Thread: Porter Cable or Milwaukee

Should be possible to do, but if you are looking at replacing a big router (2 +HP) you are looking at a BBIIGG stepdown transformer and BIG bickies for that. Plus you end up still having a router without local warranty and service support.

Just guessing, but largish US router, shipping, plus transformer could come close to a locally sourced Mak 3612 or similar price wise. Similarly, if you were after something in medium range.

The main issue will be with anything that uses the AC frequency to regulate speed - we are 50HZ & the Yanks are 60 Hz IIRC, so that is about a 15% difference - so your router might run 15% slower than advertised. It can also affect battery chargers which are not self regulating/universal voltage models. There has been a LOT of discussion about this over the last couple of years, specially with people moving to Oz from the US & Canada.

I don't know of any 240>110 power supplies that offer the frequency change as well, but it is possible - just look at 'inverter' welders, they take AC in, mash it flat to DC, step it up, down & sideways then finally output it as variable AC.

Once you have your big power supply, you can run all sorts of gear off it, so it may also be worth while getting a couple of US power leads as well for your sander, jigsaw etc.

Originally Posted by bsrlee

The main issue will be with anything that uses the AC frequency to regulate speed - we are 50HZ & the Yanks are 60 Hz IIRC, so that is about a 15% difference - so your router might run 15% slower than advertised. It can also affect battery chargers which are not self regulating/universal voltage models. There has been a LOT of discussion about this over the last couple of years, specially with people moving to Oz from the US & Canada.

Frequency makes no difference for a brushed motor, Technically they can operate from DC to well above 60 Hz, but I would not want to try DC. Technically these motors are termed Universal Motors as the are NOT frequency dependant.

Induction motors (mains brushless) have a speed that is dependant on the mains frequency with an allowance for slip. So for typical 50Hz models they come in speed ranges of approx 920 RPM, 1440RPM and 2880 RPM, while the 60 HZ equivalents are 20% faster at approx 1100RPM, 1720RPM, and 3440 RPM.

The various speed ranges are determined by the number of magnetic pole pairs in the winding arrangement.

Universal motors are common in handdrills, circular saws, some hobby level thicknessers, and routers, while induction motors are common in table saws, lathes, drill presses, jointers and industrial thicknessers.