MicroRouter Spindle upgrade - advice and help required

[ngwagwa]

Hi, as will become apparent I am new to all of this.

I have aquired a Denford MicroRouter that has been modified to run on Mach3 using what I believe is the original Cable Porter spindle. What I want to do is fit a new spindle with an ER collet so I can use smal (1.0 dia) cutters to finish components that have been semi-finished on a different machine. As I would still like to use the router for machining wood I would ideally like to find a spindle that will run off the existing electronics.

The on/off and speed of the spindle fitted is controlled by a Spindle V5 board (https://0201.nccdn.net/4_2/000/000/0...spindleV5x.pdf). I have attached pictures of all the other internals in case information on them is needed.

Any help/advice greatly appreciated.

[andy_con]

buy a 6mm collet for the current porter cable spindle
then buy a 1mm cutter with a 6mm shank (ebay)

job done, very easy, save loads of money and time

Hi, as will become apparent I am new to all of this.

I have aquired a Denford MicroRouter that has been modified to run on Mach3 using what I believe is the original Cable Porter spindle. What I want to do is fit a new spindle with an ER collet so I can use smal (1.0 dia) cutters to finish components that have been semi-finished on a different machine. As I would still like to use the router for machining wood I would ideally like to find a spindle that will run off the existing electronics.

The on/off and speed of the spindle fitted is controlled by a Spindle V5 board (https://0201.nccdn.net/4_2/000/000/0...spindleV5x.pdf). I have attached pictures of all the other internals in case information on them is needed.

Any help/advice greatly appreciated.

[cropwell]

buy a 6mm collet for the current porter cable spindle
then buy a 1mm cutter with a 6mm shank (ebay)

job done, very easy, save loads of money and time

If you can get a 1/8" collet, then there is a whole world of cheap cutters out there.

[ngwagwa]

Hi, as well as the Porter cable being an open motor I was also worried about the run out. I am will be using some long reach ball neck tools so need to get down to a 3mm fillet.

[andy_con]

Hi, as well as the Porter cable being an open motor I was also worried about the run out. I am will be using some long reach ball neck tools so need to get down to a 3mm fillet.

if your concerned about accuracy then a £500 route probably isn't the best for the job.

[ngwagwa]

Accuracy of the part isn't critical, the long reach tools are the only way I can cut the required profiles.

[andy_con]

Accuracy of the part isn't critical, the long reach tools are the only way I can cut the required profiles.

it seems a huge amount of work, for very little gain. but I suppose if its the only way to make the part then there is no other option.

id also be very surprised if you could find a suitable spindle that is a straight swap.

[ngwagwa]

I didn't expect to be able to do a straight swap (though it would be nice). Would I be better looking at a new spindle and building a new control box for it? It would certainly make swapping between spindles easier/

[cropwell]

The BoB you have, I am certain, has 0-10v output to control spindle speed with a VFD and Spindle setup, so you don't need any more electronics apart from the VFD. The rest is setting it up in Mach3.

[ngwagwa]

The BoB you have, I am certain, has 0-10v output to control spindle speed with a VFD and Spindle setup, so you don't need any more electronics apart from the VFD. The rest is setting it up in Mach3.

Thanks, so which spindle should I be looking at bearing in mind it is for finishing only so RPM is more important than power.