Thread: Dead router

Did it smoke or smell?
or stop working while it was running?
Or just wouldn't work when you switched it on?

And let's not forget the old favourite, the power point. I spent ten minutes trying to get my shed radio to work yesterday, then discovered that if I wriggled the plug in the power point, I got the dulcet tones of the ABC

Richard

Hi Daddles,

Powerpoint was my first port of call! And I still had ergs.

Echidna,

No smell - no smoke - just no go!
I was routing a channel (in multiple passes) through 19mm thibk KD hardwood. Had shop vac connected to the Triton table, so thought I may have starved the router of air??

Mmmmm, would love a colour matched router for the table!!!!

Daddles, wiggle it a bit harder and you might get channel 2

Originally Posted by Daddles

And let's not forget the old favourite, the power point. I spent ten minutes trying to get my shed radio to work yesterday, then discovered that if I wriggled the plug in the power point, I got the dulcet tones of the ABC

Richard

Obviously not Triple J!

They rarely have Dulcet tones!

Originally Posted by echnidna

Daddles, wiggle it a bit harder and you might get channel 2

I hate renting. When I own my own house again, I'll be able to fix things like that.

Matt, regarding the router, while I can't offer any other suggestions, the beauty of GMC is that a replacement unit isn't all that expensive - there have to be some advantages to buying cheap. Hope you sort it.

Richard
me and electrics? I still consider the 'smoke theory' a pure science

Very true Richard!

You will always hear the merits of buying the right tool to start with and as a newbie wood destroyer, the $400-$500 for a 'reputable' router was out of my league and unjustifiable!

I actually got 4+ years from mine, hung upside down in a table - so I am certainly not complaining! Granted it wasn't used everyday and it cost <$150 so I see it as a great learning experience as to how use a router.

On the other hand, I would love a better quality tool that doesn't slip etc etc.

So my savings plan is already started!

If the brushes are worn out or jammed with dust you will get a "no go"

If no smell or smoke then maybe not fried. Common culprits are worn/glazed brushes, dust in switch or a faulty lead (though if it has been mounted in the Triton table most of the time the lead should be ok.
I'm not familiar with the GMC but try blowing compressed air through any holes/vents/gaps in the body, especially around the switch and commutator. (with it unplugged of course.) Check brushes and commutator for wear if possible.

thanks for all - yes all! the suggestions!

I will have a bo peep at the brushes etc - At the end of the day the warranty is gone so nothing to lose!

THANKS HEAPS!

Matt , my Dewalt router stopped working in the same manner a while back. I got an Electrician mate to check it out, it ended up being something in the switch not getting contact, he had a bit of a fiddle and it was working again, no new parts needed.

Its been going strong ever since. So its not just the cheapies that play up from time to time.

Same thing happened to my Ryobi a couple of years ago and found out the prob was dust in the works, cleaned it out and away it went also check the switch mechanism

Thanks heaps for all of your responses!

I will open her up and check for dust, switch and motor brushes. I am hopeful as there was no smell or smoke (apart from the wood I was burning thru at the time! )