Evening all,
Yesterday I was in my shop and was routing a 5/8″ roundover on a piece of Walnut and after routing the first side, I turned the router off, set it aside, flipped the board and went to rout the other side and the router would not work? My router is a Bosch that has the plunge base and fixed base in a kit. It is only about 4 years old. Nothing was hot, no electrical smell…nothing. It just would not turn on. Do you all think I can open the motor and blow out the brushes? I love this router and its killing me that I can’t use it. Any ideas?
Thank-you,
Jeff
Replies
bad switch?
Bosch has had a bit of a history with switch problems on their routers. What happens is that wood debris gets past the seal and into the guts of the switch, preventing contact. If you do a Google search with your router's model number and "switch problem" you might find some info on what people have done to remedy the situation.
-Steve
I've had the same problem. It's the switch module. give it a rap. if that doesn't work try blowing compressed air througn the vent.
It's probably your switch mine went out, Bosch sent me a new one. My son-in-law had two go bad. It's a dust problem, they don't do well with dust. I stopped mine with a little dust collection. Jack
no offense but did you try plugging it into another outlet?, Hows the plug on the router? Does the electrical circuit have a GFI? Just things you didnt address in you OP
Yep - I'm familiar with that same problem. I've had my Bosch plunge router for over eight years and that's the only problem I've had with it. I replaced the switch about 3 years ago and haven't had a problem since. I periodically take the whole thing apart between projects and give it a good cleaning and lubricate the plunge apparatus as a matter of practice. That's even more important if you're using it mounted to the underside of a router table.
I'm like you - my Bosch router is one of my favorite tools in the shop and I highly recommend their products. I'm thinking about getting their laminate trimer for myself for Christmas.
Good luck - I think your router will be fine.
Sawdust Ray
"I'm thinking about getting their laminate trimer for myself for Christmas."If you do, you'll be delighted with it, but be aware that lots of users have had problems with the spindle lock button failing. I talked to the service center about that and they tell me that the failures are happening to people who push on the edge of the button instead of pressing squarely in the middle.BruceT
Bosch sanders have the same problems with the switches.
As a follow-up to my initial question about corrosion on magnesium Bosch routers, I want to thank those who responded about this situation with their good advice. I contacted Bosch service via email.
I received a reply saying that they were sorry I was having a problem with this product, and to send it in for a replacement of the motor housing with one made of aluminum. I'm not clear if I should send the two motor bases back as well, because they're corroding too. When I hear back about that I'll UPS it to Bosch and hopefully get it back quickly.
Anyway, just wanted to update those who are having similar problems with their Bosch 1617 routers...
Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
Thanks for the info Bruce! I've always been told you can't have too many drills or routers in the shop. I also have a Bosch cordless that I'm very happy with. I have full confidence in the brand - it's just a matter of do I need to be spending more money...
I had the same problem with the switch in the middle of a project. That along with the PITA of keeping the magnesium clean (the router was purchased around 6 years ago and had the mag), I replaced the switch after immediately ordering a Milwaukee 2 1/4 HP combo.
Sold the Bosch and a DW 621 plunge after using the new Milwaukee combo and couldn't be happier at this point.
Sarge..
Edited 12/14/2007 11:03 am ET by SARGEgrinder47
Sarge,
I'm interested in your reference to the "magnesium problem" on Bosch routers. I've got one that keeps corroding despite my best efforts to keep it waxed. Every month or so I pick it up and it has corroded so badly (the bare areas of metal) that I need to stop and steel-wool it all off before it will slide up and down in either base.
I wax it with paste furniture wax, as the manual says to, yet it continues to do this. At the rate I need to steel wool the corrosion away, the metal might be too thin to use in a year or two more of the treatment.
Is that what you were referring to when you said this was a problem with these routers? If so, is there any solution you know of?
Yours, Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
Afternoon Zolton...
That "is" the problem I was talking about along with the notorious switch problem. I also had to steel wool and wax and as far as I've heard, that is about all you can do. The problem lies with the magnesium which has been corrected by Bosch by switching to aluminum.
But... that doesn't solve the problems for the folks that have the magnesium. That is annoying... and when the switch went (I had heard of problems) that was the icing on the cake for me as I'm spending around 36 hours in the shop a week.
I took a chance on the new Milwaukee combo as I have the 5625 3 1/2 HP and couldn't be more pleased with it. Since I got the combo.. I couldn't be more pleased with it also. Shortly after I got it... Popular WW mag listed it as one of the best new tools for 2007. I noticed a similar review in FWW site did the same. I don't always put a lot of faith in others reviews... but both mags nailed this one. It's the best plunge router I have ever had and the Body Grip fix base is the most comfortable as I had already discovered it using a friends.
Sarge..
Sarge,
Good to hear you've found routing happiness with the Milwaukee. I looked into that kit as a possible buy before I went with the Bosch.
But I can't afford to just give up on the Bosch, which I generally like a lot - other than the corrosion problem! Do you know of a recall or anything being done by Bosch to correct the situation? I haven't investigated yet myself..I am pretty torqued off about it though..
Zolton
* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
I am not aware of one, Zolton. From my understanding Bosch has gone to an aluminum base on the new ones. Pretty sure of that, but again those with the magnesium are stuck with the process we discussed.
It might be worth your while to call Bosch tech and get their take, even though I think I remember several mentioning they did. It seems I remember one that purchased on recently that was old stock not sold and Bosch did send him the aluminum case for it? But.. again that is going on memory of what I read and I often scan anymore with the increased shop time.
I was fortunate to sell the Bosch and DW 721 and pretty much break even on the Milwaukee kit. But.. now that I've used it, I would have paid full price and shelved the other two if that was necessary. I like it that much.
Sarge..
I contacted Bosch, sent them my router, and they replaced the mag. with aluminum. No Charge! Art
Art,
Hey, thanks for the positive reply to this vexing problem. On Monday, my first call will be to Bosch to see what they say about it. Thanks to you and Sarge for your insight and experience...
Yours, Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
I also took my router to the bosch service center, they replaced the magnesium housing with the aluminum one.. My base was also very rough I got them to replace it also.. It was scratching the heck out of the aluminum the first time I tried to put it on.. Real nice now once again a pleasure to use.
I actually keep a spare switch. The problem is that the fan pulls air around the switch. I discovered this by opening the defective switch and found the entire plastic switch body packed with fine sawdust. You can actually blow the dust out and reassemble the switch. <!----><!----><!---->
yep, switch. A problem on multiple Bosch routers, worst on the Colt. On this puppy, sawdust prevents you from turning the router OFF. Freaked me out. At least on my 1617, it only keeps me from turning it on.
Hope Bosch fixes this rather systemic problem.
I just bought a new 1617EVS combo. Great router but switch failed after about 4 days! I took it back and got a new replacement thinking it may have been a lemon. Then I did some research and found this forum with same problems.
Here is what I have learned.
I also bought a combo pack of "cheap" router bits. I could barely breath even with a dust mask!
I then bought (1) expensive bit which was more than the combo pack.
Results: Almost Zero dust - I didn't even have to wear a dust mask seriously!
Instead of a dust fog it was a shavings pile.
By me no longer being a cheap skate on bits, this should eliminate my switch issue.
Try buying top brand expensive bits and see if that helps you as it did me
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled