On Monday 24 Jan 2005 10:00 pm, Jack Fearnley scribbled:

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind
dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be
no problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit
securely. It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the
process.

This is technically known as ARHA (Automatic Random Height Adjustment)
to which older Sears routers are prone. Many of us have had that
problem. Do a google search.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to
old for new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.

They couldn't do it anyway because the collet is an integral part of the
shaft. They would have to replace the motor. In other routers, you can
replace the collet. For a solution see:

http://www.google.ca/groups?hl=en&lr...othes.home.com

Is it my lack of skill or may I legitimately blame it on the machine?

It's the machine.

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

Yes. (IMNSHO) I have one & like it. I also like my Porter Cable 690.
Other swear by DeWalt, Hitachi, Freud, Makita, etc. See Pat Warner's web
site for more info and some comparisons:

http://www.patwarner.com/

--
Luigi
Current real email is my first name in lower case while the domain is
yknet dot ca
www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/humour.html
www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/antifaq.html

I am a newcomer to this newsgroup (4 days) and also to woodworking (4
months) although, like most homeowners, I have done numerous carpentry
projects over the years.

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be no
problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit securely.
It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the process.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to old for
new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.

I find inserting and tightening the bit very awkward (seems to need three
hands in a very small space).

Now my questions.

Is it my lack of skill or may I legitimately blame it on the machine?

Is bit installation easier on more modern machines?

Why do routers use collets instead of chucks like drills?

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

Best Regards,
Jack Fearnley

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 17:00:24 -0500, Jack Fearnley
wrote:

I am a newcomer to this newsgroup (4 days) and also to woodworking (4
months) although, like most homeowners, I have done numerous carpentry
projects over the years.

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be no
problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit securely.
It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the process.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to old for
new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.

I find inserting and tightening the bit very awkward (seems to need three
hands in a very small space).

Now my questions.

Is it my lack of skill or may I legitimately blame it on the machine?


http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.woodworking/browse_thread/thread/2ffd6d1d7ac796e8/8059e8ba0150b8e2?q=group:rec.woodworking+insubject :ARHA&_done=%2Fgroups%3Fsafe%3Dimages%26as_ugroup% 3Drec.woodworking%26as_usubject%3DARHA%26lr%3D%26h l%3Den%26&_doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#8059e8ba015 0b8e2





Is bit installation easier on more modern machines?

Why do routers use collets instead of chucks like drills?

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

Best Regards,
Jack Fearnley

Jack Fearnley wrote:
I am a newcomer to this newsgroup (4 days) and also to woodworking (4
months) although, like most homeowners, I have done numerous
carpentry
projects over the years.

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and
a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind
dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be
no
problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit
securely.
It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the process.

Heh, heh. The Automatic Random Height Adjustment strikes again. Been
there, done that. Apparently, that's an option that's been around for
quite awhile.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to
old for
new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.


I believe Luigi may have a way to make your Craftsman router useful.
Snip

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

My 2 cents: Porter Cable 690 series. It's like the F-150 of routers.
Not too expensive, not too fancy, does a lot of work pretty well. As a
(relatively) new WWer, I've found the PC to be (almost) everything I
could want in a router.
Please, GM crowd, I mean no offense.

-Phil Crow

wrote in message
oups.com...

My 2 cents: Porter Cable 690 series. It's like the F-150 of routers.
Not too expensive, not too fancy, does a lot of work pretty well. As a
(relatively) new WWer, I've found the PC to be (almost) everything I
could want in a router.
Please, GM crowd, I mean no offense.

-Phil Crow


I saw a few demos at the last woodworking show, and the Dewalts seemed a lot
quieter than my Porter Cables (PC8529, PC7519). After that I kinda wish my
routers were yellow (really just quieter). I wonder what the future holds
for PC now that they are owned by Black & Decker? Wandering off topic here,
but maybe not.

Kevin in Bakersfield

wrote in message
oups.com...

My 2 cents: Porter Cable 690 series. It's like the F-150 of routers.
Not too expensive, not too fancy, does a lot of work pretty well. As a
(relatively) new WWer, I've found the PC to be (almost) everything I
could want in a router.
Please, GM crowd, I mean no offense.

No offense taken.. ;~) If you want to settle on a ford get the PC.

Luigi Zanasi wrote:

On Monday 24 Jan 2005 10:00 pm, Jack Fearnley scribbled:

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind
dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be
no problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit
securely. It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the
process.

This is technically known as ARHA (Automatic Random Height Adjustment)
to which older Sears routers are prone. Many of us have had that
problem. Do a google search.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to
old for new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.

They couldn't do it anyway because the collet is an integral part of the
shaft. They would have to replace the motor. In other routers, you can
replace the collet. For a solution see:


http://www.google.ca/groups?hl=en&lr...othes.home.com

Is it my lack of skill or may I legitimately blame it on the machine?

It's the machine.

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

Yes. (IMNSHO) I have one & like it. I also like my Porter Cable 690.
Other swear by DeWalt, Hitachi, Freud, Makita, etc. See Pat Warner's web
site for more info and some comparisons:

http://www.patwarner.com/

Sincere thanks to all who responded so promptly. It is comforting to know
that I have a common ailment and not something rare and obscure

I guess I'll spend the money and get the Bosch. As somebodies sig says;
That way you only cry once.

Best Regards,
Jack Fearnley

Jack Fearnley wrote in
:

snip
I guess I'll spend the money and get the Bosch. As somebodies sig
says; That way you only cry once.


Over _this_ router. There will be others. See the Laminate Trimmer
thread.

Patriarch

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 23:47:47 -0600, Patriarch
wrote:

Jack Fearnley wrote in
m:

snip
I guess I'll spend the money and get the Bosch. As somebodies sig
says; That way you only cry once.


Over _this_ router. There will be others. See the Laminate Trimmer
thread.

Patriarch

No need to scare him off - one step at a time...

The Bosch is a good choice. BTW, it is essentially identical to the
Crafstman Professional Router Kit model 009.26620 (router with fixed and
plunge bases), which I bought at Christmas. Apparently made for them by
Bosch. You might be able to get the Craftsman model a little cheaper,
and it comes in a double-wall vacuum formed case too. Sears also sells
the Bosch 1617 (fixed base router) and the Porter Cable model 693LRPK
(router with fixed & plunge bases).

--Steve

Jack Fearnley wrote:
I am a newcomer to this newsgroup (4 days) and also to woodworking (4
months) although, like most homeowners, I have done numerous carpentry
projects over the years.

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be no
problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit securely.
It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the process.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to old for
new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.

I find inserting and tightening the bit very awkward (seems to need three
hands in a very small space).

Now my questions.

Is it my lack of skill or may I legitimately blame it on the machine?

Is bit installation easier on more modern machines?

Why do routers use collets instead of chucks like drills?

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

Best Regards,
Jack Fearnley

Just did a search on Craftsman.com on your router model 315.17370. You
can buy a replacement collet for $6.99, but the collet nut is not available.

--Steve

Jack Fearnley wrote:

I am a newcomer to this newsgroup (4 days) and also to woodworking (4
months) although, like most homeowners, I have done numerous carpentry
projects over the years.

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be no
problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit securely.
It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the process.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to old for
new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.

I find inserting and tightening the bit very awkward (seems to need three
hands in a very small space).

Now my questions.

Is it my lack of skill or may I legitimately blame it on the machine?

Is bit installation easier on more modern machines?

Why do routers use collets instead of chucks like drills?

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

Best Regards,
Jack Fearnley

I just did a search on Craftsman.com and found that a replacement collet
is available for your Craftsman model 315.17370 router. The part number
for the collet is 1-606490-02. Might want to consider this option even
if you get the new router. It may be the old collet is worn, as someone
else suggested.

--Steve



Jack Fearnley wrote:

I am a newcomer to this newsgroup (4 days) and also to woodworking (4
months) although, like most homeowners, I have done numerous carpentry
projects over the years.

Apart from new equipment, I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw and a
Craftsman Router (model 315.17370) which is about 30 years old.

As a first project I am making a display case which calls for blind dovetail
joints on the drawer front. I have a dovetail jig so this should be no
problem but my old router does not want to hold the dovetail bit securely.
It slips down and scorches the wood half way through the process.

I have asked Sears to overhaul the machine but they say it is far to old for
new parts and they would charge me more than it is worth.

I find inserting and tightening the bit very awkward (seems to need three
hands in a very small space).

Now my questions.

Is it my lack of skill or may I legitimately blame it on the machine?

Is bit installation easier on more modern machines?

Why do routers use collets instead of chucks like drills?

I am currently leaning towards the Bosch 1617PK or the more powerful
1617EVSPK. Is this a good choice for hand held use?

Best Regards,
Jack Fearnley