Better results with beefier router?

**lamarcarama** · 08-30-2012, 03:48 PM

I have a home-built JGRO and it seems rigid and accurate. I've been using a Frued laminate trimmer (FT750T) as the spindle. I'm wondering if I should be able to expect better results if I mounted my nice Milwaukee router instead.

The Milwaukee has 4x the HP and should have lower runout. But it actually spins slower than the Frued (20k vs 30k). And I'm using small bits (1/4 - 1/16) for detailed routing and carving, so I don't think I'm not taxing the Frued's power.

Is there a general consensus? Will a more expensive router with less runout improve results on a generally well assembled and designed home CNC machine? Or is the gain in the noise?

Thanks!

-Tony

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**keebler303** · 08-30-2012, 04:42 PM

You need lots of speed on small cutters and I doubt you could use much power with a 1/16 bit.

A high quality spindle with good bearings would probably give you better results. I think you would find the move from the Freud to the Milwaukee to be a waste of time.

Save your money and buy a real spindle, they are much quieter, less runout, longer life, adjustable speed, etc.

Matt

**lamarcarama** · 08-30-2012, 05:24 PM

Can you recommend a source for good, smaller spindles?

**ger21** · 08-30-2012, 05:30 PM

Can you post a picture of the results you're gettting that you're not happy with?

Personally, I don't think changing the spindle will make any noticable difference, unless it has a ton of runout. Although the lower rpm will give you longer tool life.

I have a home-built JGRO and it seems rigid and accurate

While the JGRO is a good starter machine, it's really not all that rigid. Rigidity might be what's causing the issues you're having, but, it's hard to say without seeing anything.

**louieatienza** · 08-30-2012, 08:59 PM

Sight unseen, I'd have to agree with Gerry that your problems may be more a cause of the ridgidity (or lack thereof) of the JGRO and not as much as the laminate trimmer. I think you'd start flexing your machine way before the router bogs down...

**keebler303** · 08-31-2012, 09:14 AM

I don't know much about the JGRO but how much could you possibly be flexing the machine with a 1/16" cutter?

Smallest spindle I've worked with is a 5HP HSD.

Matt

**ger21** · 08-31-2012, 11:43 AM

Ha said he's also using 1/4" cutters, but we don't even know what kind of issues he's having.

**lamarcarama** · 08-31-2012, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the replies and not being clearer in my original post. I don't actually have an specific issues. The machine generates things that are square and accurate. (At least I think, it's within .002 per inch on each of the dimensions.) As you point out, the JGRO has a fair bit of flex, so I stick with small passes, wood and slow travel rates.

I was mostly wondering if I was making a mistake having the puny router in the machine while the nice, expensive shiny one sat a few feet away. Sounds like it's not.

Thanks, you guys all kick ass. This is such an awesome forum. I could not possibly have made my machine without all your awesome (lurker acquired) knowledge.