Other router options other than Makita

[Aiph5u (Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))]

Hey Daniel,

If you want to use 1/2" shank bits, you will have to take a 80 mm spindle, as you will need a spindle for ER-20 collets, and such is not available on 65 mm spindles. But 1/2" is rather thick for a bit shank. When I had to choose a 80 mm spindle, there were spindles for ER-16 but also spindles for ER-20 collets. “If I don’t forcibly need to use bits with 1/2” shanks, is there another reason to select the one or the other?" I asked the spindle manufacturer. See below

@Aiph5u

• Generally the thicker the tool you use, the more force you can apply to the tool before it bends or vibrates, which translates to: the higher the speed with which you can remove material

• ER16 collets can take tool shanks from 1-10 mm, which would mean up to 3/8" tool shanks, whereas ER20 collets can take tool shanks from 1-13 mm, which would mean up to 1/2" tool shanks.

• All tools that go into a ER16 collet can also go into a collet for ER20 receptacle, but not the opposite. However you have to judge yourself on whether you will use tool shanks larger than 3/8" or 10 mm.

• Also one should take into consideration that when using tools with a larger shank, the thicker the shank, the stiffier the tool and so the longer the tools you can use – and thus the deeper the pockets you can mill into your workpiece.

• We also asked the spindle manufacturer what are differences between ER16 model and ER20 model, what they answered was:

The ER20 variant is somewhat stiffer, since larger bearings are installed.

Larger bearings means longer life and less heat. A larger shaft diameter means more stiffness and more resistance against vibrations (chatter).

So we finally bought the ER20 model.

@Aiph5u

Note that for a spindle or router for ER11 collets, you get collets for bits with 1 to 7 mm bit shank. That means with a ER11 router or spindle, you can use bits with a 1/4" shank by using a true imperial 6.35 mm collet or a normal 6.5 mm metric collet, but bits with a 3/8" (9.5 mm) or 1/2" (12.7 mm) shank cannot be used with a router or spindle for ER11 collets.

For 3/8" bit shanks you would need a router or spindle for ER16 collets, and for 1/2" bit shanks you would need a spindle for ER20 collets which will take up to 13 mm bit shanks (1/2" = 12.7 mm).