# 80mm Spindle vs Makita Router for flattening large slabs **URL:** \ **Category:** Elite Series (Masso & Redline) (Gen 1)\ **Created:** [April 8, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/80mm-spindle-vs-makita-router-for-flattening-large-slabs/26377 "2024-04-08T16:12:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 10
**Author:** ![349iq2345](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/bb73d2/32.png) [@349iq2345](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/349iq2345)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 10:43am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/80mm-spindle-vs-makita-router-for-flattening-large-slabs/26377/10 "2024-04-09T10:43:30Z")
Hey Michael, > [@michaelth](#): > > Is my best bet to balance price and performance to go with the Pro and a good spindle? Is there a difference in capability for flattening large slabs between the Pro and the Elite? Many people in this forum show that using a hand trim router in a CNC is possible but it depends on how much load you intend to put on it. If you only make name signs on birthdays, thanksgiving and christmas and have plenty of time, and are ready to always stand besides the machine with the finger on the pause/stop icon on the screen, it may possible to be satisfied with it. I don’t think that someone who really used a spindle once will ever go back. The difference is not only the higher power, less noise, and better efficiency, but first of all that the hand trim router has only one speed where it delivers its nominal torque/speed ratio and that it is slowed down by a too high mechanical load – it gets hotter the slower it runs and can malfunction then and even burn if slowed down too much. This cannot happen with a spindle/VFD because a [VFD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-frequency_drive) not only prevents that the spindle is slowed down by the mechanical load, but the VFD will always stop the spindle (and if correctly wired, the g-code program) if the spindle’s current draw exceeds a operator-set limit. Usually when milling wood you have to avoid heat, which is done by high speed, but with a hand trim router, which is a so-called universal motor, you have either speed _ **OR** _ torque, but not both at the same time. See [router vs. spindle motor comparison](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/incorrect-or-missing-data-on-cheap-chinese-vfds-and-spindles/18909/27). Also you loose your Makita warranty as soon as you mount the Makita hand trim router into a CNC machine (Makita support stated). A spindle, which is a asynchronous induction motor, delivers its nominal torque over a wide speed range to choose from, often 6000 – 24000 rpm. A spindle is an induction motor, such motors are the workhorses in the industry. They have no carbon brush commutators because they have no rotor coils, but you forcibly need a [VFD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-frequency_drive) to run them because they run only on three-phase electricity and their speed is controlled by the variable frequency of this three-phase current (usually 100–400 Hz for 6000–24000 rpm, 600 Hz on professional VFDs for 36000 rpm on spindles like [this one](https://www.spindel-shop.de/en/high-frequency-spindles--Professional-Series/automatic-tool-change-spindle-ATC-Series/)). However → [Howto wire and assemble a spindle, VFD, and their control cabinet](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/hey-is-this-your-vfd-enclosure/10130/3) is not trivial and requires an electrician or an electric engineer, or you buy a → [Ready-to-use spindle/VFD setup](https://youtu.be/vB_FvkllLPc?t=219) ([available here](https://www.spindel-shop.de/en/Electrical-Cabinets-mechatron/)) which is rather expensive. The Onefinity machine’s **chassis** (rails, chrome-plated hardened steel hollow shafts, linear bearings, ball screws, extruded aluminium machine feet) are identical on PRO and Elite Series. The PRO now has the 30 mm drag chains from the Elite too. The Elite Series have the [Masso G3 Touch](https://www.masso.com.au/product/masso-touch-mill-router-cnc-controller/) Controller and different, but in terms of power equivalent stepper motors, but both series use stepper motors (and no servos). The PRO Series have the [Onefinity Controller](https://www.onefinitycnc.com/_files/ugd/1cee9f_bed246d0462e443ab8f782f2384d4ddb.pdf) which is a software and hardware [fork](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_(software_development)) of the [Buildbotics](https://buildbotics.com) CNC controller. > [@New user recommendation](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/new-user-recommendation/23450/8): > > the advantages and drawbacks of the two different Series from Onefinity, the **Original X-35/X-50/PRO Series with [buildbotics](https://buildbotics.com)-derived Onefinity CNC controller** and the **Elite Series with [MASSO G3 Touch](https://www.masso.com.au/product/masso-touch-mill-router-cnc-controller/) CNC Controller**, is a frequently discussed topic in this forum. You may want to read what I wrote the other day, I tried to focus on the relevant things: > > - [Trying to decide on Elite vs. X-50 Series before I buy – the known problems are on both Series](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/trying-to-decide-on-elite-vs-x50-series-before-i-buy/18141/74), > - [Buildbotics vs. Masso Controller](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/buildbotics-vs-masso-controller-solved-answer-in-another-faq/23015/10), > - [**What the Elite’s Masso G3 cannot do or does not have**](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/buildbotics-vs-masso-controller-solved-answer-in-another-faq/23015/10#what-the-elites-masso-g3-cannot-do-or-does-not-have-1), > > - [Is setting up Rotary Axis simpler on Masso than on Buildbotics?](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/is-setting-up-rotary-axis-simpler-on-masso-than-on-buildbotics/23150), > and > - [You are completely wrong (About the history and the future of the buildbotics-derived Onefinity Controller on the PRO Series)](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/credit-for-returned-equipment/23118/15) > > This will allow you to judge on the differences and point to more information on various relevant things regarding each Series. > [@Info on the Breakout Board Accessory (non-elite machines only)](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/info-on-the-breakout-board-accessory-non-elite-machines-only/529/33): > > I however think that **the price-performance ratio is excellent on the Onefinity Controller.** It is a stand-alone CNC controller and has the stepper drivers included (unlike the Masso, that needs separate stepper drivers or stepper motors with integrated drivers) and it supports Modbus protocol over RS-485 serial communication that not only allows to set spindle rpm exactly but also reports VFD speed setting back (unlike the Masso which is not capable of Modbus protocol). Welcome to the forum! --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/80mm-spindle-vs-makita-router-for-flattening-large-slabs/26377)._