What router do You use?

[DaveK]

I've found that the little P/C laminate trimmers don't last very long with a lot of use. The brushes ware out and after replacing 2 times the commuters on the armature are so wore that the brushes only last a very short time. I've got one laying around here somewhere that after wearing out, I turned the armature down and put on a small cog pulley. I had intended to adapt a shunt motor to it and just use it as a spindle so as to be very quiet. I bought a Precise precision grinder shortly after and never finished the project. If someone has the time they might consider doing such a job as it would be no more noisy than any A/C motor running.

Dick

Great post Dick, warms this ee's cold cold heart ... machining rotating machines ... it just doesn't get any better than that, imo.

Dave, never thought he'd see the words "shunt motor" in a pool forum

 

[Dave38]

I just picked up bearings at the local bearing supply shop up the road, total cost was $10 for the set. The front bearing has a rubber coated metal dust shield, just as the original did. If anyone is interested, let me know. I made a delrin mandrel to push out the front bearing, and also to reinsert the new one.
For this price, I can do this 5 times and still be ahead of the game.

30 minutes later, All is well, bearings went in great and runs smooth again.

 

[Cue Crazy]

Here's the 2 routers and bases side by side. Mounted right up on My bracket, even used My old bolt to hold it on, same threads. I'm not sure how this router compares with the porter though, obviously they share some of the same parts though, but I can't speak of how the dewalt will hold up over time, since It's new.

As far as that porter in the picture, I bought that years ago off of ebay, before I ever even mounted It or had the cuelathe It's been used on. It was well used when I originally got it, and I have used It ever since. The brushes never burnt out, and still has the set I got with It. It still runs fine the front bearing just finally went bad, and I can tell It's shot, so I don't want to ruin the armature. The brushes on it are alittle different then some routers. They don't have the screw off cover on the side, they are located underneath the switch housing. I don't know if that makes a difference, just that I haven't needed to change them on the porter. The dewalt, I don't know that's yet to be seen. Seems like I may have heard a little surge a time or 2, but I'll see after I get the thing broke in. I've only ran a couple of passes with it so far.

Greg

 

[Cue Crazy]

While I was there

I grabbed a Bosch 1/4" slotting mandrel & 1/4 3 winger. Here's a picture. Curious is 1/4 thick enough to use for shafts. Also will this type slot cutter work?

I picked up a 1/16 3 wing too, wondering If anyone uses those for cutting rings and what not? It's the same shape as the 1/4 just thinner.

I apprietiate all the advice and help Everyone has donated. Alot of really good info here.

I still have a hair of swirl going with the new router, but not as bad, and atleast It's easy to sand out if I had too. Same places though, and not in the middle of the shaft, or the weakest spot, the rest of the shaft is smooth as butter, so I should be able to track the problem down now, and It must be in My feed. I had it running smooth, but while I had the carraige off before, the gib fell out, and I guess I need to ajust it in better. That's what I get for messing around with things when I have them working well

Anyway Thanks again everyone. Greg

 

[Cue Crazy]

Forgot the pics, here's the slot cutter & mandrel.

 

[Cue Crazy]

Reading this post just reminded me that I need to get bearinhgs for my old one, I have a bearing place just down the street from me, if you want Greg, I can pick up a set for you? Just let me know. I'll post price as soon as I know it. I'll be getting 2 sets anyways.
Dave

Thanks Dave, Your a standup guy in My book. Let me know whenever I can return the favor. Greg

 

[tsp&b]

Same _ same

Here's the 2 routers and bases side by side. Mounted right up on My bracket, even used My old bolt to hold it on, same threads. I'm not sure how this router compares with the porter though, obviously they share some of the same parts though, but I can't speak of how the dewalt will hold up over time, since It's new.

As far as that porter in the picture, I bought that years ago off of ebay, before I ever even mounted It or had the cuelathe It's been used on. It was well used when I originally got it, and I have used It ever since. The brushes never burnt out, and still has the set I got with It. It still runs fine the front bearing just finally went bad, and I can tell It's shot, so I don't want to ruin the armature. The brushes on it are alittle different then some routers. They don't have the screw off cover on the side, they are located underneath the switch housing. I don't know if that makes a difference, just that I haven't needed to change them on the porter. The dewalt, I don't know that's yet to be seen. Seems like I may have heard a little surge a time or 2, but I'll see after I get the thing broke in. I've only ran a couple of passes with it so far.

Greg

Dewalt and Porter Cable are made by the same company.

 

[JoeyInCali]

I grabbed a Bosch 1/4" slotting mandrel & 1/4 3 winger. Here's a picture. Curious is 1/4 thick enough to use for shafts. Also will this type slot cutter work?

I picked up a 1/16 3 wing too, wondering If anyone uses those for cutting rings and what not? It's the same shape as the 1/4 just thinner.

I apprietiate all the advice and help Everyone has donated. Alot of really good info here.

I still have a hair of swirl going with the new router, but not as bad, and atleast It's easy to sand out if I had too. Same places though, and not in the middle of the shaft, or the weakest spot, the rest of the shaft is smooth as butter, so I should be able to track the problem down now, and It must be in My feed. I had it running smooth, but while I had the carraige off before, the gib fell out, and I guess I need to ajust it in better. That's what I get for messing around with things when I have them working well

Anyway Thanks again everyone. Greg

I got one of those with 1/8th kerf and 1/4 shank from Everlast.
Cut pretty clean but I had to reduce the speed of the router as it was making so much noise/runoff. It one blade lasted like 100 dowels turned to cones.
I just ordered more as it's the only cutter I will use for shafts now.

 

[Cue Crazy]

Dewalt and Porter Cable are made by the same company.

I figured they probably were by the design. My Brother rode down with me to pick the router up, and he asked Me If they were both owned By the same company, because he thought He remembered that they might be, but I told Him I wasn't sure, just that it looked like these trimmers were made from the same design to Me & possibly the same company made both. So much of everything is farmed out anymore, that It's hard to tell Who makes what these days. The brand names just seem to be a name for the the most part.

 

[rhncue]

I figured they probably were by the design. My Brother rode down with me to pick the router up, and he asked Me If they were both owned By the same company, because he thought He remembered that they might be, but I told Him I wasn't sure, just that it looked like these trimmers were made from the same design to Me & possibly the same company made both. So much of everything is farmed out anymore, that It's hard to tell Who makes what these days. The brand names just seem to be a name for the the most part.

Black and Decker owns both, also Delta.

Dick

 

[Cue Crazy]

I got one of those with 1/8th kerf and 1/4 shank from Everlast.
Cut pretty clean but I had to reduce the speed of the router as it was making so much noise/runoff. It one blade lasted like 100 dowels turned to cones.
I just ordered more as it's the only cutter I will use for shafts now.

Wow 1/8 that seems thin. Might would scare the sheets out of Me. Then again so does this one I just got. I'm still trying to locate the vibration, but It's not in the router. I did something to make It worse trying to tune The gibs in, so I just have to figure out what It was and reverse It Once I get under 15mm or so I really have to have things tuned in, because any little bit shows up in the shaft. I did however see enough to be able to tell the wing cutter does seem to cut smoother then the straight bit I usually use though. The spots where I didn't pick up a vibration were so smooth the shaft did look finished. It looked like It had been finished sanded & burmished. I thought I was getting them smooth before, and I was, but I see what you guys were talking about now. Still they scare the crap out of me, and can't help but wonder if they will wear the bearings out quicker then the straight bits. I think it will cut smooth once I get things tuned back in though.

 

[Cue Crazy]

Black and Decker owns both, also Delta.

Dick

Huh That's something. I have a 18 volt firestorm cordless drill I got really cheap when they first came out. It always reminded Me of the dewalts, and someone mentioned to me that they were made really simular. I can say unlike some of the other cheaper B&D tools I have owned in the past, This one has served me well. Had so much power that you could feel the casing flex in Your hand. It had no problem sinking decking screws. I've even sank 3-4" screws with It before.



I saw a black & Decker Pro pc trimmer on the fleabay the other day. Not sure how old of a model It was, but not the average retail stuff they put out. The whole thing was housed in aluminum or steel and had a regular ss toggle switch. Looked like a solid little unit. I have no idea If they are any good, but It caught My interest.