[Birchwood]

In the interests of preserving and protecting the mental health of my fellow chip makers I offer the following. More or less new P-C 891. Locking mechanism to release body etc. gets goofy. I find what appears to be a missing nut. First, the screw head at other end has some goofy screw driver pattern to it, maybe something they used in advanced thermodynamics or whatever. Second, I finally am able to get assembly apart so I can TRY to find a nut to fit the machine screw and little "things" start falling out....shims and pieces of the locking pin etc. Who designs this stuff!!! I had thought I was buying a good solid piece of gear. I will not buy another P-C (and I was going to) just because of this kind of cr--.
Maybe I can find the tiny little nut that goes on the screw. Maybe I can somehow hold all the pieces in alignment and maybe I can get it all back together. But I only have a finite number of years left to me!! Be warned....there are things in this assembly that SHOULD be one piece that are TWO pieces. Be careful!

 

[Mike]

Birchwood, I am not familiar with this router. Do the instructions make mention of how to change the base without pieces falling out?

 

[Birchwood]

No problem switching bases etc. Problem is in the locking mechanism. A nut or "something" came off the inside end of a 1" machine screw. It was when I went to remove that screw to determine the size of nut I would need that things got snotty. If I HAVE to I can call a PC service center and order the whole assembly I guess. Mainly I believe that if a totally non-mechanical guy like me can take a look at something and SEE that it could be made simpler and easier to use/repair, then why can't the guys who are paid BIG bucks do design tools do the same. I confess to needing tovent a bit, but I sincerely get tired of some of the products we have to put up with. And yes, I know PC is recognized as a top line. It just appears to me its not THAT much better than the rest.

 

[Mike]

If you go to www.portercable.com you can download PDF files of parts and owners manuals. I thought that was a very handy idea. With the manuals you should be able to identify what you are missing and reassemble your base. I like my PC7518 but do most of my routing with my Bosch 1617; for my money the best 2-1/4 HP router on the market.

 

[Birchwood]

Thanks. Dialed up the site, but could not quite grasp which little piece (I think its probably a nut) I need. Sent an email askin if perhaps I could just order the entire clamping assembly. I'd like to get the thing back in operation before fall. Or winter.
I appreciate your help.

 

[Birchwood]

A final note, just to complete this saga. I tried again and was able to download the stuff from P-Cable. I will order what I THINK I need and then proceed to repair my NEW router.
Then I am going to look at Bosch for my next one. Probably all the same deal. Thanks again. One of the little annoyances of life I guess. Ha!

 

[Mike]

If your router is new it is covered under warranty. Take it back to where you bought it and exchange it for another or let them re-assemble it.