I use a Dewalt DW611 router on my Probotix CNC. Yes, I'd love to have a true spindle but there is no easy way to add 220v outlets where my CNC is parked.
While cutting a project for a student a few days ago my router just stopped running while the CNC kept moving. This was a VCarve job and most of the carving had been done when this happened, so no apparent damage was done to the job.
The router simply would not power on any more. I checked the router outlet on the controller in case a relay had failed, but that outlet still worked.
A quick google search found replacement brushes for that router, so by yesterday's mail I had new brushes in hand.
It took 4 tools which I fortunately had to get the router top off and brushes replaced. Mind you I wasn't absolutely sure new brushes would fix it. I put it back together then held my breath for a few seconds while I plugged it in and hit the ON button.
Now as much as I've used my CNC I had expected the router to eventually fail. I'd had a new one there to replace the failed one with just a few minutes after discovering the failure. Job finished fine and student was happy with the results. The smile on my face arrived when that old router started up again with new brushes. This is the second tool in my shop that has been revived with new brushes this year, First was a Dustless Shop Vac. In both cases I was delighted to find replacement brushes for them. Replacing brushes wasn't "easy" in either case, but also not rocket science.
So don't throw out your failed router, or shop vac, or anything with a brushed motor in it. There may be new life for it in the form of new brushes.
4D
While cutting a project for a student a few days ago my router just stopped running while the CNC kept moving. This was a VCarve job and most of the carving had been done when this happened, so no apparent damage was done to the job.
The router simply would not power on any more. I checked the router outlet on the controller in case a relay had failed, but that outlet still worked.
A quick google search found replacement brushes for that router, so by yesterday's mail I had new brushes in hand.
It took 4 tools which I fortunately had to get the router top off and brushes replaced. Mind you I wasn't absolutely sure new brushes would fix it. I put it back together then held my breath for a few seconds while I plugged it in and hit the ON button.
Now as much as I've used my CNC I had expected the router to eventually fail. I'd had a new one there to replace the failed one with just a few minutes after discovering the failure. Job finished fine and student was happy with the results. The smile on my face arrived when that old router started up again with new brushes. This is the second tool in my shop that has been revived with new brushes this year, First was a Dustless Shop Vac. In both cases I was delighted to find replacement brushes for them. Replacing brushes wasn't "easy" in either case, but also not rocket science.
So don't throw out your failed router, or shop vac, or anything with a brushed motor in it. There may be new life for it in the form of new brushes.
4D