Craftsman router brush replacement

[CajunMan89]

My router is a model 315.17560 and needs new brushes. However, I looked up the parts list, and only see something called a brush tube, instead of brushes. Does a replacement brush tube come with new brushes?

Since the parts diagram is of poor quality, how would I go about replacing them?

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-31517560-router-parts-c-158286_170726_170883.html

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/brush-tube-p-1079821.html

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[6PTsocket]

I just took your model number to Sears Parts Direct. #14 Brush tube 611686-003. discontinued. #15 Brush Assembly 610784-034. discontinued. So they are not the same part. Try a good hardware store, that often carry an assortment of replacecement brushes. You can often get a match. I see your router has vendor code 315. That is Ryobi. Sears usually uses the vendor's parts numbers. I went to Parts Warehouse and ran the brush assembly as a Ryobi number and they have it for 13 and change.

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[exmaxima1]

.... Try a good hardware store, that often carry an assortment of replacecement brushes. You can often get a match.

+1
You only need to get close in size, and then file the brush to exact size. They are graphite and very easy to file or sand to shape.

 

[CajunMan89]

I just took your model number to Sears Parts Direct. #14 Brush tube 611686-003. discontinued. #15 Brush Assembly 610784-034. discontinued. So they are not the same part. Try a good hardware store, that often carry an assortment of replacecement brushes. You can often get a match. I see your router has vendor code 315. That is Ryobi. Sears usually uses the vendor's parts numbers. I went to Parts Warehouse and ran the brush assembly as a Ryobi number and they have it for 13 and change.

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Thanks! Any idea how I should disassemble it to get to the brushes? Are they in a tube as the part says?

 

[6PTsocket]

Thanks! Any idea how I should disassemble it to get to the brushes? Are they in a tube as the part says?

If you have not even taken it apart, how do you know you need brushes.? If you have no familiarity with brush type motors my best advice is take it to somebody qualified to service it rather than poking around with parts you are asking how to identify. Please don't take this wrong but if you are not familiar with the inside of a power tool, you will most likely break it or hurt yourself. Some tools have brush access under outside dust caps. From looking at your manual I don't see them but the illustrations are not very clear.

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[exmaxima1]

If you have not even taken it apart, how do you know you need brushes.? If you have no familiarity with brush type motors my best advice is take it to somebody qualified to service it rather than poking around with parts you are asking how to identify.

I don't see how the OP would have anything to lose by trying to fix it himself. A router is a very simple machine, and the only issue will be retracting the brushes into their sleeves when reassembling---hopefully there will be a small hole to slip a wire or paperclip in to hold them until the commutator is in place. I wouldn't pay anyone to fix that old router, it's not a very good design in the first place (collet is integral to the shaft), and only worth a few $$ in the first place.

 

[6PTsocket]

I don't see how the OP would have anything to lose by trying to fix it himself. A router is a very simple machine, and the only issue will be retracting the brushes into their sleeves when reassembling---hopefully there will be a small hole to slip a wire or paperclip in to hold them until the commutator is in place. I wouldn't pay anyone to fix that old router, it's not a very good design in the first place (collet is integral to the shaft), and only worth a few $$ in the first place.

Anyone asking how to take a router apart is in over his head. What is apparant to us may not be to him. He didn't know a holder from a brush. Fuurther, if he does not even have it open, he has no idea if he needs brushes. It could be a bad cord or switch. I will concede he has nothing to lose but he apparantly has little idea what he is looking at.

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[neophyte]

Anyone asking how to take a router apart is in over his head. What is apparant to us may not be to him. He didn't know a holder from a brush. Fuurther, if he does not even have it open, he has no idea if he needs brushes. It could be a bad cord or switch. I will concede he has nothing to lose but he apparantly has little idea what he is looking at.

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The fact that OP is asking how to take the router apart doesn’t mean he is incapable of taking the router apart, it may just mean he hasn’t taken a router apart in general, or a specific model of this particular router apart. Some electric motors have tricks you need to do to properly take them apart, and if you’re unfamiliar with the specific manufacturer or model, it’s possible you might break something or run into more dificulty than needed.

Taking the router to someone who repairs routers may cost as much as a newer similar router. Unless the router has sentimental value, or is needed for jigs or accessories already purchased, or the OP is a repair everything instead of throwing it away Greeny, or the OP really likes this particular router for some reason, there’s no reason to pay someone to repair the router, instead of replaceing it with a new one, unless OP can find a really good repair tech really cheap.

Also, if the OP wants to take the router apart to try to repair it, who gives a ****. Worst comes to worst, he further breaks an already non functioning router, or purchases the wrong set of brushes and wastes a bit of money, and has to buy a different set of brushes or a new router.

OP, 6PTsocket said the 315 number means the router was made by Ryobi. Sears sometimes used proprietary parts so it may not work, but check what the brushes/brush assembly looks like, and Google Ryobi router brushes. See if any of the brushes match. Also, check thru ereplacementparts website, simce they have one of the better usable parts databases. They’re also usually nice and helpfull.

 

[CajunMan89]

The fact that OP is asking how to take the router apart doesn’t mean he is incapable of taking the router apart, it may just mean he hasn’t taken a router apart in general, or a specific model of this particular router apart. Some electric motors have tricks you need to do to properly take them apart, and if you’re unfamiliar with the specific manufacturer or model, it’s possible you might break something or run into more dificulty than needed.

Taking the router to someone who repairs routers may cost as much as a newer similar router. Unless the router has sentimental value, or is needed for jigs or accessories already purchased, or the OP is a repair everything instead of throwing it away Greeny, or the OP really likes this particular router for some reason, there’s no reason to pay someone to repair the router, instead of replaceing it with a new one, unless OP can find a really good repair tech really cheap.

Also, if the OP wants to take the router apart to try to repair it, who gives a ****. Worst comes to worst, he further breaks an already non functioning router, or purchases the wrong set of brushes and wastes a bit of money, and has to buy a different set of brushes or a new router.

OP, 6PTsocket said the 315 number means the router was made by Ryobi. Sears sometimes used proprietary parts so it may not work, but check what the brushes/brush assembly looks like, and Google Ryobi router brushes. See if any of the brushes match. Also, check thru ereplacementparts website, simce they have one of the better usable parts databases. They’re also usually nice and helpfull.

Thanks for understanding, neophyte!

I know it needs brushes because of the fact I brought it to someone I work with, for him to show me how to use it...since my father was a carpenter and has been deceased for 17 years. He was kind enough to show me a thing or two about the bits I have, since I'm not familiar with any of them. He was the one that told me by brushes are going out, but said it was still functional. He pointed out to me how the brushes aren't making good contact. It's over 20 years old, but if all it need is new brushes, I think it would be worth my money and time in repairing it for me to learn how to use

 

[6PTsocket]

Thanks for understanding, neophyte!

I know it needs brushes because of the fact I brought it to someone I work with, for him to show me how to use it...since my father was a carpenter and has been deceased for 17 years. He was kind enough to show me a thing or two about the bits I have, since I'm not familiar with any of them. He was the one that told me by brushes are going out, but said it was still functional. He pointed out to me how the brushes aren't making good contact. It's over 20 years old, but if all it need is new brushes, I think it would be worth my money and time in repairing it for me to learn how to use

As I explained before, I did not guess that they might be the same number or a special part made for Sears. I took the brush number from the Craftsman parts list and diagrams at Sears Parts Direct. Then I ran the number from the SEARS SITE on the RYOBI SITE and got a hit for a brush. Sears often uses vendor part numbers for replacement parts. Emerson electric makes shop vacuums for Sears and HD. I got part number match for my Craftsman vac on the HD Ridgid site and bought it from them. If the number is the same, the part is too. Sears is lousy on long term spares and you have to get creative if you want to fix their stuff

OP: you may be right about the brushes and your expert may be in the money but diagnosing a problem from the outside is still just a guess until you open it up. After years of working on eletronics and
electrical devices I refrain from making diagnoses until I am looking at the problem. All the prople telling you to open it up will not be there to help you if you are looking at a pile of parts and scratching your head. It is best if you find somebody with a little service experience. Are you familiar with inspecting a motor commutator? Have you ever even seen a brush? At the very least, see if you can find a Youtube video of somebody working on a router. It is not rocket science and anybody can learn but I am not a fan of people servicing electrical devices that have no experience whatever. Have you even replaced a wall switch or a lamp socket?
Good luck.

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[CajunMan89]

As I explained before, I did not guess that they might be the same number or a special part made for Sears. I took the brush number from the Craftsman parts list and diagrams at Sears Parts Direct. Then I ran the number from the SEARS SITE on the RYOBI SITE and got a hit for a brush. Sears often uses vendor part numbers for replacement parts. Emerson electric makes shop vacuums for Sears and HD. I got part number match for my Craftsman vac on the HD Ridgid site and bought it from them. If the number is the same, the part is too. Sears is lousy on long term spares and you have to get creative if you want to fix their stuff

OP: you may be right about the brushes and your expert may be in the money but diagnosing a problem from the outside is still just a guess until you open it up. After years of working on eletronics and
electrical devices I refrain from making diagnoses until I am looking at the problem. All the prople telling you to open it up will not be there to help you if you are looking at a pile of parts and scratching your head. It is best if you find somebody with a little service experience. Are you familiar with inspecting a motor commutator? Have you ever even seen a brush? At the very least, see if you can find a Youtube video of somebody working on a router. It is not rocket science and anybody can learn but I am not a fan of people servicing electrical devices that have no experience whatever. Have you even replaced a wall switch or a lamp socket?
Good luck.

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Yes, 6PTsocket, I've changed brushes, switches and cords on tools before, but not on a router.

 

[6PTsocket]

Yes, 6PTsocket, I've changed brushes, switches and cords on tools before, but not on a router.

Sorry. I did not mean to underestimate your experience. Reading between the lines it sounded like you were going into strange territory. Some brushes can be done from the outside and some require a bit of disassembly. Just take your time and watch where everything came from. There was a recent thread from a guy that took a router apart and he was asking everyone where the loose blue wire came from, and got responses like" take it in for service". Even take a couple of pictures. It can't hurt On these threads there are knowledgable people and some that know less than you but everybody gives advice.

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[CajunMan89]

Sorry. I did not mean to underestimate your experience. Reading between the lines it sounded like you were going into strange territory. Some brushes can be done from the outside and some require a bit of disassembly. Just take your time and watch where everything came from. There was a recent thread from a guy that took a router apart and he was asking everyone where the loose blue wire came from, and got responses like" take it in for service". Even take a couple of pictures. It can't hurt On these threads there are knowledgable people and some that know less than you but everybody gives advice.

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You're so right about taking pictures! That helps more than people realize!