Maslow Home Maslow Community Garden Newsletter

Has anyone done this before...?

Hardware
#1

I am still planning out my project. Today I was trying to figure out what router to get. I will use a gantry system (will soon start posting pictures) and create my own z-axis lift. This is all done. The question I now face is - do I use a router, a CNC spindle or…

A treadmill 100 VDC permanent magnet DC motor (4800rpm, 1.5HP). I have a speed controller for it that lets it run from 110 VAC. Has anyone ever used a treadmill motor?

Alternative I have two old Craftsman router (the ones you lock at the top).

But most likely I will probably purchase something. If I go this route do you have any recommendations - remember I have a z-axis sled and don’t need the Home Depot router feature.

1 Like
#2

since you are building your own Z axis, you can pretty much use anything

a spindle will probably be a lot quieter

if you try to use the treadmill motor, you will have to make sure you have it
spinning fast enough for your feed rate (probably ok, the maslow moves slowly
enough that most routers are actually spinning too fast for our feed rate)

but since you are building a gantry system, who knows how fast you will be able
to have it move.

David Lang

#3

Thanks David!
This opens up a new rabbit hole to go down and I appreciate you pointing this out.

What are the best router speeds for the oak, plywood and maybe aluminium?

The way I design my gantry system I will have a lot of flexibility to exchange things but I want to get this right for the main task - oak.
I really want to document my project later in more detail and will start a new thread for that. But here is a sneak peak of it. Just tag welded everything so far, will take it apart later and weld everything complete and paint it.

2021-01-31_18-07-30|375x500

#4

it depends on the feed rate, bit diameter, and number of cutting surfaces on the
bit. research ‘feeds and speeds’ most of what you will find is related to metal
cutting, but once you get the idea there, you can look for wood feeds and speeds
to give you a ballpark to start from (and in reality, the book numbers are just
that, a starting point that you tweak for your material and cutters)

David Lang