Machsupport Forum

General CNC Chat => Building or Buying a Wood routing table.. Beginnners guide.. => Topic started by: Bush Flyer on December 28, 2013, 07:51:23 AM

Title: Router has died Need advise
Post by: Bush Flyer on December 28, 2013, 07:51:23 AM
My Router has died and I need advise please.

The time has come to replace my black & Decker router with another router or a spindle air cooled or water cooled. For me it is a bit of a mine field on what to pick now I have a budget of not over £200 and I would prefer if it was less.
I manly cut up to 6mm ply and balsa but I do have one job to cut out some brackets from 6mm aluminium, 
now I know that a spindle is a lot quieter but what size, the router I had was 600 watt will a 600 watt spindle do the same job. Would I be better going for water cooling and spending a bit more or will air cooling be just as good and what about VDF for control, there is a 1.5kw spindle air cooled with a 1.5KW VDF inverter for under £200 just add mounting. Or would I be better going for a 600Watt air cooled spindle with a power supply for Mach3 with mounting for under £150.

What would be the easiest way and best way considering my budget?  Or should I just stick with the noise of a Router? ???
Title: Re: Router has died Need advise
Post by: ger21 on December 28, 2013, 08:32:05 AM
An air cooled spindle is not much quieter than a router, as it's the fans moving the air that make most of the noise.

Personally, I'd go with a water cooled spindle if you can afford it. But if moneys tight, a small router will do the same job for a lot less money. The biggest issue is how long will it last. Also, if you get a variable speed router, it will be much quieter, as you can run it at much lower rpms. Most fixed speed routers are spinning way faster than most people need.
Title: Re: Router has died Need advise
Post by: Bush Flyer on December 28, 2013, 08:52:52 AM
Thanks for they quick reply ger21,
My old router spin at 30000 no load and I had to wear ear defenders it was that loud. I could only run it in the afternoon as you could hear it all over the house from the CNC running in the garage.
I had to retire from work after a accident so now only have my pension as income. So don't want to go over £200 if I can. But would like to get the best I can. Also it would be nice to use my cnc in the evening without disturbing the house.
 
Title: Re: Router has died Need advise
Post by: ger21 on December 28, 2013, 09:27:34 AM
Water cooled will be the quietest by far.
Title: Re: Router has died Need advise
Post by: Bush Flyer on December 28, 2013, 09:55:38 AM
Can you please tell me  is the VFD easy to set up. The wiring looks easy but  I see the reading are in Hz and I do not understand what Hz are in relationship to RPM? I can get a water cooled spindle 800 watt with VFD for under £140 then all I would need is a Radiator pump and water tank  what do you think would that work for me?
Title: Re: Router has died Need advise
Post by: Bush Flyer on December 31, 2013, 01:20:19 PM
After reading more about VFD and after speaking to the supplier, I have  ordered a Air cooled spindle and matching power supply that is simple to connect to MACH3. It will have more power than my old router with lots more control so at slower speed it will be quieter. It's all I need
I have been reading lots of problems with VFD in setting up and also one which overheated his new spindle to scrap after getting the setting wrong on the VFD and he had a electrician wiring it.
So I'm happy with the decision that I have made.  Keeping it simple.
My thanks for all your help, Mike. ;D
Title: Re: Router has died Need advise
Post by: Bush Flyer on January 02, 2014, 05:54:27 AM
Well guess what I did this morning, After reading more, and been told more, about DC brushed spindles, I cancelled my order, I will never be able to order there for a long time, Anyway I'm back where I started. Looks like I will have to read more about this before ordering again. :-[
Title: Re: Router has died Need advise
Post by: ofg on January 29, 2014, 09:22:38 AM
I would try shopping ebay for the same type product, or just go vfd also potentially from ebay, and control it manually. I think its fairly easy to wire the vfd so that it E stops with the machine, even if it uses manual speed control.  As for wiring it to be completely mach controlled,, theres a lot of fluff to read through and no solid diagram or step by step instruction,, so much room for error. My water cooled vfd spindle is very quiet.. The Z axis is louder, and so is a band saw. I run it as early as 6am some days,, no complaints about noise.