router failure in router tables

[ronhayles]

router failures in router tables. Is there a router table with a built in motor protected from shaver/dust fallout

 

[neilyweely]

well its not the little performance power thing I got at auction last month,
has EXACTLY that problem. I have to stick the hoover hose over the router bit and clean it out every five minutes.

will be watching with interest.

cheers

neil

 

[George_N]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I think what you have just described is a spindle moulder. As for routers, the Triton ones are specifically designed for table use, with air vents that face downwards when the router is inverted in the table. HTH.

 

[ronhayles]

a spindle moulder will make all my router bits redundent. I had thought that a manufacter would produce a table model with an inbuilt motor. Could the woodster bench top shaper do an effective job of routing small work pieces such as clocks and small boxes? Any experience would be a guide for me. I have the baby woodrat but cannot master this

 

[Digit]

I have attached a piece of polycarbonate to my router that just passes through the hole in the table top and just clears the collect holder. Any dust that falls through the table insert lands on the poly and then just shakes off instead of being drawn into the router.

Roy.

 

[Michael7]

If you're going to be doing small stuff what about this

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp? ... =1&jump=44

100w doesn't seem much power though

 

[ronhayles]

I know this model. Its for dolls house work and would not take my half inch router bits. The woodstar 1500 watts model seems a better bet and will take half inch bits but the specs are skimpy. I need someone with experience of this make. I really need a bench top machine and most router machines mounted under a table sits too high for safety on a bench but thanks for the tip of preventing dust ruining router motors

 

[ivan]

No problem if you use the router's dust extraction whilst fitted in the table; 'under the table' extraction is necessary as well as above if you want reasonable dust control, so you can protect your lungs as well as your router!

 

[ike]

My router blows air out of the business end, Therefore while running in the router table, it can't get clogged with dust or shavings. I assume all routers blow air in the same direction otherwise you would get a faceful using it by hand. Either that or mine is unique. I use the chop saw on top of the table most of the time. When I come to use the table, the router is invariably covered with sawdust but just blows it all clean out on startup. Either way, it's not a problem.

Ike

 

[Grinding One]

The Aussie router Triton has a neat housing of plastic around the shaft,it keeps the motor pretty well covered for under table mount work.At least mine does,just hooked up a shop vac to it and cool running.

 

[ronhayles]

Thanks for your advice guys. Believe me, if you have not had a bearing failure through dust falling on the motor you have been luckier than I have. I think that a purpose made table with an inbuilt motor as opposed to a hand held routher strapped below would be an obvious move forward and hence my interest in the Woodstar bs52. I have not found any reviews of this machine and am interested in any member having experience of this machine, or any other purpose built table for that matter.

 

[Digit]

I think that is true of all routers Ike, but like Ron said, you won't keep the dust out. Though yours appears to blow the dust away I'll guarantee that if you dismantle it there will be fine dust everywhere, trust me!

Roy.

 

[wizer]

I honestly think you will be disappointed with that Woodstar machine. There is a reason the bigger brands don't make router table machines. Go for a Triton router which is designed for table use and you will be very happy. In all the years I have been joined to this forum, you are the first to post about dust related router failure. Unfortunately I think you have just been unlucky. Perhaps beef up your dust extraction?

 

[ronhayles]

can you be specific on why I would be disppointed with the woodstar and what is that reason you claim that the main router company's dont make table mounted router tables like the woodstar? Putting a router under a table will always put the machine at risk of dust entering the bearings however well you beef up the extraction methods. If you are a heavy user of routers then I accept that the conventional setup will be the preference but for many home woodworkers a neat bench mounted table with a built in motor will have a real appeal, or that is as I see it. I have been using a conventional router table for many years. I am looking for an alternative.

 

[ike]

Ron,

I honestly believe you don't need to worry about dust causing premature bearing failure at least in a good quality router. The sealed bearings are just that - sealed for life, in a quality machine that should mean an awful lot of use or for many years. I use a Hitachi M12V in the router table. I have no qualms about it giving up the ghost through dust ingress. It's far more likely for sander bearings to fail and usually cos of plaster dust, not wood dust.

Ike

 

[wizer]

Whilst Woodstar is part of Sheppach, it is there low-end tool division. I have seen it in the flesh and it looks 'plasticy', a bit cheap looking. I guess you get what you pay for. As for the reason that big brands don't make them, I'd assume that there isn't the demand? Again, I've not seen anyone else post about dust causing routers to fail in router tables. In fact you rarely hear of the good branded routers failing at all. Wouldn't the woodstar be prone to the same ingress of dust?

It sounds like you have made your mind up about the Woodstar, maybe you'll prove us wrong with a review?

 

[paulm]

I think Ike's couple of posts are spot on.

The much vaunted Triton "advantage" of being designed for use in a table and avoiding dust ingress is to my mind just marketing and trying to differentiate their product from others by "solving" a problem that doesn't exist.

There are not widespread reports of router failure due to dust ingress that I have noticed at any rate in the last few years, and as Ike says, while the motors are running they expel air and therefore dust, and any that settles does no harm in any event. Coupled with a reasonable dust extraction system and a half decent router in the first place I wouldn't expect any problems generally.

Having said all that the Triton machines are indeed very good anyway and a lot of people like them accordingly, but they are by no means the only choice for under table use. I have successfully used a Trend T11 and Xtreme Xtension for many years and have no need or desire to change as I don't believe there is anything significantly better out there nor is there anything I want to do with it that I can't.

Wonder what make or makes you have had problems with Ron and a bit more detail ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[ronhayles]

Ike..i am grateful for your interest and perseverance to your viewpoint. Long before it became fashionable, over 44 years ago, I purchased land and built my own house. First in the workshop was a coronet minorette, then followed years later by a bandsaw and router. When router tables were first muted I built my own to specs from a woodworking mag. I still have a froud router under that bench. My routing is now recreational. small boxes and wall clocks etc. I'm in my mid seventies. its a pain, in more ways than one bending down under my table to change router bits. my wish is for a bench top router table, preferably with a built in motor. Having seen the Woodstar I fancied that this would meet my needs, but being cautious and on the Isle of Wight away from major stockists I just hoped that someone had used this machine or one like this and could give me advice. I dont mean to be contencious, but I know that my model router has and is vulnerable to failure. I'm happy to use it sparingly just to avoid the expense of a possible replacement.

 

[ronhayles]

hi guys, I appreciate your input. I have an operational table with a router underneath which I use sparingly as the motor has a sound like the previous one that failed. I was told that this was due to dust causing the bearings to fail. If my usage were such that I could justify purchasing a new motor I would do so...this would obviously solve my issues. .but..I'm in my mid seventies and my routing is now recreational..small boxes and wall clocks and the like. Getting under the table to change bits is a pain in more ways than one. Just a thought...A table model with inbuilt motor does not have to be a direct drive. alternatively, I've toyed with the idea of the table being mounted upright in a vice so that the dust and waste does not fall on the motor. Maybe i'm just a step away from the looney. Its a little bit of dotage lateral thinking. I just hoped that someone has used the woodstar and could give me a hands on report.

 

[wizer]

We are here to help Ron, no one wants you to make the wrong decision. Hopefully a woodstar owner will speakup soon.

I have severe back problems, so I can sympathise with bending down. I know the prospect of building a new router table might not be ideal. But have a look at this:

The table lifts on a gas strut, taken from the boot of a car. It was built by one of our members P111dom. Just one idea to think about. Another way would be something smaller like this:

Hope any of that helps.