motor speed control???

[merlinron]

an electrician i am....not!
i have an older porter cable 2 hp. router in a table. i would like to be able to slow it down for panel raising. is there a speed control that can used like the units that control the speed on a cieling fan? i know i need one for more amperage than the fan units, but all i ever see searching around cost several hundred dollars and are for three phase motors and industrial applications.
thanks for replys.

[merlinron]

an electrician i am....not!
i have an older porter cable 2 hp. router in a table. i would like to be able to slow it down for panel raising. is there a speed control that can used like the units that control the speed on a cieling fan? i know i need one for more amperage than the fan units, but all i ever see searching around cost several hundred dollars and are for three phase motors and industrial applications.
thanks for replys.

[merlinron]

an electrician i am....not!
i have an older porter cable 2 hp. router in a table. i would like to be able to slow it down for panel raising. is there a speed control that can used like the units that control the speed on a cieling fan? i know i need one for more amperage than the fan units, but all i ever see searching around cost several hundred dollars and are for three phase motors and industrial applications.
thanks for replys.

[Bruce Hooke]

Because of the type of motor used in routers you cannot use the type of speed controller used on things like lights and fans. HOWEVER, speed controllers specifically for routers are available from woodworking supply stores. Here's one from Highland Hardware (http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1908):

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/ProductImages/routers/104901.jpg

[Bruce Hooke]

Because of the type of motor used in routers you cannot use the type of speed controller used on things like lights and fans. HOWEVER, speed controllers specifically for routers are available from woodworking supply stores. Here's one from Highland Hardware (http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1908):

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/ProductImages/routers/104901.jpg

[Bruce Hooke]

Because of the type of motor used in routers you cannot use the type of speed controller used on things like lights and fans. HOWEVER, speed controllers specifically for routers are available from woodworking supply stores. Here's one from Highland Hardware (http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1908):

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/ProductImages/routers/104901.jpg

[Del Lansing]

Since all routers I've used have been DC series wound it can be done with a Variac of the proper power rating. You must be careful when running at reduced speed to operate a very close to no load, because the cooling fan in the router is also running slower it won't take much load for it to overheat and burn up. So it can be done, at a risk.

[Del Lansing]

Since all routers I've used have been DC series wound it can be done with a Variac of the proper power rating. You must be careful when running at reduced speed to operate a very close to no load, because the cooling fan in the router is also running slower it won't take much load for it to overheat and burn up. So it can be done, at a risk.

[Del Lansing]

Since all routers I've used have been DC series wound it can be done with a Variac of the proper power rating. You must be careful when running at reduced speed to operate a very close to no load, because the cooling fan in the router is also running slower it won't take much load for it to overheat and burn up. So it can be done, at a risk.

[Jagermeister]

Newer routers that have built-in speed control usually also offer the advantage of "soft start". No "kick" when you press the switch, so its easier to position the router for delicate cuts. Depending on your use, it may be worth buying a new router.

[Jagermeister]

Newer routers that have built-in speed control usually also offer the advantage of "soft start". No "kick" when you press the switch, so its easier to position the router for delicate cuts. Depending on your use, it may be worth buying a new router.

[Jagermeister]

Newer routers that have built-in speed control usually also offer the advantage of "soft start". No "kick" when you press the switch, so its easier to position the router for delicate cuts. Depending on your use, it may be worth buying a new router.

[merlinron]

bruce, many thanks for the quick responce with the right info, pic and all!!. that's exactly what i need, early x-mas present time. :D

del, what's a variac? as for cooling, when swinging a 3-1/2 inch dia. panel raising bit, you don't take big cuts.

jagermiester, i have a big variable speed, soft start router, as well. just can't devote it to a table, it goes with me on the jobs for corian work all the time.

thanks again for the quick and good info guys.

[merlinron]

bruce, many thanks for the quick responce with the right info, pic and all!!. that's exactly what i need, early x-mas present time. :D

del, what's a variac? as for cooling, when swinging a 3-1/2 inch dia. panel raising bit, you don't take big cuts.

jagermiester, i have a big variable speed, soft start router, as well. just can't devote it to a table, it goes with me on the jobs for corian work all the time.

thanks again for the quick and good info guys.

[merlinron]

bruce, many thanks for the quick responce with the right info, pic and all!!. that's exactly what i need, early x-mas present time. :D

del, what's a variac? as for cooling, when swinging a 3-1/2 inch dia. panel raising bit, you don't take big cuts.

jagermiester, i have a big variable speed, soft start router, as well. just can't devote it to a table, it goes with me on the jobs for corian work all the time.

thanks again for the quick and good info guys.

[Del Lansing]

variacs (http://search.ebay.com/variac_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8)

[Del Lansing]

variacs (http://search.ebay.com/variac_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8)

[Del Lansing]

variacs (http://search.ebay.com/variac_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8)

[Tom Lathrop]

Bruce,

I find the simple speed control like you show to be very eratic for a router under any appreciable load. Measured the output of a one and found that it did not conform to the dial setting at all and had large jumps in output. Works fairly well under light loads.

A variac is good but large and more costly. The electronic controls built in to routers, drills and teh like are much better.

[Tom Lathrop]

Bruce,

I find the simple speed control like you show to be very eratic for a router under any appreciable load. Measured the output of a one and found that it did not conform to the dial setting at all and had large jumps in output. Works fairly well under light loads.

A variac is good but large and more costly. The electronic controls built in to routers, drills and teh like are much better.

[Tom Lathrop]

Bruce,

I find the simple speed control like you show to be very eratic for a router under any appreciable load. Measured the output of a one and found that it did not conform to the dial setting at all and had large jumps in output. Works fairly well under light loads.

A variac is good but large and more costly. The electronic controls built in to routers, drills and teh like are much better.

[Bruce Hooke]

I should have made it clearer that I have not used the speed controller I posted a picture of, I have just seen them in the catalogs. My only router has a built in speed control adjustment...

[Bruce Hooke]

I should have made it clearer that I have not used the speed controller I posted a picture of, I have just seen them in the catalogs. My only router has a built in speed control adjustment...

[Bruce Hooke]

I should have made it clearer that I have not used the speed controller I posted a picture of, I have just seen them in the catalogs. My only router has a built in speed control adjustment...

[Del Lansing]

Tom, apparently that how it is sposed to work...
" Electronic feedback circuitry ensures constant torque regardless of rpm, maintaining the speed you've chosen by feeding more power to the motor as load increases"
I guess this varying voltage is sposed to keep it turning at the rpm selected if you are freewheeling or cutting under load. I rather like my own feedback system of adjusting feed rate according to the 'whine' and change of pitch.

[Del Lansing]

Tom, apparently that how it is sposed to work...
" Electronic feedback circuitry ensures constant torque regardless of rpm, maintaining the speed you've chosen by feeding more power to the motor as load increases"
I guess this varying voltage is sposed to keep it turning at the rpm selected if you are freewheeling or cutting under load. I rather like my own feedback system of adjusting feed rate according to the 'whine' and change of pitch.

[Del Lansing]

Tom, apparently that how it is sposed to work...
" Electronic feedback circuitry ensures constant torque regardless of rpm, maintaining the speed you've chosen by feeding more power to the motor as load increases"
I guess this varying voltage is sposed to keep it turning at the rpm selected if you are freewheeling or cutting under load. I rather like my own feedback system of adjusting feed rate according to the 'whine' and change of pitch.

[emichaels]

The old adage " The right tool for the job" applies here. If the router motor you currently have was engineered to be variably speed controlled it would have been. Get a router that is made for that and SAVE the static speed router for the duties it was engineered for. You will, in the the long/and short run, save yourself money. You will find that as the motor temperature varies greatly when "controlling" a motor that was meant to be a single speed, especially in hardwood, that the torque will greatly reduce. I have been down this road and learned the hard way.

Eric

[ 12-02-2005, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: emichaels ]

[emichaels]

The old adage " The right tool for the job" applies here. If the router motor you currently have was engineered to be variably speed controlled it would have been. Get a router that is made for that and SAVE the static speed router for the duties it was engineered for. You will, in the the long/and short run, save yourself money. You will find that as the motor temperature varies greatly when "controlling" a motor that was meant to be a single speed, especially in hardwood, that the torque will greatly reduce. I have been down this road and learned the hard way.

Eric

[ 12-02-2005, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: emichaels ]

[emichaels]

The old adage " The right tool for the job" applies here. If the router motor you currently have was engineered to be variably speed controlled it would have been. Get a router that is made for that and SAVE the static speed router for the duties it was engineered for. You will, in the the long/and short run, save yourself money. You will find that as the motor temperature varies greatly when "controlling" a motor that was meant to be a single speed, especially in hardwood, that the torque will greatly reduce. I have been down this road and learned the hard way.

Eric

[ 12-02-2005, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: emichaels ]

[Kim Whitmyre]

I used a Makita 3612B with such a speed control in my router table for years: worked as advertised. I replaced it with the big Porter Cable variable speed router a few years ago, not due to any fault of the speed control. I put the PC router into an upgraded table with one of the Woodpecker router lifts built for the PC.

[Kim Whitmyre]

I used a Makita 3612B with such a speed control in my router table for years: worked as advertised. I replaced it with the big Porter Cable variable speed router a few years ago, not due to any fault of the speed control. I put the PC router into an upgraded table with one of the Woodpecker router lifts built for the PC.

[Kim Whitmyre]

I used a Makita 3612B with such a speed control in my router table for years: worked as advertised. I replaced it with the big Porter Cable variable speed router a few years ago, not due to any fault of the speed control. I put the PC router into an upgraded table with one of the Woodpecker router lifts built for the PC.

[merlinron]

jeff, spin a 3-1/2" dia. panel raiser at 23000 rpm once and you'll know why. :D :eek:

[merlinron]

jeff, spin a 3-1/2" dia. panel raiser at 23000 rpm once and you'll know why. :D :eek:

[merlinron]

jeff, spin a 3-1/2" dia. panel raiser at 23000 rpm once and you'll know why. :D :eek:

[merlinron]

found a controller at a small tool shop about 60 mi. from home today. got her set up and ran a few panels. worked great.... 4 to 5 passes per side was all that was needed to keep revs up for a decent cut without wasting time needlessly making too many passes.

[merlinron]

found a controller at a small tool shop about 60 mi. from home today. got her set up and ran a few panels. worked great.... 4 to 5 passes per side was all that was needed to keep revs up for a decent cut without wasting time needlessly making too many passes.

[merlinron]

found a controller at a small tool shop about 60 mi. from home today. got her set up and ran a few panels. worked great.... 4 to 5 passes per side was all that was needed to keep revs up for a decent cut without wasting time needlessly making too many passes.