I just burned a DeWalt 2-1/4 HP router up somehow, after three months of use. It had been losing RPMs during cycles; sounded like it was trying to work through a brownout at times. Tried to spin the tip and it has all but siezed. I'm cutting 3/16" polycarbonate on top of MDF spoil with a 3/16" Onsrud 65-018 upspiral bit. It has been working well, but the last week I would notice it bog down for a split second every now and then. Well now it finally crapped. So I'm wondering if I'm pushing a consumer grade tool too hard, is my feed rate too fast, etc. I have the router set at max speed 24k rpm, and the feed rate through LazyCam into Mach at 70. Router doesn't seem like it's going too fast, as I get no burning smells or blackened bits, and the router speed lowers slightly but not by much(ear test).
So I need a new router, obviously, and these things aren't cheap. What's a good one to use? Anyone have any insight as to why I burned this one up so quickly?