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I bought this router back in 1987, and used it to route various projects before mounting it to a table for a while, then put it back in the box. When you turn it on it sounds like a turbine, and it has tremendous air movement through the machine for cooling and clearing the chips from the workpiece. For a long time I did not use it (stopped doing projects) but I have recently brought it out for more projects around the house. It is a beast of a router, well made, smooth, heavy, powerful. The power cable started to crack badly from its' time under the table in the garage, so I found and ordered a replacement online and I had it back to full operation in 5 minutes. It is amazing to me that the router has stood the test of time in the marketplace with various modifications, and parts are still available for my 22 year old purchase, so it is likely to outlive me.
Unfortunately Makita's engineers make it so that a repair is impossible, and I was left with buying a new machine. I am a professional timberframer and we use the 3612 to rout out our pockets, wire chases, housings, etc. In our workshop this router lasts about two years. My last router was the 3612c, the variable speed model, and that aspect of the machine was its biggest drawback. I had no need to reduce power, and after putting the machine through the timber frame paces the wires to the variable speed function burned through. It's a solid tool with a lot of power and plunge capacity. I highly recommend it, with the caveat that everyday usage will limit its lifespan.
This is a replacement for the prior 3 1/2 hp Makita router. It finally quit working after being used in a shop built tenon machine for 24 years and making many,many,tenons. When it was pulled from that fixture, it was put on a trammel and used to cut round table tops out of 5/4 red oak. It's a beast of a router and I highly recommend it.
Not even the hardest and most figured sugar maple slows the 3612 down.2) Well built with craftsmanship. The router spins up smoothly with or without the use of a speed controller. The router isn't struggling even in a hard cut, and can sometimes result in damage to the 1/4 bit because you feel that you can push harder laterally than the bit shaft can handle without damage. 2) Not a large number of accessories available by third parties. I have used it with a speed control unit very successfully, with little or no loss of power and torque for table mounted applications. This machine is perfect for table mounting and can handle any bit you want to attempt.
Amazing machine. Some people may argue this point, but I feel the positioning of the handles, switches, and levers are very functional and easy to manage when plunge or template routing with the unit. 4) I recently bought a Router Raizer unit to use with the 3612. I have not needed to replace any component on the unit in all my use. I might not have needed the Router Raizer with a newer unit.5) An absolute pro for 1/2" shank bits and panel raising bits.
I have even done plunge and rabbet operations for 1 1/2" deep grooves with no issue. I bought it gently used from the father of a friend who had owned it for at least 3 additional years, and have used it on many furniture and cabinetry projects for my family.The pros of this unit:1) Immensely strong, as is stated in other reviews. The 3612 can get a bit heavy for handheld use at uncomfortable angles and heights. I have used it for about ten years on furniture and cabinetry projects in maple, oak, pine, fir, cedar, redwood, others, and have never had any trouble with it with any table mounted, handheld, or plunge routing project. I have used a wide variety on a lot of different woods and have never found an issue or limitation.6) Well balanced with good handle ergonomics. I keep it clean, so perhaps I have avoided other problems that might come up.3) Smooth operation. This isn't really the fault of the 3612, but power can have its price.4) The lack of the speed control in the 3612 as compared to the 3612C is a bit of an issue. Topside elevation changes are very well controlled using this system, and the system works seamlessly with the original Makita functionality.
I have nothing but praise for the Makita 3612 plunge router. Like I've said above, I really like this router.The cons of this unit:1) Heavyweight. While this may also double as a strength, the power of the system comes at a price. While Rockler and others do carry table plates and universal baseplate mounts to utilize Porter Cable template inserts, there are not as many options other than those Makita supplies with the unit (edge guide, etc).3) Also tied to the strength of the unit, I have found it to be almost too powerful when using 1/4" bits. This made the system even more useful to me. It does require an external speed controller when working in hard to route materials like maple, hemlock, and other hard woods. The motor shaft is still tight and smooth after 10 years of table mounted use. The 3612C has a 5 speed control, which is sufficient for most applications.
The installation of this add on has made the unit even more useful and valuable for table mounted applications. The newer 3612s have an efficient height control knob, whereas the older units did not. I have broken 1/4" shaft bits during template half blind dovetail cutting in maple. If I were to replace or buy a second 3612, I would most certainly acquire the 3612C in order to get the speed control and soft start built into the unit.
It just can't be beat for the price, I just went down and looked at the competition this week and they are either way more expensive or junky. I just ordered the variable speed version of this router to replace a 3612B (square base) that I bought in 1985. This has to be, without a doubt, the sturdiest router around. My only regret is that the square base (quite a bit larger than the round) doesn't seem to be available anymore. It was great being able to turn it upside down, lock it in a vice, adjust the fence in, and use it as a mini router-table.
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