Router non-lever release aide??
forestgirl
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I got my PC690 just before they introduced the lever release version. Not a good move. Has anyone out there designed an aid to help tighten the darned thing (housing/base)? When using the router hand-held, I can grab a collet wrench and finish tightening it, but when the router is in the table that’s almost impossible to do. I hate using a regular wrench (adjustable or Crescent) because it just beats up the router piece.
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Another proud member of the “I Rocked With ToolDoc Club” …. :>)
Replies
I bought an adjustable lever from Reid Tool. It's been a long time and I no longer have the PC router but I think I needed to use a different nut. Either way, it was fairly simple. The levers come in several different types, stud or nut. Go to Reid Tool and do a search for Adjustable Handles Threaded Stud and you should be able to find something that will work for you.
https://reidecom.reidtool.com/xephr/qbe/HOMEPAGE
Edited 3/23/2005 1:26 am ET by POLARSEA1
I forget where I read the tip but a bicycle seat bolt with a lever arm makes a great release lever for the 690. I got a couple from a friend who runs a bicycle store a few years ago. You'll need to pad it out with a few washers. I'll check how many and post later.
Tim
Soon-to-be furniture maker
Port Townsend, WA
Hi, Tim, thanks for the heads-up. There are two bike stores here on Bainbridge. I'll take a look. Might be able to pick up a throw-away from someone who's changing equipment.
How is it over in PT?? I've got to get to Edensaw and pick up some plain ol' maple boards.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
PT is great - can't think of a much better community to start up in. Been spoilt by this winter though...If you get up to Edensaw drop by. My shop is less than quarter of a mile away. Email me for directions when you decide to come up.Good chance I'll see you at the Seattle Knotsheads meet. Just negotiated a day pass <grin>.TimTim Lawson
Soon-to-be furniture maker
Port Townsend, WA
I was going to ask you about coming to the party. Is your Knots email addy current? I'll be sending out emails with directions and times.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I was shaping some legs today and had a thought.Lee Valley makes a cam lever that would work for this. I bought one last time I ordered from them because, well, I knew that it would be good for something but didn't know what. I was thinking jig.Anyway I grabbed it off the shelf and checked and sure enough it works great. Just have to touch the washer to a grinder or file it down a bit so it fits inside the housing.I have two of those bases permanently mounted and also was tired of messing with the old locking mechanism. I've used those in Multi-Routers with the PC 690 over the years and they eventually wear out.Plus the speed of the cam lever is great. I think they are only about three bucks and are well made.
My "screw lock" base was damaged when the router fell out of it so I replaced it with the lever lock. I actually liked the screw lock better. The lever lock does not go down all the way and I'm never quite sure the router is locked in tight or it won't loosen up.Mark
Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.
Not sure I follow, are you talking about the factory lever lock or a retrofit?I just set this up today and it locks very secure. Grabbed the router with two hands and tried to move it and its tight. With the Lee Valley cam lever you can adjust it as snug as you need.I flipped it a dozen times or so and noticed the bolt was backing out a little so I put a star washer and some CY glue under the head and snugged it up and left it. I'll keep an eye on it but it seems to have it taken care of. Epoxy would work too but I didn't feel like mixing any up.Router creep really sucks and I think the lever will help as the clamping pressure is more consistent. Nothing like making a few dozen tenoned back slats for a run of chairs and find out something moved 1/8" during the course of the run. Been there and so I really pay attention to how secure my setups are.
I was going to ask you about coming to the party. I was not invited!
LOL...
Uhhhh, wellllll, you could probably get a cheap flight from Chicago to SeaTac. Then rent a car, it's about a 25 min. drive to Fremont. Let me know if you need a hotel recommendation, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I have a very elegant solution to the 690 problem -- I rummaged thru my draw of old, useless tools, and dragged out a pair of pliers that I use to tighten/loosen the thumb screw. Keep it right inside the router table, so it is always at hand.
Pliers. (a) I don't like beating up the surface of the thumb screw (b) depending on the angle the thing is resting at it can sometimes be hard to get 'em on there. I guess I'm looking for a solution that "ultra-elegant" LOL!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I guess I'm looking for a solution that "ultra-elegant"
Hire a apprentice to set the bit height?
Hire an apprentice....right! Teach my dog to grab it in his mount, LOL.
The only thing in my shop that approaches this kind of aggravation is the tension adjustment on the bandsaw, but that doesn't have to be done a dozen times a day!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I really think its worth a try with the Lee Valley cam lever. Total cost is about 3.50 including the 1/4-20 bolt.If you are using it handheld you can turn the lever around so it locks against the body. It really does do the job. Flip, unlock. Flip, locked.
I'm gong to order one, adastra. I want to get their new 3-in-1 brass marking gauge. Add a couple other small items and I'll get the most out of the shipping charge.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I bought one of those 3 in one for a friend. It's really small but it would be useful.
Hi, I'm Len and I'm a Toolaholic...
Hi Len, do you think it's toooo small?? I talked Ron into getting one too, so we can share shipping charges. Seems like it'd be great for a project like the ball displays, and for marking tenons and such. Is it pretty sturdy?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I don't think it's too small it fits in with my model building tools. The 3 in 1 is nice but I think you would be happier with the other one or the new one with micro adjustment.
I have the Veritas Wheel Marking gauge.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=42440&cat=1,42936
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=49133&cat=1,42936
Hi, I'm Len and I'm a Toolaholic...
Oh, well, I went ahead an ordered it. Maybe after I sell 1,000 of those ball displays, I'll upgrade to one of the fancier ones, LOL!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Pat Warner suggest going to the Reid Tool site and getting item: KHB-58 (nut will have to be modified). I just got mine but haven't had time to install it yet.
Michael
fg,
Are you talking about the fixed base T-locking handle? If you are, I took a piece of oak and and cut it to look like a tuning fork. The slot matched the thickness of the T-locking handle. I was able to tighten and loosen it with it. I did have to rotate the square nut until the T-handle was the right orientation.
I took the lever realeases off of my 2 PC routers and put nice wing nuts with bolts on them. They work nice.
Different strokes for different folks.
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