Improve your router runout with precision bearings?

[biomed_eng]

How will replacing the standard bearings with precision bearings in a typical Porter Cable style router improve the runout and overall performance if at all?

Is it possible?
Is it just a simple swap?
Has anybody done this?
If so, what was your experience and results?

Thanks!

[Greolt]

I don't have your answers but have been thinking the same thing.

I am going to be watching to see what people have to say

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi

NC Cams is the guy you need to answer this question as far as I can tell he’s a bearing guru.

I’d like to see a “ask the experts forum” on this site, your type of question can only be answered by such a person in my opinion.

I don’t know if it is ok but if you don’t get a response to this do you think it would be ok to send a pm to ask for help on these occasions or would that just be bad manners?

John

[Madclicker]

IMO, bearing runout on a router has to be a trivial concern. (you are talking wood?)

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Your so controversial Madclicker lol. I would have to agree with your point once again.

How much run out we talking about?

If you are having problems I would think it would be more to do with the bearing housing rather than the bearing. I had a cheap router on my machine for a little while and had all sorts of problems till I shimmed the bearing housing. Ran like a dream after that.

John

[Madclicker]

You have me pegged old man......wait, can I say old man????

The only way I learn anymore since I graduated is to question and read.

As far as a wood cutting routers runout, someone has to convince me I gotta stop cutting to change bearings????? Geez I have a router that has burned out bearings and I can't find time to fix it even though I have the bearings.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hey I’m only 41 if I was over sensitive …….(did a quick edit ) Unfortunately I joined the zone at a time I was feeling old and knackered lol. Maybe it’s just the way you ask your questions and not the question at all.

NOW BACK TO THESE BEARINGS

John

[Madclicker]

It's not the question, it's the answer they have to provide that makes them uneasy.

[turmite]

Madclicker are you saying there is never any need for accuracy in woodworking? I knew an older carpenter once who's favorite saying was:

"run it wild and cut it off later" or "that's what they make caulking for"!

Even in woodworking sometimes close is not good enough. I manufacture competition rifle stocks and pistol grips. Now admittedly the outside shape tolerences I am not worried with as long as they say within .030" ! The internal cuts are a different matter all together. I have to fit existing screwholes, mortices, slots , islands and many times these internal configurations determine how the external shape fits the frame or action of a firearm. So yes, sometimes, woodworking needs to have tight tolerences.

Mike

[Greolt]

I didn't ask the question but I think the general idea of it was will a higher quality bearing make a discernable difference.

Particularly in the cheaper routers it's hard to see the manufacturer spending much on bearings.

I don't think any one is expecting a better bearing alone to fix a poorly made spindle or collet. Or even fix a sloppy bearing housing.

[biomed_eng]

Although this is the woodworking forum, I would like to cut renshape and plastics for 3D contouring prototyping and model making.

Since didn't see a plastics milling forum here, I thought this woodworking forum would be able to provide more relevant advice than the metalworking forums.

So back to bearings...

[Madclicker]

Originally Posted by turmite Madclicker are you saying there is never any need for accuracy in woodworking? I knew an older carpenter once who's favorite saying was: "run it wild and cut it off later" or "that's what they make caulking for"! Even in woodworking sometimes close is not good enough. I manufacture competition rifle stocks and pistol grips. Now admittedly the outside shape tolerences I am not worried with as long as they say within .030" ! The internal cuts are a different matter all together. I have to fit existing screwholes, mortices, slots , islands and many times these internal configurations determine how the external shape fits the frame or action of a firearm. So yes, sometimes, woodworking needs to have tight tolerences. Mike

I didn't say anything of the sort. Most of he stuff I make has to be one hell of a lot closer than .030. If fact a .030 mistake usually means scrap wood.

The question was about bearing runout and whether it was worth changing them to try to improve it. I don't think it is. If I had a router that had runout that affected my work quality I would take it back. I have 8 routers (9 counting the one that needs bearings) and none fall into this category.....not even the cheap chinese ones.