# Makita Router Overload

**URL:** <https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/makita-router-overload/15639>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [October 3, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/makita-router-overload/15639 "2022-10-03T19:08:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![349iq2345](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/bb73d2/32.png) [@349iq2345](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/349iq2345)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/makita-router-overload/15639/2 "2022-10-03T20:12:32Z")

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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)](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/search?q=Safe%20Torque%20off%20(STO)), which is what Buildbotics’/Onefinity’s “[Estopped mode](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/estop-or-black-square/9286/14)” is made for).

> [@Fire Safety in workshop](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/fire-safety-in-workshop/8784/9):
>
> 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](https://cdn.makitatools.com/apps/cms/doc/prod/RT0/647d7eb3-3b81-48d3-b5c1-3ae0fe4e121d_RT0701C_IM.pdf)_

This has to do with the [type of motor](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/how-do-you-ensure-your-model-translates-to-reality/13579/27), which gets hot on low speeds, and that [using a bit larger than 1/2"](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/largest-clearance-bit-the-makita-router-can-use/13687/2) is usually out of what a hand trim router is made for.

> [@Fire Safety in workshop](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/fire-safety-in-workshop/8784/9):
>
> 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″](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/speeds-and-feeds-for-surfacing-bit/13286/11), which is [nothing the hand router is made for](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/speeds-and-feeds-for-surfacing-bit/13286/3), i.e. these large spoil board surfacing bits.

> [@Fire Safety in workshop](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/fire-safety-in-workshop/8784/7):
>
> 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.

> [@The Makita router ate the big log](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/the-makita-router-ate-the-big-log/7933/1):
>
> 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 🙂

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