Which router to buy?

[RedLabel]

After two years I'm returning to cncs.

Since I no longer possess the time and place to build a cnc I just purchased a 2514 K2cnc.

Now I'm trying to figure out which router to use with the machine. I want a quiet machine as much as possible (living in an apartment).

My previous dremel 395 was noisy although it was not unbearable. It was making a very high pitched noise, not strong enough and it felt like its speed was changing by itself.

I think 2Hp sth routers are all loud even the quietest ones so I'm looking for small routers/trimmers instead.


Right now I'm looking at Makita trimmers like the one below:

Amazon.com: Makita 3707FC Fixed Base Laminate Trimmer with LED Light: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Makita 3707FC Fixed Base Laminate Trimmer with LED Light: Home Improvement

.

Anyone has experience with them? The ones I looked at did not have an speed control, is there any model that does have speed control ?



I like to hear recommendations...

[freecncplans]

If you read my build log, you will notice I abuse a Bosch 1617EVS and only the brushes and collets have been replaced. It has variable speed down to 8,000 RPM. When running slower than full speed it isn't really loud. I will mention the fan blows like crazy from the router itself. For less than $200, I couldn't be more happier with what I have.

Sean

[jalessi]

Take a good look at a Chinese water cooled spindle and VFD.

happy.http://stores.ebay.com/love-happyshopping

Jeff...

[FandZ]

You'll see a lot of people useing a hitachi 2.25hp router here on the zone. For the price and performance, it's hard to beat. I'm useing one and love it. My dremel is a good bit louder than my router. Smaller doesn't mean quieter. With my Hitachi running the noise isn't that bad at all. it's the cutting noises that's annoying. The noise difference between useing a 2inch .25 end mill and a 1 inch .25 endmill is staggering. I use my machine in my house and the noise with the 1 inch bit doesn't bother me from the next room while cutting.

If you must get a smaller trim router, you should also check out the trend T4. I was very close to buying it. It has received some great reviews and its low noise levels has been praised.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

[carvemylog]

Originally Posted by FandZ You'll see a lot of people useing a hitachi 2.25hp router here on the zone. For the price and performance, it's hard to beat. I'm useing one and love it. My dremel is a good bit louder than my router. Smaller doesn't mean quieter. With my Hitachi running the noise isn't that bad at all. it's the cutting noises that's annoying. The noise difference between useing a 2inch .25 end mill and a 1 inch .25 endmill is staggering. I use my machine in my house and the noise with the 1 inch bit doesn't bother me from the next room while cutting. If you must get a smaller trim router, you should also check out the trend T4. I was very close to buying it. It has received some great reviews and its low noise levels has been praised. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

I have a Hitachi and have to agree that the rotor itself is not very loud. It is the noise created by cutting that is loud. The shop vac I have running through my cyclone to suck up the dust is louder then the router. And I don't know how you could handle cutting something indoors without some kind of dust control.

[ger21]

A laminate trimmer is much more annoying then a 2HP router at 10,000 rpm. I use a Porter Cable 892 and do most of my cutting at 10-12K RPM. The dust collector and cutting noise are both louder than the router.

[RedLabel]

Thank you ll for the great replies.

I had one of these "green" series Bosch router and it was screaming like hell.

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/s...outer-240v.asp

That's why I thought the smaller it is the better. However this is a nearly hobby grade machine(with the looks of a serious machine).

Since everyone recommends a 2hp router I decided to go for that.

From your recommendations I'm considering :

Makita RF1101 (I think it is the same machine as RD1101 which K2cnc sells mount for)

Hitachi M12VC (Claims to have the quietest operation noise)

Bosch 1617EVS (When I was chatting with a K2 salesperson he said that this router was on the quiet side)

BTW, I am thinking of an enclosure for the cnc to reduce noise and dust. I'm not planning to operate a dust collector simultaneously, hoping that the enclosure will hold the dust until the work finishes then I can just vacuum the dust out(I'll be 2d cutting light plywood and 3d cutting mainly foam)...


@ Jeff

The chinese water cooled spindles in the link seem very interesting. However I can't seem to find a good source of information on them. Are they quiet, durable ? I can definitely think about them if they are...

[ger21]

Originally Posted by RedLabel BTW, I am thinking of an enclosure for the cnc to reduce noise and dust. I'm not planning to operate a dust collector simultaneously, hoping that the enclosure will hold the dust until the work finishes then I can just vacuum the dust out(I'll be 2d cutting light plywood and 3d cutting mainly foam)...

Imo, bad idea. Not the enclosure, but the lack of dust collection. If you run it in an enclosure with no dust collection, it'll be buried in chips and dust. It's a lot easier to catch the majority of dust at the source.

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by RedLabel From your recommendations I'm considering : Makita RF1101 (I think it is the same machine as RD1101 which K2cnc sells mount for) Hitachi M12VC (Claims to have the quietest operation noise) Bosch 1617EVS (When I was chatting with a K2 salesperson he said that this router was on the quiet side) BTW, I am thinking of an enclosure for the cnc to reduce noise and dust. I'm not planning to operate a dust collector simultaneously, hoping that the enclosure will hold the dust until the work finishes then I can just vacuum the dust out(I'll be 2d cutting light plywood and 3d cutting mainly foam)...

I'd either go with the Makita or the Hitachi. The M12VC is well known for it's lower noise level and it's a proven router on cnc's. Makita's reputation speaks for itself. You can't go wrong either way.

As far as an enclosure for your cnc, I'm useing a poor mans enclosure (a table enclosed in fabric with my cnc underneath it) and Gerry is right, it's messy and pain to get to all the sides to clean it after each use. It would be better if you could have your cnc machine and your dust collection system in one or two noise reducing cabinets. Eventually I'll get there.

[RedLabel]

Originally Posted by FandZ I'd either go with the Makita or the Hitachi. The M12VC is well known for it's lower noise level and it's a proven router on cnc's. Makita's reputation speaks for itself. You can't go wrong either way. As far as an enclosure for your cnc, I'm useing a poor mans enclosure (a table enclosed in fabric with my cnc underneath it) and Gerry is right, it's messy and pain to get to all the sides to clean it after each use. It would be better if you could have your cnc machine and your dust collection system in one or two noise reducing cabinets. Eventually I'll get there.

You and Gery are right I'd better solve the dust problem.

I was also looking for a way to make an easy enclosure for the machine. Your idea seems pretty easy and solid. Do you have any picture of your cnc in your enclosure. I'd love to see it to get some ideas. Since I don't have any place or tools I am trying to come up with an easy solution for the enclosure.

I liked both Hitachi and Makita but I like Makita brand more(but if hitachi is more quiet I'll go with it).

[FandZ]

Ah man, your going to make me post a picture of my ghetto setup... lol I'll try and get one up tomorrow night, my digital camera is MIA and the wife is asleep. One thing I did think about was useing large rubber mats as flaps mounted to the table legs with velcro. I never perused it though.

[jalessi]

The Chinese spindle will be the quietest of all the spindles.

It is a three phase brushless motor which has many advantages over a conventional router motor.

It will require a VFD though.

YouTube- Chinese spindle noise

YouTube- Chinese spindle noise

Watch the entire video and listen to him speaking in a normal tone of voice while the spindle is running 24,000 rpm.

Jeff...