How To Tell RPM's On Router Speed Controls?

[David Perata]

I have a router speed control but have had to judge judge by sound how to dial in the speed. There is no way to know the rpm's as far as I can tell. Does anybody know of a way or chart?

[Brian Kent]

Which Router?

[glenn bradley]

The manufacturer may give a guesstimate based on the number or letter you are set to. If it has fixed 'steps', the speeds should be in the manual. The variable units I use most run 10k to 24k for the hand held and 10k to 22k for the router table beast.

I don't know that the speed for a given bit is super specific (unless you are going to exceed recommended maximums). I tend to follow Freud's recommendations by pitch ;-) Taking into consideration that variable speed is great for small adjustments to avoid problems with difficult material . . .

Suggested Router Speeds
Cutting Diameter vs. Max. RPM
Up to 1" (25.4 mm) 24,000
1" (25.4 mm) to 1-1/4" (31.75 mm) 18,000
1-1/4" (31.75 mm) to 2-1/4" (57.15 mm) 16,000
2-1/4" (57.15 mm) to 3-1/2" (88.9 mm) 12,000

For me this means smaller bits = full blast
I slow down a bit (no pun intended) as I approach 1-1/2" and slow down more for 2", etc.

[Jim Rimmer]

My VS routers are clearly marked. Are you talking about after market controls for single speed routers? :confused: