Different routers for different jobs?

[carvedingrain]

Hey all,

Just in the process of putting the final pieces together to order my first CNC shark HD. Besides going back and forth trying to figure out which router I want to get with the machine (by seeing reviews, seems a lot of them are trying to choose the lesser of evils when it comes to variable speed routers), I was curious if people swap out routers depending on what kind of project you are working on?

For instance, do you have a router that is best suited for doing simple cuts such as wood signs that only consist of solid lettering and straight forward borders, and a different router that is best suited for doing highly detailed 3D carving? I know I've read that the larger routers are not designed for doing long carving jobs such as a larger 3D relief. If you do have multiple routers, have you found routers that all fit the same mount, or do you have to swap out the router mount to accommodate different routers?

Thanks!

Louis

[drueth]

carvedingrain

I have a Dewalt DW618 variable speed router and I can use a 1/2 or 1/4 bit. I have found it work very well for me and I have never had a need to use a different router.

[tonydude]

Louis,

I use the porter cable model 892 which is a variable speed router and use an aluminum router mount with it. I never swap out routers just slow down the rpm on the router, slow down the feed rate on your control panel or in your tool data base. Check out and download the software http://www.vectric.com/downloads/trial-software.html View the tutorials and videos http://support.vectric.com/training-material read up on everything before you get the machine. Takes practice, learn as much as you can from the forums also on http://forum.vectric.com/ Need anymore help just ask.

Tony

[carvedingrain]

Appreciate the quick replies! I'm sure I will have more questions as times goes on. I've already learned a great many things on this forums, as well as some of the trials I will probably face after beginning production. Great to learn from other people's experiences.