Porter Cable 690LR router sticking in base

[Sawatzky]

I have the PC690LR in my router table. During the last few uses, I have noticed after I run the router for a while it is very hard to rotate out of the base. If I force turn it I get grooves in the motor housing. Once out I tried it in the other fixed base I have and same problem. Any one who owns this router every experience this? Any way to fix it?

[thrytis]

I had the opposite problem yesterday - the router was twisting when it was locked in place. If your base has the lever to lock it in, try loosening up the nut a little and see if that helps. You might also want to try cleaning the router body and the base threads with some mineral spirits, and then inspect the body and threads for any gouges or sharp spurs.

[LCHIEN]

The 690 LR has one of those cam-operated one-touch locking levers. They should have an adjustment to make them tighter or looser since there's only so much throw the cam has. Usually a nut on the outside of the lever or you rotate the lever itself which is on a screw stem. As parts wear (makes it looser, not tighter) or perhaps fill up with sawdust (which makes it too tight) you need to adjust the tension (or clean the mechanism).

Maybe its a sign it is time for a new router.

[Tom Slick]

Clean everything that slides together really well, paying special attention to the grooves. Make sure to remove any burrs on the body and in the base. I've seen this problem numerous times caused by build up in the grooves.

[JimD]

You may also want to apply a coat of paste wax (I use Johnson's) after cleaning.

Jim

[Jay Yoder]

I too had this issue, although mine was with the Bosch 1617. I checked the clasp/clamp and it was fine. So my sol'n was to strip it clean and then use steel wool to clean it up, then a liberal coat of paste wax, and back in business! It was more snup in the fixed base versus the plunge base, but it worked.