If it's made out of...

If it's made out of... · 03-21-2008, 03:59 AM

Plastic, it's going to break!

I call this a rule, some may simply call it a saying, but for me, it's always true. This rant is about my DeWalt DW618 Router. The nifty push button spindle lock consists of a plastic button with a small finger (stub, protrusion...), a stainless shaft, and a spring.

I released the lock after changing a bit, and the button flew across the room. The little plastic finger sheared off!

I really like this router, but this is obviously a poor design and a miss use of plastic. Maybe I can figure out a repair that will provide more than 3 years service! Maybe I'm spoiled; I didn't have to replace any parts on my old Craftsman router for 30+ years

Rant over!

-Don

ScottM · 03-21-2008, 08:20 AM

Welcome to the SAD but modern world. We are now a throw away society and most people accept it. I for one do not. Very few of today's tools are designed to last like the ones we bought 10 years ago or more. Frankly many companies don't care. After all how can companies make money when you buy one every 30 years?

KC7CN · 03-22-2008, 01:25 PM

I found the replacement button on-line and called the local DeWalt Service Center to see if they stocked that item. Not in stock, but they will include the item in their weekly parts order to save the shipping charges. I ordered two buttons, enough for six more years service

. Not to bad for $1.25 each.

-Don

Bas · 03-22-2008, 07:28 PM

Yeah, that's pretty good. My switch on my previous B&D table saw decided one day to quit working (scary when you can't turn the saw off!). Replacement switch was delivered to a DeWalt/ PC/ B&D service center the next day. $4. I probably could have claimed it under warranty, but for that kind of money, I'll pass on the paperwork.

Of course, normally when a piece of plastic breaks, it also shoots the spring across the workshop underneath the bench......

JackLeg · 03-27-2008, 08:36 PM

Plastic!!! Our DW735 planer became very hard to adjust week before last. Opened her up to find a chunk broken out of the dust collector hood and sawdust and chips everywhere! &*^%$$###

Ordered a new part, got it quickly. Problem solved, right? Nah! Seems the fan shroud has a gap in it also and I still haven't figured out how to get the dang thing off.

Looks like motor and all have to come out.

Plastic is great in some cases, but not neccessarily in power tools!!

Travis Porter · 03-28-2008, 10:15 PM

I have had a lot of trouble with DeWalt switches. Between 2 drills, 1 router, and 1 miter saw, I have spent almost $200 on switch repairs. Conversely, I have had no switch issues on any of my PC, Bosch, or for that matter Craftsman tools.

03-28-2008, 10:25 PM

Plastic sux - IMHO plastic has no place in machines, sadly machinery companies don't share my view...

KC7CN · 03-31-2008, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by jeff...

Plastic sux - IMHO plastic has no place in machines, sadly machinery companies don't share my view...

I hear what you're saying, but I still think most of the problem is miss use of the material. Poor design! Or should I say designed to break?

Remember the old black dial telephones. I don't know if Bakelite is considered a plastic, but I don't think you could break one of those old phones unless you ran over it with a truck.

This might be a good time to start a list of miss used materials.
1) Plastic
2) Particleboard
3) MDF

jerrye · 03-31-2008, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by jeff...

Plastic sux - IMHO plastic has no place in machines, sadly machinery companies don't share my view...

Don't look too closely at your new truck....

KC7CN · 04-02-2008, 10:46 PM

I need to add another tool made out of plastic to the list. My Harbor Freight Digital Dial Caliper. The plastic battery cover falls off. It stays on most of the time, but I've had to go hunting two or three times since I bought it a year ago.

As I was putting my tools away today, I noticed the battery and the cover was gone -- nowhere in sight! I looked for the them for about five minutes and gave up; figured I would find them when I cleaned up the shop at the end of the day. No such luck!

I suspect both the battery and the cover will turn up eventually, and I will do it all over again.

This is another case of poor design! Guess you get what you pay for

.

-Don

Bas · 04-02-2008, 11:13 PM

Don, I have to disagree. It's not a poor design, it's poor packaging! It should come with a roll of duct tape

Canuck · 04-02-2008, 11:32 PM

I recently had a similar problem with a Wixey Dial Caliper!!!

I removed the battery from a new caliper and the plastic "grip" holding the "DEAD" battery snapped. Couldn't get the new battery installed!!!

I took it back to Woodcraft (Raleigh) and they replaced the whole caliper .... no questions asked!!!

GREAT BUNCH of guys over here!!

(Now..........I wonder why they ship Wixey calipers with dead batteries????!!!!

)

Oh well!!!!! It is a nice caliper, though!!!!

And I received a fresh caliper and battery!

Wayne

(I think I read a post by Junquecol (Bruce) that listed a good source for the batteries - Dollar General!)

Travis Porter · 04-03-2008, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck

I recently had a similar problem with a Wixey Dial Caliper!!!

I removed the battery from a new caliper and the plastic "grip" holding the "DEAD" battery snapped. Couldn't get the new battery installed!!! I took it back to Woodcraft (Raleigh) and they replaced the whole caliper .... no questions asked!!! GREAT BUNCH of guys over here!!

(Now..........I wonder why they ship Wixey calipers with dead batteries????!!!!)

Oh well!!!!! It is a nice caliper, though!!!! And I received a fresh caliper and battery!

Wayne

(I think I read a post by Junquecol (Bruce) that listed a good source for the batteries - Dollar General!)

I have two wixey products and both came equipped with dead batteries.

KC7CN · 04-03-2008, 12:48 PM

I cleaned the shop last night. No sign of the missing battery or battery cover.

Dead battery's in a new product! Coincidence! I'm beginning to wonder.

I bought my HF caliper a year ago at the Harbor Freight store in Orlando. All the calipers had two battery's. The clerk told me the one in the caliper might be bad; said that's was the norm. He was right, the display was blinking due to low battery. Makes you wonder if they all come from the same place.

Last, but not least, picked up the replacement buttons for the router this morning. Two for less than $3 including tax. What a deal. Cost me more in time and gas to go pick them up at the local service center.

-Don

KC7CN · 04-03-2008, 05:09 PM

Embarrassed The battery and battery cover are still installed in the caliper. The real problem is a missing plastic cover located near the top of the caliper. Not sure why it's there, but underneath the cover is a small green printed circuit board, with gold connector strips. All the same, the cover is missing.

As Bas said, what was really missing is the duct tape.

-Don