I am a new wood worker and in my later years. I have bought and installed basic tools: a table saw, a miter saw, table router, drill pree, sander, circular saw, and band saw. But I am having frustrating prolems with the basic plunge router Model 320.17540. The manual refers to the "plunge action" in a numer of places but I have no idea what the "pluge action" is. There is no reference to it in the diagrams. The following are some references: "Apply an even.... downward pressure on the plunge action" (p.18); ""lower the plunge action" (p. 19). The manual says several times that the bit will automatically retract. I have seen no evidence of that happening.

The manual also uses different names for the same feature: one lever is called the "Open Motor clamp" in one place and the " Plunge action locking lever" in another..

I have spent hours trying to understand the thing. Can anyone help .... either directly or referring me to someone at Sears (Craftsman) who can help?

Many thanks.

Edmarzo, the motor clamp holds the motor in place. The plunge lock is a lever which holds the height adjustment or allows it to move. When you move the lever you will be able to "plunge" or lower the bit into the wood. The springs in the router will lift it back to the "up" position when you stop pushing down.

Mike:

Thanks. I finally realized that the lunge router was defective. I couldn't push it down! Sears replaced it and all is fine.

Edmarzo