Overseas, Makita has announced two new XGT cordless routers – RT001G and RT002G.
It appears that the same XGT 36V/40V Max router motor is equipped with different bases – RT001G with a trimmer base, and RT002G with a plunge base.
Makita also lists the individual bases separately overseas.
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In case the model numbers and product photos suggest otherwise, I should emphasize that this appears to be one XGT router motor shown in two configurations.
Makita began promoting the new XGT router 3 months ago, in December 2021. There have not yet been any announcements regarding USA availability.
We asked Makita USA as to when the XGT routers will be released in the USA, but they declined to comment. This could mean that Makita USA doesn’t know if or when Makita will make the router available here.
Makita has been slow to bring XGT cordless power tools to the USA. For instance, Makita’s XGT cordless brad nailer launched overseas 11 months ago but has yet to even be announced here.
The new Makita XGT cordless router is said to work faster than their 18V model, delivering approximately 35% higher work speed when cutting a 6mm groove at a depth of 6mm.
The XGT 40V Max motor has a max speed of 31,000 RPM. Makita’s 18V cordless router, XTR01, has a max speed of 30,000 RPM.
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This suggests that the 35% increase in work speed reflects motor power and performance.
It also features constant rotational control, which maintains speed under load.
Makita XGT Cordless Router Features & Specs
- 6.8mm chuck (1/4″ collet size)
- Brushless motor
- 10,000 to 31,000 RPM
- Weighs 31. kg (6.8 lbs) with 2.5Ah battery
- ~35% faster working speed than Makita 18V router
- Dual LED worklight
- Motor shaft lock for bit changes
- Standby switch to prevent unintentional startup
- On/off button
- Variable speed dial
- AWS Makita wireless vacuum activation
- Kitted with 2.5Ah battery
Trim Configuration Price: ¥33,800 (~$292) for tool-only, ¥78,600 (~$679) for the kit
Plunge Configuration Price: ¥40,300 (~$348) for tool-only, ¥85,100 (~$736) for the kit
The kits come with a DC40RA charger and 2x BL4025 2.5Ah batteries.
USA ETA: Makita USA declined to comment.
Discussion
“About 35% faster” performance is notable, especially given that the example application is for a simple 6mm x 6mm groove (~1/4″ x 1/4″).
Not only that, it appears that the XGT 36V/40V Max cordless router motor appears to be the same size and shape as their existing 18V router.
The trimmer base, with a square guide plate rather than round, appears to be new, while the plunge base – based on appearances and model number – is the same one that’s compatible with Makita’s 18V cordless router.
It seems reasonable to expect that all of the 18V-compatible bases and accessories will be compatible with the new motor. In other words, the XGT brushless motor could be treated as a drop-in upgrade.
At first glance, it appeared that Makita was coming out with two separate XGT routers, a 1/4″ model and a 1/2″ model. Disappointingly, it’s just a 1/4″ class router in different configurations.
Currently, Metabo HPT is the only brand to offer a full-size cordless router.
Still, 35% faster work performance is a strong selling point.
The price seems a bit high, though, at $679 and up – converted from Japanese yen – for the 2-battery kit.
At the time of this posting, the Makita 18V cordless router is $125 at Amazon for tool-only, the 18V trimmer kit bundle is $318 at Amazon, and the 18V plunge kit is $399 at Amazon.
If the Makita XGT router does launch in the USA, will it also be double the price of the 18V offerings?
Just talking about the tool-only SKU, the XGT is $292 (trim configuration, converted from yen), and the 18V tool is $125 (trim configuration). The XGT has a higher performing 36V/40V Max motor, but also AWS built-in vacuum activation (which only works with compatible Makita vacuums).
fred
This might be an interesting choice if and when it hits the USA market – but it still looks more like a trim router than the Metabo HPT M3612DA 36V cordless plunge router. The Metabo HPT also has been attractively priced/bundled lately. At its regular price, it comes with 1 battery and charger, 1/4 and 1/2 collets and wrench, 11pc template guide bushing set, decent edge guide, vacuum attachment and a roomy cloth tool bag. I’ve also seen it bundled with a second battery. Finally, it appears to work with the Metabo HPT 110V to 36V AC to DC converter brick.
fred
https://www.burnstools.com/m3612dam-36v-multivolt-2hp-plunge-router
Stuart
As mentioned in the post, this is only a trim router with 6.8mm (1/4″) collet.
Metabo HPT’s MultiVoilt – https://toolguyd.com/metabo-hpt-cordless-router-m3612da/ is still the only full-size cordless 1/2″ router than I know of.
Makita’s XGT pricing is inexplicably expensive.
Their 2.5Ah battery is essentially an 18V 5.0Ah battery that’s connected differently to deliver 36V output.
I also don’t understand why a 36V brushless motor would cost so much more than an 18V motor of approximately the same size.
The XGT router has AWS wireless vacuum control, but how much could that possibly add to the cost?
Makita touts XGT’s “rare earth magnets,” “pure copper wire,” “built-in microchips,” “digital communication,” and “impact absorbent structure.” But aren’t these features found in all modern cordless power tools?!
Maybe there’s a reason why Makita XGT tools are so expensive, but I fail to see it.
Makita has also been slowly downgrading 18V kits, replacing 5Ah batteries in new SKUs that are bundled with 4Ah batteries. Instead of standard 2.0Ah batteries in SubCompact tool kits, they went with marked-as-discontinued 1.5Ah batteries in recent launches.
XGT tools could be priced higher than 18V for distinction and perception, but that would be highly uncharacteristic for a Japanese brand.
fred
All good points. I don’t know what’s up with Makita lately. In our GC/remodeling business we were probably 80% a Makita shop – but that was (and still is from what my ex-compatriots tell me) changing – with a shift toward Milwaukee. Makita – may not be as enigmatic as Bosch – but they do seem to treat the USA market differently that they do Europe, Australia or even Canada – with slower introductions here. Maybe it has to do with the US regulatory environment or Makita USA marketing – but it is different. About their pricing – maybe they have decided that markup and profit per item-sale is more important than sales volume driven by discounted price. But that is just pure speculation on my part.
Meanwhile. KKR and their Meatbo HPT brand seem to be slowly innovating with their 36V (single battery) lineup – and their pricing seems to be competitive. Their M3612DA router (coming with both new and rebadged Hitachi accessories) was the example I used – but their cordless strap nailer also seems to be an advancement (evolutionary anyway.)
https://www.cpooutlets.com/metabo-hpt-nr3665dam-multivolt-36v-brushless-lithium-ion-cordless-metal-connector-nailer-kit–2.5-ah-/mhpnnr3665dam.html
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/makita-tools-regional-financial-examination-2019/
The last time I ran the numbers, Makita earned 14.8% of their sales revenue from North America. So that’s less than 15% for the United States, Canada, and Mexico combined.
For the same year, Makita earned 18.8% of their revenue from Japan, and 43.5% of their revenue from Europe.
Stanley Black & Decker (Dewalt et al) earned 55% of their total revenue from the United States, and TTI (Milwaukee, Ryobi power tools, et al) earned 76.5% of their revenue from North America.
Stanley Black & Decker and Milwaukee Tool R&D efforts are based in the USA. SBD conducts R&D elsewhere as well, such as in Israel, but I don’t believe the same is true for Milwaukee.
In terms of revenue, for the same 1-year period, Makita earned ~$682M in revenue from North America, SBD earned $7.70B from the USA, and TTI earned $5.37B from North America. By my estimation, SBD earned ~$5.89B in tools and storage in the USA.
Sales projections might play a part in determining which tools Makita will release in the USA, and when.
According to Wikipedia (3/3/22)
Japan: 146 thousand square miles, 126M people
Oceania: 3.29 million square miles, 41.6M people
North America: 9.54 million square miles, 579M people
% of Makita revenue, from their 2019 annual report:
Japan: 18.8%
Oceania: 6.1%
North America: 14.8%
Just looking at the relative data for these 3 regions:
Japan: 47.4% of the sales revenue from 1.13% of the land area and 16.9% of the population
Oceania: 15.4% of the sales revenue from 25.4% of the land area and 5.57% of the population
North America: 37.3% of the sales revenue from 73.5% of the land area and 77.6% of the population.
Numbers-wise, this was 39.7% of Makita’s revenue, combined. Europe contributed towards 43.5%.
I’m guessing that Makita is slow to launch new tools here because the USA and North America are simply much smaller markets.
This is a sensitive topic – one of the last things Makita USA said before blacklisting us from media and press communications last year was that they don’t like our reporting about Makita tools available overseas. They believe “it’s not of interest to USA users.” One of their managers then went to leave numerous comments under a fake name (https://toolguyd.com/makita-xgt-comments/).
Slower rollouts? That could be a supply and demand consideration. Tools that never launch here at all? That could be Makita not wanting to push certain new tools to a smaller market, or Makita USA not bringing tools here because of sales projections.
The XGT brad nailer was announced overseas 11 months ago. Surely there’s a market for an improved cordless brad nailer here.
There’s going to be an interest in this router as well, but will there be sales at the listed (converted from yen) price levels?
fred
Thanks for doing the enlightening math.
I know that we in the USA sometimes forget that the world is a much larger place and market than our 50 states. That also goes for our preferences and opinions. Having travelled fairly extensively throughout the US and the world (having visited 49 states and 6 continents) – I can attest to both amazing similarities and differences among the world’s inhabitants. I have also observed (anecdotal evidence from a tourist) that power tools in use seem to vary country to country.
I guess in the case of Makita – they are sticking with what they feel or know to be their basis for success – rather than trying to expand their North American market in the face of competition from the leaders like SBD and TTI.
MM
Regarding Makita not wanting you to talk about Foreign tools because “They believe “it’s not of interest to USA users.”
Man, that sounds absurd. I will gladly import tools from overseas if I feel they are better than domestically available options. It also provides useful information about what tools may be coming here in the future. That comment from Makita is just plain absurd.
Stuart
I doubt any marketing team is thrilled about coverage on tools they don’t intend to sell in certain markets in the near future or at all. I have only ever heard from one other brand about this, but they were happy as long as I clearly noted I was talking about an international release.
I have also ordered cordless power tools from international sources when not available here. But more than that, I find new releases interesting, whether available here or not.
McDonald’s released a chicken Big Mac in the UK, and it’s not available here. I can’t order one, but I was still interested in reading about it.
Similarly, Makita makes a cordless TV. https://toolguyd.com/makita-18v-cordless-tv-radio/ It’s not available here, and I would never buy one, but it’s still interesting and post-worthy.
MM
@Stuart
Yes, I agree with your thoughts regarding the marketing team. But that explanation is not the one which they gave you!
Stuart
@fred – not wanting to compete in the USA market and not being able to compete are different things.
With this tool, it’s tricky.
35% faster performance means that the 18V router delivers 74% of the performance (100/135) at less than half the price.
If someone was buying into the XGT system exclusively, this might be a must-have, regardless of the premium.
I can understand why Makita USA might not want to bring this particular tool to the USA, but what about their new and improved smaller-than-18V XGT brad nailer?
As for the relative size of the North American market, the purchasing power goes both ways. With Makita, the sales revenue amounted to 14.8%. For TTI, North America contributed 76.5% of their sales revenue. That is quite significant.
TTI earned $5.37 billion in revenue from North America in 2018, compared to Makita’s total worldwide revenue of ~$4.61 billion (converted from yen on 8/22/19).
Stanley Black & Decker brands are available globally. For the same period, I extrapolated that they earned approximately $5.89 billion in tools and storage revenue in the United States, which was also appreciably larger than Makita’s not at all insignificant global revenue.
@MM – speaking generally, some marketers are completely incapable of comprehending my modus operandi.
If a brand isn’t selling a product in a particular region, marketers won’t promote it. That’s logical.
But *I* am not a marketing tool, despite how some marketers over the years tried to treat me.
*You* are a tool user, but you might not be a customer for every tool or brand you read about.
Maybe some marketers believe tool users are not interested in products they cannot immediately buy, or it could just be that they don’t like having to explain to inquiring USA customers why they cannot buy certain tools now or sometimes ever.
Rob
“ I can understand why Makita USA might not want to bring this particular tool to the USA, but what about their new and improved smaller-than-18V XGT brad nailer?”
Because
1: It’s not 2”
2: Hitabo HPV/Milwaukee have that market on lock.
HiKoki have an identical product in Japan. It ain’t coming here.
The trim router will come. Koki have a 36v too… but they released it as 18v here….even though they only sell compact 18v batteries which you ain’t gonna use and… dang man I think Metoki STD is smoking crack .
Jim Felt
fred. Years ago my company worked with Makita’s (US) national ad agency and I was kinda embarrassed for them both. Though I only personally met the agency people. Neither seemed very US tool market savvy/knowledgeable in any sense I could see.
Maybe they’ve changed significantly but I sure don’t know. Or with these kind of posts see it.
Rog
Oh man, as someone in the advertising space, I’d loooove to know the agency name…
Rog
I have many Makita 18v tools and would love to keep filling the lineup, but they do make me wonder what they’re doing most times.
I love the finesse and quality of their tools, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t a pain in the bottom side to find half their offerings anywhere but online.
Don’t personally love Milwaukee and Dewalt but they make it tempting when I know I can get their stuff anywhere at anytime and ACTUALLY HOLD IT IN MY HAND FIRST.
rob
Go to a tool store and not Home Depot. If the reason for this is that you live out in the sticks, I’m sure that this experience applies to more than Makita.
Jim Felt
That’s exactly what I tell my acquaintances but I live in any area with a number of really knowledgeable and well stocked independent tool vendors.
But how many do or even realize they exist? Plus some few aren’t open on weekends let alone after “work” hours.
Earsy
As a carpenter that uses the original 18v model on a daily basis for me it’s perfect, light weight more than enough power probably the best 1/4” trimmer on the market… but that’s it it’s a trimmer and you use it to its advantages. What I really want to see is a 36v lxt 1/2” plunge router. If that comes to market it’s a game changer. If the price point is right, that will be the best/fastest selling tool in the uk….
In my opinion obviously but what does my 22 years in the trade using makita tools know….
Kiko
Hikoki have a 36v 1/2” plunge router for around 300GBP, available in the UK. And it is quite good, according to the reviews.
We have a lot of both Makita and Hitachi / Hikoki tools in the workshop – and the quality of the latter is in no way lesser than of Makita.
Charlie
Voltage matters. Now, if only the industry had smaller cells to play with…instead it is trending toward larger ones due to the EV industry. But at some point, and I don’t think it is more than 10 years away, people will laugh at the huge lumps we used to have attached to our tools for several decades.
Stuart
Makita product managers, in response to Dewalt Flexvolt 60V Max cordless power tools: ” Voltage is only part of the story,” “Watt hours, the product of amp hours and nominal voltage, measures the amount of performance performed by the tool and is a better efficiency indicator.”
18V 5.0Ah battery: 90 watt-hours
XGT 40V Max 2.5Ah battery: 90 watt-hours
Voltage can play a part here, but it has also been 5 years since Makita launched their 18V brushless router. Brushless motor tech and performance has advanced a lot in this time.
As for smaller cells, https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-powerstack-battery/
Mr Mephisto
Smaller cells are fine, but the tech just isn’t there yet for things like powerstack (spicy pillows).
The Dewalt Pillow style has just been a joke. This type battery, made at the really low cost they are making them for, can literally blow up in their face.
Dewalt is using hype to cell cells. Lol. The technology for making what they truly claim is not there. Abe with them cheapening their tools to a near Ryobi level, it’s no surprise. But all tools go this route. And at least they’ve not yet been sold to Chervon. Lol.
So, in time, the Powerstack will hurt Dewalt. It’s already happening in the sense that they are giving them away. Soon it’ll be “Buy one $100 Craftsman Atomic, get free powerstack, and we will give you $150 cash back.” Lol.
Jared
It’s kind of hard to be enthused for this router. If it had been a proper 1/2″ plunge router, that’s a different story. Creating a 36v trim router? Meh. I mean, it’s good to have in the lineup, but Metabo has shown a full-size router is possible.
Makita’s XGT line feels somewhat lackluster to me. I want them to show me why the platform switch was worthwhile.
Stuart
The XGT lineup is very limited, but tools like this help to plug in some of the many holes.
A full-size router would be great, but a cordless trim router is better than none at all.
They also need to add a jig saw, nailers, a table saw, air compressor, and other such everyday-use tools. Maybe eventually.
Julian Tracy
I’ll say this about Makita’s LXT trim router – the fit and finish is simply excellent, but the stupid height adjustment is impossible to adjust with any sort of precision.
Rack and pinion it may be, but it’s sloppy loose and imprecise in actual use; doesn’t seem to be any way to adjust it to act as you’d think it should for such a “precise” tool.
Rob
Stu, you’re behind on the cultural pulse. Most of us on XGT have the Japanese Makita website set to auto refresh (although they announce to Instagram first and it gets in dealers hand and then YouTube and then Makita they finally throw up a pdf on the website two days after the Instagram post).
They finally announced the metal saw after two years. I’ve seen it in action. When will i get it? 2025? Big deep bandsaw but no compact one.
New Zealand is getting everything well before the rest of the world in these Bizarro times. And well..even the they’re importing from Japan.
Supposedly I’ll have a blower, metal saw and a hand light that doesn’t suck this year. I’m running LXT bandsaw, metal circ, lights caulk gun, small blower and so on even though I “switched” to XGT with the promise that I could do so.
When Festool announced the 2 x 18v vacs that only went to 107 cfm, I could understand that. When the 2 x 40v XGT vacs were announced at even less CFM….ain’t nobody got time for that. I will have a 140 CFM Hilti Nuron by the end of this month.
I was playing with the Nuron stuff, yesterday. If anyone isn’t locked into a platform or wants to start fresh: go with Hilti. You’ll need nailers from Milwaukee/HiKoki, and a multimaster from Fein…but that’s life.
50/50 chance Makita USA will dump everything to the market on April 1st. Which is patently annoying. It would be nice if they could communicate their intentions and give me a roadmap. I understand that everything is backed up and in chaos right now. All I want is: “We intended to release products a-z on dates a-z but everything is delayed, indefinitely.”
I’m starting to get Bosch flashbacks.
Rick C
Makita makes excellent tools. Although I wonder if they are as durable as DeWalt and Milwaukee. Recently I was looking at their track saw and trim router. According to info on Acme Tools, these tools are made in China. I’m ok with tools made Taiwan, but China is a deal breaker.
fred
If China is a no-no for you – then you had better take a close look at where many small power tools from Bosch, Craftsman, Dewalt, Metabo + Metabo HPT, Milwaukee, Porter Cable, Ryobi and Skil are made. You might find that your purchasing selections will be narrowed to brands like Fein, Festool, Hilti and Mafell – for certain tools. Like you, I’d like to see brands like Dewalt, Milwaukee and Porter Cable return to having most production in the USA – but it seems like wishful thinking for now.
BTW – I bought 28 cordless power tools (mostly as gifts) over the last 2 years. 23 (5 Makita, 2 Metabo, 1 Metabo HPT, 11 Milwaukee, and 4 Ryobi) were made in China, Of the other 5, 1 Makita was made in Japan, 1 Bosch was made in Malaysia, 1 Metabo HPT was made in Taiwan, 1 Milwaukee was made in Thailand – and only 1 – a Reed Pump Stick was made in the USA
Jim Felt
Try buying any camera or computer related tech actually “Made in America”. Notice I didn’t say “designed in America”.
Though some iPhone components are in fact made here. And nearly none in China. Just assembled there.
“Strange Days” as the Doors once sang.
fred
When was the last professional grade camera made in the USA?
I’m guessing that there still may be military and specialist instruments made here – but anything for professional or hobbyist photographers?
When I was a kid during the war – I think there were lots of snapshot cameras around – maybe a Kodak Ektra or two or some Argus Cameras – and certainly press cameras like those from Graflex. But when I first got interested in photography in the 1950’s the choices seemed to be European or Japanese made instruments. My father passed on a pre-war Contax II for me to play around with – but by the 1960’s when instamatic cameras were the hot sellers here – and I had switched to a Leica – the industry seemed to be migrating more and more to Japan
Stuart
Camera-related tech?
https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/
https://kirkphoto.com/
You did say camera-related, as opposed to just “camera tech.” (But you do have a point.)
However, there are a lot of holes. I’ve tried to go with USA-made as often as I could, but for some small support accessories that aren’t worth a high premium, or less popular components USA players don’t make, SmallRig (Hong Kong) has well exceeded my expectations.
fred
I did miss the one tool that I bought for myself – a Lemello Zeta P2 machine – made in Switzerland – and priced accordlingly.
fred
Lamello – will need to forgive my fat fingered typing
rob
All of Hilti’s cordless and most Fein’s cordless are made in China…
Julian Tracy
Hah! Everything Milwaukee makes is made in China, save for some legacy tools like euro-made rotary hammers
Stuart
Wrong.
Packout is made in Israel.
Packout vacuum (and I believe other new vacs) are made in USA.
Corded Sawzall reciprocating saws are made in the USA.
Sawzall blades are made in the USA.
Hole Dozer hole saws are made in the USA.
Step drill bits are made in the USA.
Many Empire Level products are still made in the USA.
Milwaukee is opening a new USA manufacturing facility later this year https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-usa-manufacturing-expansion-2022/ . Another facility was also announced. https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-tool-clinton-ms-usa-manufacturing-expansion-2021/
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-packout-vacuum-made-in-usa/
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-usa-factory-tour-how-a-carbide-toothed-sawzall-ax-blade-is-made/
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-usa-factory-tour-how-a-sawzall-blade-is-made/
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-step-drill-bits/
fred
I posted elsewhere about my power tool buying experience over the last 2 years. I bought 12 Milwaukee cordless power tools. 11 were made in China . One – a M12 blower was made in Thailand.
The only USA-made power tool that I bought was a Reed Pump Stick
Nathan
I could see where someone contractor group might well have wanted that. specifically.
I think it’s a bit fast but if it holds speed cutting 20mm ply while making a clean profile then that’s the goal I suspect.
curious how it stands up the 18V dewalt and milwukee offerings.
TonyT
As I’ve noted before, the final COO isn’t always indictive of where the real value was added. For example, many CPUs are “made in Malaysia” but that only means they where packaged (silicon put into final chip with pins) there – the actual chip fab was in Taiwan, US, Israel, Ireland, or Germany for Intel or AMD.
Patrik Engborg
I don’t like this development. I got like 10 tools and probably more battery’s. Now it seams as makita is moving towards a new line of batteries and chargers, making my current ones useless, if i want some new tool’s.
I sent makita Sweden an email asking them to confirm this, but their sales people and service department are useless! They just ignore their customers.
I experienced this first hand a couple of years ago when i bought a mitter saw. It had a manufacturing error, and I called makita to find out what was going on with their new saw. They flat out told me “it’s a China saw, what did you expect?” I told the guy,
-I bought a makita, expecting Japanese quality!
I returned the saw and bought a bosch instead.
It seams I’ve invested in the wrong brand. I don’t like the plastic feeling of Milwaukee, or i wold have switched to that brand.
Kiko
I read a lot of criticism and dissapointment of the makita XGT 40V MAX line. Mainly due to the high prices, the lack of availability in the US and due to the fact that many of us all are piled up a massive 18V collection of Makita tools.
But even though i fall in that late category ( I have 15-20 18V tools) – from all I read and hear about the XGT series – it is quite good. All the tools (apart from the impact drivers) – are a massive improvement in terms of power over the 18V counterparts, many times 50% better, and those 40V are tools in similar or just slightly, slightly larger size and weight than the 18V. Makita managed to release so many tools in just 2 years and keeps releasing new and new tools almost every month, production tools, garden and home appliences. And all this in covid times.
Mr Mephisto
I like Makita, I prefer Bosch lately, but we all know about the NA market being a “Ughh… do we have to??” for the brand.
But for cordless routers, makita takes the win.
However, a 40v version with almost no change from the XTR01Z, is nothing more than a cash grab. They could’ve given this tougher shaft bearings and a ½” collet, and I’d have bought 10 right away.
Bosch has had a 1617 sized 18v ready to go for years now … but it just sits there not being produced.
Milwaukee and Dewalt lack precision… the focus on “MoAr ToRqUe!!!” Crowds.
Metabo (Hikoki) just isn’t … well.. it’s just not Hitachi. I know I’m supposed to say “It’s just a name change.” … but as a long time Hitachi user the new renamed items (the cordless versions at least) have different feels. It’s like Stanley Black and Decker bought them 20 years ago. (You know… the SB&D Curse where everything they make/own is magically turned to garbage in less than 20 years. Stanley. Black and Decker. Craftsman. Porter Cable. And their newest recipient, DeWalt. ) Now, I have bought a few corded Hikoki from Japan through a friend there, and like every tool sold in Japan, it’s so much better than here in the US.
It’s like companies use the “It’s America. They will love cheap 💩.!! So mark it up 200%, then cut quality and cost by 30%. Then offer them 50% off, and they’ll eat it up. Just make sure it has a lot of torque!!!” …. and sadly, they are right.
TL;DR…
For myself, I’m 6’7″ 330lbs… I know better than most that power beyond what is needed, is a waste. And with a precision tool, like a palm router, you do not use it with speed and torque in mind. If you, for some reason need to cut 50% faster… then then you are using the wrong tool, and/or, stop buying shit-bits. Buying good bits will hurt less when you break the bit and it flies into your thigh at 20k rpm. 😀
Adam
I live in England, probably the reason the Uk gets Makita XGT 40 volt and some other tools before America, is because America is so much bigger and the market is so much bigger, but I’ll tell you one thing having lived in America Massachusetts, tools are much cheaper in America, and theirs a lot of tools you can get in America that you can’t get in the Uk, and the carpentry trade is much better in America so don’t think the grass is greener in Europe when it comes to tools, because it’s not.
Andrey
I’ve actually seen the XGT router at a local store here in Portland OR. The base though isn’t clear like the one pictured in the post. It looks more like the base on the 18V router. I don’t know the price though.