Build Thread- Kress Router...any good!

[flyboypete]

Hi People

I have built a router 2m by1m for doing model aircraft molds.
I have attached photos of the router drives anti backlash nuts etc.

Feel free to ask questions if you want.
Don't underestimate the amount of time a project of this nature will consume. Learning a CAD package setting up the machine control building the electronics and hardware all take time...but the reward when you first start to cut parts is worth it......

The reason for this message is that the Ryobi router is very noisey. I have seen the Kress brand of spindle talked about but does anyone know how quiet they are. I can hardly talk over the current setup even with it set to the lowest speed and with it at the higher speed I can hear it down the street. I have seen the Kress with a rating of about 100 and 800 watss, different models but need some first hand advice.

I had better talk a bit about the router.

Mach 3 on a desktop computer for machine control. Very good software in my opinion.

Rhino for the drawings and a combination of Meshcam and Freemill for the G Code conversion.
I will probably post seperately in the correct forum about g Code conversion software shortly as I have now tried or demoed most of the hobbiest packages and can provide a quick and dirty review..and of course ask some questions.

Best regards
Peter Williams

[Meduza]

i have the 800 and 1050w models of kress for my cnc builds, they are much quiter than your average router, and are very good quality!

[nigelkdx200]

Hi Pete, do you still have your CNC machine? Do you still live in Paraparaumu? I live in Paraparaumu and I'm about to start building my own CNC machine so I'd love to meet up with someone who has already built there own CNC router. Cheers, Gordon

[Pplug]

I think your best bet would be a Chinese spindle and VFD. They might be a little more money but they are whisper quiet even when running at 24k rpm. I've had a water cooled 2.2kw spindle for the past 2 years without a problem. I have my 4 x 8ft router in my basement above where I sleep and I can barely hear it! For cooling all you need is some vinyl tube and an aquarium pump in a bucket of water!

[Pplug]

Sorry I did not see the date on the original post!

Ignore me!

[flyboypete]

Hi Zoners

I have purchased a Kress 1050 router a couple of years ago now and it is great. Not to loud constant speed and vibration free and with a slim form factor. Very happy with this and have probably done a couple of hundred hours of machining with it no problems at all.

best
Peter

Nigelkdx200 I have sent YOU a private message.

[joshendy]

Hi Peter,

Im in Wellington. I just brought a Kress 1050, still getting my router together though so I havent had a chance to use it.

You said you've been running it for a few years, have you had to replace bearings. brushes or anything? What kind of machining do you do with it?

I wish I had brought the Kress 1050 model which does down to 5000 RPM, would have been better for aluminium.

Cheers,
Josh

[flyboypete]

Hi Josh
I have not replaced anything on the Kress Router. I bought a spare set of brushes but have not needed them as yet. The spindle/shaft still feels very smooth when rotated by hand.

I mainly machine foam, MDF and tooling board, so not really that much load on the spindle to be honest.

I think it is very important to get a constant speed as opposed to a variable speed router. They are at first glance the same but a const speed router will hold the RPM more or less constant for heavy cuts and so can be run at a lower speed. A simple variable speed router will bog down under heavy cuts and so won't cut as well.

Best
Peter

[widgitmaster]

I have the KRESS 800FME, and after using it for three weeks the "Electronic Control" module stopped working! (over heated) I had put a deflector on the Z-Slide to put the cooling exhaust out of my work area, and it must have restricted the cooling!

I had to order a 2nd complete KRESS spindle, as my router was custom built to fit the Kress!

There is little or no use for the warranty, as there are NO dealers in the USA! So I have to search for someone who can sell me a replacement module!

This model of KRESS is an excellent piece of equipment (when it worked), as I could push a 10mm 2-flute end mill at 250 IPM 3/4" deep in plywood with an RPM of 29000! No bogging down at all, just an incredible spray of chips!

Widgit