Spindle vs Router: Which One Is Better for Your CNC?

Key Takeaways

• Spindle vs router: The article compares the differences between spindles and routers, two types of cutting motors for CNC machines.
• Motor type and performance: Spindles have induction motors that provide better torque, power, speed control, and durability than routers, which have universal motors.
• Ease of use and cost: Routers are simpler to use, cheaper, and lighter than spindles, but they are also louder, less accurate, and less reliable than spindles.
• Material compatibility and application: Spindles can cut harder and thicker materials like metals and stone, while routers can cut softer and thinner materials like wood and acrylic. Spindles are suitable for industrial-grade operations, while routers are good for hobbyists and light tasks.

In the battle of spindle vs router for your CNC machine, the victor really depends on your specific needs.

For industrial-grade operations and longevity, a spindle reigns supreme – but for lightweight applications and a friendly learning curve, a router does the trick.

Spindles provide better torque, consistent power, automatic speed control, and a significantly longer lifespan than a router. However, the upfront investment and technical know-how for the setup can be daunting.

Routers are lighter, simpler to use (plug and play), safer for novices, and significantly less expensive than spindles. They are loud and not as durable, but for shorter, less demanding tasks, they perform admirably.

So, how different are routers and spindles? Is a spindle just a more robust version of a router or is it totally different?

What Is the Difference Between a CNC Spindle and a Router?

The spindle is the part that holds the tool and cuts the material.  

A handheld router is a woodworking tool that can also hold a bit. While a drill can only pierce a point, a handheld router can take a bit and move inside the material. Woodworkers usually compliment Dewalt, Makita, and Bosch routers. 

Nowadays, most hobbyists and small CNC brands use a handheld router in their CNC instead of a spindle. For example, Shapeoko uses a Makita router or X-carve employs a Dewalt router. 

The main difference between a router and a spindle is the electric motor inside them. In a nutshell, spindles have all the technical advantages over routers while routers bring the advantage of simplicity and cheaper prices.

In a CNC machine, spindles have better torque, more consistent power, speed control, longer life, and are quieter.

But routers are cheaper, plug and play, safer if you are not an expert, and much lighter so they do not put much pressure on smaller CNCs.

Spindle vs Router Motor (Electric Motor Type)

Although rarely mentioned, the most important difference between a spindle and a router is their type of electric motor. All of the other differences between spindles and routers stem from this. 

Routers have a universal motor inside. This is the motor you find in most electric appliances around the house from vacuum cleaners to juicers and drills.

This type of motor is suitable for appliances that run a little and then rest, or appliances that are under loads when they start the motor. Also, universal motors can’t carry heavy loads at different speeds, and they have a much shorter life than industrial motors.

On the other hand, a spindle most often has an induction motor (and sometimes a DC brushless motor). These motors are widely used in industry. Some induction motors run for months or years without a second of rest.

We will be talking about routers vs spindles, but what we really mean is universal motors vs induction motors.

CNC Spindle vs Router: Torque and Speed

Spindles are far better than routers in this area. 

The faster a router turns, the less torque it has – until at a certain point it has no torque at all. A router is like a car with a manual transmission (or any transmission except CVT) – they are strongest in their first gear.

As a result, when you increase the load on a router (like when your CNC plunges the tool deeper or tries a higher feed rate) the router responds by lowering speed just like a car going uphill that changes down its gear.

This is also exactly how drills behave. Anytime your router starts cutting, its speed decreases.

However, spindles don’t lower speeds under increased loads (at least not under normal conditions). So, spindles can give you almost the same high torque on a very wide range of speeds. 

While there is a more technical explanation for this, the main takeaway to note is that spindles have a huge advantage over routers in generating torque.

Router vs Spindle: Power and Speed

When you buy a 2KW spindle, you get a 2KW spindle, meaning that it gives you near 2KW at different speeds.

But a 2KW router has that much power only at one certain speed, and the further it is from that speed, the less power it has. 

For example, a 2KW router may have 2KW of power at 16000 RPM, but it may have only 1KW of power at 8000 and 24000 RPM.

So, a router only tells you its maximum power which it can give at one speed. Therefore, spindles have a tremendous advantage in generating power at different speeds.

CNC Spindle vs Router: Speed Control

Speed control of spindles and routers are mainly different due to their different type of electric motors. But more importantly, routers do not come with a speed control device.

Spindles have automatic speed control. The CAM software and the control software can control the spindle’s speed (RPM).

The software sends the appropriate spindle speed (RPM) to the CNC controller which sends it to the spindle drive. Then, the spindle turns with the intended speed even under heavy loads.

But because a handheld router is intended for woodworking and maneuvering by hand, routers are not equipped with a speed control system. 

This affects feeds and speeds greatly. There is a correct range of spindle speed (RPM) for every operation. Unlike a spindle, you can’t control this speed automatically.

Routers usually have a dial that you can turn to change their speed. Most often they have 6 levels of speed you can tap from approximately 6000 RPM to 24000 RPM.

I say approximately because that is the speed the router turns under no load. But as we mentioned, the router’s speed decreases under load.

So, here are the key differences in speed control between routers and spindles.

• Spindles automatically adjust their speed whereas you should manually select from 1 to 6 on the speed dial of routers.
• Spindles will maintain their speed under load but routers lower their speed in response to load.
• Spindles can turn at any speed in their range while routers can turn at a few speed levels (depending on the dial position) -and not precisely.

Drivers for Spindles vs Routers

Routers are easier to work with. You just plug them in your ordinary electric socket and turn them on.

But you need to buy a driver (VFD) for your spindle and wire and install it correctly. This makes spindles more complicated. Especially because the wiring and installation of a VFD take expertise. 

If the spindle has an induction motor its driver is a VFD (variable frequency drive), and if the spindle has a DC brushless motor, then its driver is a DC brushless motor driver.

While a router is just plug-and-play, a spindle needs a VFD. The main job of a VFD is to control the speed of a spindle.

Plus, spindles run on 3-phase electricity and VFDs give spindles the 3-phase output. But can you plug a VFD in an ordinary electric socket?

Some VFDs need a 3 phase input while some VFDs can take the ordinary single-phase input and turn it into three-phase electricity.

So, if you want to buy a VFD and plug it into an ordinary (single-phase) socket, you need one with a single-phase input.

In a nutshell, routers are plug-and-play while a spindle requires drivers and expert installation.

How Long Can Spindles and Routers Work Without Rest

Spindles can run for hours taking heavy loads but routers are designed for short uses.

Spindle vs Router: Weight and Price

Routers employ the cheapest electric motor because, at the same weight, this type of motor gives the most torque among all of the electric motors (though at low speeds). 

So, this type of motor excels at bringing a nice amount of power for lightweight applications and this is the reason for its widespread use in appliances around us.

In short, routers are lighter and cheaper than spindles.

Spindle vs Router: Durability

The life expectancy of a spindle (under normal conditions) is between 13 times to 65 times the life of a router. 

That is because the average life of a router (universal motor) is between 2000 to 10000 hours. 

But the average life of a spindle (3-phase induction motor) is 15 years under normal conditions.

Spindle vs Router: Runout and Accuracy

Runout indicates how far the axis of your spindle or router is turning from the ideal axis. It should be as small as possible because with too large of a runout, the tool life decreases and it breaks more easily.

Plus, when runout increases, accuracy and tolerances decrease.

The effect of runout is negligible in woodworking or cutting similar soft materials because the bending in these materials allows for larger tolerances.

As a result, although spindles are more accurate than routers with smaller runouts (in the 0.001mm range) routers are accurate enough for wood, MDF, foam, and plastic. 

Maintenance of Routers vs Spindles

Routers have a brush and you need to change their brush every once in a while. 

But because the spindle lasts for a long time, other parts like bearings deteriorate and will need repairing several times during a spindle’s life.

Noise

The motor of a router is very loud while spindles turn on quietly. The loud noise of the router is because it has a brushed-type motor. In these motors, there is a brush pressing against the rotor (turning part). So, as the motor turns, it rubs against the brush.

This rubbing creates the loud noise of the router (and is the reason for the shorter life of these motors).

But take note that the act of cutting produces a very loud noise whether you use a spindle or a router.

Cooling

Routers are air-cooled. Some spindles are air-cooled too while some spindles are water-cooled. Water-cooled spindles are more expensive, but their better heat dissipation makes the spindle run better and longer.

Automatic Tool Changer

Some spindles have an automatic tool changer (ATC), so they can select and change the bit automatically. These spindles cost several thousand dollars though. Plus, they also need compression instruments for their tool system.

Advantage of Routers Over Spindles

Routers have zero technical advantages over spindles in CNC, but they offer a lot of convenient advantages over spindles for the hobbyist.

• Routers are plug and play while spindles need careful setup of the VFD and correct wiring. 
• It is safe to turn on a router, but incorrect handling of a VFD is dangerous.
• Routers cost less than spindles.
• Spindles are heavier, so they need a heavier and more rigid CNC gantry. They also demand a stronger stepper motor on the Z-axis. 

When To Use a Router Instead of a Spindle For CNC

Although a CNC should have a spindle, a router is a good option for CNC machining wood, MDF, foam, and all plastics. After all, it wouldn’t be a woodworking router if it is not good for cutting wood.

You should also consider the length of your operations. A router is not a good replacement for a spindle if the CNC machine is working hours a day.

Finally, consider the noise level. Routers are loud when turned on. 

Summary

A spindle is the appropriate cutting motor for a CNC machine, but in less demanding applications, using a router is much more convenient.

Routers do not have even one technical advantage over spindles. Spindles have better torque, more consistent power, accurate and automatic speed control, longer life, less noise, and can run for hours.

But spindles also require a (VFD) drive that takes expertise to wire and install, are heavier, and demand more CNC rigidity and more powerful stepper motors. Also, water-cooled spindles have more accessories, and spindles with automatic tool changers require compression tools.

So, if you use your CNC to cut wood, MDF, foam, and plastic and do not run your CNC for long hours, a router is a more convenient replacement for a spindle if you don’t mind their excessive noise.

But a spindle is the right choice for more serious CNC applications – that’s the main takeaway for the spindle vs router debate!

FAQ

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The best CNC spindles
• The best cheap CNC routers
• The truth about CNC feed rate & speed