Which router for the shark HD ?

Anything and everything CNC-Shark-related

Moderators: ddw, al wolford, sbk, Bob, Kayvon

Post Reply
johndeer2005
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:22 pm

Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by johndeer2005 »

I am about to purchase the Shak HD and was wondering if anyone could tell me the best router to buy. Would also like to get anyones opinion on what bits to start off with, I am new to the CNC world, have been wanting one for years. Any help would be apreciated.

jeb2cav
Site Admin
Posts: 1524
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:04 pm
Location: Kentucky
Contact:

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by jeb2cav »

Hi,

Well - one thing I considered is the availability of a precision collet for the router. I purchased these from Precise Bits - http://www.precisebits.com/gateways/ColletsNutsHome.htm for my Colt (started out with a ProPlus), and looking there I found that they had precision collets for the Bosch 1617 & 1618 as well as the Porter Cable 890 and 690 series. I wanted the largest hp router I could get, so that limited it to the Porter Cable 890 and the Bosch 1617/1618. Reading reviews, both seemed to be great routers (and I needed to think about replacing my trusty Craftsman anyway), and ended up selecting the Bosch as it had slightly better reviews for hand held use as well. I found ready sources of supply for replacement brushes for both, so that was a draw.

Don't get me wrong - you don't 'have to' go out and get a precision collet. At some point though, you will and you'll find it worth the investment in sanding time. My experience with the Bosch 1617 is that the collet tir is consistent with the manufacturer's specification. That is not always the case with the Colt.

Some posts that provide an initial sense of bits to consider:


Bit Suppliers - http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=227
http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=337
http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=720
Bits for beginner setup: http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=750
Bits and Speeds: http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=13323

I think it is stated in one of these - but when you start out, use the cheaper bits - sooner or later you're going to run one into a clamp/jig or even the table. Easier to learn these lessons as cheaply as possible...

Hope this helps.

johndeer2005
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:22 pm

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by johndeer2005 »

Thank you very much for the information, very helpful. I will order the Bosch and the cheaper bits. Im sure I will be back asking more questions, I have wanted to purchase a CNC router for several years, so it looks like I am finally going to do it. Kind of glad I waited, seems like everything I read the HD is built a little better. Thank you again for sharing your information.

jeb2cav
Site Admin
Posts: 1524
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:04 pm
Location: Kentucky
Contact:

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by jeb2cav »

The most useful thing you can do for yourself (in my opinion) at this point is to go through the Vectric tutorials. What worked for me was to watch the tutorial - hands free just watching - then, watching the tutorial and following along in VCarve/Aspire (pause video as necessary), then seeing if I could duplicate the tutorial without watching.

These are the only software tutorials I've found that are useful. You can download a fully functional version of the software from www.vectric.com and start on this before the machine arrives. And while the tutorials don't claim to cover 'everything', they do provide a pretty good foundation in all of the major functions.

johndeer2005
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:22 pm

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by johndeer2005 »

Thank you very much. I will start that to night. You have been VERY helpful!!! Thanks again. What I have saw so far is kind of intimidating to me, but hope to get over that.

johndeer2005
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:22 pm

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by johndeer2005 »

I was about to order the Bosch 1617, ( Rockler is out ) And noticed Lowes and Homedepot Offers 2 versions of the 1617, one has variable speed, I think its the SE model. Both weigh around 7 pounds. Which one do you recommend ? Before I talked to you I was looking at the Dewalt, ( always been a Dewalt man lol. ) That thing weighs 10 pounds ! To me thats alot of weight to put on the gantry.

Ryan..

PeteD
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:36 pm

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by PeteD »

Get the variable speed model. Different diameter and flute combinations require different speeds. Pete

jeb2cav
Site Admin
Posts: 1524
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:04 pm
Location: Kentucky
Contact:

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by jeb2cav »

I'm with Pete - get the variable speed.

johndeer2005
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:22 pm

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by johndeer2005 »

Ok, I will do that. Thank yal.

User avatar
wolffie
Posts: 283
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2012 4:50 pm
Location: Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Which router for the shark HD ?

Post by wolffie »

johndeer2005 wrote:I was about to order the Bosch 1617, ( Rockler is out ) And noticed Lowes and Homedepot Offers 2 versions of the 1617, one has variable speed, I think its the SE model. Both weigh around 7 pounds. Which one do you recommend ? Before I talked to you I was looking at the Dewalt, ( always been a Dewalt man lol. ) That thing weighs 10 pounds ! To me thats alot of weight to put on the gantry.

Ryan..
Once you take the fittings off, the can does not really weigh that much, the HD can handle it.
Cheers
Wolffie
I am never going to die, I live in Paradise already

Post Reply