Cooling/quieting a router

[FandZ]

Hi all. Eventually I plan to get a spindle setup but that is way down the line. I need to finnish my first machine first... But anyways, I'm going to be useing a router to start with. Unfortunately my current residence isn't ideal for loud things. So I was going to make a noise proof cabinet to run it in. But then I started thinking about what makes a router so loud and from I've read it is the cooling fan.

I'm wondering if one could make a liquid cooling system for a router and do away with the fan altogether? Anyone have any ideas on this? I'm looking for information on what exactly gets hot on a router. I'm contemplating taking my dremil apart to have a look at the inside of a router type device but thought I should check with you guys first to even see if it is a feasible project.

[ger21]

The actual cutting will be louder than the fan, imo

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by ger21 The actual cutting will be louder than the fan, imo

Really? Makes me wonder why spindles are so quite. Do they run at that low of an RPM?

[ger21]

No, a 10hp spindle is almost silent at 20,000 rpm when compared to a handheld router.

[Jack000]

my router seems really loud, but I daren't open it up and mess with its innards :]

Supposedly a spindle is quieter because it has different bearings? Because of that you also need to change/service the spindle quite often (3rd hand advice!)

I think a small shack in the backyard + lots of insulation might be the only answer, that's my plan anyways..

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by Jack000 my router seems really loud, but I daren't open it up and mess with its innards :] Supposedly a spindle is quieter because it has different bearings? Because of that you also need to change/service the spindle quite often (3rd hand advice!) I think a small shack in the backyard + lots of insulation might be the only answer, that's my plan anyways..

I know the fan plays a big part of it. I'd imagine those fans are around 60-80mm in size and at 20k rpms plus, that'll be a lot of whining. A 60mm fan at 2000 RPM's is annoying. I dunno.

I'm going to have to build a cabinet to run my router in regardless since I'll be useing it inside. It would be nice to not have to insulate it too much if I could figure out how to quite down a router.

[daemonfly]

Watercooled spindles are built with the watercooling in the design. Regular wood routers would need so much modification to make it work, it wouldn't be worth it.

For example, if you wanted to do so to a Dremel, you'd basically replace the whole plastic body with a custom milled aluminum body, with water channels inside of it. While that might not be too difficult for some people, but if you're going that far, why even start with the Dremel as the weak link in the design.

[FandZ]

I plan on useing a Hitachi router but I wouldn't mind experimenting on my Dremil. One concern that came to me is the router is probably balanced taking the fan into account. Even if a custom case would be made, by removing the fan, the whole unit could be thrown out of whack. Still, it may be worth looking into as spindles are very pricey. From what I'm seeing, a low end spindle can cost more than a DIY cnc machine easily.

I'm going to dig more into it. I've made several watercooling setups, so I know that part isn't pricey. I'm just not sure what and where on a router needs to be cooled or even if it is possible.

Originally Posted by daemonfly Watercooled spindles are built with the watercooling in the design. Regular wood routers would need so much modification to make it work, it wouldn't be worth it. For example, if you wanted to do so to a Dremel, you'd basically replace the whole plastic body with a custom milled aluminum body, with water channels inside of it. While that might not be too difficult for some people, but if you're going that far, why even start with the Dremel as the weak link in the design.

[BobF]

This is the best router noise reduction system I have found!

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by BobF This is the best router noise reduction system I have found!

Now if I could only get my neighbors to wear them.

[BobF]

If you wear them yourself, you won't hear the neighbors complain. :-)

[FandZ]

I yield to your wisdom.

Originally Posted by BobF If you wear them yourself, you won't hear the neighbors complain. :-)