Craftsman 171.24874, 171.17508 Owner's Manual

Owner's Manual

Manuel du propri6taire
Manual del Propietario

Router

Toupie

Fresadora

Model/Mod_le/Modelo:

U.S.: 171. _17508/Canada: 171 .°'24874

WARNING:

Before operating product, read this manual and
follow all its Safety and Operating Instructions.

MISE EN GARDE "cemanuel

Avant de vous servir de ce produit, lisez
et suivez toutes ses consignes de s_curit_ et les

instructions de fonctionnement.

• Safety
Instructions

• Parts List

• Assembly

• Operation

• Fran_:ais, p. 16

• Espahol, p. 30

ADVERTENCIA:

Antes de utilizar este producto, lea este manual y acate
todas las instrucciones sobre seguridad y uso.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates IL 60179 U.S.A.

Sears Canada, Inc., Toronto, Ontario M5B 2B8

U.S,A.: 171.17508 05104! Canada 171.24874
Printed in China Impreso en China Imprimd en Chine 1 619 X00 369 05/04

OMF012181000

www.sears.com/craftsman

f

'ONE YEAR FULL WARRANTY

If any part ofthis Craftsman Router is defective in material or workmanship within one year
from the date ofpurchase, return itto your nearest Sears Parts & Repair Center, and itwill

be repaired or replaced free ofcharge.
WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING SEARS SERVICE

AT 1-800-4-MY-HOME. ®
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

vary from state to state.

Sears Roebuck and Co. Dept. 817 WA Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

General Safety Instructions for Power Tools ................ 2, 3

Additional Safety Rules for Routers ....................... 4-6

Functional Description, Specifications, and Parts List ........... 7, 8

Assembly ........................................... 9, 10

Operation .......................................... 11-14

Maintenance ........................................... 15

__ WARNING Read and understand the tool manual and these instructions. Failure

to follow all instructions listed below may result in serious personal injury.

Work Area

Keep your work area clean and well lit.

Cluttered benches and dark areas invite

accidents.
Do not operate power tools in explosive

atmospheres, such as in the presence of

flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power
tools create sparks that may ignitethe dust

or fumes.
Keep bystanders, children, and visitors

away while operating a power tool.

Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical Safety

Double Insulated tools are equipped with
a polarized plug (one blade is wider than

the other.) This plug will fit in a polarized

outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit

fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still

does not fit, contact a qualified electrician

to install a polarized outlet. Do not change
the plug in any way. Double Insulation []

eliminates the need for the three wire

grounded power cord and grounded power

supply system.

Before plugging in the tool, be certain the
outlet voltage supplied is within the

voltage marked on the nameplate. Do not

use "AC only" rated tools with a DC power
supply.

Avoid body contact with grounded
surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges

and refrigerators. There is an increased risk
of electric shock ifyour body isgrounded.

If operating the power tool in damp locations
is unavoidable, a Ground Fault Circuit

Interrupter must be used to supply the power

to your tool. Electrician's rubber gloves and

footwear willfurther enhance your personal
safety.

Don't expose power tools to rain or wet
conditions. Water entering a power tool will

increase the risk of electric shock.
Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord

to carry the tools or pull the plug from an

outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil,
sharp edges or moving parts. Replace
damaged cords immediately. Damaged

cords increase the risk of electric shock.
When operating a power tool outside, use

an outdoor extension cord marked "W-A"
or "W." These cords are rated for outdoor

use and reduce the risk of electric shock.
Refer to "Important Information about

Extension Cords".

2

J

Personal Safety

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and
use common sense when operating a

power tool. Do not use tool while tired or
under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or

medication. A moment of inattention while
operating power tools may result in serious

personal injury.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing

or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your
hair, clothing, and gloves away from

moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or
long hair can be caught in moving parts.
Keep handles dry,clean and free from oil

and grease.
Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch

is "OFF" before plugging in. Carrying tools
with your finger on the switch or plugging
in tools that have the switch "ON" invites

accidents.

Remove adjusting keys or wrenches
before turning the tool "ON". Awrench or a

key that is leftattached to a rotating part of
the tool may result in personal injury.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing
and balance at all times. Proper footing and

balance enables better control of the tool in
unexpected situations.

Use safety goggles (head protection).
Wear safety goggles (must comply withANSI

Standard Z87.1) at all times. Wear non-slip
footwear and a hard hat, if appropriate. Also,
use face or dust mask ifcuttingoperation is

dusty, and ear protectors (plugs or muffs)
during extended periods of operation.

Tool Use and Care

Use clamps or other practical way to
secure and support the workpiece to a

stable platform. Holding the work by hand
or against your body is unstable and may lead

to loss of control.
Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for

your application. The correct toolwill do the
job better and safer at the rate forwhich it is

designed.
Do not use tool if switch does not turn it
"ON" or "OFF". Any tool that cannot be

controlled with the switch is dangerous and
must be repaired.

Disconnect the plug from the power
source before making any adjustments,

changing accessories, or storing the tool.
Such preventive safety measures reduce the

risk of starting the tool accidentally.
Keep guards in place. Maintain the guards in

working order and in proper adjustment and
alignment.

Store idle tools out of reach of children
and other untrained persons. Tools are

dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Never leave tools running unattended.

Turn the power OFF. DO NOT leave tool
until it comes to a complete stop.

Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting
tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained

tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely
to bind and are easier tocontrol.Any

alteration or modification is a misuse
and may result in a dangerous condition.

Check for damaged guards or parts,
misalignment or binding of moving parts,

breakage of parts, and any other condition
that may affect the tool's operation. If

damaged, have the tool properly repaired
or replaced before using. Many accidents

are caused by poorly maintained tools.
Develop a periodic maintenance schedule
for yourtool.

Use only accessories that are
recommended by the manufacturer
for your model. Accessories that may

be suitable for one tool may become
hazardous when used on another tool.

Service

Tool service must be performed only
by qualified repair personnel. Service or

maintenance performed by unqualified
personnel could result in a risk of injury. For

example: internal wires may be misplaced or
pinched, safety guard return springsmay be
improperly mounted.

When servicing a tool, use only identical
replacement parts. Use of unauthorized

parts or failure to follow Maintenance

Instructions may create a risk of electric

shock or injury. Certain cleaning agents such
as gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, ammonia,

etc. may damage plastic parts.

Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces

when performing an operation where the

cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or
its own cord. Contact with a "live" wire will

make exposed metal parts of the tool "live"
and shock the operator. If cutting into existing
walls or other blind areas where electrical

wiring may exist is unavoidable, disconnect all
fuses or circuit breakers feeding this worksite.

Always make sure the work surface is free

from nails and other foreign objects.

Cutting into a nail can cause the bit and the

tool to jump and damage the bit.

Never hold the workpiece in one hand and

the tool in the other hand when in use.

Never place hands near or below cutting
surface. Clamping the material and guiding

the toolwith both hands is safer.

Never lay workpiece on top of hard
surfaces, like concrete, stone, etc...
Protrudingcutting bit may cause tool to jump.

Always wear safety goggles and dust
mask. Use only in well ventilated area.

Using personal safety devices and working in
safe environment reduces risk of injury.

After changing the bits or making any
adjustments, make sure the collet nut and
any other adjustment devices are securely

tightened. Loose adjustment device can

unexpectedly shift, causing loss of control;

loose rotating components will be violently

thrown.

Never start the tool when the bit is

engaged in the material. The bit cutting

edge may grab the material, causing loss of

control of the cutter.

Always hold the tool with two hands

during start-up. The reaction torque of the
motor can cause the tool to twist.

The direction of feeding the bit into the

material is very important and it relates to
the direction of bit rotation. When viewing
the tool from the top, the bit rotates

clockwise. Feed direction of cutting

must be counter-clockwise. NOTE: inside
and outside cuts will require different feed

direction, refer to section on feeding the

router. Feeding the tool in the wrong direction
causes the cutting edge of the bit to climb out

of the work and pull the tool in the direction of
this feed.

Never use dull or damaged bits. Sharp bits
must be handled with care. Damaged bits

can snap during use. Dull bits require more
force to push the tool, possibly causing the bit

to break.

Never touch the bit during or immediately
after the use. After use, the bit is too hot to

be touched by bare hands.

Never lay the tool down until the motor
has come to a complete standstill. The

spinning bit can grab the surface and pull

the tool out of your control.

Never use bits that have a cutting diameter
greater than the opening in the base.

1_WARNINGJ Somedust

created by power sanding, sawing,
grinding, drilling, and other construction

activities contains chemicals known to
cause cancer, birth defects or other

reproductive harm. Some examples
of these chemicals are:

• Lead from lead-based paints,

• Crystalline silica from bricksand cement and

other masonry products, and

• Arsenic and chromium from chemically-

treated lumber.

Your risk from these exposures varies,

depending on how often you do this type of

work. To reduce your exposure to these

chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and

work with approved safety equipment, such

as those dust masks that are specially
designed to filter out microscopic particles.

i I_Vd'.[o]:_i_:I _/ d I_I_[o]-']_v_V_,ti [o]_Ir:1:[o_l/il :E(I i :l _K_[o]_[_o]-'| m_."g

I_WARNING n If an extension cord is necessary, a cord with adequate size

conductors that is capable of carrying the current necessary for your tool must be used.
This will prevent excessive voltage drop, loss of power or overheating. Grounded tools must
use 3-wire extension cordsthat have 3-prong plugs and receptacles.

NOTE: The smallerthe gauge number,theheavier thecord.

I

RECOMMENDED SIZES OF EXTENSION CORDS

120 VOLT ALTERNATING CURRENT TOOLS

Tool's Cord Size in A.W.G. Wire Sizes in mm 2

Ampere

Rating

3-6
6-8

8-10

10-12
12-16

Cord Length in Feet

25 50 100 150

18 16 16 14
18 16 14 12

18 16 14 12
16 16 14 12

14 12

Cord Length in Meters

15 30 60 120

.75 .75 1.5 2.5
.75 1.0 2.5 4.0

.75 1.0 2.5 4.0

1.0 2.5 4.0 --

- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS-

_"_k_Y_l_o]U_-._

Q This symbol designates

that this tool is listed by

Underwriters Laboratories.

C tool is listed to Canadian Standards

Q This symbol designates that this

by Underwriters Laboratories.

that this tool is listed
This symbol designates

by the Canadian
Standards Association.

" that this tool complies to

i__ This symboldesignates

NOM Mexican Standards.

_) This symbol designates that this

C IJS Laboratories, and listed to

tool is listed by Underwriters

Canadian Standards by
Underwriters Laboratories.

IMPORTANT:Some of the following symbols may be used on your tool. Please study them

and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool

better and safer.

Symbol Name Designation/Explanation

V Volts Voltage (potential)

A Amperes Current

Hz Hertz Frequency (cycles persecond)

W Watt Power

kg Kilograms Weight

min Minutes Time
s Seconds Time

Diameter Size of drill bits, grinding wheels,

etc.

no No load speed Rotational speed, at no load
.../min Revolutions or reciprocation Revolutions, strokes, surface

oer minute speed, orbits, etc. per minute

0 Off position Zero speed, zero torque...

1, 2, 3.... Selector settings Speed, torque or position settings

I, II, III, Higher number means greater

speed

Infinitely variable selector with off Speed is increasing from 0 setting

Arrow Action in the direction of arrow
Alternating current Type or a characteristic of current

--='=-- Direct current Type or a characteristic of current
Alternating or direct current Type or a characteristic of current

[] Class II construction Designates Double Insulated

(_ Earthing terminal Grounding terminal

Warning symbol Alerts user to warning messages

Ni-Cad RBRC seal Designates Ni-Cad battery

Construction tools

recycling program

6

I,_WARNING Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any

assembly, adjustments, or changing accessories. Such preventativesafety measures
reduce the riskof the toolstarting accidentally.

Pop-Up Fine --

Adjustment Knob

-- Air Vents

Scale

Indicator

Depth

Scale

Deflector

Bit Rotation Arrow

Handle

"Lock On"

Button

On/Off

Trigger

Switch

Dust

Port

Base Clamp Lever

Base

Release

Lever

Base

Sub-Base

Modelnumber: 17508 (U.S.), 24874 (Canada)

Voltage rating: 120V "_ 50-60Hz
Amperage rating: 9A

No load speed: no25,000 RPM
Collet capacity: 1/4"

Key No. Part No. Description Quantity

2 610 916 509 Collet Wrench 1

2 Router 1

1 619 X00 369 Owner's Manual (not shown) 1

Awideassortmentofrouterbitswith

differentprofilesisavailableseparately.

I_WARNING I Topreventpersonal

injury, always remove the plug from
power source before removing or

installing bits or accessories.

INSTALLING A ROUTER BIT

Place router upside down with the top of the
router resting on the bench. Another option
is to remove the motor from the base before

installing the bit.

1. Remove the chip shield.

2. Press collet lock to stop rotation of
armature shaft. NOTE: It may be

necessary to rotate collet chuck assembly
to engage collet lock (Fig. 1).

3. Next, usethe collet wrench to loosen the
collet nut in counter-clockwise direction

(viewed from under the router).

4. Insert the shank of the router bit into the
collet chuck assembly as far as it will go,

then back the shank out until the cutters
are approximately 1/8" to 1/4" away from

the collet nut face.

5. With the router bit inserted and the collet
lock holding the armature shaft, use the

collet wrench to firmly tighten the collet

nut in a clockwise direction (viewed from
under the router). To ensure proper

gripping of the router bit, the shank of the
router bit must be inserted at least 3/4".

When the template guide has been
removed from base, do not use router

bits greater than 2" in diameter as they

will not fit through the sub-base.
To prevent damage to tool, do not tighten

collet nut without a bit.
NOTE: The router bit shank and collet

chuck should be clean and free of dust,

wood, residue and grease before

assembling.

REMOVING THE ROUTER BIT

1. Press collet lock to stop rotation of
armature shaft and turn the collet chuck

assembly in a counter-clockwise
direction.

2. Once the collet chuck assembly is
loosened, continue to turn the collet

chuck assembly until it pulls the collet
free from its taper, and the router bit

can be removed.

NOTE: The collet chuck is self-extracting;
it is NOT necessary to strike the collet chuck

to free the router bit.

Figure 1

- Router Bit

, (Min. engagement 3/4")

Collet Nut

Shank

REMOVING MOTOR

FROM BASE

To remove motor from

fixed base:

Hold router in vertical position, open base
clamp lever, push base release lever in

direction of arrow and pull motor unit

upwards from base; just before the motor
is completely out of the base, it will stop

moving. Then depress the base release
button, and pull motor unit upwards from

base (Figure 2).
INSTALLING MOTOR IN BASE

To install motor in fixed base:

1. Release the base clamp lever.

2. Align the depth rod base with the
pop-up fine adjustment knob.

3. Slide motor into base until the base
release lever engages into the slot on

the motor unit (Figure 2).

4. Lock the base clamp lever.

Figu

CHIP DEFLECTOR

I _ILWARNING Always wear eye

protection. The chip deflector is not
intended as a safety guard.

The chip deflector helps keep dust and
chips out of your face; it will not stop
objects larger than dust thrown from

the bit.
To remove the chipdeflector from the

base, press inwardon the deflector until it
releases from the base and remove. To

attach, place the deflector into position as
shown inFigure 3. Then flex the sides of

the deflector while pushing untilit snaps
into place.

FigiJre 3

lO

[o] d=1-'_,._nul[o]_,,m,,,m

Craftsman routers are designed for speed,
accuracy and convenience in performing

cabinet work, routing, fluting, beading,
cove-cutting, dovetails, etc. They will
enable you to accomplish inlay work,

decorative edges and many types of
special carving.

DEPTH ADJUSTMENT
Fine Adjustment Knob

The pop upfine depth adjustment knob
allows precise bit height adjustments on

your router.
To use the fine adjustment feature, release

the base clamp lever, pullup the fine

adjustmentknob and turn the knob
clockwiseto lower, or counterclockwise

to raise the bit (Figures 4 and 5).

Note that one fullturn of the knob willraise
orlower the bit approximately 1/16" of an

inch. After making depth adjustments,
re-clamp the motor.

NOTE: All depth adjustments must be
made with the base clamp lever released.

DEEP CUTS
For deeper cuts, make several

progressively deeper cuts bystarting
at one depth and then make several

subsequent passes, increasing the cutting

depth with each pass.
To be certain that your depth settings

are as desired, you may want to make

test cuts in scrap material before

beginning work.

Figure'4

Figure 5

11

TRIGGER SWITCH AND
"LOCK-ON" BUTFON

Your routercan beturned ON or OFF by
squeezing or releasing the trigger.Your
router is also equipped with "Lock-ON"
buttonlocated above the triggerthat allows

continuousoperation without holdingthe
trigger.

TO LOCK TRIGGER ON: Squeeze trigger,
depress "Lock-ON" button and release

trigger (Figure 6).
TO UNLOCK THE TRIGGER: Squeeze

trigger and release it without depressing
the "Lock-ON" button.

If the "Lock-ON" button is
continuously being de-pressed, the

trigger cannot be released.

Always hold the router off the work when
turning the switch on or off. Contact the

work with the router after the router has
reached desired speed, and remove itfrom
the work before turning the switch off.
Operating in this manner will prolong

switch and motor life and will greatly
increase the quality of your work.

Always hold the tool with both hands
while starting the tool, since torque from

the motor can cause the tool to twist.

DIRECTION OF FEED

As seen from the top of the router, the bit
and its cutting edges turn clockwise. The

direction of feed should always be such
that the bit turns into the work, not away.

Figure 7 shows proper feed for various
cuts. How fast you feed depends on the

hardness of the material and the size of
the cut. For some materials, or removing
large amounts of material, it is best to
make several cuts of increasing depth.

If the router is hard to control, heats up,
runs very slowly or leaves an imperfect

cut, the cause may be one or more of
the following:

1. Wrong direction of feed---hard to
control.

2. Feeding too fast--overloads motor.

3. Dull bit---overloads motor.

4. Cut is too large for one pass--
overloads motor.

5. Feeding too slow--leaves friction
burns on work.

Feed smoothly and steadily (do not force).
You will soon learn how the router sounds

and feels when it is working best.

F_t_re 7 _k,_

Work_--_-J_-pi__--___- -----=-- __)

Bit D_ecti of

router feed

12

RATE OF FEED

Feed the router at a moderate rate. When
routing or doing related work in wood and

plastics, the best results will occur if the
depth of cut and feed rate are regulated

to keep the motor operating at high
speed. Soft materials require a faster feed

rate than hard materials.
The router may stall if used improperly

or overloaded. Reduce the feed rate to
prevent possible damage to the tool.
Always be sure the collet chuck is

tightened securely before use.
Always use router bits with the shortest
cutting length necessary to produce the

desired cut. This will minimize router bit
run-out and chatter.

GUIDING THE ROUTER

The router can be guided through the
work in any of several ways, depending
on the demands of the particular job.

For routing operations such as grooving
or dadoing, it is often necessary to guide

the tool in a line parallel to a straight
edge. One method of obtaining a straight
cut is to securely clamp a board or other

straightedge to the work surface, and
guide the edge of the router sub-base
along this path (Figure 8).

PILOT TIPPED AND BEARING
GUIDE BITS

The lower portion of a piloted bit, as

shown in Figure 9, isa shaft with no
cutting edges. Bearing guide bits have a
ball bearing to pilot the bit.

This pilot slides along the edge of the work

as the rotating blades make the cut,

forming molding or decorative edges. The

edge on which the pilot slides should be
perfectly smooth since any irregularities

are transferred to the shaped surface.

Figure 8

Fi

Direction of Feed

guide

Securely clamp

board guide

;I-"__/\ Cutter part of

/- / piloted bit

Pilotslides along

edge of work

I\

13

TEMPLATES

Using template patterns lets you duplicate
designs or letters uniformly time after

time. This technique requiresthe use of
a template guide adapter and a template

guide.

TEMPLATE GUIDES AND
GUIDE ADAPTERS

(Not included, available as accessory)
The template guide shown in Figure 10 is

essentially a plate with a collar that is
inserted through the hole in the sub-base
and secured in place with 3 countersunk

screws. The template guide rides along
the edge of the template while the router
bit, protruding below, cuts into the work.

A'I-rENTION: Be sure the thickness ofthe

template isthe same or larger than the
guide surface of the collar.

Do not use a bit that may touch the inside
of the collar. Select a bit that is about
1/16" less in diameter.

Template guides are used with a number
of special accessories, such as hinge

templates, available at your Sears store.
In addition, special templates are easily

prepared for cutting repeated patterns,
special designs, inlays, and other
applications. A template pattern may be

made of plywood, hardboard, metal or
even plastic, and the design can be cut
with a router, jigsaw, or other suitable

cutting tool.
Remember that the pattern will have to

be made to compensate for the distance
between the router bit and the template

guide (the "offset"), as the final workpiece
will differ in size from the template pattern

by that amount, due to the bit position
(Figure 11).

Figure 10 Countersunk

Router with guide)

sub-base

Fig;rue lr1bit __LJ _-I- C°llett.../T_hUp_kate

Routl;---- _- __ ,a'e
sub-base Offset _/orkpiece pa_Pelr_

screws (included

O

Template guide

(optional

accessory)

guide

14