router base problem

[WARRENRN1]

i have a 690 PC router... part of the 693 kit.... and i mounted the base on my router table. it has a spring release clip so it is supposedly easy to adjust and remove. i find it very difficult to adjust the router in the base.. it screws up or down... like it is catching on something. i have inspected the tract and it appears clean and debris free, but looks ragged, like the bit they used to mill the slot was off. anyone recommend what i can do to smooth it out so that adjust to the router motor is easier? i like the table... it is a rockler and i got one of the 1/4" aluminum base plates made specifically for the pc 690. but i am having a bitch of time adjusting the router. thanx for your help.

[Bob S.]

You may want to check Pat Warner's site

for this problem. I recall Pat writing about this problem in the rec and I believe he addresses this issue in one of the articles on his site. I don't recall what the "fix" was but I wax both the outside of the motor housing and the inside of the base on mine and haven't experienced this problem (yet...)

Bob S.

[Jimlemon]

Similar problem on my big PC. A little work on some of the rough spots with some 220 wet-or-dry helped a lot.

[Steve]

It's only a problem if you choose to view it that way :-)

Yeah, my PC under-table base mount for the motor isn't silky-smooth either. It's probably just as raggedy and bumpy as yours -- and I've been using/adjusting mine nearly every day for over two years now. (Not much need to worry about wear!) Slather on a good thick gob of JPW in the grooves and keep the motor and mount well waxed. That will help.

Seriously, it seems like it's a heck of a problem but it isn't -- you'll get used to it (but hey, one can get used to getting lynched after the first few times). I really don't have any problem setting the router bit height to exactly where I need it to be in spite of that gravely spiral adjustment.

BTW, I recently got a Rockler router table & fence etc. and find it to be highly over-rated and particularly _not_ a good "bang for buck" value.

[Preston Andreas]

Generally, the problem comes from oxidation of the aluminum. Use fine sandpaper such as 400 wet or dry, or 0000 steel wool to clean off the oxidation, then apply a coat of wax. Also, there may be some grease that needs to be cleaned off first. Since doing this, I haven't had a problem with my routers sticking.

Preston