Workers Of Wood

I followed the "cry once" philosophy and dropped some hefty change on a PC 7518 router for my home shop. I make a raised panels doors for cabinets and various other projects, but I am not a production shop. Sometimes the router takes a break for months, then gets back to work for a few hours over the course of a week. Overall, it's pretty light use for this workhorse. All my research at that time seemed to point to the PC7518; I figured that I'd have it for the rest of my life. I have other routers for handheld work, this one is just for my table with a Woodpecker lift.

5 years ago the speed control crapped out. I was a little surprised and then quite annoyed that the replacement part was so expensive.

This weekend, the speed control died again. Just like last time; it was fine when I used it a few weeks ago, as soon as I turned on the router yesterday it was hunting all over and couldn't decide on a speed.

This time, it appears that the replacement part is no longer available. From some sites, it seems that the router might even be discontinued. !!!

I've been reading about replacing the capacitors for the speed control. Sounds simple enough. I've replaced capacitor and other components to fix TV and other items.

But the other places I've read about this, I've seen that I'll need a couple of 22uF capacitors, originally rated at 25V but some recommend upgrading to 35V.

Um, that's not what I'm finding. The speed control in my PC7518 has 2 radial capacitors. One is 47uF/50V and the other is 4.7uF/63V. I have found these through suppliers online. (can't find anywhere local since Fry's closed and Radioshack is rare).

Just checking: has anyone here done this? Does it sound like I'm looking at the right capacitors?

Any help is appreciated. It would be really stupid for this 7518 to become a paperweight. The other option, if I can't get the speed control fixed, is to bypass it altogether and use an external speed control. I'm wary about losing the load-compensating 'smarts' of the original controls. Definitely open to suggestions.

I have the previous model of PC you have,Made in USA, and it has a manual speed control on the top of the motor. I set it on hi speed and use an external
speed control like you mentioned as your last option. I never use it handheld as it is dedicated to the router table lift and would be a pain to mount and remount as a handheld router. So I have other routers for the handheld work. Mine has been in use for 15 or more years and functions well.
The reason I bought this model was that I acquired the Jessem table second hand from a cabinet shop that was selling it off after a job they bought it for. It was already set up with the Jessem lift. I found that setting the speed control under the table manually after i enclosed the router in a box for dust control was a real hassle,so I just set it on HI and plugged it into a 20 amp external speed control.
Maybe you could wire around your speed control and do the same.
Herb

amaue0809 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:36 pm it was hunting all over and couldn't decide on a speed.

sounds like a triac and not a capacitor...
dead capacitors = dead motor...

amaue0809 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:36 pm This time, it appears that the replacement part is no longer available.

rumor control has that PC is closing it's doors and repair parts are no longer being manufactured...
when the stock of parts is depleted there aren't any more...

amaue0809 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:36 pm From some sites, it seems that the router might even be discontinued. !!

rumor control has that PC is closing it's doors...
the chinese bought PC and turned an outstanding tool into junk...
consumers quickly learned what the tools had become and the word got out...

amaue0809 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:36 pm Does it sound like I'm looking at the right capacitors?

no...
I think it's a different component...

amaue0809 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:36 pm is to bypass it altogether and use an external speed control. I'm wary about losing the load-compensating 'smarts' of the original controls.

that's what I did...
you'll be looking for a speed controller for an ac 120V induction motor -18 amp (2.5kw) or larger....

PS...
keep a watch on your bearings... we believe the ones in your router are roller blade bearings that retail for 80¢ each and PC sells for 26$...

here's some wiring diagrams that maybe of some help...

.

this is VERY helpful.
Thank you!

I heard a while back that when stores sell their existing stock there is no more. Something you might want to make a note of is that Elaire Corporation sells quality aftermarket collets for that and a number of other routers. Collets and electronic controls are the most sought after repair parts according to our experience. Electronics usually have a work around but collets don't.

As far as I know https://www.protoolreviews.com/news/pow ... hem/43632/ Porter-Cable is still owned by Stanley Black & Decker. Once they acquired them, in my opinion, they needed to decide the target market. Many of the tools sat where the DeWalt line was or wanted to be. They apparently cheapened many of the tool lines to compete with the less serious, say Ryobi. customers. Then a couple years ago, they acquired the Craftsman name and wanted to beef that line up, again, crowding the target marketplace. So not too surprising that they are putting it out to pasture, or to the slaughterhouse, whatever metaphor you want to use. JMHO.

My guess is that the parent company is putting them out to pasture like you say Keith and in a few years for some unknown reason now, they will bring back the PC brand or sell it to someone else. it is too good of a name to just disband.
Herb

Herb Stoops wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:14 pm it is too good of a name to just disband.

at one time...
not so much now...