Router motor+drill press....

[Driftgarage]

So I've been searching around all over the web and this idea some how hasn't been brought up. As many people have asked before, I was curious if you could use a cheap router speed controller on a drill press to slow it down for drilling metals. Clear answer, no. That much has been pretty well documented as well as plenty of reasons why. That led me to wondering, has anyone just thought about using a router motor to power their drill press?? I see older craftsman routers and the likes on craigslist all the time for super cheap. Obviously, the router speed control should work on that... So, has anyone tried this or heard of anyone trying this? Any obvious reasons it wouldn't work that I'm overlooking? Any thoughts on the matter are more than welcome!

 

[Trey T]

Haven't heard anybody use it on DP and I think reasons are:

1. Router motors spin very high RPM, 2K+ RPM
2. The arbor is small
3. Prolly not enough torque even at the high RPM, 20K+ RPM, for drilling tough material like steel or Al

 

[454ragtop]

Don't recommend it, better off finding a DC motor and controller like used in a treadmill, or a 3 phase motor and a VFD. Either would be far superior to a router motor and universal speed control.
HTH, Jim

 

[Driftgarage]

Do routers lose most of their torque at low rpm's with a speed controller? I haven't used one in quite some time and never with a speed controller. My drill press has a 1/2 HP motor and I saw a 2.5 HP router posted today on CL. I figured even with torque loss in the controller, it would still be enough power.

 

[454ragtop]

2.5 HP router sounds suspiciously like Crapsman wishful thinking. How many amps? Bet it's nowhere close to 2.5 HP.....
Jim

 

[Driftgarage]

The 2.5 HP i was looking at was a Bosch. 12 amp?

 

[zkling]

Lack of torque and mechanical speed reduction needed would be outrageous. If you want to do it on the cheap go find an old working treadmill.

Remember HP is a function of speed and torque.

 

[Outlawmws]

Those routers develop that HP at around 15-20 K RPM. a DP needs about 200 to 1000 for 90% of everything...

Compare a std 2.5 HP motor and think: "Could I hold this in a hand held operation?"

Heck even a Tread mil motor is about 2.5 HP at peak and those peak at "only" about 3-6 K. not a hand held operation.

As mentioned a VFD or a treadmill motor are far motor practical...

here is my TM powered DP I did last year:


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159224