My faithful little Bosch router died today

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 5:34 pm

I inherited my little Bosch router about 20 years ago from the widow of a guy who passed away. It was virtually new then and I thought that I would probably not have much use for it already having two bigger routers. However, I found this tool to be a delight for many smaller jobs and it was so easy to handle being small but despite the size, quite powerful. I was using it today and I hear a sparky phut sound and it cut off. Can anyone give me a systematic checklist to see if I can revive it? I suspect it is buggered but it deserves an attempt to save it, as I will be sad to lose it. It is similar to the Bosch POF 500 but in blue. I found this https://www.powertoolspares.com/bosch/r ... 803/spares. I need to check the model tomorrow.

DWD

mudmouse · Post by **mudmouse** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 5:41 pm

You could try getting it serviced by Bosch if it has sentimental value

https://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/e ... r-service/

I have used them in the past.

Cheers

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 6:06 pm

Thanks for that link, my dillema is whether to spend on it or not. If I can do a quick cheap fix then maybe....I don't know what to do., I am pulled two ways.

DWD

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 7:21 pm

has it been stored for months on end in a cold damp shed it coud be glazed over brushes
if you turn it off spin it a bit then turn it on several cycles iff needed do you get any action even splutter??

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 7:34 pm

Just to clarify, I went and checked it and it is a Bosch POF 50 320w which has a Swiss made plate on it. It has been a quality tool and I think the blue motor case shows it is the professional range. I was looking on eBay and the Swiss made ones seem to have a premium price so it might be worth saving it. BA it was running perfectly for 10 mins and suddenly I heard a phut sound and it stopped.

DWD

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 7:38 pm

ahhh electronic rather than brushes or just windings ??

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Dec 21, 2022 2:30 pm

Update: I got all set up to pull my router apart and I firstly checked the 3 amp fuse which visually seemed okay. I swapped the fuse over and bingo it burst into life. I tried it about five times running for a 30 seconds or so and it seemed okay. I carefully checked the cable for damage but could not see owt and it all seemed good, no sparking from the brushes or smell coming from the air vents. The phut I heard must have been the fuse blowing but now I am concerned about why it went. It is probably the original fuse so it is 20 plus years old and I had not used the router for at least a year I guess. Is it possible it is just the fuse. I am pleased I have it running again as I would be sad to lose it.

DWD

fin · Post by **fin** » Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:45 pm

3 amp fuse? in a router? id be checking that like.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Dec 21, 2022 10:00 pm

fin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:45 pm3 amp fuse? in a router?

Why?

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 7:34 pmBosch POF 50 320w

The 320w is the power of the motor (I checked to be sure) 320 watts at 230v is under 1.5A so a 3A fuse is ok

fin · Post by **fin** » Thu Dec 22, 2022 6:49 pm

was thinking it woulda been more like 600 watt plus tbh

UK Power Tool · Post by **UK Power Tool** » Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:30 pm

Hi dewaltdisney,

I see your router is older than 20 years, is it possible its life span has already passed? I am asking because in the past I have read articles about how products become obsolete and how companies design their products so they do not live longer than expected.

There was a particular example about a printer being repaired several times until the owner was unable to find spare pieces and the company told them it could not be repaired any longer. The point I am trying to make is that even if you get in touch with Bosch to repair your router, will Bosch be able to repair it?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:47 pm

It is working again after I changed the fuse. After the work it has done over the years it will enter Tool Valhalla when it finally dies, I doubt it would be a cost effective repair. For time being it is still in use

DWD

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Jan 08, 2023 3:27 pm

UK Power Tool wrote: ↑Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:30 pmThe point I am trying to make is that even if you get in touch with Bosch to repair your router, will Bosch be able to repair it?

No need to contact Bosch

dewaltdisney wrote:I swapped the fuse over and bingo it burst into life

It does sound like you are suggesting that he should consider buying a new one..................from you.

fin · Post by **fin** » Mon Jan 09, 2023 5:46 pm

got a bosch drill in the garage. my grandfather used it when he was at work. he would be over 100 year old if he was still with us. im pretty sure the drill is about the 60 year old mark. it still grafts when its needed.