> Ok... I know some are going to say its just the wrong tool for the job,
>> but I get a lot of use out of the little Bosch Colt routers as a high
>> speed spindle for detail cutters on aluminum. I've got one that is due
>> for new bearings, and overall I am not unhappy with the stock bearings.
>> I get hundreds of hours out of them. I have found there are lots of
>> possible replacement bearings. The stock ones are only a few dollars and
>> I may go that way, but if a hybrid or ceramic might last longer it might
>> be worth paying a little more. They have to be able to handle continuous
>> speed upto about 35000 RPM. Actually free spin at max according to my
>> tach is a little higher, but I always back it off just slightly from
>> max. My brushes last 2-3 times as long when I do that. They have to
>> handle both axial and radial load. Most of the time they are shaving
>> thousands at high feed rates with little side load, but once in a while
>> on an aggressive cut/plunge with a bigger cutter I can actually hear the
>> motor slow down for a moment. I don't want to spend more on bearings
>> than the whole spindle is worth only to have them turn to ceramic powder
>> the first time I push them a little too hard. Suggestions? Ideas? >>
>
> We use a bunch of Hitachi 1/2" VS routers...probably very similar. We get
> about 250 hrs on a set of bearings, but we beat the crap out of them. We
> use the stock replacement bearings and usually have to pitch the router at
> 750 hours. For me, better bearings probably isn't worth the cost.
Thanks Tom. I was hoping somebody who beats on routers the way I do would answer. After posting I realized I had about answered my own question. The stock bearings are satisfactory and dirt cheap. If I find a good replacement interval for bearings and brushes its pretty cheap to keep them going. I have a question though. Why are you pitching them at 750 hours? What is wearing out that isn't easily replaceable? Not that $99 for a whole new router (today's price for the 20 series Colt at The Box) is a lot of money to just replace them. I bought one today so I would have a spare to use while rebuilding others. At that price if they'd had more than one I would have probably bought three or four of them.