Thread: Makita servicing

Hi Neil,

Don't know anyone who'll do it on the cheap but you can do it yourself if you've got a bit of mechanical savvy...

I'm guessing it's a 3600BR?

First step is to let me know exactly what model it is. I'll send you the schematics and tell you how to replace the bearings. (A small one at the top and a big one at the bottom.) They are standard sizes and can be bought at any ball bearing stockist.

THE MAIN THING IS TO STOP USING THE MACHINE!
Sounds like you already have so you're off to a good start...

Damien

Hi Damian
When it is daylight in the morning, I will get it off from under the router table and give you the model number. I will have a go at it myself if I have some directions. At this stage I can tell you its the big blue industrial machine the tradesmen used to all use.
Neil.

Damien
The model number of old faithfull is 3600B . Are you anywhere near Munich ? I have an Aussie sister in law in Munich.

Hi Neil,

I'm 15 minutes south of Munich near Lake Starnberg.

As far as your router is concerned, I could only find the American schematics but they will still work out nicely for your purposes... The B and the BR are basically the same machine.

Attachment 54170 Attachment 54171

Of special interest are the parts:

• 30 - Ball Bearing 6201 DDW
• 34 - Ball Bearing 6200 LB

I'm guessing it's the 6200 LB that's failed but I would advise you to purchase and replace both while you have the machine pulled down.

Here's a quick guide to get you started:

1. Plunge router and lock
2. Remove parts 1, 2, 3, 4
3. Unlock plunge and remove body from base
4. Remove the collet
5. Remove chip cover 19
6. Remove 4 screws 25
7. Remove the brushes (I love Makita)
8. Separate bottom end from motor housing (might have to loosen the switch collar here)
9. From memory, you should be able to pull the anchor out...
10. Check the movement of the sealed bearings. Like I said, I'm guessing it's the small top bearing that'll be a bit crunchy. Wear in the larger bottom bearing is often harder to detect, but if you compare it to a new one, you will find that there is a difference.

If you don't have a bearing puller, you can crack them carefully in a vice. Once you remove the outer ring and the ball collar, grab the remaining inner ring in the vice and twist it off by turning the anchor. If it won't budge, you can carefully thin out the remaining hardened steel on opposing sides with a bench grinder. This also enables a better gripping surface. I stress the word CAN. I'm not saying should. This method requires the right equipment and a steady hand!


Replacing the bearings is a simple matter. Put it all back together and hopefully you'll get another couple of decades service out of her!

TIPS:

• Check the wear on the commutator. Could it do with a turning up?
• Check the brushes. Are they wearing evenly? Should they be exchanged?
• Blow the plunge rod housings while the machine is pulled down. This will send dust into the field so give it a good blow out last.
• Don't forget to put on the insulation washer (33) before the bearing (if you happen to remove it). Do not lose this part. You can't order it and it will have to be custom lathed up if you do!
• Make sure the wave washer (68) goes back in

Good luck!

Damien

Hi Damien
Thanks for the diagram and instructions. I will have a go at it when Ive got a bit more spare time. It looks like it may take some time. My sister in law lives at Olching. If old faithfull wasn't so bulky and heavy Id bring it with me when we come over there in October and you could supervise me pulling it apart. I have a habit of things not working once their insides see daylight.
Thanks again.

Originally Posted by neilb

Hi Damien
If old faithfull wasn't so bulky and heavy Id bring it with me when we come over there in October and you could supervise me pulling it apart. I have a habit of things not working once their insides see daylight.
Thanks again.

Come on over when you're here and I'll slip a coupl'a bratwursts on the barbie! We can pull one of my 3600s down so you'll know what you're up against when you get home.

Damien

Damein
We will arrive in Munich on the 24th october for about 5 weeks. I WILL take you up on that offer. When the time gets closer, I will PM you and make a suitable time. I think the sister in law over there has the net so it wont be a problem. Thanks for the future feed I will be looking forward to some German Snags.
Neil.

Neil - deciding he wasn't about to spend 75 bucks to have someone overhaul his Makita 3600B router - came over to Germany so I could show him how to do it for free! Yep. Him and his missus knocked on my door today claiming 'We just saw your light on and thought we'd pop in'. No worries! After a lovely chat in which the both of them took turns scaring the crap out of me with tales pertaining to the current employment laws in Australia, we went down to the workshop and got stuck into a bit of Japanese knowhow...

Attachment 61015 Attachment 61016 Attachment 61017

A good thing too! My bottom bearing was free spinning - which it shouldn't be - so it was a great chance to also clean and repack a bearing as described in this thread. We put her all back together and she purred like a kitten. Neil's missus was happy too because she reckons she's getting her Ryobi back now that Neil is going to be able to fix his Makita.

All's well and ends well! It was lovely finally getting to meet Neil and SWAMBO and Neil presented me with a lovely pen he'd turned up himself as a thank you. I trust they'll have a good trip back home next Tuesday and am pretty sure he now has the confidence to tackle the 3600B overhaul on his own. If not, he now knows where I live...

Damien

Brilliant stuff Damien, congrats on the first Owstraalian meet.

Rob

Nice one Damien! must have been a nice supprise.
Did you get it sorted Neil?

Nice work guys.
You've inspired me to pull my 3600BR apart and replace the bearings whether they need it or not.

Goodonya Damian. Well done

We arrived back home here late last night and I will say loud and clear that its good to be back home.
Damien made us welcome and he is a wealth of knowlege as far as power tools go. Thanks Damien for the arvo, it was well worth the trip over there.

However, after drinking German beer for 5 weeks, now fella's dont all ram this down my throat, but the good old xxxx tastes like S***T compared to the German stuff which also only costs about 1/3 of the price ! . And I was a xxxx lover.

Im going out to the shed tomorrow, not today my head isnt quite all together yet to see how much I remember about pulling down the old Makita. Hope we didnt start a fury of di-secting routers after this thread.

Many thanks to Damien and his partner for a terrific arvo.
Neil.

Hi Neil. Welcome back, wondered how you got on over there. Will have to get together sometime soon and have a chat. Neil, I have misplaced your phone number, can you email me it to me please.