A really good friend of Sideways and I has our bought a new to him toy to play with that needs a bit of TLC, a SCM Super Router, or, as generally called a pin router. SCM made a number of models and still make pin routers. Wadkin and a few others also made them, the older machines used frequency converters to achieve the high speeds needed for the spindle, which is a motor turning a generator. A modern VFD can achieve this.
This class of workhorse are IMO super machines, and can be bought for next to nothing these days, usually far less than decent hand held router. They are super robust, accurate and far more substantial and accurate than (in my opinion) any router table combination you can buy. They are powerful, this one has a 3KW motor in it, and can safely run just about any size if router cutter. So why are they so cheap? Honestly, I don’t know, they are fairly big, and certainly heavy (this one is 270KG) , so not necessarily what you want in a shed or single garage!
They usually come with a fence and also a pin, originally they were a form of ‘CNC’. You made a template for the pin to travel in, attached the workpiece on top and then moved the template against pin to make an exact replica. Very quick and easy to do even for one offs.
So, if anyone is interested we will document the rebuild, we are helping our friend to do it, so we are not in ‘charge’ of exactly what will be done or how deep down the rabbit hole we dive.
This machine has been sat outside for a period, it’s bright work and cast iron table has a lovely golden hue! However, as is our experience with the SCM machines that paint work is in brilliant condition, and I wouldn’t personally repaint it. SCM paint is some of the best we come across, a real credit to the quality of what they produce.
So, this is what arrived in the first aid bay yesterday. Pictures are from the advert that he bought it from.
This class of workhorse are IMO super machines, and can be bought for next to nothing these days, usually far less than decent hand held router. They are super robust, accurate and far more substantial and accurate than (in my opinion) any router table combination you can buy. They are powerful, this one has a 3KW motor in it, and can safely run just about any size if router cutter. So why are they so cheap? Honestly, I don’t know, they are fairly big, and certainly heavy (this one is 270KG) , so not necessarily what you want in a shed or single garage!
They usually come with a fence and also a pin, originally they were a form of ‘CNC’. You made a template for the pin to travel in, attached the workpiece on top and then moved the template against pin to make an exact replica. Very quick and easy to do even for one offs.
So, if anyone is interested we will document the rebuild, we are helping our friend to do it, so we are not in ‘charge’ of exactly what will be done or how deep down the rabbit hole we dive.
This machine has been sat outside for a period, it’s bright work and cast iron table has a lovely golden hue! However, as is our experience with the SCM machines that paint work is in brilliant condition, and I wouldn’t personally repaint it. SCM paint is some of the best we come across, a real credit to the quality of what they produce.
So, this is what arrived in the first aid bay yesterday. Pictures are from the advert that he bought it from.
They spin freely and make a lovely hiss of unlubricated balls in a race. The manual states the bearings need servicing every 1000hrs of use. That always makes me smile, most woody machines see an oil or grease gun when they were made and never again after that
