MasterCraft 054-6908-8 Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

FIXED-BASE ROUTER

054-6908-8

FIXED-BASE ROUTER - 054-6908-8

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FIXED-BASE ROUTER - 054-6908-8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 3

SAFETY GUIDELINES 4–10

DESCRIPTION 11

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 12–29

MAINTENANCE 30–32

TROUBLESHOOTING 33

PARTS LIST 34–36

WARRANTY 37–38

If any parts are
missing or damaged,
or if you have any
questions, please call
our toll-free helpline
at 1-800-689-9928.

Read and understand this instruction manual
thoroughly before using the product. It contains
important information for your safety as well as
operating and maintenance advice.

Keep this instruction manual for future use. Should
this product be passed on to a third party, then this
instruction manual must be included.

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WARNING!

Safety symbols in this Instruction Manual are used to flag possible dangers. The safety
symbols and their explanations require your full understanding. The safety warnings do
not, by themselves, eliminate any danger, nor are they substitutes for proper accident
prevention measures.

WARNING!

This Safety Alert Symbol indicates caution, warning, or danger. Failure to obey a safety
warning can result in serious injury to yourself or others. To reduce the risk of injury, fire, or
electric shock, always follow the safety precautions.

Know your tool

To operate this tool, carefully read this Instruction Manual and all labels affixed to the Router before
using. Keep this Instruction Manual available for future reference.

Important

This tool should only be serviced by a qualified service technician. For more information, call the toll­free helpline at 1-800-689-9928.

Read all instructions thoroughly

Save these instructions

General power tool safety warnings

WARNING!

Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions
may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.

The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or
battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

MOTOR 120 V ~ 60 Hz, 9.5A

HORSEPOWER 1 3/4 HP

NO-LOAD SPEED 25,000 RPM

COLLET CAPACITY 1/4" & 1/2"

BASE DIMENSION 6"

(15.2 cm)

SUB-BASE OPENING DIAMETER 2"

(5 cm)

WEIGHT 9 lb 14 oz

(4.5 kg)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

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• Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key
left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.

• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the
power tool in unexpected situations.

• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away
from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

• If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities,
ensure that these are connected and properly used. Use of these devices can reduce dust-

related hazards.

Power tool use and care

• Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power
tool will do the job better and more safely at the rate for which it was designed.

• Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that
cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

• Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool
before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such

preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.

• Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar
with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are

dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

• Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and
any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool
repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.

• Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges
are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

• Use the power tool, accessories, tool bits, etc. in accordance with these instructions,
taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power

tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

Service

• Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical
replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

Work area safety

• Keep the work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or 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, which may ignite the dust or fumes.

• Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause

you to lose control.

Electrical safety

• Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any
adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will
reduce risk of electric shock.

• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges
and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.

• Do not 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 for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep
the cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the
risk of electric shock.

• When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use.
Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.

• If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a ground-fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

Personal safety

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power
tool. Do not use the 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.

• Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment, such as
dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection, used for appropriate conditions,
will reduce personal injuries.

• Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure that the switch is in the off-position before connecting to
a power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your
finger on the switch or plugging in power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

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• Routing operations must always be performed against the direction of rotation of the
cutter bit (cutter rotation).

• The router must be running at full speed before it is lowered to the workpiece.

• Always hold the handles firmly with both hands, and always ensure that your footing is
secure when operating the router.

• Be prepared for the reaction torque of the router, particularly if the cutter bit becomes
jammed in the workpiece.

• Become familiar with the working area, and be alert for possible hazards that cannot be
heard due to the noise of the router.

CAUTION!

Allow sufficient run-down time for the cutter bit after turning the router off. Wait for it to
come to a complete stop before removing it from the workpiece.

• Never slow the router down with your hands.

• Do not touch the cutter bit immediately after operation. It may be extremely hot, and
could burn.

• Never stop the router by applying lateral pressure to the cutter bit.

• Do not force the router. It will do a better job if it is allowed to work at its intended speed.

• Avoid cutting nails and screws. Inspect timber before cutting, and remove all nails and screws.

• In the event of an electrical or mechanical malfunction, switch the router off immediately
and disconnect the power cord from the outlet.

• Never use router bits with a diameter exceeding the maximum diameter specified in the technical

data section.

• Always use cutter bits that are designed for this router. Never use cutter bits which are larger in
diameter than the opening in the router base. Cutter bits that have cutter diameters larger than the
opening could cause possible loss of control or create other hazardous condition that could cause
serious personal injury.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

Specific safety rules for electric routers

• Hold a power tool by the insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation where
the tool or accessory may contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Contact with a “live” wire

may make exposed metal parts of the tool live and could give the operator an electric shock.

• Use clamps or another practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable
platform. Holding the work by your hand or against the body leaves it unstable and may lead to loss

of control.

• The label on your tool may include the following symbols. The symbols and their
definitionsare as follows:

V ..................... Volts

A ..................... Amperes

Hz ................... Hertz

W .................... Watts

min ................. Minutes

............... Alternating current

............. Direct current

n

0

................... No load speed

............... Class II Construction

…/min ........... Revolutions per minute

............... Grounding terminal

BPM ............... Beats per minute

.............. WARNING – To reduce the risk of injury, user must read instruction manual.

• Always wear a dust mask and ear protection when using this power tool. Use only cutter
bits that are designed for this router.

• Use sharp cutter bits that are not chipped or cracked. Blunt cutter bits will cause stalling.

• Secure small pieces of wood firmly before working. Never hold a workpiece by hand.

• Keep hands away from the cutting area. Secure the workpiece with appropriate clamping equipment.

• Before starting the router, check that the cutter bit is firmly positioned and secured in the collet.

• Do not exceed the maximum indicated rotation speed of the cutter bit.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

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Contents:

A

Fixed Base and Motor with 1/2" Collet

A

Vacuum adaptor

A

2 Screws for attaching adaptor

A

1/4" Collet sleeve

A

Collet Wrench

A

Chip guard

A

Edge guide

Unpacking

WARNING!

NEVER have the router connected to the power source when assembling parts, making
adjustments, installing or removing collets or cutter bits, during cleaning, or when it is
not in use. Disconnecting the router will prevent accidental start-ups, which could cause
serious personal injury.

When unpacking the box, don’t discard any packing materials until all of the contents are accounted for:

1. Carefully lift the Router Motor and Fixed Base with the 1/2" collet alread y installed out of the

carton, and place it on a stable, flat surface.

2. Open the parts bag to locate the following:

• Vacuum adaptor and 2 Screws used to attach the adaptor to the base

• Chip Guard

• 1/4" Collet Sleeve

• Edge Guide

• Wrench

3. Carefully inspect the items to ensure that no breakage or damage has occurred during shipping. If

any of the items in the parts list is missing, call the Toll-free Helpline – 1-800-689-9928.

WARNING!

If any parts are broken or missing, do not attempt to plug in the power cord or operate the
router until the broken or missing parts are replaced. Failure to heed this warning could
result in serious injury.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

SAFETY GUIDELINES

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Assembly

Selecting a cutter bit

This router comes with 1/4" and 1/2" collets that, accept 1/4" and 1/2" diameter shanked cutter bits
respectively.

WARNING!

Do not use router cutter bits that have a cutter bit diameter larger than 1-1/4", because
they will not fit through the sub-base opening, could cause damage to the sub-base and
the motor, and could cause serious personal injury to the operator.

Installing and removing the cutter bit

WARNING!

ALWAYS turn the motor off and unplug the router from the power source before making any
adjustments or installing accessories. Failure to turn the motor off and unplug the router
could result in accidental starting, which can cause serious personal injury.

Installing the cutter bit

1. Turn the motor off, and unplug the tool from the power source.

2. Remove the motor housing from the fixed base (see Removing the motor from the base on page 14).

3. Set the motor upside down on its top cap, with the collet pointing up.

4. Press the spindle-lock button to engage and
lock the spindle shaft and collet (fig 1).

5. Place the wrench in the collet/nut, turn the
collet/nut counter-clockwise, and loosen the
collet slightly so that it can accept the cutter
bit shank.

6. Insert the cutter bit shank into the collet
assembly as far as it will go, and then back
the shank out until the cutter faces are
approximately 1/8" to 1/4" away from the face
of the collet.

Know the fixed-base router

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No. Description No. Description

1 Cord guard 11 On/Off toggle switch

2 Motor-housing top cap 12 Motor-housing key strip

3 Handles 13 Base keystrip slot

4 Fixed base 14 Edge-guide mounting slot

5 Quick-clamp motor changing system 15 Dust-extraction hood

6 Spindle lock 16 Edge-guide mounting slot

7 Self-releasing collet system 17 Quick-clamp motor changing system

8 Sub-base 18 Depth-indicator ring

9 Clear plastic chip guard 19 Micro-fine adjustment dial

10 Replaceable brush cap

Before attempting to use this router, become familiar with all of its operating features and safety
requirements.

DESCRIPTION

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

fig 1

Nut

Collet

Spindle
Lock