus, other tools we can be left waiting a year or more for a release date, might have to import one from Europe if it's as good as the reviews are saying.

I am curious to see how they improved the 23ga pin nailer - I use mine every now and then and it is a handy machine. I could look into the new nailer and see what the fuzz is all about. Not sure that I would upgrade as we have pin nailers in the work shop but you never know.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Ok, got me the router the other day. It is very nicely built and after trying the plunge base I bought the router and ordered the plunge base. It was not expensive but it also turns out I can get the corded router plus four bases for only twice as much as just the plunge base... I could actually use the tiltable base so might snag the corded kit too - could probably just hand the corded machine to my colleague and keep the bases.

Was supposed to give the machine a work out but batteries needed charging - got me the 5Ah batt's. Machine runs smoothly and the LED and soft start is a plus.

Sold of my big Festool OF1010 kit with LR32 and MFS400 and rails as I practically never use it. That will pay for the Makita and some  change left after the add ons - most would make that out to be a very poor trade but I'd rather have a machine I actually use more often than having one that sort of never gets any playtime.  I don't even feel sad about it - the buyer seems thrilled and I am glad to see it off my shelf.

 

[DB10]

  I hear you, both of my Corded and cordless Makita's plus my big Triton which is installed in my router table get used a lot more than my OF 1400, I have a job Next week rebating a couple of French doors that OF 1400 will get used for so it does come in handy from time to time but the spaces between time can be quite long,
it's just so handy to grab the cordless Makita, but that's just the nature of my work I guess.

Just a word of caution regarding the Makita plunge base, mine worked flawlessly for a couple of years on the corded trimmer but it managed somehow to get a small burr on the inside of the plunge base, it seemed that a very small piece of the casting just came away and raised slightly, this was un noticed by me but caused the plunge base to become stuck on the body of my cordless trimmer, it also made a groove into the soft aluminium body of the trimmer, once I discovered the burr and removed it all was good a again but I had to use wet and dry to get the smoothness back on the trimmer body and inside of the plunge base. I just pay extra attention now when attaching the plunge base to either of the trimmer bodies.

 

[J0hn]

Woodhaven makes a decent 'offset' plate that is a direct replacement
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DFF9J5I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[attachimg=1]

 

[pingvinlakrits]

That offset base looks sweet.

It is possible to do the very same thing with the offset attachment though, I can take a knob off the plunge base (or buy a generic one) and take off the offset base and fit it with the knob where the off set bit goes. Someone showed this on a YT video. That made me buy the off set base. 

 

[Laminator]

I got the router and offset base delivered yesterday and put it to use on a job today.  I am very happy to report that it works very well fabricating laminate.  I will cut the base plate off where it sticks out on the back side (its a nuisance) but other than that it is a very solid machine.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I got the router and offset base delivered yesterday and put it to use on a job today.  I am very happy to report that it works very well fabricating laminate.  I will cut the base plate off where it sticks out on the back side (its a nuisance) but other than that it is a very solid machine.

It was the Makita offset base - not the one from the previous post by J0hn? 

The shape is a little bit odd, I haven't had time to fiddle with the bits and pieces yet.

 

[Steven Owen]

I have corded and cordless. Both are good routers. The cordless is awesome in that it’s as powerful as corded and just rocks. All the bases are cool. One disapointmented in each, the corded has no light and the plunge base has play in plunge, I have yet to try to address this with a mod. Note, that the Makita guide rail attachment works with this router, even has the little leveling foot like on the festool routers.

You’ll find most of the cordless tools from Makita are superior to their corded counterparts.  Makita’s been investing more R&D into updating and refining their cordless tools over their corded counter parts. 

Makita fixes a lot of issues with the XP6000 corded track saw in the new cordless XPS01PTJ track saw.  A lot of the Makita corded models in their tool line-up haven’t seen a model refresh in 6-10 years.

Makita is really trying hard to push people onto their cordless platform. 

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Steve: I really like that, instead of resting on old laurels they are refreshing the line up. I agree that many of the new tools feel really good.

They need to discontinue that fugly cordless nail gun and get one out that is smaller, better and more ergonomic.

As a side note I passed a larger dealership and - as I often do - stopped and checked out the news. Hitachi tools feel great in hand. I do think Milwaukee are way too heavy and according to a repair shop I know of they fail just as much as other brands. I have never been keen on DeWalt but they are turning in the right direction too. They have a new-ish nail gun out that looked and felt good in hand. About the same size as Ryobi and the battery is really small.

These are exciting times for cordless tools.

 

[J0hn]

I got the router and offset base delivered yesterday and put it to use on a job today.  I am very happy to report that it works very well fabricating laminate.  I will cut the base plate off where it sticks out on the back side (its a nuisance) but other than that it is a very solid machine.

It was the Makita offset base - not the one from the previous post by J0hn? 

The shape is a little bit odd, I haven't had time to fiddle with the bits and pieces yet.

I posted a pic of an offset 'plate' which a lot of people would call a base.  I believe they are talking about the true offset base which is commonly used to trim laminate  (it actually moves the spindle over to the corner with a small belt)

 

[Laminator]

Henrik, the base I got is the one pictured by JOhn.  The base plate is designed to serve as an extended base when used in lieu of the standard round base.  This round part is partially visible at the back of JOhn's pic and is what I will be removing. 

I'm sure this trimmer will replace the Porter Cable offsett base trimmer(s) that Have been my workhorse trimmers for the last 20 years.  Time will tell about the lifespan of the belt and bearings in the new makita which seem quiet and smooth and noticeably less heat build up.

 

[Steven Owen]

Steve: I really like that, instead of resting on old laurels they are refreshing the line up. I agree that many of the new tools feel really good.

They need to discontinue that fugly cordless nail gun and get one out that is smaller, better and more ergonomic.

As a side note I passed a larger dealership and - as I often do - stopped and checked out the news. Hitachi tools feel great in hand. I do think Milwaukee are way too heavy and according to a repair shop I know of they fail just as much as other brands. I have never been keen on DeWalt but they are turning in the right direction too. They have a new-ish nail gun out that looked and felt good in hand. About the same size as Ryobi and the battery is really small.

These are exciting times for cordless tools.

The tool companies investing more R&D on cordless tools because they have a better reoccurring revenue with replacement batteries vs. the cordeded tools.  Most Brushless direct drive motors are simpler to make and quicker to mass produce than their brushed counterparts.

There’s a lot of incentive for Makita and other companies to invest more in cordless tools.  I can imagine the feature disparity between corded and cordless tools is only going to increase with time.