Review of the Makita RT001GZ19 XGT cordless router

This statement is absolutely true. If a DIYer's tasks are limited to drilling and driving screws, then he probably won't need a refinisher or router. However, what to do if suddenly there is a need to give a certain shape to the edges of a part made of wood, plastic or even aluminum? Or if you need to create a recess or hole of a non-standard shape? In such cases, screwdrivers will no longer cope.

The router and its base modules are placed in a plastic container with four latches. Each unit is stored in its own pocket.

It's not easy to describe what's included in the package. There are no questions with a regular tool: here is the tool, and here are the additions to it. But the modular form factor of our router is confusing: what is considered a device and what is an accessory?

Let's do it easier by listing the contents of the suitcase in order. So, the delivery kit consists of the following modules:

• Engine block

• Bevel milling base

• Base for curved milling

• Plunge milling base

• Base for router

Finally, the other contents of the kit that definitely qualify as accessories:

• two collet cones for cutters with shanks with a diameter of 6 and 8 mm
• Screw-on handle to base for plunge milling
• guides, air vents, set of wrenches, bolts, fasteners
• multilingual user manual

Please note: there is no hex key among the accessories, although you cannot do without it when screwing the cutter onto the base for curved milling. But more on that later.

The modular concept of the router can cause both positive and negative reviews. On the positive side, it should be noted that the owner receives a specialized device, the advantage of which is the compact size of the base. A conventional milling machine, on the contrary, has much larger dimensions due to its versatility. Let's compare: on the left is a typical milling machine, capable of performing almost all operations out of the box, including the key one — adjusting the immersion depth. On the right is the router in question with a conventional milling base. Notice how much smaller its base is?

Why are compact dimensions so important? The thing is that milling is most often required not on large countertops, as in movies or fashion bloggers, but on hard-to-reach surfaces of a limited area. These could be railings, door frames, thresholds, narrow trims, edges, and so on. The rule here is: the smaller the base area of the router, the easier and more efficient the work. Let's look at a clear example: you need to cut a recess for the lock tongue, but do it in an existing recess. Using a conventional router with a wide base is ineffective here, since the rebate of the door frame gets in the way. If you work on top of the rebate, the immersion depth of the cutter will not be enough. This is where the base for curved milling comes in handy. Despite the name, the value of the base lies in the fact that it has a different diameter of the support pad, which at its narrowest point is only 17 mm from the center of the cutter. Thus, using a cutter with a diameter of 10 mm, you can cut a recess at a distance of only 7 mm from the rebate!

This has been a positive, but there are also negatives to modularity: the limited versatility of the modules means it's common to disassemble a tool and then reassemble it to do a slightly different job. In real life, this can cause serious inconvenience. And so it goes.

Let's look at each module, starting with the main one — the engine block. Its operating position, as shown in the pictures, assumes that the battery pack with controls is on top and the motor unit is on the bottom. The battery block has a compartment for installing a proprietary Bluetooth adapter (article 620755-7), which ensures that the vacuum cleaner automatically turns on simultaneously with the router. Naturally, the vacuum cleaner must also support wireless connectivity. An example of such a vacuum cleaner is the Makita DVC265ZXU.

The next control element is a wheel for adjusting the rotation speed of the cutter. Without adjustment, it would not be just a milling device, but an uncontrollable device. Different materials, types of cutters and their diameters require different rotation speeds for optimal performance.

Another important control is the two-button panel. The first button unlocks the instrument and puts it into standby mode, while simultaneously turning on the backlight. Just touch the right button to start the engine, and use the same button to turn it off. In standby mode, if you do not touch the start button for a while, the backlight will turn off and the device will enter standby mode until you press the unlock button again.

The last control element, a red button, is a stopper that locks the motor shaft in a recessed state, which will allow you to firmly clamp the cutter in the collet.

Assembling a router is far from easy, and even a person with an engineering education will have to show considerable effort. The user manual provided with the router is not that helpful. It is typical that most modern instructions leave much to be desired, presented in a formulaic and unclear manner, with limited illustrations and no explanation of technical terms. Therefore, for a beginner, the main source of information becomes the Internet, including this article.

If a conventional milling cutter is not initially designed to work at an angle, then in our case a special module is used for inclined processing. The engine block is easily inserted into the module and secured with a clamp. The inclination of the router is manually adjusted, and the angle of inclination can be controlled using a degree scale. It is worth noting that this module does not provide the ability to change the immersion depth of the cutter during operation. It should also be noted that other modules do not provide this function, with the exception of the plunge milling module, as its name suggests.

To increase the immersion depth of the cutter, it is necessary to stop the engine, loosen the clamp and extend the engine block to the required distance. Another option is to loosen the collet and carefully slide the cutter shank out, but proceed with caution. The shanks of different cutters may have different lengths, so it is important not to push the shank all the way into the collet, which can be harmful. It is generally recommended to plunge the shank 20mm into the collet.

This module has a very unusual design. Here, rotation is transmitted to the cutter not directly from the motor shaft, but through a belt drive.

The use of this solution is aimed at minimizing the support area of the router. When using a large-diameter cutter, this design solution allows you to work effectively even in the presence of corners or door frames.

However, for such a skill the module requires payment in the form of a complex, long process of assembly/disassembly and preparation for work. To bring the structure into working order, you need:

• Remove the support pad from the module by unscrewing the four bolts (be careful not to lose it!)
• screw a special gear onto the motor shaft
• put the module on the engine block until it stops, secure with a clamp
• put the timing belt on both gears (not easy)
• insert the collet into the seat, insert the required cutter, tighten the connection
• put on the support pad, tightening the four bolts if you have not lost them yet
• If the diameter of the cutter is larger than the diameter of the hole in the support, then the cutter will have to be inserted after the support is attached. And this is not at all easy, even with a flat wrench

However, the subtleties do not end there. Some features will have to be mastered on your own. For example, the module gear, designed for attaching a collet with a cutter, can be unscrewed from the landing shaft. If the user is not familiar with this feature, he may wonder for a long time why the collet does not hold the cutter. In this case, a hex wrench will come in handy, which, unfortunately, is not included in the kit for some reason.

Using this key, it is necessary to fix the shaft when tightening the collet. This is a task that requires several actions to be performed simultaneously: a) holding the module, b) using a wrench, c) using a hex key. All this must be done while ensuring that the cutter shank does not plunge too deeply into the collet.

To sum it up: the concept is good, but the implementation is technically complex and awkward to use. Perhaps it's a matter of getting used to it.

This is the basic module that will likely be used most frequently. One of the key capabilities of a milling machine is the tool's ability to gradually sink the cutter into the material being processed. To achieve this goal, a spring mechanism is required, which is present in every router and in this module under consideration. By the way, the remaining three modules can be safely classified as trimming modules.

When using this module, you must hold the machine with both hands on the side handles, and then, pressing on them, gradually immerse the cutter into the material. The lowered cutter can be fixed by turning a special stop lever. The target immersion depth is preset and adjusted using a fine-tuning scale. A quick change in the maximum immersion depth of the cutter is carried out by rotating the platform with three limiting bolts.

Like other modules, the submersible module provides for the attachment of additional accessories: handles, guides, etc. But we will look at working with these accessories in a separate chapter.

This module is a simple design with the main function of changing the immersion depth of the cutter using a gear wheel. However, it is worth noting that this can only be done with the engine turned off and the clamp disconnected.

The maximum cutter diameter that can theoretically be used with this machine is 50 mm. However, in practice this depends on the module and accessories used. For example, when working with a submersible module and a connected dust extractor, the largest cutter with a diameter of 47 mm almost touches the edges of the dust extractor, which can lead to damage. Thus, the use of a 50 mm cutter in this case is difficult. And without using a dust extractor, there are no problems.

The same applies to the maximum diving depth. Theoretically, it is unlimited, with the exception of the length of the cutter shank. However, there are certain restrictions as at least 20mm of the shank must remain inside the collet.

Additional accessories that make work easier and expand the capabilities of the milling machine include handles, guides, dust extractors, and a copy sleeve (sleeve). Installing them is not difficult, but requires care.

The handle is used for more precise control, especially when working without guides attached. But it is worth noting that not all modules can be equipped with a handle. Moreover, to attach it, you first need to screw the support pad. As you can see, the designers also added their own nuances here.

Guides serve to precisely guide the movement of the cutter. Trying to cut a straight line with a cutter without using a rip fence or guide will inevitably result in a crooked line. Unless, of course, your hands are a product of modern technology. It is important to note that when installing various guides on certain modules, it may be necessary to use additional support pads that are screwed to the bases.

There is not just one dust extractor included, there are two. They have different shapes and are designed for installation on different modules. Although the purpose is one, to remove dust and chips abundantly created by the cutter during operation. Of course, you need a fairly powerful vacuum cleaner to remove debris.

Another inconspicuous addition is the copy sleeve. It is mounted so that its tip protrudes a few millimeters above the platform.

The purpose of the copy sleeve (otherwise known as the sleeve) is… That's right, to copy the contours of an existing template. When working with it you need to remember the following rules:

• the thickness of the template should be slightly greater than the height of the copy sleeve (sleeve)
• The diameter of the copy sleeve is always larger than the diameter of the cutter, which means that the dimensions of the cuts in the template must be adjusted accordingly

Criticizing guideline policies is tedious and ineffective. It is unlikely that ordinary users will be heard. Instead of improving the situation, it is getting worse. In this context, the Internet with its video services becomes a life-saving resource where you can find high-quality advice with a visual demonstration of processes that are missing in modern instructions. Video materials help to understand the subtleties that are difficult to perceive through miniature illustrations created in the “pencil” style. Additionally, illustrations are often placed at the front of the manual while text explaining the process is further away, especially if the reader is using a different language.

By the way, we can do this too. Write text and instead of pictures insert links to them. And not hyperlinks, but to add to the inconvenience — just numbers that you will have to look for somewhere at the beginning or end of the article. Can. But we won't.

The router we are reviewing is equipped with soft start technology. When the main button is activated, the engine starts smoothly, avoiding sudden shocks. This ensures safety and ease of use: if the cutter comes into contact with the material or is in a recess, the gradual unwinding of the motor prevents accidental tearing out of the hands and protects the material being processed.

In addition to the smooth start, the router is also equipped with an electric motor brake, which eliminates the long wait for the router to come to a complete stop.

It is important to note that when adjusting the depth of a rout, whether edge or plunge, the easiest and fastest method may be a visual-manual approach. In other words, the milling depth is assessed visually by carefully examining the position of the cutter relative to the top edge of the workpiece.

It is also important to consider that the ideal result is not always achieved on the first pass. To obtain a smooth and neat edge, it is recommended to run the cutter two to three times. This also applies to plunge milling, where you should not try to create a cavity in one pass, so as not to place unnecessary stress on the router, which could affect its power.

Another important detail when working with a router is the need to move the tool against the direction of rotation of the cutter when processing edges. In the figure, the direction of rotation of the cutter is shown by black arrows, and the direction of movement of the router is shown by white arrows. This rule promotes more efficient processing and prevents possible problems during operation.

So, to achieve a straight edge, it is important that the cutter meets the resistance of the material rather than rolling along the edge. Failure to do so may cause the machine to jerk in the direction of rotation of the cutter, which can damage the workpiece by creating burrs or chips.

The milling machine does not require particularly careful maintenance. It is recommended to clean the housing of fine particles after each work, avoiding waiting for the dust to stagnate and harden. It is not recommended to leave the cutter in the collet and overtighten all threaded connections. Store the router in a frost-free area, paying special attention to storing batteries in a warm room away from the device.

Arguing with yourself is an alarming signal, but the router we examined left such an impression — ambiguous and contradictory. A modular system, in contrast to a single design, provides ample opportunities for highly specialized work, and this is a fact. However, adapting the system for various tasks is associated with a number of problems and questions, and this is also a fact. But how can there be two opposite truths? And this is also a fact.

However, this tool has an undeniable advantage — battery power, providing complete freedom from wires. Forget about getting in the way of cables, constant problems with carrying cases and sockets — the user will definitely say goodbye to these troubles.