Spindle routers- Whos using them and air vs water

[tarbellb]

Im setting up a new router table in my shop and went with a spindle router + VFD + lift table
My project scope ranges from simple edge radius on soft/hardwoods to dados in aluminum

My biggest concerns are 2 things, I wish they offered a larger collet on the 65mm but limited to 1/4" shanks, and how critical is liquid cooled if im not running long jobs?


Looks like the typical candidates for spindle routers in this format (and lite CNC) are

_ 65mm barrel or 80mm barrel in both AIR or LIQUID cooled


_ So whos using these, whats your setup, what have you had success vs failures and what would you do differently?

What I purchased and plan to setup

Spindle router- LINK
VFD- LINK
Table lift- LINK

 

[dscheidt]

I had no idea that kind of spindle was put into a router table. It might be the small CNC guys who know the spindles don’t think of them as routers.

 

[david3921]

Looking at your link on Amazon shows that going to 80mm is less than $20. As I only know a bit about "regular" routers, I know that I always want to run 1/2" when I can. Wouldn't going up to the 80mm allow you to use 1/2" shanks?

 

[whateg01]

I've been considering upgrading from a router to an air cooled spindle at the makerspace but the rpm ranges on these tend to be extremely high. That would be nice for engraving but I don't know that spinning a 2" face mill at 20k is a good idea. I guess I could limit the vfd to 30 hz but that seems silly. Plus it seems somebody is always messing with the settings on the machine.

 

[tarbellb]

Looking at your link on Amazon shows that going to 80mm is less than $20. As I only know a bit about "regular" routers, I know that I always want to run 1/2" when I can. Wouldn't going up to the 80mm allow you to use 1/2" shanks?

Yup I'm in the same camp as you. Running 1/2" would be a nice option, and the 80mm spindle isn't much more money. However I found what I thought was a excellent deal on the 65mm router lift ($125)
The same style/quality lift for the 80mm spindle is $350+... so for now I'll be testing with this combo. If things go well then a 80mm might be in my future

 

[PCustoms]

What is this going to do that a standard router won't?

 

[tarbellb]

What is this going to do that a standard router won't?

More power, more range of speeds, quieter, more durable, and the option to liquid cool in the future
Also no questions on if it fits, it's a universal diameter

I've seen lots of palm routers die in heavy usage, these spindles are specd for higher demand.
Why not upgrade for similar pricing?

 

[PCustoms]

More power, more range of speeds, quieter, more durable, and the option to liquid cool in the future
Also no questions on if it fits, it's a universal diameter

I've seen lots of palm routers die in heavy usage, these spindles are specd for higher demand.
Why not upgrade for similar pricing?

Didn't realize these were palm router sized.

Personally I'd take a name brand router (I'm partial to the old Porter Cables or a Bosch) over some no-name spindle

 

[Cruzan80]

Not counting the VFD, at what price point are you better off with an actual shaper to do what you want, rather than putting together this? Links look to be $300+, that is easily the same range as some smaller wood shapers

 

[tarbellb]

Not counting the VFD, at what price point are you better off with an actual shaper to do what you want, rather than putting together this? Links look to be $300+, that is easily the same range as some smaller wood shapers

Lots of big old school shapers for sale around here would like to have one but can't justify the space for it tho

 

[Cruzan80]

Gotcha, just trying to throw out an alternative. Delta/Rockwell, Craftsman and others did make one with the motor hanging off the side which were closer to "tabletop" size vs the industrial in-cabinet models.

 

[tarbellb]

Got the spindle and VFD linked up

24000 rpms at 400hz is kinda wild, ran it through its break-in procedure. Super smooth and definitely quieter then a 2hp router


Gotta love these cheap VFD, and spindle for that matter

 

[whateg01]

I'm curious how warm the spindle gets in use.

 

[tarbellb]

I'm curious how warm the spindle gets in use.

It's a air cooled unit which is prone to running hotter and potential for failure if ran to slow.

At 50% I was getting 100-110°

at 100% (400hz) 115-125°

from my research that's about the peak temp you should be running at

 

[PCustoms]

It's a air cooled unit which is prone to running hotter and potential for failure if ran to slow.

At 50% I was getting 100-110°

at 100% (400hz) 115-125°

from my research that's about the peak temp you should be running at

Was that loaded or just spinning free?

 

[whateg01]

I can see a lot of potential use at less than 50% for somebody not doing just engraving. Then again, maybe the smaller collet forces smaller tools to be used so it's not a problem.

 

[tarbellb]

That was no load temps. Break-in for these motors is pretty serious, 20-30mins spinning at 12k, 15k, 18k, 21k, 24k

If cooling does become a issue when loaded I might throw a small DC fan on top to help?