Thread: Router Motor

It's definitely a nice looking unit,pity it doesn't have a spindle lock.
Having to use 2 wrenches to change bits could be a real pain.

McJing were offering a smaller (?) unit at the last WWW Show in Sydney but their site is down tonight and there is another unit (1800 Watts) being offered locally by PWS but they only sell it in a router base for $1200 or so which makes the UK unit look much better.

I have seen the same motor elsewhere and it it was rated at 1800 watts so I tend to believe that it is 1800 not 2400. Beggers can't be choosers with 240v router motors as there are so few of them. The same one as PWS sell is over 300 GBP which is fairly exxy to say the least.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Beggers can't be choosers with 240v router motors as there are so few of them.

To the best of my knowledge and research last year, this is the only 240v router motor-only on the market in the world. There are various other spindles for CNC use that all seem to have something that makes them less appropriate for router table use (not the right diameter, lack of speed control, not enough power, water cooled etc).

I wonder if the two-spanner thing might actually be easier and smoother than a spindle lock and one spanner. I often find that using a spindle lock (I have a Triton and a Festo OF900) is not the best ergonomics. By using two spanners at least the opposing forces are in the same axis and so should be fairly smooth.

It's not too bad with the Triton mounted in a table because the spindle lock stays locked without assistance.

All that said, I've not used a double spanner mechanism, but I'm envisaging perhaps being able to grab the two spanners in one hand and squeeze together for the initial unlocking.

I find two spanners ok, the trick is to place them so that both can be squeezed in one hand. trying to use a hand on each spanner can become almost comedic if the collet is really tight and the router is not locked in a table.

I spent some hours on the net trying to find the source of these motors with no success so I agree with Brett that it is the only 240v motor available branded differently. The AUK that PWS sell seems to have a better switch/speed control but never having seen either brand that is only a guess.

PS: I just looked at McJings site and they have a 1hp trim router but I don't know if can be used out of the base and if it could it would be of little value in a table. The same motor as my link can be had from Gregory's for about $500 if anyone is interested and does not want to import.

I've used the old Makita D handle type router as you can take the motor body out of the handle/height adjustment that surrounds it. I see them secondhand often and have plenty of power with Makia quality. You do have to do a bit of remodelling with the on/off switch but that's easy stuff.

SB

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

I wonder if the two-spanner thing might actually be easier and smoother than a spindle lock and one spanner. I often find that using a spindle lock (I have a Triton and a Festo OF900) is not the best ergonomics. By using two spanners at least the opposing forces are in the same axis and so should be fairly smooth.
snip
All that said, I've not used a double spanner mechanism, but I'm envisaging perhaps being able to grab the two spanners in one hand and squeeze together for the initial unlocking.

I've used both.
In many respects I prefer using two spanners, as I always worry that I might shear the pin used for the spindle lock.

The key to using two spanners is to keep them close together -- using both spanners in one hand usually works, especially on 1/4in collets.

Yes, these do look like a good thing. I note that they are also available in Australia through Gregory Machinery and Woodwork Supplies. They're made in China (where else!) but the MOQ is 100 , way out of my league.

Cheers,
David

Unfortunately the motor plus the lift adds up to a lot of money and strangely the retailers need to make a profit which is fairly inconsiderate of them. Dave, have you got a link to the Chinese source, I couldn't find it.

I'll PM it to you Chris.

Cheers,
David

Just spoke with the very friendly staff of Gregory Machinery and they advised that a new shipment might come in in 8 weeks or so, but they are testing a new modification to improve dust management.

Looks like that router motor is out of stock... The 'special' was a good price! Shipping around $50 to Aus.... Regular price more like $450
Also, reading the specs, the motor has an output power of 1800W. So its a 2Hp motor in reality.

Chris mentioned a 1Hp trimmer.
The Makita (almost 1Hp) is about $250 e.g. Makita RT0700CX 710W 6 35mm 1 4" Router Trimmer AUS Model IN Case | eBay
And a slightly lower power and half the cost Maktec version is also availabe (I have one of those but with the 'Makita' style aluminiun body). Never been able to stall it with 1/4" shank bits - even 3/4" rebating cutter.

The router motor has become available again from the original link and I now have one in my workshop. I originally ordered one before Xmas and it became unavailable from all sources both here and OS so I put in an order and just waited patiently for stock to appear. It is 2400W in and 1800W out which as a guess is single phase in through an internal VFD powering a three phase motor, would that be right? I bought a Kreg lift for it some time ago so sometime in the future I will build a router table. I have only about 500 jobs to do before then and at the moment not a lot of enthusiasm for any of them.