[raveon]

I have a Craftsman Router (Model No. 320.37595). I purchased it about 1.5 years ago so it is no longer under warranty.


I took it out today to do some cuts. It turned ON fine for the first cut. However, after that it stopped working. The green light (live tool indicator) is lit indicating power is being supplied. After reading the manual, I decided to inspect the carbon brushes. I'm attaching two pictures. It looks like both of these are damaged and need to replaced.

The manual states: "Replace both carbon brushes when either has less than 1/4 in length of carbon remaining or if the spring or wire is damaged or burned."





I have contact Craftmsan service to see if replacement parts are available and the cost. After searching the Internet/Sears website, it looks like the replacement part is discontinued. I found one person selling it on ebay for $14.



1. What exactly is the purpose of the carbon brushes? If they are damaged, would the tool stop working?


I am trying to assess if replacing the carbon brushes will fix the problem. Otherwise, I'm debating whether to spend effort/money trying to fix this (discontinued) model or just replace it with another router from a different company (i.e., Bosch, Dewalt, etc).

 

[Nealtw]

They are what delivers power to the motor. Do you have a store that sells just tools and tool repairs, they should be able to match what you need.

Did you plug in to a 240 outlet?

 

[lenaitch]

The brushes are necessary to transfer electricity from stationary points to a rotating part of the motor to enable it to work. The don't usually wear out that fast, particularly in intermittent use motors and yours don't appear that worn.
You problem could be something as simple as the switch or a faulty wire crimp connection.

 

[raveon]

Thanks. I will search to see if there are any tool repair shops. No, it is a standard 120V GFCI outlet in my garage.

 

[DexterII]

The part that typically wears is the carbon, which are the black square pieces on the left of your pictures. Yours don't actually look that worn, but the wires from the brass contacts are supposed to go through the springs and attach to those pieces, and yours are obviously detached. Did those wires come off when you disassembled it or were they already disconnected? I can't remember how those wires are attached, but would take a look at them and see if I could figure out if I could reconnect them. Maybe pressed between a couple of dimples or something like that? If not, you might check your local independent Ace Hardware. Can't say if those in particular, but mine has a couple drawers of various brushes in the nuts and bolts department.

 

[hkstroud]

....................................

 

[raveon]

Did those wires come off when you disassembled it or were they already disconnected?

1. The top carbon brush had spring failure (tightly coiled), and the wire was not connected to the brush. It was was just hanging inside and it looks burnt.



2. The bottom carbon brush had the spring elongated (looks OK), and the wire was inside the spring. But it too was not connected. It also looks burned on the end.

 

[ChuckF.]

One of those springs has been killed because the current could not flow through the wire so it went through the spring. Probably got very hot and lost its temper. Without a good spring the brush will not contact the commutators in the part that rotates.

 

[JBoot]

Craftsman router brushes

 

[raveon]

Thanks, I was able to order these parts from eBay, and now it is powering on OK. However, in the process of changing, I broke one of the brush covers. Any idea where I can find a replacement Craftsman Brush Cover Part #3120537000 or an equivalent size part? I checked sears and ereplacementparts.com and the item is discontinued.



Maybe this one is compatible? https://www.ereplacementparts.com/b...MI9sGw1bmb5wIVmZOzCh0PIQFPEAQYASABEgIMI_D_BwE




Or this one: https://www.ereplacementparts.com/brush-holder-cover-p-1078942.html

 

[Nealtw]

While you do the hunt, a piece of wood dowel and tape.

 

[huesmann]

How much did you break the brush cover? No chance it can be glued back together? If not, make yourself a mold of the unbroken brush cover interior, using some RTV silicone or something, then use some JBWeld or epoxy and "cast" your own brush cover using the mold.

 

[del schisler]

I have a Craftsman Router (Model No. 320.37595). I purchased it about 1.5 years ago so it is no longer under warranty.


I took it out today to do some cuts. It turned ON fine for the first cut. However, after that it stopped working. The green light (live tool indicator) is lit indicating power is being supplied. After reading the manual, I decided to inspect the carbon brushes. I'm attaching two pictures. It looks like both of these are damaged and need to replaced.

The manual states: "Replace both carbon brushes when either has less than 1/4 in length of carbon remaining or if the spring or wire is damaged or burned."





I have contact Craftmsan service to see if replacement parts are available and the cost. After searching the Internet/Sears website, it looks like the replacement part is discontinued. I found one person selling it on ebay for $14.



1. What exactly is the purpose of the carbon brushes? If they are damaged, would the tool stop working?


I am trying to assess if replacing the carbon brushes will fix the problem. Otherwise, I'm debating whether to spend effort/money trying to fix this (discontinued) model or just replace it with another router from a different company (i.e., Bosch, Dewalt, etc).

those are bad , replace them , the wire should be attacth to the carbon brush