Router Forums banner
Cancel

Soft start and amp?

2575 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  harrysin, 
D
I am building a small workshop router table. Question .....my work wont be heavy, but I wish to know what minimal amps I could use and soft start. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot Dave Gale
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
P
Soft start is really nice if you ever take the router out of the table. My old Hitachi used to give such a jolt on startup, it'd nearly rip my wrist off.
In the table, it isn't a problem ...

Amps are a question of the Wattage rating of your machine and the voltage supply.
Say a 1600W motor - at 240V would draw 6.66 A
at 110V would draw 14.55 A
at 400V would draw 4 A (not that I know of any routers that run on 400V)
Startup currents may be higher. Electronics in your tool may modify currents. These figures
are theoretical max draw for continuous use.

So it depends on where you live and how your shop is wired up. Here in NZ we have 240V and
my circuit breakers are 10A, except a few outlets for the heavier machines.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Stick486
David2543 said:
I am building a small workshop router table. Question .....my work wont be heavy, but I wish to know what minimal amps I could use and soft start. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot Dave Gale
Click to expand...
2~2½HP minimum router for the table... anything less will leave you wanting...
the amps will take care of themselves...

highly recommend the Bosch 1617EVS...
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
DesertRatTom
1617 is great. I keep them for freehand use now, replaced in the table with a Triton TRA001, 3.25 hp. Build in lift and power to spare.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
Cherryville Chuck
David knowing where you are can make a huge difference on what the best answer. That’s one of the reasons we encourage people to fill out their profiles.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
D
I live in northern calif. shop is 110/120 except for tablesaw which is 220 but of course wont be running while router is. Thank you
Reply
Save
Like
Cherryville Chuck
Okay, North American makers usually state size as horsepower whereas in other countries they are often stated in watts instead which is a far more accurate method. I would agree with the statement that you want a minimum of 2 hp for a table. Many routers now come with above table adjustment, particularly the largest plunge routers. That feature can make using it a lot easier and more fun.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
D
Thank you to everyone that will certainly make my choice much easier. Again thank you all
Reply
Save
Like
P
Generally speaking the 'not very accurate' horsepower rating amounts to something between 725W and 750W

I found a converter online and it distinguishes between mechanical HP, electrical HP and metric HP (who would've thunk)

2hp varies between 1470W and 1496W according to that site, depending on what horses you're using. I bet a Clydesdale
would be more ....
Reply
Save
Like
Cherryville Chuck
There are a few ways to calculate hp but the most accurate measure of all is output watts. That tells you what you have left after all the losses to d work with. There is no way that a 3+ hp router running on a single voltage circuit is the equivalent to a dual voltage 3 hp motor that I strain to lift these days. However, since all the manufacturers are lying more or less equally a 2 or 3 hp router from one company will be very similar to one of another company.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Stick486
just to muddy the waters...

..

Attachments

Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
M
David2543 said:
I live in northern calif. shop is 110/120 except for tablesaw which is 220 but of course wont be running while router is. Thank you
Click to expand...
Generally hand held routers even if table mounted are 120 volt in the US. Virtually all hand held stuff is under 15 amps and the 20 amp plug used for items that use between 15 and 20 amps are VERY rare, even though the electrical outlets that accomidate them are seen everywhere. Just figure 15 amps is as high as you are going, even with a 3hp(peak) router. There msy be bigger indistrial stuff running on 230 volts but you will likely never see one.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Reply
Save
Like
H
If you buy the Bosch 1617 EVS you can get both the plunge base and fixed base, Put the fixed base in your router table and leave it there and use the plunge base for handheld routing. The fixed base is set up to adjust the height in the table from the bottom of the router with the phenolic subbase removed and bolted to the underside of the table. A long allen wrench thru the table top will adjust the router for height,you will still have to reach under and clamp the router tight after adjustment.

When you want handheld routing, just release the lock and drop the router motor out of the table and slip it into the plunge base and you are ready to go.

Herb
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
harrysin
There are 746 watts to one horse power on direct current and generally speaking this is close enough when estimating using alternating current which is universal these days.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Router Forums
A forum community dedicated to router and woodworking professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about different types of routing and routers, shop safety, finishing, woodworking related topics, styles, tools, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
New Member Introductions Tools and Woodworking General Routing Table-mounted Routing Show N' Tell
Top