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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    287

    Drilling with router

    I know that a router is spinning too fast and will burn the bit but what I'm concerned with is the bearing life of my Makita router.

    For holes bigger than 5mm I mill a pocket with a 1/16 bit but anything smaller I have to plunge in to matter and I'm reluctant to do so.

    1/8 drill bits fits in my router and are dirt cheap so it could be used to drill in wood and when the bit is burned I can trow it in the recycling bin.

    But what about the bearing?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    205

    Re: Drilling with router

    I made parts of my router by using a drill motor mounted instead of the router motor.

    Consider using a drill motor for large hole drilling. I think you will use it a lot.

    Don

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    3920

    Re: Drilling with router

    Quote Originally Posted by Biggs427 View Post
    I know that a router is spinning too fast and will burn the bit but what I'm concerned with is the bearing life of my Makita router.

    For holes bigger than 5mm I mill a pocket with a 1/16 bit but anything smaller I have to plunge in to matter and I'm reluctant to do so.

    1/8 drill bits fits in my router and are dirt cheap so it could be used to drill in wood and when the bit is burned I can trow it in the recycling bin.

    But what about the bearing?
    When the bearings go bad you can throw them out too. Learning to rebuild your router is part of running a machine. Ideally you buy routers that are easy to rebuild.

    Your only other choice would be to build your own spindle with suitable angular contact bearings that can handle the thrust.

    If you have a huge number of holes to drill, all of one size, you can get spindles specifically designed for hole drilling. AutoDrill AutoDrill is one example, Ingersoll Rand has a series of air driven drills like: Par-A-Matic Series Self-Feed Drills. Of course the Air powered tools could be a problem without a compressor to drive them. The thing here is that they revery compact and can sit right be side you router on a Z axis.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35494

    Re: Drilling with router

    I've drilled lots of holes with my PC690, controlled with a SuperPID at 5000 rpm. I've used both 1/8" and 1/4" drill bits. The forces are actually pretty low, and I haven't seen any bearing issues at all. The forces are much less than plunging a router bit.
    And at 5000 rpm, I've never seen any burning either.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    287

    Re: Drilling with router

    Thanks for the answers.

    I think it's time to buy/build a PID controller

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