Makita Router Overload

[Aiph5u (Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))]

Hey Rex,

sorry to hear that! Thanks for posting the image.

In case you really have flames and want to use a fire extinguisher, it is wise to have a paddle switch near the door which separates the whole installation from electricity (besides a separate E-Stop wiring for the cases you just want Safe Torque off (STO), which is what Buildbotics’/Onefinity’s “Estopped mode” is made for).

@Aiph5u

Makita knows about this, it says:

CAUTION:

• If the tool is operated continuously at low speeds
  for a long time, the motor will get overloaded,
  resulting in tool malfunction.

– Source: Makita RT0701C Instruction Manual

This has to do with the type of motor, which gets hot on low speeds, and that using a bit larger than 1/2" is usually out of what a hand trim router is made for.

@Aiph5u

it has been reported and confirmed frequently that when people burnt their Makita hand trim router out, this was always when they used a bit with a diameter greater than 1/2″ , which is nothing the hand router is made for, i.e. these large spoil board surfacing bits.

@mandrew

My Makita router caught fire yesterday. I was about five minutes into a gentle spoil board resurfacing run when it made a strange noise. I immediately hit the stop button because I thought it sounded like the bit slipped out and was about to dig all the way through the surface- and poof- flames.
Easy and quick to extinguish the flames, but I was so glad that 1) I was standing right there and 2) was able to quickly put the small fire out.

@Bear

Was working on a project the other day and the Makita got jammed in a solid piece of maple and melted down before I could get to it… shame… Now its a crunchy sounding, smoky, blue light show…
[video]
One down, 2 backup routers to go!

I would say “Welcome to the club”, but I am not part of the club, since I started right away with a spindle