Metabo HPT has announced a new industry-first full-size cordless plunge router, model M3612DA. The new Metabo HPT M3612DA is a 1/2″ router, and it will be part of the brand’s 36V MultiVolt system.
Until now, we have only seen a couple of different cordless trim routers, with 1/4″ collets, and this is the first 2HP 1/2″ router to be powered by cordless power tool battery.
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As a full-size router, the Metabo HPT M3612DA should have ample power for use with larger-profiled router bits.
Metabo HPT also says that their new cordless router features faster cutting speeds than its cordless equivalents and that it can plunge [cut] through even the hardest of woods with ease.
The new router features a soft-start motor for more control during ramp-up.
Key Features & Specs
- Brushless 2HP motor
- 1/4″ and 1/2″ collets are included
- 11,000 – 25,000 RPM
- Adjustable speed dial
- 1-31/32″ max plunge stroke depth
- Tool-less depth adjustment
- LED worklight
- Over 46 feet per minute cutting speed (in 1/2″ plywood)
- Weighs 6.6 lbs with battery – 40% lighter than corded equivalent (M12VE)
- Dust collection port is included
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As part of Metabo HPT’s 36V cordless power tool system, the new router can be powered by their 2.5Ah or 4.0Ah MultiVolt batteries, or an AC adapter.
Metabo HPT has been expanding their lines of 18V and 36V cordless power tools, which can all be powered with their MultiVolt battery pack.
Price: $399
The kit, M3612DA, comes with a dust collection port, 1/4″ and 1/2″ collets, a 2.5Ah MultiVolt battery, rapid charger, 7pc template guide set, straight edge guide, wrench, and carrying bag.
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Discussion
It’s about time!
Here are the things that stand out to me – first, Metabo HPT says that the new cordless router performs faster than the corded equivalent and is also lighter. Second, the option to go cordless or corded (via optional AC adapter) seems appealing for a tool like this where some jobs could be quick and others very long and drawn out.
It will be interesting to see what Metabo HPT comes out with next.
Jared
“It’s about time!” My thoughts exactly. This seems like it had to come eventually.
This is a great addition. Is it really needed that badly? Probably not, but I’d still buy one if I were in the market. Getting rid of cords is great – and the battery tech exists, so why not?
Nicely done Metabo.
Lance
I have the 1/4” cordless Makita and I’ve been waiting for them to make an 18v X2 1/2” router. The minute they do my big handheld Freud will be up for sale.
I’ll keep my other Freud in my router table for heavy work, but for handheld cordless will be the way to go.
Perry
After the XGT lineup being released, my guess is that’s where something like a heavier duty router would be released.
MM
Just like how the Flexvolt circular saws left the corded versions in the dust I’m sure it was only a matter of time before similar tech was applied to routers. With a big battery (on whatever platform) there’s absolutely no reason it cannot provide more power than a corded tool, at least for short periods.
alex
Will be terrific to cut window and door openings 🙂
Tim
I’m so happy I just bought into this system.
fred
I guess its an Industry First – for LiIon powered cordless – but Porter Cable had introduced one (#9290) for NiCad (19.2V) about 16 years ago.
Anyway – its is a welcome addition if it performs well
Kenneth Stephens
I just looked that up. Weight I found was 14.5 pounds. Wow. I wonder how powerful it would be with an adapter to lithium batteries or the old ones converted.
fred
I suspect that it did not sell well. Perhaps it did not live up to (2005) expectations based on Porter Cables long history of industry-leading corded routers. Porter Cable may have dominated the corded router business in the 1960’s and 1970’s – but Bosch seemed to gain ground quickly and others like Hitachi and Makita also seemed to have a presence. Stanley – once a router producer (including high-frequency commercial machines) seemed to lose ground as did Black & Becker. But when Dewalt acquired ELU (a well respected German maker) in 1994 – the ELU designs soon became the basis for Dewalt Routers. That carried over after the B&D-Stanley merger.
Metabo HPT
Hi there! Just to clarify, the router you mentioned is a fixed based trim router that can be used as a plunge router with the purchase of a separate attachment. The new Metabo HPT tool is a full-size cordless plunge router right out of the box.
fred
You are correct in that the old PC 9290 did not come standard with plunge capability – and I believe it sported a standard 1/4 inch collet. But PC offered 3/8 and 1/2 inch collets too. As I recall it was advertised as being more than just a trim router. It was said to produce 1.5 HP – and its base was said to be compatible with other PC 690 bases including the 690 plunge base. That’s not to take away from the innovation and potential that the new HPT router may offer today’s woodworkers – which sounds like it should be more capable than that old PC tool.
JMG
That PC cordless router’s biggest issue was the batteries IMO. They couldn’t keep up in heavy use and the tool ended up being an over sized trim router. Batteries died and it was not worth the replacement costs.
Mike McFalls
Hybrid is a terrific option!
Bob
I wonder how much the A/C to DC adapter is going to cost? And if it will work all that well.
I seem to remember some of the guys with the DeWalt 2x60v flexvolt 12” chopsaw said it ran better on the batteries than plugged into the wall. I hope they got the bugs worked out and I hope to see that hybrid option from other suppliers.
Vards Uzvards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQR2GYC/
In late Sep-2020 price went down to $99, but now it’s much higher.
No real experience with this, thus no comments on how well it works.
MM
It’s possible the battery version could work better. The issue is that anything plugged into the wall is going to be limited by the power available from a typical circuit. In the US that’s typically 15A at 120V, or 1800 watts. Any more than that and it blows the circuit breaker. And that’s under ideal conditions as well, long extension cords can reduce the power output of a tool. A battery powered tool has no such limitation, it’s only limited by whatever the battery can supply, and many batteries can provide more than 1800 watts, at least for a little while. Even a single Flexvolt-battery powered circular saw smokes a 15-amp corded model in a side-by-side contest.
Kenneth Stephens
Typo. You mention you can use the 2.5 or 5.0 amp hour battery. The advertisement says 4.0 not 5.0. I with they were still hitachi
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
Mike
The only tools that should have a cord are table saws, grinders if you use them a lot, heat guns and concrete breakers and if you need to make them cordless just get the dewalt power station and now you’re cordless
fred
I might add that corded concrete breakers are rather wimpy compared to their pneumatic and hydraulic counterparts. And – that while cordless tools are gaining ground – pneumatic grinders, drills and sanders still find a place in production environments.
Jim Felt
Particularly public entities and the like where theft is more easily averted if the tools aren’t electrically powered.
fred
Although I read that skid steers are one of the most stolen items on construction sites.
But I have to agree that stealing our Atlas Copco or Sullair breakers might have taken a bit more effort that walking off with a Bosch rotohammer – and using one of them (unless the thief also towed away the compressor) would not be a simple matter.
Koko The Talking Ape
I would add vacuum cleaners. But I haven’t tried the very latest ones.
JMG
That looks like an old hitachi router I had from over twenty years ago. That old router was the noisiest tool in the kit back then, and had some minor issues that translated into an early end of use compared to other routers in the shop.
It is exciting to finally see full size cordless hit the market but I will wait to see one in action before considering any purchases.
Nathan
putting the AC adapter out with it is the coupe degrace.
Makes goobs of sense other than price point shopping. I mean I don’t “need” a cordless router so a corded bosch, dewalt, triton, etc all fit the bill for me.
But you know gee having cordless as an option is handy. I suspect with a brushless motor and battery potential though put – it could have more ready power than a corded model.
Now I need Dewalt put out a flexolt model and slap that 15AH/5AH joint on there.
Julian Tracy
And so they show it doing a task a cordless trim router could handle, lol.
fred
Good point – but to be fair – they don’t claim its a replacement for a 3-1/2 HP router for hogging out dados – or as something you would mount in your router table to spin large bits. Time and the market will tell about how well it sells and works out.
Julian Tracy
They could at least show it cutting a decorative profile or routing a 3/4” dado….
Jim Felt
AKA “marketing guys” with a less then ideal knowledge base.
DB11
Tools & Stuff has a YouTube review up of the Hikoki-branded version of this same router:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5q3-8eVu30
John
After watching that video, I am hesitant now. His experience looked hit and miss. I really don’t need another router, have too many already. I do like the idea of a 2HP cordless though.
Nick
From article above
“Metabo HPT also says that their new cordless router features faster cutting speeds than its cordless equivalents and that it can plunge [cut] through even the hardest of woods with ease.”
Faster cutting speeds than its *cordless* counterparts no where does it say it competes worth corded models.
The quietness of a brushless motor vs brushed at 25k Rpm should be eye opening though. Think shop vac motor vs brushless cordless vac motor.
Plain grainy
Nice!
Plain grainy
I think one off the original German companies that were bought out by HPT. They were one of the first to come out with an impact drill. So bringing new products to market is in their lineage.
Fyrfytr998
Much like my sander, I think there are some items I’m just gonna leave corded. Other than my Impact Driver and Hammer Drill, I think I prefer to have all my tools corded.
Plain grainy
Some thoughts on corded tools (1). I wonder why there isn’t a belt or harness to carry batteries, then have a powered lanyard running from battery to tool. Workers working overhead could reduce tool weight with no battery on tool. They use lanyards anyway to keep tools from falling. (2). Shock hazard from corded tools, i knew some people that have died from electrical tool shock. (3). Tool cost, A lot of corded tools are 40-50% cheaper( plus you never have to buy battery’s).
Andrey
Yeah, definitely getting this and putting my corded DeWalt in the router table.