Thread: Suitable router for CNC

You are going to pay as much or more for something local. My suggestion is to go for an industrial spindle first off.
Here
Here is an example but I am not promoting this seller or recommending this unit is for you. Do a search and you will find a lot of these on ebay. A lot of us are running them and pleased with the lower noise but check the collet size will fit you requirements.

G'day Rod
Thanks for your reply mate, I have seen them and others on Ebay, I guess I was sceptical of them for a few reasons. Everything I have ever got from China on Ebay has bit me and a couple of angular contact bearings are worth more than that? Having said that the price is very attractive! Do you use one of these in your machine? And if so how long have you been running it for and has handled long run times and a bit of heavy work. Thanks for your input , Cheers Paul.

I have been running one for over two years - just an 800wat but it gets a hammering. Up to 16mm ally as well as anything between acrylic and brass. My machine gets used four to five times a week. I have fitted four of these spindles to various machines and all are still running. One machine does half day jobs and even thought it is air cooled it is still running faultlessly.

Some haven't been so lucky and I thought mine was on the way out a while back but remembered it is just a mid range vibration which disappears either side of that speed.
CNC machines are harsh on spindles with rapid sideways moves and fast plunges - much more than you would do in a manual routing situation.

I wouldn't think the bearing are much better in a manual router than these spindles going by the price on them too.

Thanks for that Rod, I guess as you said a half decent plunge router would run out more than that, so not a lot to lose really! I understand you are not recomending that seller ( like all of Ebay, buyer beware) but was that who you got your spindles from? Cheers Paul.

I have used this seller and didn't have a problem.

I have just received my 1.5kw spindle and VFD from that supplier. No problems from me either. Quick delivery and packaged well.

Wired and set it up after reading the thread on this board and away it went first time for the kitchen bech test.

I'm happy with my purchase so far - haven't put it to work yet though.

Row.

Hi Paul,

I have also bought from this seller and had a good experience, the spindle worked well and was a hell of a lot quieter than a router!

I'm not familiar with the romaxx but i would also check and make sure the gantry can take sufficient weight. The 2.2kw watercooled spindle I had was reasonably heavy in comparison to say a standard router. I’m sure it would be fine but just a thought!

Cheers
Glenn

Thanks guys for your feedback, I will ask the question about weight with Romaxx, I cant see it being a problem though. I see the seller also has air cooled models available, excuse my ignorance, is one better or easier to setup and maintain than the other? I see he has a square 3kw air cooled model on Ebay. Thanks for your patience with a newby. Cheers Paul.

Hi Paul,
The 3kw will probably be to big for single phase - about 3.75HP or 12 amps on 250 vac which is lot of draw for a standard power pont. Add your driver , computer, monitor and you are way over safe zone. The 2.2kw is 8.8 amps and as large as most go.

Air cooled are much simpler to fit up as you do not need a pump and water connections. They are lighter than water cooled and a little safer as water and power don't mix so well if a leak develops.

Water cooled are a sealed system so no dust enters the spindle. Water coolng isn't hard to fit up with a pond pump and bucket of water or a computer CPU cooler, radiator and fan.

Choice is yours and there are always compromises and decisions to be made.

Got ya Rod, I was not thinking about the power draw. I will have another look at the water cooled setup. Cheers Paul.

Guys I am going with the water cooled 2.2kw spindle from the happy shopper guy! (what the?) I know a few here have them, looking at the specs it says the motor is 80mm in diameter, is that correct? I just need to give Romaxx the size for the mounts. Thanks for your help, Cheers Paul.

Yes 80mm dia. sounds right

Originally Posted by rodm

Hi Paul,
The 3kw will probably be to big for single phase - about 3.75HP or 12 amps on 250 vac which is lot of draw for a standard power pont. Add your driver , computer, monitor and you are way over safe zone. The 2.2kw is 8.8 amps and as large as most go.

This is correct. You need a 20amp cicuit, which is available in single phase (round pin or flat pins for the plugs and sockets). You also will need to run an additional cable with heavier wiring to carry that current. Consult your electrician as distance will be a factor to prevent voltage drop.

Regards
Paul

I would confirm the diameter with the supplier first. I thought I was ordering a 1.5kw air spindle that was 80mm dia but when it turned up it was approx 60mm dia. The ebay page was unclear as it had the individual item details listed as this:
Technical Parameters for Spindle Motor

1) Spec: f65x245 mm (Diameter:80mm x Length:245mm)

Notice the f65 and then in brackets Dia 80???
Also, below that in a table it has various sizes for the same kw rated spindles.

It did not bother me as I haven't thought about spindle mounts yet.
Might be worthwhile checking before hand.

Row.