Porter-Cable Router Thumb Screw

[rick7938]

My neighbor has a couple of old P-C routers that use the thumb screw to secure the base to the motor rather than the newer latch mechanism. It appears that over the years the steel bolt has worn out the threads of the aluminum thumb screw, and now the threads are stripped and the screw can not be tightened.

Does anyone have a solution for a replacement thumb screw that is not super expensive? He really likes the thumb screw more than the latch, so he wants to retain that feature, but not have to pay $15-20 for a replacement.

Thanks for any help.

 

[McRabbet]

My oldest P-C 690 router (about 12-15 years old) has a thumb screw arrangement that pinches the base against the motor body. The screw size is roughly 1/4"-28 and a special square head is on the screw. I think you could replace it with a 1/4"-20 toilet bolt (he may need to grind down the head next to the base body), a new washer and a female Taper Knob like one of these (top one) that will clear the sides of the base:

 

[James Davis]

http://www.dewaltservicenet.com/Pro...productid=49433&typeId=11237&documentId=30605

Items 52, 53, & 54

James