Cary Lane
03-04-2010, 10:41 AM
I just finished getting my BenchDog Pro-Max wing installed on my table saw. In it I have placed a 3.25hp Freud router. I picked up the router at an auction for $10, non-working, upon being told it was an "easy fix." Well the speed control module was bad, so on advice from SMC and other router forums, I wired around the speed controller.
It runs like a champ. I fabbed up a bracket to mount an MLCS heavy duty universal speed control knob so I could restore VS function. I wanted to put a couple RPM marks along the face of the MLCS dial, so I have borrowed first a GenRad Strobotac from work and then a Shimpo non-contact tachometer (simpler to use, but not as fun, or seizure inducing :p) to get some measurements to make my scale.
Now the problem. The router cranks to about 24k full bore. There appears to be no change in speed from about 1/4 dial travel all the way up to max. Below 1/4 travel there's not much drop off in speed (about 6k rpm at the most) before the motor stops.
Has anyone experienced similar behavior with their router speed controls? Or do you notice a nice linear speed reduction along the dial? Is this a symptom of a cheap switch? I notice the scale on the side of the router gives several nice little ranges for their settings, ranging down to about 10k (I don't remember off the top of my head). What is the slowest speed I'd ever run? Is it around 10k with a large diameter panel-raising bit?
I realize most probably just "go by ear" and I've overkilled this thing, but I do like to tinker.
Thanks -
Cary
It runs like a champ. I fabbed up a bracket to mount an MLCS heavy duty universal speed control knob so I could restore VS function. I wanted to put a couple RPM marks along the face of the MLCS dial, so I have borrowed first a GenRad Strobotac from work and then a Shimpo non-contact tachometer (simpler to use, but not as fun, or seizure inducing :p) to get some measurements to make my scale.
Now the problem. The router cranks to about 24k full bore. There appears to be no change in speed from about 1/4 dial travel all the way up to max. Below 1/4 travel there's not much drop off in speed (about 6k rpm at the most) before the motor stops.
Has anyone experienced similar behavior with their router speed controls? Or do you notice a nice linear speed reduction along the dial? Is this a symptom of a cheap switch? I notice the scale on the side of the router gives several nice little ranges for their settings, ranging down to about 10k (I don't remember off the top of my head). What is the slowest speed I'd ever run? Is it around 10k with a large diameter panel-raising bit?
I realize most probably just "go by ear" and I've overkilled this thing, but I do like to tinker.
Thanks -
Cary