The LongMill can be configured with or without a router. The router we recommend is the Makita RT0701. Other variants of the Makita router, such as the Makita RT0701C and the Makita RT0700 are also compatible.
The Makita RT0701 router uses a 65mm router mount, which comes with all LongMills.
If you wish to use a different router, we also provide mounts in the sizes of 52mm, 71mm, and 80mm.
We recommend this router for several reasons:
- They are readily available in most online retailers and hardware stores
- They are relatively inexpensive
- They are durable and work well for this application
- They come with a round body which makes it easy to mount to the LongMill
- They have a relatively wide speed control range of 10,000RPM to 30,000RPM
Alternative routers to the Makita RT0701
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:
- Dewalt DWP611 (uses 71mm mount)
- Carbide 3D Compact Router (uses 65mm mount)
- Avid Power MW104 (uses 65mm mount)
- MLCS Rocky 30 9056 (uses 65mm mount)
- Ridgid R2401 (needs to adapt from 61mm to our 80mm mount to clear it’s ~6x15mm protruding body notch)
- Bosch Colt PR20EVS (uses 71mm mount but sits much higher up than normal, you’ll have to space up your material)
- Bosch Colt GKF125 (needs to adapt from 72mm to our 80mm mount, also sits much higher up than normal)
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 run-out
- 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
The LongMill’s control box has the necessary outputs to interface with most market spindles. This includes:
- 0-5V PWM signal for speed control
- 0V or 5V toggle for direction control
Although wiring and programming of the VFDs required for spindle operation tend to vary between manufacturers, this is compatible with most spindle setups. Consult your spindle manufacturer for details on wiring and programming.
Please note that we do not provide technical support involving adding a spindle to your LongMill.
For general instructions and more info, please visit our Resources.
What we don’t recommend
Handheld rotary tools like Dremels are highly underpowered for use on the LongMill since they do not have internal hardware that allows them to support the high lateral and axial forces. In addition, these tools are fabricated for hand use, and as such aren’t designed for the minimal runout required to cut precisely.