I know that a router is spinning too fast and will burn the bit but what I'm concerned with is the bearing life of my Makita router.

For holes bigger than 5mm I mill a pocket with a 1/16 bit but anything smaller I have to plunge in to matter and I'm reluctant to do so.

1/8 drill bits fits in my router and are dirt cheap so it could be used to drill in wood and when the bit is burned I can trow it in the recycling bin.

But what about the bearing?