Buying task · Trim routers for CNC use
Trim routers for CNC: body size, stock collet and speed range
Which trim router suits your CNC: the body size your mount holds, the collet it ships with and the aftermarket options, and the speed range as each maker states it.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. How we make money
Picks that fit
- Makita RT0701CX3 1‑1/4 HP compact router kit (RT0701C with fixed, plunge, tilt and offset bases)Check price on Amazon
- Genmitsu 65 mm aluminum spindle holder (101‑63‑ZC65) for the 4040‑PRO familyCheck price on Amazon
- Genmitsu 69 mm aluminum spindle holder (101‑63‑ZC69) for the 4040‑PRO familyCheck price on Amazon
Short answer
Choose the trim router your machine maker supports and your mount holds: a 65 mm router such as the Makita RT0701C for a 65 mm mount, or the DeWalt DWP611 for a holder its maker labels 69 or 71 mm. Then check the collet it ships with and whether the aftermarket collets you want name that exact model.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- Makita RT0701CX3 1‑1/4 HP compact router kit (RT0701C with fixed, plunge, tilt and offset bases)Check price on Amazon
- Genmitsu 65 mm aluminum spindle holder (101‑63‑ZC65) for the 4040‑PRO familyCheck price on Amazon
- Genmitsu 69 mm aluminum spindle holder (101‑63‑ZC69) for the 4040‑PRO familyCheck price on Amazon
Why a trim router, and what changes on a CNC
A trim router is a small handheld router. Many hobby CNC machines hold one in a clamp on the Z axis instead of a spindle. It carries its own speed control and needs no separate drive. What matters on a CNC is not the router's brand but three published numbers: the body diameter, the collet and the speed range.
The decisions, in order
1. The router your machine maker supports. Sienci says the standard LongMill MK2 mount has a 65 mm bore and the Makita RT0700/RT0701 is the router it has thoroughly tested on the LongMill.[1] FoxAlien's 65 mm Z clamp is for routers like the Makita RT0701C and its 69 mm clamp for routers like the DeWalt DWP611.[2] Use the CNC machine part finder to see what your maker lists.
2. Body size for your mount. Carbide 3D's Compact Router has a 65 mm body and a 120 V US plug.[3] Sienci's AutoSpin has a 64.8 mm body that Sienci says fits 65 mm router mounts.[4] The DWP611 carries two labels: FoxAlien and Carbide 3D call it 69 mm, Sienci 71 mm.[5][6] Read DeWalt DWP611: 69 mm or 71 mm mount? before buying a holder for it.
3. The stock collet and the aftermarket options. Makita lists the RT0701C as a corded router with a 1/4 in collet, 3.9 lb and 7-7/8 in long with the fixed base,[7] supplied as collet part 763637-1.[7] DeWalt lists an extended 8-slot 1/4 in collet for the DWP611.[8] Carbide 3D's Compact Router ships with a 1/4 in factory collet plus a 1/4 and 1/8 in precision set,[3] and those precision collets fit only that router, not its ER-11 Compact Router.[9] The ER-11 Compact Router takes standard ER11 collets and lists a 1/4 in maximum cutter shank.[10] Router collets are model-specific: Elaire's standard DeWalt collets are for the DW616, DW618 and DW621, not the DWP611.[11]
4. Speed range as stated. Makita lists the RT0701C at 10,000 to 30,000 RPM no-load.[7] Carbide 3D states 12,000 to 30,000 RPM for its Compact Router.[3] DeWalt's DWP611 page gives 27,000 rpm and no low-end figure, so we do not state a range for it.[8] Power labels keep the makers' wording: Makita says "1-1/4 HP maximum"[7] and DeWalt "1-1/4 HP MAX".[8] They are not a basis for comparing cutting power.
5. When to move to a spindle. A spindle changes the mount, the collet system and the supply. One claimed advantage is not established: Sienci says its AutoSpin has no noise advantage over the RT0701C at the same RPM.[4] See keep the trim router or move to a spindle.
How to choose
If your mount is 65 mm, the Makita RT0701C is the approved router whose maker states its collet and speed range, and its stock collet is available on its own.
Picks that fit3 products
Makita RT0701C: the fixed-base kit with the 1/4 in collet cone 763637-1, for 65 mm mounts.
More on choosing
Makita RT0701CX3: the same router sold as a kit with plunge, tilt and offset bases; only the router goes in the CNC mount. Makita 763637-1: a spare 1/4 in collet cone for the RT0701C and the models Makita lists; it is not an ER collet. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Makita.
Makita RT0701C 1‑1/4 HP compact router, fixed base (65 mm class, 1/4 in collet)
Makita RT0701CX3 1‑1/4 HP compact router kit (RT0701C with fixed, plunge, tilt and offset bases)
Makita 763637‑1 1/4 in collet cone for the RT0701C and RT0700C
The holder must match both the router body and your machine. Genmitsu's aluminum holder for the 4040-PRO family comes in 65 mm, with the Makita RT0700C as its example, and 69 mm, with the DWP611 as its example.[14] FoxAlien's standard clamp does not fit the XE-Ultra, which has its own 69 mm clamp.[2]
Picks that fit3 products
Genmitsu 101-63-ZC65 for a 65 mm router or 101-63-ZC69 for a DWP611, on the 4040-PRO family; the FoxAlien XE-Ultra clamp only on the XE-Ultra 8080 or Core.
More on choosing
On Amazon, check that Ships from / Sold by is Amazon.com or the brand.
65 mm holder for the Genmitsu 4040-PRO family
Genmitsu 65 mm aluminum spindle holder (101‑63‑ZC65) for the 4040‑PRO family
69 mm holder for the Genmitsu 4040-PRO family
Genmitsu 69 mm aluminum spindle holder (101‑63‑ZC69) for the 4040‑PRO family
69 mm holder for the FoxAlien XE-Ultra
FoxAlien 69 mm Z-clamp spindle holder for the XE-Ultra 8080 and XE-Ultra Core
Every page on trim routers
Guides
- Trim routers for CNC: Makita RT0701C, DeWalt DWP611 and Carbide 3D
- Carbide Compact Router vs ER-11 Compact Router: collets that fit
- Makita RT0701C and DeWalt DWP611 collets, nuts and wrenches
- Keep the trim router or move to a spindle?
- DeWalt DWP611: 69 mm or 71 mm mount?
Router collets and mount sizes
- Makita RT0701C collet, DeWalt DWP611 collet, Carbide 3D Compact Router collets
- 65 mm, 69 mm and 71 mm mounts
Key terms
No-load speed, maximum horsepower, RPM, proprietary router collet, precision collet kit and 65 mm mount.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- Carbide Compact Router vs ER-11 Compact Router: collets that fitHelps you buy the right collets for the Carbide 3D router you own, since the two models' collets do not cross over.
- Trim routers for CNC: Makita RT0701C, DeWalt DWP611 and Carbide 3DHelps you choose a trim router by the mount size your machine takes and the collet you need, using each maker's stated specs.
Common questions
Can I use ER11 collets in my Carbide Compact Router?
No. The Compact Router uses its 1/4 in factory collet and Carbide 3D's precision collets. Standard ER11 collets are for the ER-11 Compact Router. More in Carbide Compact Router vs ER-11 Compact Router: collets that fit
Do the precision collets fit the ER-11 router?
No. Carbide 3D says its precision collets fit only the Compact Router, not the ER-11 Compact Router or its VFD spindles. More in Carbide Compact Router vs ER-11 Compact Router: collets that fit
Which dust boot fits?
Carbide 3D sells the Sweepy 2.0 in a 65 mm version for the Carbide Compact Router. Its listing does not name the ER-11 model, so ask Carbide 3D for that one. More in Carbide Compact Router vs ER-11 Compact Router: collets that fit
What is the largest bit the ER-11 Compact Router takes?
Carbide 3D lists a 1/4 in maximum cutter shank for the ER-11 Compact Router. More in Carbide Compact Router vs ER-11 Compact Router: collets that fit
Which trim router fits a 65 mm mount?
FoxAlien and Sienci pair the Makita RT0701C with 65 mm mounts, Carbide 3D gives its Compact Router a 65 mm body, and Sienci says its 64.8 mm AutoSpin fits 65 mm mounts. More in Trim routers for CNC: Makita RT0701C, DeWalt DWP611 and Carbide 3D
Can a trim router use 1/8 in bits?
Only with a collet made for 1/8 in. Carbide 3D ships 1/8 in collets with both its Compact Router and its ER-11 Compact Router; the Makita RT0701C's listed collet is 1/4 in. More in Trim routers for CNC: Makita RT0701C, DeWalt DWP611 and Carbide 3D
Which router does my machine maker support?
Ask your machine's maker. Sienci, for example, says the Makita RT0700/RT0701 is the router it has thoroughly tested on the LongMill. More in Trim routers for CNC: Makita RT0701C, DeWalt DWP611 and Carbide 3D
What is the DWP611's speed range?
DeWalt's page lists 27,000 rpm but no low-end speed, so we do not state a full range. More in Trim routers for CNC: Makita RT0701C, DeWalt DWP611 and Carbide 3D
Questions
Which trim router do most CNC mounts take?
Go by mount size, not popularity. A 65 mm mount takes the Makita RT0701C class (FoxAlien's 65 mm clamp names it, and Sienci's standard 65 mm LongMill mount was tested with the RT0700/RT0701); the DeWalt DWP611 goes in a holder its maker labels 69 or 71 mm.[2][1][5]
Can I use 1/8 in bits in a trim router?
Only with a 1/8 in collet its maker or a collet maker lists for that router. Carbide 3D ships its Compact Router with a 1/4 and 1/8 in precision collet set, and its ER-11 Compact Router with 1/4 and 1/8 in ER11 collets; Makita lists the RT0701C with a 1/4 in collet.[3][10][7]
Is the DWP611's speed range published?
Not on the DeWalt page we read. It lists 27,000 rpm and a 1/4 in collet, but no low-end speed, so we cannot state a full range.[8]
Is a spindle quieter than a trim router?
Not established. Sienci says its AutoSpin spindle has no noise advantage over the Makita RT0701C at the same RPM.[4]