Hey everyone,
Now that the Lowrider itself is working well, I’m looking for a router/spindle.
Initially, I thought I’d just use my Makita RT0702, but I forgot to order the collet.
So now I either have to pay €40 + €20 in taxes and fees for the collet, or maybe there’s a spindle that’s better suited for the project and maybe even cheaper. The biggest problem is shipping from the US. Do you have any alternatives for Germany?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Frosti,
what collet sizes do you have and what sizes do you need? A cheep option could be to use an adapter like Reduzierhülse 6 auf 3,175 mm.
I have a Makita and use the special collet for 3,175 mm and an adapter from 6 to 3 mm and do not see any difference in runout.
AMB 1400.
I tried a collet adapter like the one above and had issues with the bits slipping and runout.You may have better luck.
I’m using the 1/8” collet from elaire
It was $25 + $15 shipping. At that time it was 36 €
Thank you very much, I’ll try the adapter – it sounds good for the money! I need an adapter from 6mm to 3.175mm, and thid fits perfectly!
Plus, I can continue using the existing hardware – I was worried that the accuracy would suffer, so thanks for your input!
Should I order several of these at once, or do I only need one?
Now all I really need are good cutters for a reasonable price!
You should only need one.
For cutters check out the stuff at Sorotec. The 1/8” bits are good value.
Wonderful - Which types of router bits should I get to start with? Or would a Sorotec set for beginners be better? I don’t have a clear idea yet what I want to do with the Lowrider. To start with, I’d like to cut out some shapes, wood, nothing special.
Well, the minimum would be a 1-flute 1/8“ bit in a decent size (I use 3mm diameter most of the time).
For Multiplex Wood I use the „spiralverzahnt“ bits, as they give me a cleaner edge as the 1-flute.
When I started with my MPCNC a few years ago, I bought the Uncle Phil approved Set 1. It was good to test the different bit types.
I usually use 3.175mm because you can cheat with the depth. 
That’s a good point. In the set was only a 3 mm bit, and I didn’t break it yet. So I stick with it.
They also get dull. 
Hey, so far everything looks good and the machine is basically running - I’m about to make my first cut!
When clamping the cutter and the reduction sleeve, however, I was wondering how deep the cutter needs to be inserted into the sleeve (Reduzierhülse) and how deep the sleeve should be inserted into the collet.
Is it OK, as shown in the picture?
The reduction sleeve is flush with the end of the collet.
Does the silver part of the sleeve have to be completely inserted into the collet, leaving the black part sticking out?
Or does the sleeve have to be inserted the other way around?
When I’m using the sleeve, I insert it all the way into the collet, so it does not stick out anymore.
Regarding the bit, the longer int sticks out, the greater the flex will be. Keep it as short as possible, but pay attention that it clamps on the shaft and not the cutting part. I always try to have 1-2 mm safety distance from the cutting part. You also need to account for the collet nut which is a few mm thick.
Assuming that you do not need the full depth of the flute, I would insert the bit up to the red line into the collet, with the sleeve flush with the collet.
What Bastian says. 
Yes that looks much better. It won’t break anything if it sticks out more, but it is advisable to keep it as short as possible to minimize flex of the bit.
