Routers and Spindles
Last Update: 18 October 2019Routers and spindles come in all shapes and sizes. When considering the right tool for your machine, there are several things you want to look out for such as
- Power
- Speed and speed control
- Size and weight
- Runout
For the LongMill, we recommend using the Makita RT0700/RT0701.
Makita RT0700/RT0701
The Makita RT0700/RT0701 router is a commonly used palm router boasting a 1-1/4HP motor. It offers a wide speed range (10,000RPM to 30,000RPM), which is electronically controlled for reliably consistent speed. With a metal body, it is extremely durable. Our test units have been used for hundreds of hours without fail, on projects that take over 6 hours. This is our go-to recommended router as it is widely available in both 120V and 220V.
Other routers that can be used
We supply LongMills with several different size mounts. We offer round aluminum mounts in:
- 52mm
- 65mm
- 71mm
- 80mm
If you plan on using a router that is not the Makita RT0700/RT0701, you may need to measure the diameter of the router.
Here is a list of other routers that can be used, along with the diameter of their mounting points.
Please note that these routers have not been tested by us, and we cannot guarantee that they will work.
- Bosch Colt (71mm)
- Dewalt DWP611 (71mm)
What we don’t recommend using
We do not recommend using:
- Dremels and other handheld rotary tools
- These tools do not have enough power for typical CNC cutting and do not have internal hardware that allows them to support high lateral and axial forces.
Three-phase spindles
Three phase spindles are commonly used in higher end, semi-professional to professional level machines. They come with several advantages over traditional woodworking routers such as
- Quieter operation
- More power
- Lower runout
- Longer life
- Ability to integrate speed and direction control directly from the control board
They also come with some downsides
- More expensive
- Can be challenging to set up
- Larger and heavier
