Do-it-yourself milling cutter from a drill, drawings. Do-it-yourself milling cutter from a drill: manufacturing workflow. Basic elements of the device

A router is an indispensable tool for all kinds of woodworking and is actively used by professionals. But if a home craftsman needs it for one-time work, then it makes sense to try to make it with your own hands from available tools. Of course, a homemade wood router, made, for example, from a drill or grinder, is not capable of completely replacing a standard tool. But some simple operations that do not require particularly clean processing can be performed with such a unit.

Making a milling cutter from a drill with your own hands is easy and quick, since this tool already has a chuck into which you can clamp the cutter shank. But since the drill develops low speeds, about 3000 rpm, it will not be possible to achieve good quality machining of the part.

For comparison: a milling machine reaches speeds of up to 30,000 rpm.

Ideal as a stand for holding a drill vertical drilling device, which can be purchased at a power tool store. You just need to change the equipment, and the homemade router is ready.

You can also use a similar stand make from laminated chipboard, as shown in the following pictures.

For example, with such a homemade device you can make a groove in a laminated chipboard board under a T-shaped PVC edge no worse than using a ready-made router.

How to make a router from a grinder

It's no secret that an angle grinder is often used for grinding, polishing and milling various surfaces with disc and cup attachments. But if you screw a collet onto the spindle of the unit, you will get a grinder milling cutter that can work not only with disk cutters, but also with any equipment that has cylindrical shanks.

If you clamp a cutter made of carbide material into a collet, you will get a metal milling cutter.

Also, to make a router, you can attach a regular one to the spindle of an angle grinder. jaw chuck from a drill.

The photo above shows an attachment for an angle grinder that turns it into a manual milling machine. You can understand how to make the device from this video.

Milling cutter from a washing machine engine

Very often, craftsmen make various machines from a washing machine engine: wood lathes, drilling, sharpening, circular, as well as stationary milling machines. To make the latter, you will first need to make a table using the method described above. Next, on the motor shaft it is necessary install collet for clamping cutters.

Since it will not be possible to attach it to the motor shaft without an adapter, you will have to order one from a turner.

You will also need to do lifting mechanism for convenient adjustment of tool extension. It is made from two pipes that act as stands on which the engine is mounted, and a threaded rod.

One end of the pin enters the nut fixed to the bottom of the table, and the other rests against the lower part of the motor. A swivel wheel is rigidly fixed to the stud, with the help of which the height is adjusted.

To prevent dust from getting on the motor when the machine is operating, you can place a small piece of foam rubber on top of the motor.

The machine with numerical control (CNC) is mainly used for for engraving and figured wood carving. It is controlled using a computer, thanks to which very complex patterns can be cut out on workpieces with high precision. In China you can buy ready-made mini CNC machines for making souvenirs at a price of about 10,000 rubles.

Of course, you can purchase all the parts for the machine and assemble the CNC router yourself. But if you look at the cost of all the components, it will be much cheaper to purchase a finished product with already configured software.

Thicknesser and jointer from a milling cutter

The purpose of a surface thicknesser is to calibrate wood blanks to one size in thickness.

On the basis of a milling cutter, you can also make some semblance of this unit.

You can make a thicknesser from a milling machine yourself from a pair of guides mounted on a flat surface and a platform on which the milling machine is mounted. The part that needs to be equalized in thickness is fixed on the table, under the platform with the unit. The milling cutter first sets the required offset of the equipment, after which the entire surface of the part is processed.

Using a milling machine as a drive, you can make mini jointer for processing small-sized workpieces. The picture below shows what parts a portable jointer consists of.

It is also possible to make stationary jointer from a router for processing long workpieces. You can learn how this is done from the following video.

When renovating and arranging an apartment, sometimes it is necessary to cut a groove or beautifully grind the end of a board. You don't have to buy an expensive power tool for this. You can make a router from a drill with your own hands. The principle of transmitting torque to the spindle is identical for the units. It is enough to make a milling table for the drill, and you can use it as a router. Options for fixing the tool body may be different. The main thing is that there are no distortions or backlashes.

Attention! An impact drill cannot be used as a router.

Materials and tools

Usually in any garage or home workshop it is easy to find the necessary tools. A screwdriver can be replaced with a Phillips screwdriver, a jigsaw with a hacksaw.

Design of a milling cutter from a drill

Considering the power and number of revolutions, you can only make a light router from a drill. For high-quality processing of the board, the working tool must be fixed on the table, and the workpiece must move. The top-tool design allows for the production of complex parts. Each craftsman comes up with his own design. They differ in the mounting and location of the electric drill.

Table with router

Processing the ends and milling grooves for the tongue-and-groove connection can be conveniently done using a milling table with a protruding tool. It has a simple design and the drawings are easy to develop yourself. A small workbench will do.

The lid turns over. A hole is cut in it. Its size is approximately 5 mm larger than the maximum diameter of the cutter that will be used. A bar is mounted perpendicular to the table. It is installed parallel to the side at such a distance that the spindle axis of the attached electric drill coincides with the center of the hole.

The body of the power tool is secured to the bar with clamps and stops. In the normal state of the table, the chuck should be located under the cover, and the cutter inserted into it should protrude. During processing, the wooden part moves along the table, resting against the template, and milling occurs.

The tool can be secured in another way. The main thing is that the center of the hole coincides with the axis of the cutter. The switch and socket were accessible. All elements of the machine must be fixed rigidly, without distortions.

Simple machine

The design of the machine for creating a router from a drill with your own hands consists of 3 main parts cut from plywood:

• sole;
• rack;
• headscarf.

They must be positioned strictly perpendicular. A hole is made in the sole for the exit of the tool. The width of the stand is equal to the size of the electric drill body and is 20 mm longer. A drill is attached to it using a clamp located above the chuck. It is additionally fixed with a stop that presses the back side of the body on the opposite side of the spindle, or with a second clamp below the handle. The gusset ensures rigidity of the structure. One side is adjacent to the sole, the other to the stand.

When cutting the sole - the base of the structure - you need to draw a square on the plywood, with sides equal to the width of the electric drill body. Add strips equal to the thickness of the plywood to it on two adjacent sides. Mark the center of the tool and make a hole with a core or spade drill.

Cut the sole along the contour. The corner opposite the connection between the post and the gusset must be rounded. On the reverse side, drill 4 mm holes and make recesses - countersunk for screw heads, using an 8 mm drill. Otherwise, the screw heads will protrude and scratch the table, disrupting the fit of the sole. A skew occurs.

You can glue thin rubber or a piece of linoleum to the bottom of the sole. This will ensure smooth sliding when the router is working.

Using a square, place the stand in place and fasten it with screws. The gusset is attached with one side to the base, the other to the stand, ensuring the rigidity of the structure. The position of the electric drill is noted when the tool is lowered below the sole. The clamp and stop are screwed on. For ease of use, the sole can be made of plexiglass.

Machine with vertical movement of the cutter

The disadvantage of a simple machine is the inability to make blind keyways and selections. The tool can only enter the board from the end. A small addition will allow the drill to completely replace a lightweight vertical router.

The sole is made longer. A massive board with a U-shaped profile fixed vertically is screwed to it - 2 pieces. These are the guides. A drill is installed on the bar on one side, and 2 slats are screwed on the other, which are inserted into metal profiles. A screw is installed at the bottom of the sole, which serves as a stop when moving the body of the electric drill down.

Having the experience of a mechanic and the necessary set of parts, you can install a homemade router on the side cylindrical racks. Springs are placed on them from below, lifting the drill upward.

Fastening is carried out with metal corners, brackets and self-tapping screws. The milling depth is adjusted with stop screws.

Assembly algorithm

Before making a router from a drill, you should prepare all the necessary materials and a drawing, indicating the dimensions and how the drill replacing the manual router will be attached.

1. Mark the center of the spindle axis on the table or base.
2. Cut a hole for the tool exit.
3. Place the electric drill on the stand and mark the position of the clamp and stop, secure them.
4. Screw the stand and gusset strictly at right angles.
5. Secure the tool body to the base.

A machine made by yourself must be durable, without backlash or distortion. Then you can work on it like a router.

Advantages and disadvantages of a router

The main advantage of a machine for milling with an electric drill is that you do not need to buy an expensive milling machine to perform single operations. Using a homemade device, it is easy to make several grooves and process the edge of the shelf.

In an electric drill, the drill is inserted into a chuck. When working on a homemade router, you must use a drill cutter. The stores have a large selection:

• cylindrical;
• end;
• end;
• corner;
• curly;
• disk.

All of them have a shank and are easily mounted in the chuck. Tool replacement is quick. The disadvantage of the chuck is that it can unscrew during operation, especially if the tool vibrates. It is necessary to constantly check and tighten the fastening.

Before you make a router from a drill, you should decide on the amount of work. A homemade router is suitable for performing home repairs and individual operations on processing wooden parts using an electric drill. It is impossible to mill with a drill for a long time and with heavy loads.

The main disadvantage of a milling machine made from a drill is the low speed. When drilling, cutting occurs over a small area. There is no need for cleanliness; the wood is processed into chips. On the drilling tool, the maximum rotation reaches 3000 rpm. While the lightest router has a minimum value of 4000 rpm. Every specialist knows that the cleanliness of the processing depends on the rotation speed of the tool. The faster the cutter rotates, the more beautiful the edge and end of the key. After processing on a homemade machine, the treated areas will have to be sanded for a long time.

The motor on a drilling tool is much weaker than a milling one. It is designed for short-term use. He will not be able to work at maximum power for a long time. When milling with a drill, you must constantly turn it off and let it cool.

A homemade machine is suitable for one-time work. For permanent use, it’s better to buy a router.

Evgenia Drobysheva

Experienced pensioner. Supporter of proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle

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Those who like to make something at home often ask themselves the question: “Is it possible to assemble a router from a drill with your own hands?” This idea has a fairly solid basis in the form of the high cost of a professional profile tool. The price of a modern milling machine can seriously hit your home budget, and you won’t have to use it very often. It turns out that making such a device yourself is quite possible.

Most often, such a tool is very useful when country house renovation or construction of a private cottage. With such a unit, complex wood processing work can be carried out right at home. You will have access to:

• milling of wooden parts;
• edge formation;
• creation of special connecting parts;
• other woodworking;

The large number of advantages does not always outweigh the inflated price of the tool, which will gather dust in the closet after the repair is completed. Therefore, homemade hand routers are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners.

Manufacturing of the device

Before proceeding directly to the assembly procedure, you need to take care of a special stand - milling table. This element can be assembled from thick plywood or chipboard panels.

Obtain the appropriate parts:

• sheets of plywood or chipboard with a thickness of at least twelve millimeters;
• four support bars;
• clamp for securing the drill to the table;.

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Let's start the assembly process. Make holes for the bolts in the main vertical wall and secure the guide clamp.

After this, make a round hole in the middle of the backing sheet. Professionals advise using for these purposes electric jigsaw, but a simple hacksaw will do. The final stage is to connect all the parts into a single structure using self-tapping screws or superglue. The table is ready, the most important thing left is to make the router itself.

Basic elements of the device

The basis of a good milling machine is electric drive. Its power should not be lower than 500 watts. Calculate this indicator depending on the thickness of the wooden parts that you plan to process. The most suitable option is a drill, hammer drill or grinder with a power of 500 to 1100 watts. The optimal choice, in terms of price and reliability, is a drill.

When purchasing, you should pay special attention to the quality characteristics of the drill, because later it can be used for its intended purpose.

To assemble the entire system you will need the following components:

• cutter - an element that is purchased separately in a specialized store;

• special cartridge for fastening.

The last part is connected to the drill via adapter, which will have to be selected separately, depending on the type of cutter. Installing such an adapter is problematic, but it is quite possible at home.

Assembly sequence

When making a milling machine, you need to follow some guidelines that will help you avoid mistakes. Particular attention should be paid to elevator for adjustment- it is fixed on the table top to compensate for the speed of rotation. To make this part, thick plywood is used.

It is very important to achieve solidity in the design; avoid using straps, cables, small nails and slats. The cutter itself is then installed on the motor shaft. As a result, the elevator will include:

• carriages;
• the body that will bear the main load;
• threaded axle;
• fastening for fixing;
• sliding type runners.

When the threaded axis rotates, the carriage moves along with the motor. It moves it up or down along the axis line. Skids are designed to limit and guide movement.

Height restrictions must be set in advance while the device is stationary. By securing the fixing elements in the required position, you will protect yourself and your work.

It is extremely important to monitor smooth movement of the carriage. Achieve the most stable position possible to avoid defects and unevenness when processing wood. Experienced craftsmen make special gears and swing arms, which are then included in the overall control system.

This is how, following simple tips, you can assemble a router from a regular drill. Customize parts carefully and use only quality materials. Don’t try to save money on a drill; remember, when the construction is finished, you can disassemble the machine and use it for its intended purpose. Don’t rush to throw away the table and the elevator afterward - they can be disassembled into individual elements and compactly packed in a box until the next repair. That is why professionals use only construction screws for connections.

Situations often arise when you need to make a groove, carefully trim the edge of a board, or make a part of a complex shape. Typically this work is done using a router. In a well-equipped workshop, any tool and all the necessary machines are at hand.

But what if, for example, instead of a workshop there is a garage, and only a drill is available. You can resolve the issue at your nearest power tool store. But, as usual, it all comes down to either finances or the fact that the milling tool is needed only for a while, and then it will simply gather dust on the shelf. As you know, there is a way out of any situation, and specifically from this one - a do-it-yourself router from a drill.

The drill acts as a drive. A cutting tool (cutter or drill) is clamped into the chuck and processing is performed. In this case, the body of the electric drill is mounted on some base or mechanism that ensures the necessary location of the cutting part relative to the workpiece or part.

The operating principle is similar to the factory versions of milling cutters. The design of the mechanical part is also similar or completely replicates the elements of a non-handicraft device. The exception is the drill mounting parts. In addition, the design of the mechanism depends on the material of manufacture.

A milling device can be simple and contain a minimum of parts and assemblies, but if necessary, nothing prevents you from “expanding” the capabilities of an electric drill by building a fairly complex structure. It all depends on your own capabilities and requirements for the functionality of a homemade tool.

You can make a router with your own hands from a drill using any available materials. The main requirement: the structure must be durable, the presence of backlashes and distortions is not allowed, the electric drill must be securely fastened.

To make parts you can use:

• Chipboard or multilayer plywood with a thickness of 12 mm or more;

• cutting boards of suitable thickness;

• wooden bars.

It is also possible to use other materials. For example, you can use metal. A base made of thick plexiglass or acrylic is a good idea. The surface being treated will be visible through such material.

The parts are connected using self-tapping screws. For reliability, all fixed joints can be glued with any suitable glue (carpentry glue, PVA, etc.).

Bolts or studs may be needed to secure moving parts. diameter 6 – 8 mm. They will need nuts, both regular and wing nuts. Some connections may require washers. It is possible to use furniture fittings: guide mechanisms, various fasteners, and so on.

In everyday life, a vertical manual router is often used. It has the easiest design to repeat. It is enough to make a stand with a mount for an electric drill, and the device is ready to perform simple operations. An example of such a homemade unit is in the photo below.

The process of making such a base is quite simple:

• The first part that is best to start with is the base (sole). It is necessary to cut the workpiece into a round or oval shape.

• Next, make a hole for the cutter. It should be offset relative to the center of the part, taking into account the thickness of the side post.

• Depending on the dimensions of the electric drill, a stand of the required size is made and secured to the base with self-tapping screws or furniture fittings.

• The rigidity of the fastening is ensured by a spacer (kerchief). The inner sides of this part must have an angle of strictly 90 degrees.

• The next element is the drill mount. You can use a pipe clamp, as in the photo, or make a clamp from wood or plywood and secure it with self-tapping screws.

• As an additional fixation, a stop is installed above the drill.

This option is suitable for doing rough work or will serve as a temporary alternative to a full-fledged tool. To perform more precise operations, you will have to develop a more complex design.

There is nothing stopping you from equipping your “homemade product” with adjustable cutter reach or the ability to change the angle of inclination. It is possible to use a drill in a tabletop milling machine. To do this, the electric drill is installed vertically under the working surface.

Making a router with your own hands from a drill is not the most difficult task. Difficulties arise in using such a device. It is worth considering that the power tool is not designed for this method of use and working with it will have some features and even disadvantages.

The first thing to consider is the rotation speed. The motor of a milling machine can have up to 20,000 revolutions per minute. For an electric drill, this indicator is around 3,000. It follows that you will have to limit yourself to using cutters designed to operate at low speeds, and the rotation speed regulator should be in the maximum position.

The situation is similar with power. The motor of a simple electric drill consumes about 500 - 600 W. The power of the milling machine is 1 – 2 kW. This means that a homemade milling machine can handle processing of not too hard materials (wood, plywood, plastic).

The precision of machining with a milling cutter is also not ideal. There are no gears or gearboxes in the design of a factory router. Electric drills use a gear to transmit rotation from the motor to the chuck. Because of this, there may be backlash, and therefore, beating and vibration may occur, which will negatively affect the quality of work.

Video: Router from a Bosch drill

A simple design will most likely not provide for adjustment of the depth of cut. You can align the cutter or drill by clamping the shank in the chuck at the required height.

Also, do not forget about safety precautions. The chuck is not the most ideal option for attaching a cutter. At high speeds, vibration can cause a poorly tightened cartridge to loosen.

The power button for a homemade router will be located in an inconvenient place. The device should be held securely with your hands during operation.

Of course, a homemade router made from a drill has a lot of disadvantages, but there are also positive aspects. Try drilling into a wall with a regular router. Theoretically this is possible, but it is more convenient to do this with an electric drill. To do this, simply remove it from the mount and use it for its intended purpose.

In a home workshop, there is often a need to sharpen, smooth an edge, or perform some other operation on metal or wood. Having a milling machine solves these problems. But what to do if there is nowhere to put such large equipment or there is nothing to buy it for? The solution is a milling cutter from a drill. A homemade device will greatly facilitate the processing of various materials at home.

The principle of operation of the milling cutter

The milling device works like this:

• the motor provides rotation and transmits it to a spindle made of durable and rigid metal;
• the spindle has an attachment for working on metal or wood - a milling cutter;
• it processes material that is fixed on the working plane.

Attention! In the manual version of the router, the nozzle is attached to the chuck.

A drill router can also work on ceramics, glass, and plastic. For each material there is a separate nozzle with its own characteristics:

1. For wood - simple cutters, not high-strength and without a large number of revolutions.
2. For metal - reinforced nozzle. Brass is especially difficult to machine with a router.
3. For glass and similar materials - cutters made of special alloys.

Using such a tool, you can screw threads, turn grooves and cavities, smooth and give the desired shape to an edge, and turn out holes. The drill will provide the manual machine with an electric motor of suitable power. When selecting it, take into account the power and rotation speed. The second parameter affects the quality of the cut: the more revolutions, the better.

The power depends on the material to be processed. For wood blanks, 0.5 kW is sufficient. But even in this case, experts recommend looking for a more powerful device of 1-2 kW. Such a router will be universal and convenient for working with various materials.

Assembling the base for a homemade drill-based router

First, think about the structure of the desktop and the layout of the router on it. You don’t have to assemble the tabletop, but buy it in a specialized store, but this is quite expensive. To make your own, use the drawings. A good table will provide comfort and speed up the process of working with a router. The base is a sheet of durable plastic or chipboard with a thickness of at least 12 cm. Plastic is not afraid of moisture, but making a tabletop from chipboard is faster and easier.

The tabletop is placed on guides. Provide the possibility of adjusting them to adjust the position of the table for your convenience. Also note that the space around the work surface should be protected. This is important when working with a hand router. In addition, the parts require a clamping mechanism.

Installation of a regulation elevator:

1. Cut out a small panel from chipboard and make 4 bars for support. The materials used must be durable and reliable.
2. Cut a semicircular hole on the countertop using a jigsaw or electric hacksaw.
3. Make slots for the clamps and thrust sheet.
4. Attach the panel to the engine using bolts or special fasteners.

Advice. Any holes in the tabletop are cut with a regular hand drill.

Making a mini-machine from a drill

This router does not require straps or pulleys: the cutter attachments are put directly on the motor shaft, as in the photo. But you need runners, carriages, and a threaded axle. When the shaft rotates, the carriage moves up and down along it. Sliding runners are guides. After setting the height, the carriage is fixed. The entire apparatus is supported by a housing that is mounted below on the countertop.

The most difficult manipulation in the assembly is fixing the cartridge and the engine. You will have to buy a special adapter, and entrust its precise balanced installation to a mechanic with professional equipment. After assembly is complete, test the router:

• install a light nozzle;
• connect the device to the network;
• try to carry out simple operations;
• if the result is positive, perform more serious work;
• If everything is in order again, proceed to full operation.

Advice. There are options for homemade milling cutters from a drill, where the rotary lever is moved from top to side.

Sometimes craftsmen additionally equip the device with gears for ease of control.

Features of operating a manual milling cutter

1. In addition to sanding, it is advisable to treat the wooden surfaces of the workbench with a special impregnation. This will increase the coating's resistance to negative factors.
2. Think separately about the location of the device control systems.
3. The milling cutter can be additionally equipped with a system for cleaning the working area from small chips. Come up with a pipe that will connect to the hose of a regular vacuum cleaner.

A homemade device has many advantages over a purchased one:

• availability of components for assembly;
• low cost;
• the ability to dismantle the mini-machine and use the cutter manually.

However, such a device does not reach the speed of professional devices and is only suitable for processing materials in small quantities. The milling cutter from the drill must be assembled in strict accordance with the technology. Only care and precision in performing work will allow you to obtain a durable and reliable unit.

How to make a router from a drill with your own hands: video

The relevance of the question of how to make a router from a drill with your own hands is explained by the fact that not all home craftsmen can afford to purchase expensive serial models. Meanwhile, the usefulness of such a device and the need for its use in many situations (construction and repair work, manufacturing of all kinds of structures from wood, decorative design of products from various materials) are undeniable.

Simple milling of wooden parts can be done on a homemade drill stand

Using a router equipped with the appropriate working tool, you can successfully mill wood products, form edges of various configurations on them, prepare seats for door locks and hinges, create grooves on wooden parts, and also solve many other technological problems.

Components and assembly algorithm

It is possible to make a milling machine from a drill, which almost every home craftsman has, but you should keep in mind that such a device cannot fully replace the serial model. This is explained by the fact that the chuck of a conventional hand drill is capable of rotating at a speed of 3000 rpm, while a serial milling cutter is able to ensure rotation of the tool used at a speed of up to 30,000 rpm. In addition, the gearbox of a household electric drill is not designed for intense loads, which will quickly cause it to fail.

Vertical router from a drill

Diagram of the simplest vertical stand for a drill

Meanwhile, the simplest milling cutter, made from scrap materials at minimal financial cost, is capable of successfully coping with many technological tasks. To make your own router from an electric drill, you should find the following materials and tools:

1. several pieces of chipboard or thick plywood;
2. a clamp with which the drill will be fixed to the base of the device;
3. bolts, screws and other fasteners;
4. feather drill or drill bit with a diameter of 40 mm;
5. standard set of locksmith tools.

Scraps of slats, pieces of plywood, metal corners - all this can be used to make a simple milling stand

The process of assembling a homemade router takes place according to the following algorithm.

• The base of the future router is assembled from sheets of chipboard or plywood, which includes a horizontal base and a vertical part on which the electric drill will be fixed. The dimensions of the sheets of chipboard or plywood from which such a structure will be made are calculated depending on the dimensions of the electric drill used as the basis of the homemade machine.
• A hole with a diameter of 40 mm is drilled in the horizontal base of the device, which is necessary to provide access for the tool to the processing area.
• A clamp is attached to the vertical stand of the device using a bolt, in which the electric drill is fixed. The drill should be positioned in such a way that the lower end of its chuck is a few millimeters from the horizontal base of the router.
• To make the position of the drill on a vertical stand more stable, you can fix a small wooden block in its upper part, which will act as a stop.

Drill mounting options (click on photo to enlarge)

Stand with height adjustment via lever

How to make a milling machine of the design described above more convenient and functional? To do this, it can be equipped with a simple microlift, which will be responsible for moving the electric drill in the vertical direction. To make such an elevator you will need the following consumables and components:

1. two metal rods that will act as guide elements;
2. a platform (carriage) for fixing an electric drill, made of chipboard or thick plywood;
3. a threaded axis and a nut, which will be responsible for moving the electric drill in the vertical direction;
4. elements that ensure the fixation of the electric drill in the required position.

Stand with height adjustment via threaded rod

The principle by which such a homemade router works is quite simple and is as follows.

• When the threaded axis rotates, the carriage with the drill attached to it moves in the vertical direction.
• After the electric drill and the tool secured in its chuck are set in the required position, the carriage is fixed using fasteners.

Naturally, the entire design of such a homemade router, the operation of which is well demonstrated in the video, must be fixed on a reliable basis. The latter can be the surface of a desktop or workbench.

Machine made from an old electric motor

A homemade milling machine, with the help of which many technological operations are quite successfully performed, can be made without the use of an electric drill. In order to make such a device, you will need the following consumables and components:

• drive electric motor, which can be used as an electric motor from an old washing machine and other household appliances;
• a cartridge in which the cutting tool used will be fixed;
• an adapter with which the drive motor shaft will be connected to the cartridge;
• sheets of chipboard or thick plywood for making the base and vertical guide of a homemade router.

Homemade machine based on a Soviet three-phase motor

When choosing an electric motor for a homemade milling machine, keep in mind that the power of the latter should be in the range of 500–1100 W. The higher the power of the drive motor, the greater the depth that can be processed with a milling cutter.

A very important requirement when making a homemade milling machine is the absence of play in the contacting elements of the device. If you neglect this requirement, you may encounter the fact that the processing performed using such a milling cutter will not be of high accuracy and quality. In addition, the quality and accuracy of processing performed even on a homemade milling machine is seriously influenced by the characteristics of the cutting tool used.

Many people who like to make various products are often interested in how to assemble a router from a drill with their own hands.

Not everyone has the opportunity to keep a large milling machine at home.

But if the premises are being renovated, then your own manual router may often be needed.

This device can mill wood elements, form edges and perform other work.

Tasks and features of manufacturing a milling device

A household milling device works as follows. The engine of the device rotates the spindle with a special attachment put on it - a milling cutter.

The cutter is inserted into a collet or jaw chuck. The motor that provides rotation is powered by electricity.

A self-made milling device is capable of processing wood, metal, glass, plastic and ceramics.

For example, making holes for door locks or processing the edges of parts and cavities.

Which attachment will be used for the job depends on the material being milled and can be completely different.

The most accessible wood for processing is wood, so cutters for it are affordable and often found on sale.

Metals have varying degrees of viscosity and hardness. For their milling, attachments differing in their qualities are used.

When selecting them, you should take into account the properties inherent in the metal being processed.

Before making a router for home use, you need to design a table on which the device will be installed.

The tabletop can be prepared using a regular sheet of plywood 1.2 cm thick. Four wooden beams are suitable as support for it.

A hole corresponding to the size of the router is marked on the surface of the plywood, after which a guide is added.

The groove hole for the router is made in a semicircular shape and cut out with an electric or manual jigsaw. After preparing the tabletop, begin assembling the milling device.

The router is made from a drill with your own hands, using an electric drive, the power of which should be from 500 to 1100 W, depending on the width of the material being processed.

The most suitable options are a drill, grinder or hammer drill.

The drill is considered the cheapest and most accessible tool for making a router.

To assemble the device, you will need the following tools, parts and materials:

• motor powered by electrical network;
• hand saw or jigsaw;
• drill;
• clamp, self-tapping screws, locknuts, screws;
• cutter;
• cartridge;
• four wooden blocks;
• clamps that can be quickly clamped;
• Chipboard – for the base of the apparatus.

You don't have to be a professional to work with this list of tools.

Make sure to check the functionality of power tools and compliance with safety regulations in advance.

Router assembly procedure

Assembling the router is much easier if you use the drawings. The process of constructing a milling machine using a drill as a motor is conventionally divided into stages.

Construction assembly stages:

• making a base-stand;
• preparing the clamp;
• clamp fastening;
• emphasis;
• assembly.

The manufacture of the milling machine does not end there, but it can be used in this state.

It is enough to securely fix the drill with a clamp, tighten the cutter into a chuck of a suitable parameter, secure the entire structure and start milling.

To make the work more accurate and safe, the equipment can be supplemented with certain elements.

For added accuracy and safety, a guide must be used.

As a result of its use, the processing of materials will be of higher quality, since there is no need to visually assess the distance.

Self-tapping screws are used to attach the assembled structure to the working surface. If you are going to process a stack of planks or slats, then you need to make the fasteners as reliable as possible.

Quick-release clamps are ideal for securing a guide that controls the movement of material.

A hand-assembled router has several advantages. It is not difficult to make, and the labor costs are low.

To make a device, it is enough to use the tools and materials available to every tinkerer.

You will only need to buy a clamp and cutters.

But a manual router has significantly more serious disadvantages. All tools assembled by hand and having elements that rotate at high speeds require strict adherence to safety regulations.

You should not neglect installing a special shield on the device, because during work in a home workshop it is difficult to predict the occurrence of situations hazardous to health.

You need to know that the drill has a low speed to mill. Therefore, processing hard materials and performing voluminous work with a milling cutter from a drill is difficult.

Incorrect use of the device will gradually render the drill unusable.

You should use a device assembled by yourself only when you do not need to maintain great accuracy.

Even the use of a guide cannot ensure the most accurate milling.

But if you need a device for processing a small amount of non-solid material, that is, the requirements for the milling cutter are low, then you can build the device with your own hands.

When assembling and using the router, you must always follow safety rules - caution will help avoid injury.

Reading time: 6 minutes. Published 12/04/2018

During the construction or renovation of a house, sometimes it becomes necessary to beautifully sharpen the edge of a board. It is not advisable to buy an expensive router for this, because a good working model can be made with your own hands. An electric drill is suitable for creating the structure, since it has the same principle of transmitting torque to the spindle.

Design and assembly algorithm

Due to the low power and number of revolutions of the drill, you can only make a light wood router. To work effectively, the tool should be securely fastened to the table and the workpiece should be moved along it. If you create a design where the router is located on top, you will be able to produce objects with complex shapes. It is more convenient for every craftsman to work with a tool that has its own design features, so there is no ideal DIY option for everyone. All models differ in fastenings, as well as the location of the electric drill.

Milling table

It is most convenient to process the ends of the workpiece and create grooves for connecting parts using a milling table on which the tool protrudes.

It has a simple shape and is easy to assemble with your own hands.

It is most convenient to use a workbench as a base.

To create this router model you will need the following materials and tools:

• Bench table;
• Jigsaw;
• Wooden plank;
• Clamps;
• Stops;
• Screwdriver;
• Metal corners;
• Drill.

The structure must be assembled using a special technology. To make a tool with your own hands, follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. You need to turn the lid of the workbench over and cut a large hole in it with a jigsaw. Its size should be 5 mm larger than the diameter of the intended cutter.
2. Now you need to install the bar perpendicular to the table. It should be placed in the very center of the hole parallel to the side of the table. In this case, the axis of the drill spindle, which will be attached from above, must coincide with the center of the hole. You can secure it using a screwdriver and corners.
3. Using clamps and stops, the drill body is attached to the bar. In the initial position, the drill chuck should be under the cover, and the cutter, which is fixed in it, protrudes.

During operation, the wood pieces move along the table, and when they rest against the template, milling begins. The drill can be attached in any other convenient way. The main thing is to make sure that the center of the hole is under the axis of the cutter, and that the chuck and switch are located conveniently. Also, before work, you need to check that all structural elements are securely and evenly fastened.

Simple milling machine

Making a milling machine for woodworking is not difficult. The design includes three main parts - sole, stand, gusset. You can cut them out of plywood with your own hands. In addition to these elements, the following items will be required for assembly:

• Jigsaw;
• Core or feather drill;
• Clamps;
• Bolts, screws, other fasteners;
• Drill;
• A piece of thin rubber (linoleum).

Instructions for assembling the machine:

1. To create a sole, draw a square on plywood, the sides of which are equal to the width of the drill. Then strips equal to the thickness of the plywood are added to it on two adjacent sides. The center of the tool location is marked, and then a hole is made with a core or feather drill.
2. The sole is cut along the marked line. Then the corner is rounded, which is opposite to the junction of the post and the gusset. Holes (4 mm) are drilled on the back side of the plywood under the place where the stand is attached. They are needed for making recesses for the heads of self-tapping screws using an 8 mm drill. This is necessary so that the screw heads do not protrude and scratch the table, creating a misalignment.
3. Plywood elements should be positioned exactly perpendicular to each other and secured. The sole is installed horizontally, the stand is attached vertically to it using screws, and the gusset is adjacent to the sole on one side and to the stand on the other. It is necessary to ensure the rigidity of the structure.
4. A hole is made in the sole for the tool to exit.
5. The width of the stand is made the same as the drill, and its length should be increased by 20 mm.
6. The drill is attached to the stand using a clamp (you should pull it just above the chuck). Additionally, it is secured with a stop on the back of the device (or with a second clamp located under the handle).
7. A piece of thin rubber is glued under the sole for smooth gliding.
8. The position of the drill is noted with the tool lowered below the sole.

Important! For ease of use, the sole can be cut out of plexiglass.

Vertical milling machine

This simple tool, made with your own hands from scrap materials, will successfully cope with many tasks. To make it you will need the following materials and tools:

• Several sheets of thick plywood or chipboard;
• Clamp for fixing the drill;
• Bolts, self-tapping screws;
• Feather drill or drill bit 40 mm;
• Metal corners;
• Set of locksmith tools.

To make a vertical router, you can use any scraps of plywood, pieces of slats, or thin boards. The procedure for recreating the router is as follows:

1. A base for a router is assembled from plywood or chipboard sheets, which includes a base (it is located horizontally) and a vertical part. The drill itself is attached to it. The dimensions of the base should be calculated individually in each case. They depend on the dimensions of the electric drill.
2. A hole with a diameter of 40 mm should be drilled in the middle of the horizontal base. It will be used to give the tool access to the workpieces.
3. The clamp should be attached to the vertical post using a bolt. After this, the drill is secured in the clamp. This must be done so that the tip of its cartridge does not reach a few mm from the horizontal sole.
4. To create a more stable position of the drill, it is secured on top with a wooden block. It works as an additional stop.

Important! In such a device, to change the depth of cut, adjusting the position of the drill using a clamp is used.

Advantages and disadvantages of a homemade tool

The main advantage of a do-it-yourself router is that there is no need to buy an expensive professional machine. After all, even with the help of the simplest device it will be possible to cut grooves or process the edge of a wooden workpiece.

To use a drill as a router, you will have to purchase special cutters from the store. They are cylindrical, end, end, corner, disk and figured. Using a shank, they can be easily fixed in the chuck. Changing attachments is also not difficult, but prolonged use and strong vibrations may cause the cartridge to become unscrewed. Therefore, when working with a handmade tool, you will have to constantly check and tighten it.

The main disadvantage of a homemade router is the impossibility of long-term operation under heavy loads. It also does not have a high number of revolutions. The maximum number of revolutions for a drill reaches 3000, while for a router the minimum is 4000 revolutions per minute. The purity of processing suffers greatly from this. After all, the faster the cutter rotates, the more beautiful and neat the edge of the material will be. Therefore, after milling with a homemade machine, the workpieces will have to be sanded.

The motor of the drill is also much weaker than that of the router. It is designed for short-term operation, so under heavy loads it begins to heat up. Each time you have to wait for it to cool completely.

It is possible to make a milling machine with your own hands, but in some situations it will be much more convenient to purchase a professional model in a store. A homemade router will not be powerful enough; you will have to work intermittently. But for one-time use this is a great option.