Hello All: I was using my router table as a work surface since my bench was occupied with another project. I was installing henge's on some small boxes I made for my Daughters. These henge's came with #4 screws. They are very small and can easily escape. Of course one came up missing. I didn't think too much about it since the package contained a couple of extras. Normally, I use a magnetic pan to contain all my parts.
I did find the screw later. It gave my router a bad case of indigestion. It is amazing how much damage a little screw like that did. The router is now pretty much toast. When my router is not in use, I crank it down below the table and install a blank throat plate. Even though, that plate has no center hole for a bit to come up through, it has 2 small holes across from each other. These holes are located on the outer edge and are used to twist it on or off. The screw would have had to fall through one of them. The screw would have bearly fit. My router was on for about 3 seconds. The first second was me deciding there was a problem. The last 2 was me fumbling with the switch. The moment I turned it on it was probably too late. Haven't decided if I will order the parts and repair it; or, just buy a new one. That's $300 I really don't have. The router is a or was a Porter Cable 7518 3 1/4 HP variable speed router. Porter Cable sells it with just the motor for use in router tables. (which is good) Lesson learned. That one hurt. Terry
