Dead Router

[angelosart]

I was changing bits on my SB Buddy and while setting the z-axis I crashed. After setting the z appropriately the second time. The router would not start. I plugged the router through an extension chord into the wall and it would not start. Before I buy a new one tonight, just to be sure, Is it dead? It wasn't makng an strange noises or slowing down prior to stopping.

[bobmoore]

I would at least bypass the switch and check the brushes before just ordering a replacement unless you want to have a spare in the shop. Bob

[angelosart]

Hi Bob
Yes I took out the brushes and they seem fine to me--see photos below. Maybe I'm wrong. Both have a consistent concave profile on one side, all other sides of the rectangle are flat. Some wear. Does this seem like they need to be replaced to you?

Thanks
Angelo

22862
22863

[steve_g]

Angelo…
Their getting “short in the tooth” Length is really immaterial, is the spring able to move it tightly against the commutator? Here's what a new one looks like...
SG

[angelosart]

Steve,

Yes, in comparison to the one in your photo, mine are much shorter. Mine are about 1/2" from front to back, where I see yours are about twice as much--Thanks for the grid! Now that you mentioned this, I could barely reach the brush spring with my needle nose pliers when I was taking the brushes out--but it is hard to tell if the spring is enough to create contact.

So my question is if the brushes are not making contact, would this cause the router not to start at all?

Much appreciated,
Angelo

[Brady Watson]

So my question is if the brushes are not making contact, would this cause the router not to start at all?


Yes. This would cause the router to not start. No brushes = no path for electricity. This includes BOTH high voltage (120v AC) and low voltage (5vdc TTL from Zzero plate). You'd probably be able to get away with not using the ground clip after you replace the brushes for C2...for a few months until they wear again.

Brushes are cheap. Order a spare set. You can't make money if you are down. Pay it forward.

-B

[gc3]

make sure to clean router head of dust maybe give you a few hrs more to run with worn brushes...if brushes worn down to no contact or minimal you can hear that issue see that issue...router rpm fluctuates and you can see sparking between brushes and armature...

[angelosart]

Thanks guys, very helpful.

[barrowj]

All great advice however I wouldn't rule out having a spare in the box for just this reason. If you are making money, then being down while waiting on parts or you go to buy a new router and the stores are all closed then you could be losing money. I always have a spare or 2 but with a spindle I am really at risk as I can't afford to have one of those just sitting around. Just my own opinion.

[paul_z]

I had my router stop because dust built up in the on/off switch. Try blowing that out with an air gun.

I'll also echo the recommendation for spare brushes and a spare router.

Paul Z

[cowboy1296]

i have no idea how many times i have changed my brushes. One little idea that i read on here, with power going to the router try tapping it lightly with a hammer. If it tries to start then its the brushes. I get mine on ebay and generally have about 3-4 spare sets on hand.

The first time they were ground down to about .35 of an inch and and another time they were below .5. Loosing your brushes during cutting can cause you to destroy the board you are working on.

[Xray]

I had a router go on me and the culprit was the cord.
I did a voltage check and it passed so I thought I eliminated it, turns out the hot wire was good so it was passing voltage but the neutral/ground was shot and I only found out about it after a continuity check of both wires.

[angelosart]

Yeah. It was the brushes. Not sure how many hours I logged but I've had the Bot for almost two years and used 3-4 days per week.

[kurt_rose]

Best upgrade ever to my bot. Going strong almost 2 years now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-2KW-WATER-COOLED-SPINDLE-MOTOR-ER20-INVERTER-DRIVE-/250748327119?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a61c3d4cf

[cowboy1296]

Interesting. Can you post pictures of your set up?