changing router cutters

[doctormark]

Someone gave me an old router table with a Black and Decker model 7620 on it.

I can't figure out how to lock the rotor so I can fasten a cutter onto it. I've looked everywhere on the motor and don't see any way to stop it from turning.

I'd appreciate any insights.

Many thanks.

[Don]

Hey, Doctormark, and welcome to the forum. A spindle lock is a relatively new development on routers and are usually found on the better models. You will probably find that the exposed shaft, just under the collet nut, has "flats" on either side. This is for the second wrench. Oftentimes there is little room here and the maker supplies a thin steel plate wrench for the purpose. If you don't have one, you can grind down the sides of an extra wrench to fit. Good luck.


UPDATE; just got your PM, you said you have a new table saw and needed to cut a rabbet, of course you can do it with a router, but a simpler and quicker way might be to use the new saw. It's a method you need to learn and will give you more flexiblilty. We often think of a saw only to make two pieces out of one. Have fun. Be careful.

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/503/rabbet_groove.jpg

All the best, Don

[doctormark]

Thanks so much, Don!

I'm going to go downstairs and try the table saw trick. The hardware store is a half hour away and I wasted an hour today trying to get the screws I needed to fasten my new router on the old router table. Too long and not flat headed. In the time it would take me to drive to the hardware store I can learn how to cut grooves with the table saw.

Thanks so much for the excellent advice. And reminder to be cautious. I am totally paranoid about the saw. First thing I made was a push stick and I made sure to learn enough to avoid doing something that could get me hurt. I'm very fond of my digits.

I'll let you know how I make out, and you are right; you can count on my needing more advice.

One of the things I've been pondering is how to make a table that will be the right size to drop down and support cushions as a bunk and somehow hook onto the bulkhead with a drop down leg or some kind of support so it functions as a kind of dinette. It would also be nice if it could somehow fold up against the bulkhead or drop down so that you had choices of either lying on it or sitting at it.

Best,
md

[doctormark]

Thanks to Don's kind and clear instructions, I solved a problem that had been hanging me up for weeks. The port V berth has been painted for weeks and ready to put in place. Except there's a drawer underneath it that is supposed to hang on a board with two grooves in it attached the bottom. And I didn't have a clue about how to get those grooves in it.

I have been trying to figure out how to use a router (for the first time) to do this. Then Don suggested it'd be easier and faster with the table saw.

I followed his instructions and in maybe four minutes, it was done! I could hardly believe that little old incompetent me had done it.

I feel fortunate to have found this forum. I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll turn to you folks for help.

Many thanks.

Mark

[Don]

Hey, Mark. That's the value of participation in a forum like this, a member's knowledge base is expanded to include the value of all members.

In a few months, even the table saw suggestion would have been insulting to you, it's the second basic operation on a table saw and you would have stumbled upon it at the very least.

If we look at the "views" that a particular thread might receive, we see that there are many more people simply reading, (and maybe learning) than actually posting questions or answers. I believe these people are the ones that a forum like this is helping the most. As the more experienced take the time to post tips, suggestions and directions, this archive will grow. We can all take something away, novice and experienced alike.

Glad to be of help, learn how to post pictures or drawings of what you are thinking about doing. There are some very creative minds on this forum already, they love challenges.

All the best, Don