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Craftsman Plunge Router will not maintain RPM

1.4K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Loring  
#1 ·
I inherited my Dads Craftsman model 320.17543 1.5 HP variable speed plunge router. I was using it to cut dovetails, and it started acting up. It starts up and will achieve the desired RPMs but in less than 10 seconds the RPMs drop to a ludicrously low speed. almost like an "idle". I turn it off and on again and it repeats itself. it started this a couple of days ago but finally got to the point where it would maintain speed. Any ideas on what is wrong with it? I don't even know where to send it for service.
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#3 ·
G'day and welcome to the forum.
Maybe the speed control; is going?
 
#4 · (Edited)
First thing to do is to check the brushes. There's two under the black screw caps on each side. I show one here with the red arrow
If the brushes are too worn then the motors don't run well. They are held by springs to contact the windings.
That looks like a craftsman 320.17543
eReplacements is a place to order replacement parts if not the old sears parts website
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