Makita RT0701C 1-1/4 HP Compact Router, Fixed Base

I love this router. It is easy to think of it as a trim router, but like advertised, it is definitely better thought of as a compact router instead because of its versatility and power. I have been using it almost daily since it arrived and haven't had a single issue with it so far, and haven't come across many projects where I had to switch to a heavier router. I haven't done a lot of hardwood with it yet, but I have done quite a bit of work on 1/8 and 1/4" aluminum and it has chewed right through it when set on the proper speed and has a good bit in it. The biggest issue I have come across was of my own making, and that was that I bought the $99 basic tool option. My thinking was that I would probably be using it as a trim router and so I wouldn't need the plunge base. That was a big mistake because had I known just how solidly built and capable this thing was I would have just spent the extra money for the kit that included the plunge base, or better yet, just went ahead and spent the $199 for the kit with the router and all 3 bases /attachments, rather than having to order a plunge base separately for about $70 and $30-35 each for the tilt and offset bases. Plus the full kit also comes with dust ports and guide inserts etc, whereas I only got the tool and the standard base for the $99. That extra 39.99 or 99.99 for the upgrade packages is completely worth the money given the performance of this little powerhouse router.

Ok, I'm impressed with this compact router. Powerful and the latching collar makes it a breeze to set the depth quickly. Just be careful if you are mounting this thing in a router table. I made the mistake of unlatching the collar and turn it to see if it would fit the adjusting cage on my router table. The router slide off the collar and bounced off the floor. Didn't hurt the router just made me grimace with humility at such a stupid clumsy act on my part.

I run this router in a CNC machine in my garage in Texas. It's 90-100 degrees in my garage right now, this machine runs for 5-9 hours at a time without complaints. It's a beast, 10-30k speeds eats wood for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have used it on pine, walnut, oak, mdf it doesn't care, it needs to eat. I have owned it for a while now and purchased replacement brushes, but have not needed to use them yet. I would not hesitate to purchase this router again if needed based on performance so far. Some of the jobs I do require extended run times that are far longer than the typical manual use of this router. It doesn't care, it keeps going. The Army Veteran plaque is like a 6 hours carve on the CNC with a change of bits around 3 hours in. I have dozens of them made. If you're hesitating on a purchase of this router because of longevity, don't be, it won't let you down.

Beautiful little machine. My first router. I’m a Makita user, I like how they design their tools. Very ergonomic, durable, precision tools. This little router is my first, and it is very user friendly and you don’t even need to read the instructions. The speed control is very good. And this machine just sings when you use it. Very nice operation.

I found this router to be versatile, it has sufficient power and comfortable and easy to use. I would have given it 5 stars, but I wasn't thrilled with the small base. So, I replaced the existing base with a much larger piece of Lexan plexiglass square on three sides. The router tended to be tippy with the existing base but with the added new base, greatly reduced that and made it much easier to control. Plus, I can use any of the squared edges of the new base to follow a predetermined edge guide without the need to use the edge guide supplied with the router.

Llevo varios meses utilizandola y realmente me ha impresionado su funcionamiento, solo tuve un pequeño problema al momento de utilizar una broca ruteadora, pero fue un error por no haberme fijado en el diámetro

This is a great little router even if it's made in China.

I purchased this trim router because of the great reviews and because Makita brand tools always deliver. Power is great, fits nicely in your hand, and it's weighted perfectly for easily control. You can use it as a standard router as long as you use smaller bits. The base hole is 1.25" so I would not use any bit over 1". Only cons I have - No attachments included except for the guide. - Attachments are expensive. Plunge base attachment costs almost as much as the router. - No tool bag included. Cheapest Makita tool bag on amazon is at least 16 bucks. Not a huge issue but when you have a lot of tools it helps to keep track and easily find them on a job. I used a generic tool bag for the router and even thought it was marked with permanent marker, it took me a while to find it. Sounds a bit stupid but when you use these tools everyday it makes a huge difference.

Value for money

Su tamaño permite realizar trabajos en espacios reducidos.

Excellent condition router. Highly recommend. No complaints. Does the job it should. Just get yourself of good set of bits. Not the cheap ones. Cheap bits can burn out in few uses, I think. The router came with a jig. To make a straight line cut.

Muy bueno aun lo tengo funcionando..

Used on a CNC machine, router is strong and has good torque. Only issue is that after awhile the speed (RPM) dial will move during use because it becomes loose so you have to jam something in to stop it vibrating and changing speeds. I only have this issue because its used for hours at a time on a cnc.