How many people use their dremel for their DIY router?

[studysession]

How many people use their dremel for their DIY router?

Hi - I am making my own DIY routing table from the http://www.bigbearcnc.com/ plans. Difference I am making mine bigger. Thinking either 3x4 or 4x4. Not 100% sure yet.

A lot of DIY plans show using a dremel. A lot of people post saying "Don't use the dremel, use a router." So I am curious on how many people use a dremel and how well does it work? And what inexpensive router do you recommend?

EDIT: I would like to use my 10mm milling bits.

Thanks for the help - SS

[studysession]

Don't see one of these big routers mounted on these DIY plans:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Decker-1-1...QQcmdZViewItem

[mwalach]

Hello, I am bigbearcnc.

I am currently prototyping a new design using the grizzly 1 hp router. Looks promising. Hold 1/4" bits, but I purchased a 1/8" adapter so I can use all the dremel and rotozip bits as well. Plus it has variable speed. All for about $80.

[studysession]

Originally Posted by mwalach Hello, I am bigbearcnc. I am currently prototyping a new design using the grizzly 1 hp router. Looks promising. Hold 1/4" bits, but I purchased a 1/8" adapter so I can use all the dremel and rotozip bits as well. Plus it has variable speed. All for about $80.

Cool -

Plans are nice and easy to follow. I have learned a lot just getting the stuff together I need. How soon will the router be available?

[sdantonio]

I was thinking of picking up a dremel for some PC boards I have to cut and drill. But for anything larger I can't see going with anything less than a 2HP router. From the looks of things I'm not sure your plans will support a big router mounting bracket though.

[studysession]

As for the plans -
I think they are designed around something the size of a dremel. But from what I have started, they are easy to chage sizes to allow for other/bigger things.

[studysession]

So far my motors and controllers are coming from EBay. They have 1/4" shaft.
Got guide screws for ACME 1/2-10 threaded rods from EBay coming.

I ordered couplers from here:
http://www.dumpstercnc.com/acme_couplers.html

The threaded rods from here:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PMPXNO=942694

Now trying to figure out if I can save some money by using tubing instead of solid rods. Then need guide bearings for them. Will most likely go with 1/2" since my threaded rod is 1/2". For now might just make a 3x4 table. I really want to make a 4x4 but not enough room for it. Figure can always change and expand later. Also need to decide if to use the dremel and if not the dremel then what.....

[Madclicker]

I hate to rain on your parade, but that design will not scale to 4'. A 4' router is a huge diy challenge. I know. I built one. I don't even like the idea of using unsupported rods on a small machine, and it would be a waste of money and energy to try to make a big machine with them. Also, those gantry uprights are gonna flop all over the place.

There are 2 ways to make a 4' diy router that I know of:

1. Use expensive stuff
2. Use creative engineering

You can find plenty of examples of the second method in the build logs here.

[studysession]

Been surfing the build logs -
Some are easy to follow and others are not.

[studysession]

To get the layout started - I have some solid rods but not the best of quality. For now can contrinue building until I have the money to replace them with better. They are 1/2 round and can make a table that will be right over 3"x3". These rods are right over 40-43" or so. Need to cut them same length.

As for supports for the rods - I do have some ideas. Not sure which way to go. Seems like so many people here have great ideas and been learning from them. Some are not as easy to follow what they are doing though....

[studysession]

Hi -
Will anyone help me with this -
Is this good to use for the guide rods?
http://www.onlinemetalsupply.com/sto...66&i=183273526

Not sure what grade of metal to use. Thanks

[ger21]

There was a video o here about 2 years ago of a roughly 18x24 router that used 1/2" unsupported rod. with one finger, it would rock back and forth about 2 inches, making it vitually unuseable. Like Steve says, I wouldn't build that any bigger than the plans call for, it will flex far too much.

And, if you want a 3x4 machine, a dremel is way too underpowered. It will limit your cutting speeds so muc, it will seem almost painful as you wait for it to move across your table.