Apparently my router died. Finished a job; wouldn’t start for the next. Less than 50 hours so I’m not replacing it with a Carbide unit.
What are the favorite replacement routers?
Did you replace the carbon brushes?
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I was using the Makita RTO701C before I went to the spindle setup. I still use it for odd jobs.
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Main complaint is the collet being a pain and no option for 1/8" bits. Thoughts?
Checked them; about half used.
There is an included 1/8" collet in the box.
To be honest, there’s not much difference between palm routers in this size/power range. The only real step up is a VFD spindle IMO.
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I have one for sale on this forum. A Carbide3d router with 1/8" & 1/4" precision collets.
Bill
You are not going to get any longer life or any more power from a different trim router.
If anything a different trim router will cause you additional issues because the carbide router has a cord long enough to make it through the drag chains.
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Ordered the Makita, at this piont becuase it will be here tomorrow and I have work to do, DEFINENTLY putting a QD in the cord so I don’t have unwire the whole thing since this may be a frequent replacement.
We had a lengthy thread on this a while back:
I’m probably the only person who picked something other than a spindle or Carbide Compact Router or Makita RT0701:
which has worked well for me.
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The video makes me wonder how difficult the mounting is on the 5 Pro? Doesn’t look like a direct swap but the video shows a different CNC.
Looks sweet! After this new Makita dies…
I’m on my 3rd mounting plate design and pretty much have things working well except that the current dust collection setup isn’t readily height adjustable — I have a compromise length of dust skirt and adjust the vacuum as necessary.
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The C3D router is a clone of the Makita 701x. Both the C3D and the Makita have two issues that most people run into. The first are the brushes. When they get about half used up the wire that connects the brush to the contact is short and wont let the brush go out enough to use more than about half of the brush. The second problem is the lower bearing tends to go bad. The bearing is replaceable but a pain.
It depends on what base you have for your Z. Most of the more modern bases are 66MM. The original SO3 had a 69MM with a reducer sleeve to fit the 66MM routers. Originally the SO3 had a Dewalt router mostly used. I have a Dewalt and have been running it for 6 years and replaced the brushes once. If the Dewalt fits in your Z mount I would suggest that. If you have a 66MM mount then you are stuck for routers with the Makita/C3d. The only other option is to move up to a spindle. C3d sells a 66MM 120v spindle. They are not giving it away. It is currently $750.00.
For routers you are limited in choices but they are relatively cheap compared to a spindle. The spindle has advantages for power and collet sizes. The spindle can go up to 3/8" collets and 3/8" tools are much stiffer than 1/4" bits. With the power of the spindle and the larger tools you can tackle more agressive cutting parameters over a router. However that comes at a premium. There are 3rd party spindles but you are basically on your own on setting it up.
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The DeWalt would require a different mount:
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