1/8" (and other size) collets available for Makita RT070x series routers

[William Adams]

From Elaire Corporation.

http://www.elairecorp.com/makitaroutercollets.html

(supported models include: RT700C, RT0700CX3, RP0900K, 3621, 3621A, sizes are 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" and 4, 6 and 8mm --- sets are available)

These became available 'cause a fellow Shapeoko user put together an initial order which got the ball rolling (and a custom die made?)

I bought into the initial order to support it, though I've been using a Harbor Freight 1/4" Trim Router as a spindle on my Shapeoko --- but will probably go ahead and buy myself the Makita this weekend.

[Mike Heidrick]

No plans for a chinese water cooled spindle? Getting to ER collets will open up a whole new world of cheap collets for your bits and endmills.

[William Adams]

A couple of people have gone to various spindles --- the problem is most of them tend towards too heavy unless the machine is significantly stiffened.

I was considering a 1.5KW air-cooled spindle (list of what people have tried here: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Spindle_Options ), but since it needs (AIUI) a 220V connection my machine would cease to be (reasonably) portable (I mostly use it out on the deck or on the car porch) which would preclude cutting stuff such as Ipê.