Porter Cable Plunge Router Mystery

[Vince Shriver]

I'm attempting - unsuccessfully - to separate a old Porter Cable router (#6902 type 8) from its plunge base (#6931). I have loosened the barrel fitting in the housing, but the router will not budge. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Doug Garson]

Try throwing or putting it in the freezer for an hour or so, maybe the shrinkage will break the bond, perhaps apply some heat to the base also.

[John Stankus]

I'm attempting - unsuccessfully - to separate a old Porter Cable router (#6902 type 8) from its plunge base (#6931). I have loosened the barrel fitting in the housing, but the router will not budge. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks

Here's the manual from Porter-cable which mentions an locking plate that has to be moved.
https://www.toolservicenet.com/i/POR...384509_690.pdf

[Andrew Hughes]

Ive used Porter-Cable routers. I do remember it getting stuck in the base because a small screw fell out of the part on the router that travels it up or down.
I had to use Thor’s hammer to get it loose.
I use Festool router now.
Good Luck

[Bruce Wrenn]

I'm attempting - unsuccessfully - to separate a old Porter Cable router (#6902 type 8) from its plunge base (#6931). I have loosened the barrel fitting in the housing, but the router will not budge. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks

When you loosened the socket head screw, did you tap on it to drive the wedge that holds the motor in place down? I would chuck a short length of 1/2" round steel in chuck, bottomed out against bottom of collet and then tap on end of steel. Maybe an over night spray of WD 40 on barrel.

[Mel Fulks]

Ive used Porter-Cable routers. I do remember it getting stuck in the base because a small screw fell out of the part on the router that travels it up or down.
I had to use Thor’s hammer to get it loose.
I use Festool router now.
Good Luck

Andrew, you brought up one of my own nightmarish experiences . That traveling screw thing is greatly helped by
getting some “ never- seize “ in the spiral grooves of the aluminum case.

[Vince Shriver]

Thank you John, appreciate posting the manual.

[Vince Shriver]

Try throwing or putting it in the freezer for an hour or so, maybe the shrinkage will break the bond, perhaps apply some heat to the base also.

Update: Four or Five minutes with a heat gun around the base, and it slipped apart quick and slick. Many thanks Doug; got a router now and learned something to boot. Very cool. Vince

[Doug Garson]

Update: Four or Five minutes with a heat gun around the base, and it slipped apart quick and slick. Many thanks Doug; got a router now and learned something to boot. Very cool. Vince

Glad I could help, I'm guessing the body of the router and the base are dissimilar metals and if left in contact for a period of time you can get some galvanic corrosion which sticks them together. A little heat or cold can sometimes cause enough differential expansion or contraction to break the bond. Might be wise to store them separated if storing for long periods of time like months or years.

[Curt Harms]

Andrew, you brought up one of my own nightmarish experiences . That traveling screw thing is greatly helped by
getting some “ never- seize “ in the spiral grooves of the aluminum case.

lil' paste wax?