This is intended to be a discussion of the routers used and tried and how well they worked based on a question regarding in another thread. I’ll give what information I have and encourage you to share your information for the community.
So far I have used 4 different routers on the 3 Maslow frames built in my “shop.”
Router #1: Ryobi model R163 (part of table set)
Goods
available
work light
lots of air movement
Bads
mount had odd shape at the end of the screw requiring a custom coupling
similar lead screw to rigid design and all that entails: slow to move. Unreliable.
single on/ off speed burns up end mills
Router #2 Hitachi model KM12VCM
Goods
heavy duty
speed control spindle
available to me
Bads
speed controller broke so only slowest speed worked. This was not necessarily a bad thing for cnc use, but eliminated any other use of it.
heavy metal housing added weight to sled
less common size so getting a mount was more challenging
Router #3 Makita RT0701C palm router
Goods
speed control
light housing (compared to Hitachi)
good air flow
Bads
no light
Router #4 Bauer model 19121E-B palm router (Makita knock-off)
Goods
same size as Makita so all tool mounts fit
speed control
light housing
$80 brand new.
Bads
less air flow, runs hotter than Makita and has so far been more likely to melt foam cutting and gum up
I currently have 1/8 mill in the Bauer and 1/4 mill in Makita and quick swap the units on the sled as needed. Or both can be used simultaneously on 2 different cncs in the shop. The Makita is great. The Bauer is good for wood that I have found so far. The Ryobi lives on a router table and I don’t have the Hitachi anymore.
Router #1: Ryobi model (I think I have the same as you)
Goods
Rather inexpensive
work light
lots of air movement
Bads
mount had odd shape at the end of the screw requiring a custom coupling
similar lead screw to rigid design and all that entails: slow to move. Unreliable.
single on/ off speed burns up end mills
Router #2 Skil
Goods
heavy duty
Digital read out screen
speed control spindle (pre-set RPMs, but easily read and change with push button)
Good deal and it came with fixed and plunge base (for other uses)
Bads
Fixed mount had a very short screw for height adjustment that was used in conjunction with 3 notches on the router body so really limited the travel of bit when attached to sled.
I had made a very poorly cut Meticulous Z axis, and then re-cut it once I really figured out how to use the CNC and had the speed control of the Skil, so I no longer needed the base. I still use the Skil on the Maslow. The Ryobi is back in the bag that it came with and I haven’t touched it since swapping to the Skil.
I do have the Makita that @Orob mentioned on another CNC Machine, and it works really well. I agree with his Goods/Bads he has listed for that.
I think this is very similar to c00nphrog’s but without the digital read out and only comes with a fixed base
Pros:
LED light
Variable speed 10000 - 25000
Comes with 1/4 and 1/2 collets & wrench
Soft start and electronic feedback for constant
RPM
Heavy duty 1 3/4 HP 10 amp motor
Cheap $89.98
Stays cool
Cons:
Heavy
Came only with fixed base
Doesn’t come with a spare set of brushes
Doesn’t include a 1/8" collet (can purchase through Amazon)