Running times on router

[Horseman]

How long should a guy run a router before giving it a break? I have some big 3D images I want to cut and don't want to burn out my router. Is 2 hours too long?

[ger21]

What kind of router? If it's a handheld router, it really depends how hard you are pushing it. Some guys have run them over 12 hours. But if you plan on frequently running long jobs, you might want to invest $500-$600 in a chinese spindle.

[Horseman]

I am using the bosch router that the Gorilla came with. 2.25HP. I have the rough cut 1/4" mill bit set at Pass depth: 0.2" Step over: 0.1" 40% Feed rate:150in/min. I have the router speed on 5 (out of 6) Does that sound close to the right set-up?

[woodman08]

a porter cable at 16000rpm should run 4 hrs no problem and at about 95 degree f at the collet
Stock bearings in these routers are wrong ,just do a google for the 7518 and you'll see the troubles....
so yes a chinese spindle might be the answer until it needs to be placed in the trash can

[ger21]

You can run it a lot slower than that, if the bit is sharp. Around 12,000 rpm, and the tool will last longer.

[Horseman]

I have tried slowing the router down and speeding up my feed rate and it all seems to be working good so far. Thanks for all the help.

[esp173]

Until recently I haven't used my machine for projects that took more than 1hr of continuous router use. However, recently I had a faceted surface that put my Bosch 16171 in use for over 6 hrs. As I finished up this job I noticed that the bearings squeaked a little as it wound down. Running the same job for a second time proved to be fatal for the lower bearing; it began to smoke about 4hrs into this job.

I am curious to know if anyone has had good results with long duration jobs on store bought routers.

[woodman08]

well its funny you should mention store bought,i feel that one needs to replace the store bought router's bearings real quick.
These routers were not designed to run for real long periods of time.I use the PC 7518's have a few and gone through bearings gone to bearing experts and seem to be having better luck,but i think the trick now is 12000-16000 rpm and it runs cool ,my runs lately have been 1-2hrs straight
Spindles are probably better but when they go bad its going to cost ,whereas a router its cheaper and it is only a bearing change

[Larken]

Stock bearings in the Bosch 1617evs don't last long. We replace them with a good nsk LLUU bearing that will fix the problem. I think its a C3 loose fit that can take the rpm's without heating up.

I have the part# at the shop.

I have 3Hp Techmotor spindles (same as Elte) with ER20 from Italy in stock for $1150, and 2Hp Perske ER16 ($1000). Add a inverter $300-$700 and you have a nice setup.
These are quiet and super smooth.
Send me mounting plate dimensions (or sample) for that Gorila and i can mount it as well.

Larry K

[Mike 1948]

Until recently I haven't used my machine for projects that took more than 1hr of continuous router use. However, recently I had a faceted surface that put my Bosch 16171 in use for over 6 hrs. As I finished up this job I noticed that the bearings squeaked a little as it wound down. Running the same job for a second time proved to be fatal for the lower bearing; it began to smoke about 4hrs into this job.

I am curious to know if anyone has had good results with long duration jobs on store bought routers.

I have a Milwaukee 3.5hp router, Variable Speed, Feedback Circuitry, and Soft-Start, that has run 10+ hour jobs with no problems. Plus a 5yr warrantee
$280+- on Amazon

Mike