Makita RP1800

Dangerous switch - base keeps breaking - slow start and brake gone – Firstly I am a builder not a backyarder so I know my tools. This is the second Makita Router I have bought. They were a good router which needed a new fence design which is dated and inaccurate. I replaced the first one because the base broke at the point where the fence slide is secured to the base plate. The fence rod then pushes the plastic base and makes the bottom of the base uneven and you can never tighten the fence rods properly.

This causes the fence to slip which ruins whatever you are routing.

So Makita brings out a new model of this router which has a new base, the RP 1800, made in Japan like the older model

1. First thing I noticed is the brake has gone, why would they do this?

2. Second thing I notice is the on-off switch is different and dangerous.

You have to squeeze the trigger and then push this stiff stupid thumb lever then release the trigger lever to turn it off.

All while the thing is spinning at 22000 rpm. I hate doing this as I am virtually holding the thing with one hand.

With the Festool, you just squeeze the trigger and it stops, simple.

3. Let's not forget the new base, it broke in the same places as the older model, so again I can't use the fence.

What is the point in buying a new overpriced base when this is clearly a design fault and it will happen again.

Makita is clearly cost cutting and losing loyal customers in the process.

Same story with their new drop saws, they had the best one on the market and the new models are rubbish.

I bought the bosch!

I will be getting rid of the the RP 1800 and buying something else, I will keep the old one though and modify the base.

Superb Tool, reliable and powerful – When it comes to a plunge router, more is more - power that is. You can get away with less than 1HP for regular drills, grinders, planers, etc, but for a router to work well without burning the material or itself, 1800W is a nice power rating. I love this router; it's big, heavy and very stable, and it cuts very well. It's Makita "professional" grade so the build quality is also very good. All the features - height adjustment, height lock, switch, etc - work well and reliably. The plunge action is very smooth and well balanced with the router upright, so you have excellent fine control over height (particularly with the fine screw adjustment control).

I can say that I have a preference for Makita tools. Most of my best ones are this brand, but I've learned this the hard way by owning cheaper rubbish that I struggled with for years. For example my first router was some 400W inferior brand that did poor work for years before falling apart.