Re: Router life, getting better bearings,

Hello,

Just passing on years of real world shop experience...

Bottom line IME: It's worth it to upgrade the bearings of porter
cable 3-1/4 hp routers... Also worth it to upgrade bearings in
handheld and table mounted wood routers, if they're being used daily
in production.

As I mentioned, many bearing mfrs already use krytox... As to whether
it's worth the time and trouble, did you check out the link I posted?
Pretend those screws he shows (during testing of lubricants for his
stainless steel couplings) are leadscrews, and ask yourself if its
worth the time and trouble...

As to the other parts of the router wearing out, you'll find that the
better bearings help here too. Less commutator bounce from truer
running, for one...

Long before I got into CNC, I replaced the bearings in a Hitachi TR12
router on some advice in Fine Woodworking magazine... Been a convert
ever since.

Hope this helps,

Ballendo

P.S. Keep in mind that only 5 years ago, people laughed at anyone who
would make their own CNC machine, saying "How good could it possibly
be!" We live in a time when things which useta be "snake oil" ARE
REALLY possible. Still a lot of snake oil though, so it's still hard
to find the real stuff. Krytox and better grade bearings are not
snake oil, IMO, and IME.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Frantz"
<wizard@e...> wrote:

> Hi Ballendo;
>
> Krytox is a very interesting material and certianly has its uses

but I do

> wonder if it is worth the expense and trouble.
>
> At this point I will have to take your word concerning the better
> classes of bearings. I do have to wonder how much longer they

would

> run at high speed to justify the cost. It becomes hard to justify
> investing money into a router equal to half its cost much less the

its

> full cost. One must not forget that routers also wear else

where,

> such as the armature, so your investing heavely in bearings for a

unit

> that is already degrading.
>
> Thanks
> Dave
>
>
> ballendo wrote:
>
> >Dave,
> >
> >Nice post!
> >
> >A lot of good points. But I think it IS okay to believe that you

will

> >get better results by upgrading the PC (or any other "common"

router)

> >bearings. Most routers use "motor grade" bearings; certainly not
> >grade 5,7, or better! These better bearings can easily cost as

much

> >as the router. But they DO last longer, run cooler/better, and are
> >reasonably easy to install. Even on routers used manually,
> >professional woodworkers have known for years that bearing

upgrades

> >are worth the cost... IME, Grade 5 are a definite improvement,

grade

> >7's show the limits of other parts of the router.
> >
> >Hope this helps,
> >
> >Ballendo
> >
> >P.S. And I'm starting to feel like a Krytox evangelist... If
> >possible, get bearings lubricated with this amazing grease. High
> >heat, high load, "space shuttle" stuff (was designed for its turbo
> >pumps.)
> >
> >--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Frantz"
> ><wizard@e...> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Well I don't know about design life for anyone router, but can
> >>
> >>
> >offfer a
> >
> >
> >>few observations.
> >>
> >>
> ><snip>
> >
> >
> >>Just don't get your hopes up that anything will work better in

your

> >>application than the PC installed bearings.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >Addresses:
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