What all can you use a router speed control device with?

[pauls_workshop]

So recently I got a Harbor Freight router speed control which is here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html

My plan is to use this with my router of course, but I got to thinking....

What other tools could this be used with to provide variable power output? One that comes to mind as a nice maybe would be an angle grinder, when you want more control and less speed. Would it work with that?

What other tools? Sanders? Oscillating multi tool? Dremel? Please give your thoughts or experiences. Jointers/Planers? thanks! - Paul

 

[senlow]

It can be used with brush type AC motors. Just don't exceed the current rating of the speed controller.

 

[WVBrady]

It can be used with brush type AC motors. Just don't exceed the current rating of the speed controller.

By what principle does it work? Does it change the frequency, or just the voltage?

 

[pauls_workshop]

Senlow, which kind of tools would use the brush type ac motors mentioned? thx- Paul

 

[Fizbin]

I've heard that one could be used with a non-variable-speed scroll saw, but I haven't done it.

 

[crazy5]

Happy wife, happy life...

 

[MFolks]

It can also be used with the electric die grinders, if you want to slow them down, for something like a cut off wheel.

 

[mattyschopshop]

post number 6 the best thing ive seen all day simply awesome and true

 

[pauls_workshop]

OK, with all respect to poster #6 and #8, this thread is getting a little off track! I really don't know why anyone would want to slow down a microphone for their singing wife anyway, but ok, maybe it would help the voice effects or something.

Back to my topic at hand, how can you tell what motors are the AC brush type and would be safe to try out with the speed control and how can you tell what is NOT and is thus NOT safe to try out. I don't want to ruin any expensive motors here, but would like to know what should be ok and what should not. Are all small hand type power tools in the safe category? Are all large power tools like planers/jointers/table saws/miter saws etc in the non-safe category? thx- Paul

 

[rlitman]

AC brushless cannot be speed controlled with one of these. ONLY Brushed motors. And NOT brushed motors with slow start or things like that.

Generally the motor will say it can run on AC or DC if this will work.

 

[pauls_workshop]

AC brushless cannot be speed controlled with one of these. ONLY Brushed motors. And NOT brushed motors with slow start or things like that.

Generally the motor will say it can run on AC or DC if this will work.

Ok, post above now edited to say "brush" type. But can I conclude this means if it has no slow start and is an instant on type motor, with brushes and without it's own speed control on it, it might be a candidate? Not sure on most tools how to find out if it could run on AC or DC. Most are covered up by the tool casings... - Paul

 

[Major Ramifications]

It controls universal motors. They have brushes and are small, light and cheap. Smaller table saws, corded hand tools like drills and circular saws and reciprocating saws.
I have one but haven't used it much.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Thanks Major. A while back, I did my first epoxy floor project and used my own hand grinder to grind the cement floor as prep. I found sometimes for softer floor areas, being able to run the angle grinder at a slower speed would have been a huge benefit for better control and to not remove material too fast. For harder cement areas, you want full power and speed. I used two grinders to do it, a lower amp on (HF) and a much higher 8.5 amp one (black and decker) and got it done this way. But using something like this with just the higher amp one to slow it down as needed would be very handy for this type of job, and the nature of my inquiry. I'm going to give that a try. Other tools too could sometimes benefit from lower speed/torque/power for more finesse type work. Thx - Paul

 

[woody 73]

Strange I have a small corded dremel that runs off 220 single phase power (don't even ask yes 220 not 120v); and I bought a 220/120 volt converter, but the darn thing thing only runs in the top speed. I have no clue if that speed control device would work on my small hand held dremel.

 

[machine_punk]

generally think of your 'noisy' tools as universal motors...so, it wouldn't work with the 'quiet' tools, like a drill press or lathe, but would work with noisy tools, like a router, drill, roto tool, etc.

Kev.

 

[rlitman]

Not sure on most tools how to find out if it could run on AC or DC. Most are covered up by the tool casings...

Read the motor ratings plate. That is never covered up.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I think I now have what I need to try this thing out with some more tools! - Paul

 

[lilredex]

You can also look for the (external) brush compartments on the housings. Like chop saws, some drills etc. If in doubt, get your flashlight out and peer into the business end of the motor and look for those brushes.

 

[cheechi]

What other tools? Sanders? Oscillating multi tool? Dremel? Please give your thoughts or experiences. Jointers/Planers? thanks! - Paul

Many (not all) sanders have their own speed adjustment. The only oscillating tool I have seen at a fixed speed is the red HF one. Dremel units that only have 2-3 step speeds or only run at a single speed are probably more in need of an upgrade than an additional tool. I'm not sure I would want to change the speed of a jointer or planer from what its already set, they don't come up with those speeds by tossing darts.

What router do you have anyway? All of mine have soft start and would not work with this anyway. They also all have speed adjustments on them.

Granted mine are fairly new but they are very common models. P-C 7518, Dewalt DW618, Bosch 1617, Bosch colt palm router all of them have soft start. If you are trying to improve a low end or less featured router, depending on your needs, tell us a little more about them and I can suggest which of these would be the best for you.

In short, I'm not 100% sure that you need this item without giving us some more info. Post #6 is a worthwhile use since that model only has on/off but most of the Hitachi wands have variable speed also.

 

[pauls_workshop]

cheechi, thanks for your offer. I have many tools of different types for woodworking. While many modern tools might have variable speed control, and a few of mine do, I have far more that don't, whether they be routers, sanders, dremels, grinders, saws, and even an oscillating tool that is fixed speed and not from HF. Many tools are not recent but may be 20 years old, when variable speeds were less common. Sanders also are generally not variable unless you get into higher end modern ones. It is far more common to find a non-variable sander than a variable one in my experience. Also, while I could buy new, that is not something I'm interested in if I have an otherwise older but good tool. I use 'em till they die. And then use them some more if I can easily fix them up again. And I don't have the money to just go buy all new tools either just for a feature or two.

As for routers, I have a Hitachi plunge, a Ryobi plunge, and a fixed Ryobi for instance. I don't have model numbers handy but will check these motors out as discussed here. thx-Paul

 

[Greatbear]

You can use it with any single-speed universal motor (brush type) device within the control's current rating as long as the device has no other internal speed controls or other electronics. Cascading speed controls can cause issues of not damage with the circuitry of the internal control and can cause unexpected speed variances. I use an external speed control on an old B&D electric die grinder which has a single speed, it works perfectly.

 

[evintho]

I use one of those to control the speed on my Makita die grinder when I'm porting heads. Works beautifully!!

 

[gungatim]

I use one for my forge blower. It is the fan unit from a blow-up holiday snowman or something. It works great, I can have it low and then kick it up when I am ready to heat something quickly then turn it down again to save coal.

low:


med:

 

[pauls_workshop]

Wow! We are getting some really neato ideas going here now! Keep them coming guys! - Paul

 

[skruft]

It will work with any non-soft start router. I have a router table with a PC 690 and use a similar control for that.

 

[Riverside]

I have used a HF variable speed control with a hammer drill and the speed seemed to get a little irregular at the lower end of the range. Was that just some odd issue with my hammer drill (like worn brushes), or is there some reason that slow speeds can cause problems for universal motors? (Or maybe the variable torque demand of a hammer drill or a reciprocating tool, compared to a simple rotary tool, is problematic at low speeds???)

 

[pauls_workshop]

I have used a HF variable speed control with a hammer drill and the speed seemed to get a little irregular at the lower end of the range. Was that just some odd issue with my hammer drill (like worn brushes), or is there some reason that slow speeds can cause problems for universal motors? (Or maybe the variable torque demand of a hammer drill or a reciprocating tool, compared to a simple rotary tool, is problematic at low speeds???)

Was the hammer drill a single fixed speed hammer drill otherwise? I've never seen one of those if so. For anything that already has a variable speed trigger or switch, you wouldn't want to use the speed control with it. It won't work right with those motors that already have variable speed.

One idea: I have a little 6" Black and Decker car wax polisher that is fixed speed. I think this should work with that to make it variable speed. I want to try that out. You really want variable speed in a polisher. - Paul

 

[sorefoot]

I bought one of those variable speed adjusters along with one of the cheap stationary belt sanders from HF. I also got some fine grinding belts along with a leather belt from Lee Valley Tools and use the set-up to sharpen knives. It works really really and can put a very sharp edge on in little time.

Sometimes it seems like the variable speed adjuster is either all or nothing but, if you tinker with it, you can get it right. I don't want the motor to run as fast as possible, especially with the coarser grinding belts, for fear of ruining the temper in the blades.

 

[rslaback]

You wouldn't have to only use it for motors. I use one of these on my plastic welding iron to get a variable heat.

 

[Riverside]

Was the hammer drill a single fixed speed hammer drill otherwise? - Paul

I tried it with two hammer drills. One had a built-in dial speed control that was broken, the other was single-speed. Both seemed to get a little irregular at the low end of the speed range.

 

[truckaddict]

can not seem to find one, but would a dimmer switch controlled outlet accomplish the same thing? or are these more complicated?

 

[theknurl]

Happy wife, happy life...

+100

they love it

 

[Joe Bendix]

Keep in mind that variable speed routers have electronic feedback circuitry, for precise control. Inexpensive outboard controllers do not. Also, get an outboard controller with a 3 way switch! -on full/off/variable! this can help you from burning up your tool. When the tool motor is running slower, the built in fan is also running slower & providing less cooling. With the 3 way switch, while operating at reduced speed, you can periodically switch to full speed to cool the motor and prevent damage and then return to the variable setting!!! -Joe