Pin Router

[hahns]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a pin router but first wanted to get the opinion of those who have worked with them. My choice is between the Shop Fox W1736 brand new or a used industrial strength pin router. I have read on similar posts in this forum that you need the pin router to be as vibration free as possible. Does anyone know if the Shop Fox is up to the task? Also, does anyone know if you can use a constant speed router with an overarm or do you need a variable speed? I would really love to get one of the older industrial units but they weight about 3000 pounds and may not be ideal for a small hobbyist as myself. Ideally I would like to be able to do the neck and the body on the same machine and am guessing the whop fox would just need to take more lighter passes than the bigger guys.
Here are a few videos of what I'm after
The big industiral unit:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYzQU8w2Orw&feature=related]YouTube - Ruokangas Guitars Video Diary Episode 8 - Body Building[/ame]
The shop fox:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXQfB2GdKDk&feature=related]YouTube - Ryan Martin's Neck Carving Jig.[/ame]
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[bfcg]

I have a shop fox. I would go with the industrial if I were you. Make sure it is all solid and the bearings are not shot(unless it is worth repairing. They are very heavy so you will need a sturdy floor. They also require more than the usual household power.
The shopfox is ok for smaller jobs but is not as solid as it should be.
Will the industrial one come with it's own compressor or hydraulic pump?

 

[hahns]

Thanks for the reply.
I don't think the industrial unit does come with its own compressor. I was assuming I could hook it up to my existing compressor is that a bad assumption?

With your Shop Fox, are you able to route bodies?

Thanks.

 

[bfcg]

Probably could but I have not. I do not trust it to stay aligned but thats just me, I am sure others do ok with it.
Frank Pine uses one< maybe he will pop in.

 

[alk-3]

i opted for the industrial option without a second thought.. i can hog out a body in a single pass without the machine even noticing.. (but i don't).
As bill mentioned, one of the key things to look at is the bearings.. make sure they are either good, or easy to replace if they are not. and keep them well greased with the proper grease (which is very expensive stuff by the way).
When i bought mine, i set up the pin, and have not needed to adjust it since. its built like a tank, and you cant get this kind of stability without going the industrial rout.
you can hook it up to your own compressor.
another plus for the industrial router is its belt driven so its quiet!

 

[boogieongtr]

I had a Shop Fox, used it for a short time and then bought an industrial OH pin router. Save your money and buy a good industrial router. I bought one that was a store demo and had low hours of use, meaning the bearings were nice and tight. If you buy a used industrial router try to check it out in person and see what the run out is. If the bearings are shot it can be an expensive investment to get the spindle rebuilt. I have .004 run out with mine (less than 2 pieces of paper) For me that's close enough.

 

[dougk]

btw that first video is my good, good friend Juha Ruokangas. Amazing chap that fellow.

This is Emma (Juha's wife and one of the luthiers there) at NAMM last year.

OK, back to the thread- when possibile, buy the biggest, best equipment you can. I'd much rather have an older used piece if its a bigger more durable, accurate machine.

 

[pinefd]

Hahns, in case you hadn't seen this yet, here is a thread I started last year showing some of the stuff I was doing back then with my newly purchased Shop Fox: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthiers-corner/75132-overarm-i-e-pin-router.html

While I really like the Shop Fox, if I had a way of buying, moving and setting up an industrial strength pin router in my shop, I'd do it without hesitation. My Shop Fox is probably my most used piece of equipment in my shop...along with my bandsaw and drill press. If I had a heavier duty pin router, I'd be using it for just about everything.

You asked about routing bodies with the Shop Fox. I have done this, but I prefer other methods, at least for doing the perimeter of the body. For chambering and doing all the cavities, the Shop Fox is my main go-to tool. For cutting out the perimeter of the body, where I'm more concerned about the possibility of tear-out, I'll start out with my bandsaw, and finish up with a combination of Robo-Sander and my router table.

I hope that helps!


Frank

 

[Shepherd]

I need me one of those router bits to shape necks but have never been able to find one with the right profile.

 

[H.E.L.Shane]

I need me one of those router bits to shape necks but have never been able to find one with the right profile.

you can have them custom made.... if you got the guidas $ !!!!

another thing... you need a high horsepower, VARIABLE speed router to swing what is really a SHAPER bit... bad things can happen to you if you try to spin one of them on a dinky router at 24K rpm!!!

 

[stmfitr636]

If it's a 3 phase motor and you're not equiped with 3 phase capability, you will be in for spending more $$$ to get it going... with either a replaced single phase motor or a variable frequency drive... which would not be a bad thing to have.

That said, I have 0 experience with OH routers and they may be all single phased or VFD'd.

 

[alk-3]

If it's a 3 phase motor and you're not equiped with 3 phase capability, you will be in for spending more $$$ to get it going... with either a replaced single phase motor or a variable frequency drive... which would not be a bad thing to have.

That said, I have 0 experience with OH routers and they may be all single phased or VFD'd.

good point.. most are three phase. a VFD is a great thing to have though, and would be usful on other machinery as well.. i have one from my 3 phase bandsaw
on the router is allows you to control the speed of the cutter for different sized bits.

 

[Shepherd]

you can have them custom made.... if you got the guidas  $ !!!!

No kidding, I got quoted $350 for one router bit

 

[dougk]

good point.. most are three phase. a VFD is a great thing to have though, and would be usful on other machinery as well.. i have one from my 3 phase bandsaw
on the router is allows you to control the speed of the cutter for different sized bits.

http://gallery.me.com/tbartlett/100272/CRW_6121/web.jpg?ver=12942682800001

HOLY CRAP! Now THAT's a Bandsaw!

 

[x_archangel_x]

Let me correct that for you.

HOLY CRAP! Now THAT's a Bonesaw!

There ya go.

Imagine that damage you could do to a bovine carcass. Mmmm... steak.

Sorry. I'm a carnivore of the highest order.

Tom, I LOVE that bandsaw. I've been in love with it since the first time I saw it in one of your other threads.