What router to get?

HighTech wrote:

>
> What size and make router are you using?
> Are you using it for metal or wood, plastic?
> What to get to do it all.

Hi Derek:

Right now I have a 1.5 HP Porter Cable, the
type with the round base which can fit easily
into a round hole (approx 3.5" dia) in the cnc
router carriage. However, it is fixed at
23,000 rpm or so which is way too fast (I'm
talking about routing wood here).

You want to have 8-10K rpm at 150-400ipm with
a 3/4" or 1" bit, 10-12K rpm with a 1/2" bit,
12-15K rpm with a 3/8" bit, and 15K-20K with a
1/4" bit (in order to make chips, and not just rub).

I have been looking at the following 'round base'
type routers with variable speed:

The magnesium framed Bosch 1617EVS 2 amp
(2 HP, 8,000-25,000 rpm) - the brochure says
they are quiet and the EVS circuitry maintains
the selected speed (which is a bit hard to believe,
but it may be so, within limits).

There is a variable speed 3.25 HP Porter Cable 5 speed
15 amp (10K, 13K, 16K,19K, 21K) model 7518 (thats a
75182 model number for the motor-only).

Finally, a 2.25 HP variable speed (8000-25000 or so)
Makita which I don't have the model number for.

I'll probably go with the 3.25 HP Porter Cable....

Doug Fortune
http://www.cncKITS.com