And my DeWalt 611 router gave up the ghost mid-carve today.
Fortunately, it did not take any other hardware with it, and the workpiece looks like it is fine too.
I am only guessing, I think some kind of internal bearing must have given out, it’s spinning off-center and vibrating and making ugly noises.
A manlier man would have opened it up and figured out a way to fix it, but I have a credit card and an Amazon account, and as it happens, I think if you take inflation into account, it’s cheaper now than it was then.
On the one hand, I view it as a bit of a badge of honor–I’ve put that many hours on the machine. If I burn out another in 8 more years, I’ll consider a spindle.
I’m still working with my Makita from 2019. I have spare brushes in stock and a brand new one sitting in a box that I picked up last month. I’m creating downtime to change that out and resurface my spoilboard (that hasn’t been resurfaced since March of 2021.)
Good luck on the new Dewalt! (I think we just don’t push our equipment real hard.)
My Dewalt 611 has had one set of brushes replaced in 5 years. I did buy a 611 plunge router kit as a backup and just use it around the shop as a trim router. The Dewalt 611 is a tough little router. Mine just keeps humming along. I did buy the Elaire collet set with both SAE and Metric sets. The only other thing I have had go wrong with the Dewalt is the original 1/4" Dewalt collet got to where it was slipping and I threw it away.
Good Luck with your new Dewalt.
I am currently working on restoring a 1963 Delta drill press. I had already finished a Rockwell 1973 16" Radial Drill Press with a modern motor. So both should be ready for another 50 years of service when completed. I doubt most modern tools you buy today will last 50 years and certainly not be rebuilt to last another 50 years. We live in a throw away society today.
