Porter Cable router with switch in handle

[RFNK]

I've bought a Porter Cable variable speed plunge router, quite old, m/n N1770. It has the on/off switch built into one of the handles. But there's another switch on the top of the motor with symbols that I'm not familiar with. Does anyone know what this switch is supposed to do?
Rick

[Jim Ledger]

It switches the motor on and off. Does the motor have a pigtail wire that plugs into the handle?

[TerryLL]

Could the switch on the motor be the speed settings perhaps? You did say variable speed.

[Jim Ledger]

The one that I had was a P-C D-handle router. There was a trigger switch on the handle and the motor itself had a rocker switch and plug that plugged into the handle.

Terry might be right about the speed switch. Does it look like a slide with about five different positions?

[Mrleft8]

Volume control.... The acoustic version doesn't have any of those at all...

[David G]

Yeah... but can the acoustic version take off massive hunks of knuckles or kneecaps in an instant? Huh?

[TerryLL]

I've got a huge divot in the tip of my left ring finger from one of those big PC routers. Betcha I couldn't even come close to such an injury with that wimpy little gismo Lefty calls a router.

[nautiguy]

Is the motor detachable from the handle, as in a dual purpose tool? If so, the switch on the motor is the one that powers the motor when the tool is mounted under a router table.

[TerryLL]

As long as we're talking routers, could someone please tell me the purpose of the second cable on this router.

[Jim Ledger]

The small cable looks like it goes to the trigger switch on the handle. It would allow you to unplug the cable in order to remover the router motor from the base.

[TerryLL]

Aha!
Thanks.

[Draketail]

I hate to disagree with Jim... but... On router Terry LL is showing, the actual electrical switch is inside the main body of the router. The cable is a mechanical connection from the electrical switch in the router body to the trigger on the handle. Works fine when all is well. But, if the cable sheath gets cracked it is possible to turn the router on by just moving the cable. Like if you were to lay the router on it's side on the bench. Makes for an exciting time.

How do I know.. I've got the same router as sold by Sears about 40 years ago. Still working except for the switch being touchy. Had it repaired long ago. Time to do it again.

[Jim Ledger]

Who'd a thought...

[Mrleft8]

I hate to disagree with Jim... but... On router Terry LL is showing, the actual electrical switch is inside the main body of the router. The cable is a mechanical connection from the electrical switch in the router body to the trigger on the handle. Works fine when all is well. But, if the cable sheath gets cracked it is possible to turn the router on by just moving the cable. Like if you were to lay the router on it's side on the bench. Makes for an exciting time.

How do I know.. I've got the same router as sold by Sears about 40 years ago. Still working except for the switch being touchy. Had it repaired long ago. Time to do it again.

Like a remote shutter button on a camera?......

[JimConlin]

I had one of those POS's, too. It had the lovely feature of spontaneously adjusting depth of cut. It sleeps with the fishes.

[kc8pql]

^ +1 dumped it for a Makita 3 1/2 hp 3600B plunge router, first one I'd ever seen.

[Draketail]

Yes, exactly like a remote shutter button on a camera.

[RFNK]

Here's a picture of the switch I'm talking about - the one to the right. I've never seen these symbols and this switch doesn't seem to do anything! What is it?



Rick

[Tom@NC]

Just a guess as I don't know, is it a shaft lock for changing bits that isn't functioning?

Tom

[Trevor S.]

Looks like a brake symbol to me.

[Mrleft8]

That's the freewheeling overdrive switch, which saves fuel on long trips, by letting you coast down hills without losing vacuum pressure to important things like the windshield wipers, or supercharger......

[RFNK]

It's a mystery!

Rick

[Chip Chester]

If it's a brake, it appears to be in the engaged position. Hmmm... Perhaps a test: get the router to speed, turn it off, then toggle that switch. It might either do nothing (because it's been activated for years and the braking surface is toast) or it might bring the spindle to a smooth stop (because it's wired or labeled backwards). I'd only do this test if the spindle rotates freely for more than a revolution with the switch in either position. Or google-up the manual... Chip

[RFNK]

I tried Googling the manual first, of course! None available.
I'll try the switching while running again and see if anything happens.

Rick

[Trevor S.]

I believe this is your answer.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=reQ...page&q&f=false

[RFNK]

Mystery solved! Thanls Trevor, and to all - this really had me puzzled. I'll now see if it works!

Rick