King 8367 3 1/2 HP router ($130 CDN retail price)

Plunge Mechanism band-aid fix

If you have the King Router consider making the following change --
particularly if it is bench/table mounted. If you have this router and
the rubber washer is ground up or gone I suggest you do this fix
immediately -- to make it significantly better. This should also prevent
breakage of the plastic knurled nut -- or make it last significantly longer.

If you are using a Router Raizer or similar -- DO NOT ADJUST HEIGHT WITH
BIT SPINNING -- the wobble is a serious safety issue. (IMO)

The problem is that the plunge mechanism is not as good as it needs to
be -- it wobbles when you plunge, and worse if it is table mounted the
rubber washer on the depth adjustment knob grinds up. Also, there is a
plastic threaded, knurled nut at the end of the attachment knob -- which
now breaks due to excess friction.

Fix -- two washers the more slippery the better. I used steel 3/8 ID to
test the fix.

If the rubber washer is in good condition -- keep it -- otherwise get a
new rubber washer with a 3/8 (11mm?) centre.

Using a clear table -- so you can spot any parts that drop out (two tiny
pins)... Remove the adjustment handle/rod while compressing the router.
Note the two steel pins in the knurled knob. Have all the pieces handy,
plus some spray lube. I kept the parts handy and held the router
compressed while spraying lube on all the parts. I then reassembled as
follows...

1 Metal washer (against case)
2. Rubber washer (important -- this is a shock absorber)
3. Metal washer
4. Knurled knob -- two pinholes up -- on or two turns only
5. Handle -- with pins poking into holes on knurled knob.

then turn until it reengages thread on rod.

This is a band-aid solution. It does not fix the plunge mechanism. It
does allow you to use it as a very good table router.

Compressing the rubber washer between two steel washers allows you to
make use of the shock absorber action which allows the plunge mechanism
to bind significantly less. My router does not bind -- but then it is a
new replacement... Suspect it would have fixed the old one though.

I spoke to the project manager at King and they are
1) working on a permanent fix for the washer/knob problem, and they are
2) working on a better plunge mechanism -- a bushing fix most likely.
3) They will consider making the fixes available as a kit.


Hope this helps you if you have the router.

King has said they will make dealers and repair centres aware of this
fix/band aid.

--
Will
Occasional Techno-geek