Official Luthiers Forum!

What do people think is the quietest router out there?
I really hate loud tools. I have a bosch 1617 and it's not horrid, but there has to be something quieter.
Thanks

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

what about air powered. Those are quieter.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Quitest Router





Sorry, could not help myself.

Best router for general work , it's reasonably quiet, it's robust and reliable and it's not too expensive.




It's Makita's N3701-2


Cheers

Kimlarkim38797.2953240741

Festool

    I have a nice collection of tools , Millwalkee has the quitest router I found yet.
    They ain't cheap but they work well. THe porter cable higher end line is fine also.
john hall

John Watkins pointed me it a good direction. Spindles! Very powerful and obscenely quiet. (Think drill press sound) You might email John for a couple of sources. I had them on my desktop but can't find them now.

Thanks for the PM, Jim. Here's the deal;

There are three other alternatives. The best is a real spindle like a Colombo or Perske. A ridiculous amount of power, very little runout (+/- .0003) and quiet. They are expensive. I've actually got one on order for myself right now and it was $4,500.

Next best is a fractional hp spindle like those made by Kress. Most of the CNC router dealers sell them and they go for about $300. Same power as a rotozip but quiet, reliable, and no runout.

Last is the air spindle. Kind of loud, but not as whiney. This would be for small things like inlay only.   They're between $300-1,000 and go up to about 100k rpm.

Hope this helps. I've actually got a pair of the Kress spindles coming with the Colombo and I have an air spindle sitting here waiting to accompany them, so I'll be better able to report on this in about 6 weeks.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

I would recommend ear protection with any router. This is the voice of experience speaking. I've worked around jets, steam turbines, air compressors and spent many nights in front of amplifiers as tall as I am. It's too late for myy ears, but protect yours.

Al

PDS Colombo Spindles are very quiet, but very expensive.
Maximum 74 dBA at 24,000 RPM. Whatever your cutting will make more noise

Very good point A Peebles, I did not work around jets, but did not realize what effects being around amplifiers and loud music would have until I started getting older.

Mike
White Oak, Texas

If its bad for you, I've done it. High voltage, loud noise, asbestos, PCB's Just finished working in a chemical plant that makes phosgene gas. By the way did I ever tell you about the Filmore West?

AlA Peebels38797.9513310185

Thanks for the replies.
I just bought a used cnc router and am pretty sure I'd like it a little quieter than a standard router motor.
I really like Kims' Stanley router and believe it's the quietest of the bunch, but it probably won't work in a cnc too well!
I'll keep you all posted as I make progress with it, but it's not even in my possesion yet.Jim_W38798.0512615741

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

     If you are routing serious wood I doubt that you will find a "Quite Router". The only option you have would be a sound encloser.
      Often the bit alone is part of the noise equation. The base the router is on can resonate so noise , if that is the issue will not go away. Ear protection and dust collection are often the least thought of saftey issues but are ones that should be addressed. Duration of noise over time can harm hearing. Also the woods can cause reations to some people. I work in a high noise area and wear them without fail. Hearing once lost by noise damage will not be restorable
    I hope you find what you are looking for but I think your noise issue is not going to go away with replacing the router alone.
   Good luck and protect them ears
john hall