Router Speeds by Setting

[Chazz]

I think the rating for the Porter Cable router is five steps producing speeds of 10,000 - 23,000 rpm. I have done some web searching and I can't find any information of what the approximate speeds are for step 1, step 2, and so on. I suspect that step 1 is around the 10,000 area and step 5 the 23,000 but I just don't have a feel for the speeds. I know they are approximates and change with loading; but I would really like to know the ballparks so that when it is expecting 12,000 for one and 14,000 for the next bit, I can figure out if I should change the speed.

Does anyone out there have an informed guess or better?

Thanks!

[steve_g]

10,000, 13,000, 16,000, 19,000, 21,000 for the PC 7518

SG

[dana_swift]

If you never run the router above the middle notch, they last years instead of months. The highest router speeds pushed at the highest alpha feed rates eats bearings. Just set the router for 13000 or 16000, do the chip load calculations for feed rate, and your router will be around for many projects.

This is pass along advice from Bill P, I learned it from him and its proven to be true.

D

[dana_swift]

Just noticed this is the desktop thread, but the same principal applies. The router speeds may be different, consult PC. :)

D

[Chazz]

Thanks all.... sorry for the delay in replying

[curtiss]

2 flutes at 10,000 rpms is the same as 1 flute at 20,000

I believe in general if you double the speed of any bearing it wears out 4 times faster.. triple / 9x faster... and then there is that screaming sound..

could be just a myth tho ...