New to this forum, and new to woodworking. You may have seen me before at over the fence. Please forgive stuipid questions.
I have very little in the way of woodworking tools, so the other day wneh a neighbour had a router for sale in a garage sale, I picked it up off him. Playing around with it last night, I found it wouldn’t hold its depth of cut setting. At first I thought the collet was loose and the bit was moing, but on closer inspection, it turns out that the height adjustment isn’t holding.
The router is an older Black and Decker (I know its not quality, but its a place to start). The height adjustment is via a gear that runs up and down the side of the router. The lock mechanism is a bolt with a wiong nut on it. Is there a way to make these hold their depth of cut? I’d like to mount the router in a litte table I picked up.
Your help is appreciated.
Replies
Try taking it apart and giving it a good cleaning and make sure the locking mechanism isn't worn out. If you have a model number, you may be able to get repair parts from B&D.
Personally, I wouldn't invest much time or money in it. There are several decent routers out there for under $100.
Dagwood,
Sounds like you have a 1 1/2 hp model 3315 B&D. If so, you've got an excellent light to medium use router. It was made when B&D was a respected tool brand.
The same router today is a Dewalt Model 610.
I used a 3315 in a router table for many years and found the rack and pinion height adjustment was much easier to operate than twist type systems. When it finally gave out, I replaced it with the 610. The frames are identical so I now have two, one for freehand use.
If you're sure the bit isn't sliding down in the collet then it must be the body sliding down in the frame. Maybe your wing nut is stripped. Does it tighten and then jump a bit and tighten again? Mine stripped out once and needed replacement. Also check the threads on the bolt. Clean the body with some denatured alcohol or mineral spirits just to be sure it isn't greasy.
Hope you solve the problem because the router is worth saving.
Ian
Dag, remove the carriage bolt and wing nut.
When you look at the 'wings' that clamp together when the wingnut is tightened, does it 'bottom out'?
That may be your problem. Remedy is to file a little bit of metal off one or both of those 'wing flats' This will prevent the wings from bottoming out (Thereby, allowing it to clamp tighter.) Steinmetz.
You'll have to use a flat thin file.
Edited 7/29/2005 4:35 pm ET by steinmetz
a little bit of metal off one or both of those 'wing flats' ..
HAY! That is what I was going to say!
Dag,
I have a similar router for the past 30 odd years. I noticed, after locking in the height, the whole motor and bit is sliding about an 1/8 of an inch or so in the casing. This is not as big an issue in a router table but used in the hand held position the depth of cut can be problematic. I just discovered this problem yesterday..not sure how to fix yet.
You describe the problem well. Thanks!View Image
Hi Dag:
I had the same problem with a Porter Cable 690 router. A friend of mine said to add a lock washer to the bolt. Problem solved at a cost of 3 cents.
Be safe,
Dennis
We'd need to know the model number before this discussion can make any sense. The "wing flats" on a 3315 don't come close to bottoming out because they're separated by a gear that's machined into the bolt. They're about 3/8" apart. The wing flats on some routers are very close together and could possibly bottom out.
Thanks for all the ideas. I will try the washer - that makes sense to me somehow. Lemme go grab the router and I'll put the number on here...
Router number is... 7613-04 - 8.5 amps - 25000 RPM from Black and decker of Brockville Ontario.
The router is part of kit 7617-04 which included a carrying case, router, straight and circular guides, a bit and a wrench. I didn't get the wrench or the bit.View Image
Some points. Your tool is pre-79' and 1/4" collet only and not a great one at that.
In my view, it is not a good table router tool. There is no motor catch, (motor can fall from casting upside down), the tool is under powered, very little motor travel and you need a new lock lever and pinion gear.
A lever (1/2 shown in pix link), will lock up the motor, (can be had from reidtool.com), the spindle/gear is still available, and maybe a new collet too. A great tool for light hand duty, but , perhaps a hazard in the router table.
Routers
Edited 8/3/2005 2:57 pm ET by routerman
Thanks for your feedback. I'll use it to get a feel for what I'm doing, then move along to something better. I appreciate your honesty.View Image
I have a B&D 3315 router. The tightening mechanism thread and wing nut have stripped and the parts are no longer available from B&D. I have several jigs made to use this router and am reluctant to give it up for a new router. Does anyone know where I might find these parts?
https://www.ereplacementparts.com/black-and-decker-3315-type-120-volt-motor-router-parts-c-4167_4326_11944.html
They don't have the part, but thanks for the reply.
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