I have been using shapeoko4 with carbide router last few years but recently, during the job, the spindle had stopped and I realized that maybe it is time to change the router.
And I will try with Makita router this time but I wonder if both Makita RT0701C and RT0702C are compatible with shapeoko4 setting.
In Switzerland where I am staying, it is not easy to find RT0701C but this model is the one mentioned in Shapeoko 4 website as well so if someone has experience of adapting Makita rounter with shapeoko 4, please kindly share your opinion on it!
The RT0701 is a 110V model intended for the American/Canadian/Japanese markets.
The RT0702 is a 220V model for the rest of the world — but which has a “No auto-restart” “Safety” feature which precludes using it with the BitRunner — otherwise it works fine aside from the power cord being shorter, the control layout being different, and the dial lacking detents to keep it from vibrating off a speed setting, and its teal (I and my son have Makita drills/drivers by preference, and I still have an RT0701 which I bought for my SO2 which worked well).
The RT0700 was the original 220V version, but seems to be discontinued — if you can find one, it will work well w/ the BitRunner.
That said, the RT070x is a drop-in replacement for the Carbide Compact Router using the same collet, nut, brushes, &c. — the notable differences are the electronics (but both have electronic speed control) and the control layout (since the electronics are different) and the dial (annoyingly, I prefer the material which the Makita dial is made out of, and if we could change something, that would be my suggestion).
However, I have little difficulty understanding the comments on auto-restart or BitRunner stuff. How I have been using Shapeoko4 was just connecting the machine with computer and run the gcode by manually turning on and off and adjusting the speed with manual dial on carbide default spindle. I wonder if RT0702 can work the same because it has all the same physical dimensions and workflow so that it can easily replace my old spindle.
Would there be any manual or guidebook on replacing the router?
Basically unbolt, remove power cord from drag chain, check if shorter cord is long enough, if not, run up to ceiling and connect to an extension cord up there in such a way as to be secure/safe and not stress the connection.
The C3D router is a clone of the Makita. So it should just be a drop in and keep using it just as you did the C3D router. Both of them are 66mm and the Makita will just drop in and start using it just as you did the C3D. The speed ranges are the same so if you were using speed 3 on previous projects just set the Makita to 3. I dont think you will see any difference. The collets are also identical so if you already had some 1/8’ collets for the C3D router they will work on the Makita.