Makita will soon be releasing a new router and router kit, models RT0700C and RT0700CX3, that offer performance and versatility in a lightweight and compact package. Like the Porter Cable and Dewalt compact routers, Makita’s new router is somewhat of a hybrid design between laminate trimmers and full-size routers.
The RT0700C router features a 1-1/4 horsepower motor with variable speed control, 10,000-30,000 RPM, and a soft-start function. Speed-control circuitry ensures that the speed is held constant, even under load.
Advertisement
The motor housing itself is made from heavy-duty aluminum. Depth settings are controlled via a rack and pinion fine adjustment, and a quick-release cam lock system allows for coarser adjustments and base swaps. A straight base is included with the router, and the kit includes a straight base, plunge base, tilt base, offset base assembly, dust nozzle, side handle, trimmer guide assembly, and tool bag.
The plunge base features a 0-1-3/8″ depth capacity and 3 preset depth stops. The tilt base can be adjusted at different angles and features positive stops at 30° and 45°. Tilt bases allow you to break down and bevel edges with only a straight bit; this is one of the reasons we’ve been pining for Bosch’s Colt router kit.
Compact routers seem to be quite popular these days, and there’s even a mini router table available.
http://youtu.be/Gy_AfcTftFw
Advertisement
sullivan504
Let’s hope they get it out the door soon at the same price (or better) than the Bosch Colt kit.
Allen McGranahan
Hopefully with a half inch and quarter inch collet, I wouldn’t be interested otherwise.
Stuart
No 1/2″ collet, but the specs mention 1/4″ and 3/8″ collets. For 1/2″ collet, you really need a full-size router. Otherwise some users will try to use compact routers with huge 1/2″ bits to disastrous results.
sullivan504
@Allen: I respectfully disagree. With any router bit that requires a 1/2″ collet, you’d have a thoroughly underpowered tool in your hands (this is true for any compact router, even Dewalt’s beefier 1.25HP model) with this Makita. For light/dainty trim jobs, this is the ticket… but if I need to use any of my larger bits, I’d want to chuck it into my 3.5HP Dewalt monster. Any cutting job that 2.5HP and above can’t handle without breaking a sweat should be run through a molder/shaper anyhow.
Allen McGranahan
My Porter – Cable 10 amp 690 router has been spinning 1/2 bits for probably 20 years, I don’t know the horsepower but I imagine it isn’t 1 1/4 like this one is. The grip is much better on the larger collet and when I put it in the router table sometimes I have to extend the bit quite a ways, don’t worry about strain on the shank. I have reduced the speed and use panel raising bits with an undercutter and have no problems.
Sometimes we get too hung up on things like horsepower or whatever.
sullivan504
The 690 is rated at 1.75HP and I’m pretty sure that it’s a de-tuned 2HP motor. You have the sense to slow down the feed, but too many novices wouldn’t know to do that and could end up chewing up a panel (at best) or getting hurt (at worst) by passing a board through a large bit without enough power to keep up. Not to mention wear & tear on the brushes & armature… I seriously doubt that a 2012 Makita is going to be built to last like a late 80’s/early 90’s Porter Cable was.
For a trim router like this, I still think that 1/4″ is all the collet it needs. I’m a little surprised that there’s enough [perceived] market interest for Makita to bother including a 3/8″ collet.
Allen McGranahan
When I look at the photo it appears they are plowing at least a half inch dado a quarter inch deep, I would feel better with a half inch shanked bit. I agree the 1980s PC is probably more machine than this one is, and I probably have more patience than some, heck my 10 inch table saw only has a one horse motor and I work almost solely with ash.
I have never used any router bigger than a 2 horse Bosch, so maybe I’ve been missing out on all the high horsepower fun.
fred
Nice to see Makita jumping in to add some competition. I’ve got a chuckle over the HP debates that have taken place over the years – with manucaturers often inflating the tool’s rating or calculating the horsepower in a way that makes no sense when it comes to real work. We’ve used smallish Betterley trim a specialty routers for years in the shop – with them sporting Porter Cable Router motors in the 1hp class. We also use Bosch Colt routers (670 watt motors) and their predescessor Bosch 1608 (600 watt) laminate trimmers. I don’t think that we use them to hog out lots of material in a single pass – and given some reasonable care these all should be capable of performing their job for many more years.
I probably would not mount these in a router table for serious cabinet work ( I have access to a pair of Oliver Shapers – and many production shops use CNC machines) – but it would not surprise me to hear that a hobbyist was able to coax a smaller router to work in a table setup
DC
This looks to be about the right size for my needs. I particularly like the accessories that come with it.
martin spaink
just bought the full set, lovely stuff, versatile. BUT the 8mm collet is not what I expected, it is a very small and flimsy thing, and needs a lot of cranking before it even starts to hold a 8mm bit shank. The 6 mm collet is OK, but the 8mm is not up to it. I wrote to Makita in the hope they can make amends, as I do not use any 6mm bits, mostly 8mm but do not feel comfortable with the collet at all.
MS
I suppose the short 8 mm collet ring is not meant to hold the bit alone. If you put the shank all the way 35 mm deep into the opening, it will reach a 8 mm support for its rear end. Then the fix is about ok, but the choice of bits is limited as many of them have only 25 mm long shanks and would never reach the bottom.
Mike m
hey i know its years later from when u wrote this comment but when u say 6mm collet do you mean 1/4 bits as in 6.35mm or does this really come with a 6mm collet i have few 6mm bits and cant find any 6mm router both my 1/4 inch 6.35 hand router dont not fit any 6mm bits if you answer this cool or if anyone else can point me in the right direction thanks
Danny
Hello, in the pictures it shows the guide fence attached to the plunge base. How do they go together because I have both parts but can’t see how they go together. Unless I’m some part missing. Cheers
Stuart
It should be straightforward unless you’re missing a part.
It might be easier to answer your question if you can take a picture and post it to the forum (https://discuss.toolguyd.com/).
The user manual might also have a diagram that shows you what goes where.
Danny
Hello, it’s the part that the guide attaches to with the rods. That then inserts into the plunge base. Is that something you can buy seperate? Cheers
Danny
Hello, I’m missing the guide holder assembly. Cheers
Andrew
Hi Danny
Did you end up finding this part and buying it?
im chasing one too!
cheers
Danny S
Hello. Yes I got one off of eBay for £15.