i use a couple of porter cable routers on my deluxe cuesmith.my question is has anyone tried putting percision bearings in these to cut down on vibration.
router vibration
- Thread starter danny turner
- Start date
Wasting money, IMO. Deal with the vibration another way, like snugging up the gibbs or locking everything in place while the router is running. The vibration doesn't affect the cut quality. Cheap, out of balance bits and dull bits affect the cut. I'd say invest in high grade bits first and don't be afraid to change them out somewhat often. Don't get me wrong, good bearings in the router will make things quieter but they are disposable routers from the local hardware store. That's like putting a 350 in a Chevette. It can be done but for what purpose? If you're gonna go that route, you'd be better getting a higher end router. But honestly, the hardware store routers are just fine on the Deluxe lathe. They are loud & cause the machine to resonate, but cut just fine if you use a quality bit. If the router goes bad, which shouldn't be very often, then buy another router. You can get the DeWalt at Lowe's for like $80 and it's an exact bolt on replacement for the Porter Cable.
You may have to modify or replace your mount, but the Rigid laminate trimmer sold at Home Depot is IMHO the best of the routers out there. I bought one as a temporary replacement for a Wolfgang spindle on my CNC and when my Wolfgang came back from having it rebuilt I put it in a cabinet. Since then I've bought 2 more of the Rigids for other machines I have. They are much quieter. I've been running 1/64" cutters with out ever breaking one. It has a soft start and variable speed. It has a LED light that shines down on your bit and the work piece. And the best part, it has a lifetime warranty! I used the original one I purchased to cut 1 1/2" thick aluminum plate to make some router mounts and other jigs & fixtures, and a back plate for a chuck recently. It was really too much for a laminate trimmer but I wanted to see what it had. After running almost around the clock for 5 days cutting thick aluminum, it finally gave up the ghost. I sent it in and had it rebuilt free of charge! I usually don't get so worked up over tools but I've been using routers and laminate trimmers on my machines for over 30 years. I've had some very high end units, some valued at about $4000 and this little Rigid IMHO blows them all away and it's the quietest of all I tried!
You are right on the money Sherm. I have 3 of those Ridgid and absolutely love them. For $99.00 at HD and lifetime warranty you can't go wrong. I also have the precise collets from Precise bits and have no runout whatsoever on that router.