Jessem Pow-R-Tek Router Motor

[edwarmr]

For those who saw the recent post about Jessem factory seconds at a discount, you probably also noticed Jessem discovered some Pow-R-Tek Routers that they still have available.
https://jessem.com/products/pow-r-tek™-router-with-remote-control-box

Many had speculated that this was the same router motor or at least the same manufacturer that Bora and SpinRite use and I can now confirm that this is the case from an email with Jessem customer service.

Email from Jessem:
"Thank you for your interest in ordering products from JessEm Tool.
The Pow-R-Tek routers we currently have on sale were recently found in our facility.
They are in original condition from the Chinese manufacturer.
This is the same manufacturer that makes SpinRite and Bora routers."

 

[edwarmr]

I also inquired if Jessem would have a new version of the Pow-R-Tek Router in the future and received good news; they will!
Hopefully this one will work better.

Email from Jessem:
"The Pow-R-Tek router was offered as a discount just to clear the inventory from our warehouse.

JessEm Tool does have a new router being designed by our owner Darrin Smith. It will be manufactured in China by the same company that makes the SpinRite and Bora routers.
However, since it is being designed here, we will be better equipped to answer technical questions and stock any replacement parts that may be necessary.

That new JessEm Tool router is expected to be ready for sale in November/December of this year.
Once we have more concrete date for availability, postings will be made on our web site and other social media platforms."

 

[Bob D.]

Anyone know if the current Pow-R-Tek router has a magnetic switch?

I read the manual and it can shut itself down if overloaded and you need to manually reset power moving the switch from On to OFF then back ON, but it does not say what happens in a power failure/outage.

My current router switch is a magnetic switch and I would want to give that up but I like having the speed control right there on the control box and not have to fumble under the table to adjust the speed. Too often I just leave the speed where it's at rather than be bothered bumping it up or down a notch. If I'm mounting a big bit or such then I do make the correct speed selection.

I know it's not really difficult, but I like easy what can I say.

If not and there is a new model coming out I hope they incorporate that feature plus an ER20 collet.

 

[edwarmr]

[member=60461]Bob D.[/member]

From what I’ve been able to find I do not believe it is a magnetic switch. Their Pow-R-Tek switch that they sell by itself is not magnetic. Hopefully they will add that feature on the new one coming out.

 

[Bob D.]

[member=60461]Bob D.[/member]

From what I’ve been able to find I do not believe it is a magnetic switch. Their Pow-R-Tek switch that they sell by itself is not magnetic. Hopefully they will add that feature on the new one coming out.

I emailed JessEm and that is what they told me yesterday. I suggested that they consider adding that feature to the new version under development along with an ER20 collet.

 

[ewils91]

I have one of the originals, the power switch is not magnetic and will power the unit back on after a power interruption without user input.

I have had nothing but problems with my unit and unfortunately, received the worst customer support from Jessem that I've received from any other company that I purchase products from. I historically bought Jessem products, and they were top notch, so I didn't hesitate to spend almost $2,000.00 on one of their premium router tables. Unfortunately, the way I was treated by them when seeking help for a router motor that had less than 15 minutes of actual run time has me buying from other companies. Basically, the motor just died making a fairly small cut. Just wanted others to know so they can make educated choices.

 

[edwarmr]

[member=60461]Bob D.[/member]

From what I’ve been able to find I do not believe it is a magnetic switch. Their Pow-R-Tek switch that they sell by itself is not magnetic. Hopefully they will add that feature on the new one coming out.

I emailed JessEm and that is what they told me yesterday. I suggested that they consider adding that feature to the new version under development along with an ER20 collet.

Thanks for confirming!

Hopefully the new version will not have the same problems the last one had. It’s a great idea if they can execute it right.

 

[Mini Me]

If not and there is a new model coming out I hope they incorporate that feature plus an ER20 collet.

Some variations of this motor have the external speed control, the original had an internal speed control and it was a disaster with an extremely high failure rate.

If you want an ER20 chuck on a spindle any CNC spindle will do the job and a water cooled spindle will be a lot less noisy by a huge amount. The speed is controlled by a Variable Frequency Drive which is a very robust method and the motors are way better built. There are complete kits that can be bought which includes the spindle, VFD, water pump and a full range of chucks. Considering that a CNC spindle is meant to run for long continuous periods of time the use we give it in a router table is very light and won't stress a spindle at all. I installed one in a WW school and it has had daily use for some years now with no signs of failing.

 

[Bob D.]

What lift so you use for a spindle mounted in a router table.

Will it fit in my Woodpeckers PRL-V2 ? I believe I would need an adapter of some sort.

Most 2.2KW spindles I have seen for sale are 80mm which is much smaller than the 4.2" OD of the PC7518.

A water-cooled spindle could be a problem in the Winter. I don't heat the shop all Winter and it doesn't
get below freezing in there normally but our Winters are mild with temps not dropping below 20 that often.

I think I would opt for an air-cooled spindle because I don't run the router for more than 15 to 20 minutes
at a time. I have 240V power available at the router table so that would be an option, but I know they are
available in 240 or 120 volt versions.

 

[Mini Me]

I made my own lift, I think I posted a photo of it recently in a similar thread. Lift and DRO cost less than a hundred dollars. I just had a look and can't find it but I was sure I had posted it, dementia must be setting in! Anyway I haven't got the photos any longer so here is a linkhttps://www.woodworkforums.com/f20/router-table-using-linear-rails-lift-227354

 

[Bob D.]

I do remember seeing your post here about the lift you built now that you mention it.

 

[Mark Katz]

It's now February 2023. Does anyone actually have the new Pow-R-Tek SR Router Motor? Apparently they sold one batch and are awaiting a second batch.
https://jessem.com/products/jessems...h-variable-control-box?variant=40345048711238

I have a PC 75182 in my table now and it's got the wonky speed control issue. Replacement speed control boards seem to be unavailable, so this seems like an attractive but pricey possibility. That said, the PC still works on some speeds.

 

[festal]

It's now February 2023. Does anyone actually have the new Pow-R-Tek SR Router Motor? Apparently they sold one batch and are awaiting a second batch.
https://jessem.com/products/jessems...h-variable-control-box?variant=40345048711238

I have a PC 75182 in my table now and it's got the wonky speed control issue. Replacement speed control boards seem to be unavailable, so this seems like an attractive but pricey possibility. That said, the PC still works on some speeds.

I have one. Used it few times. Works good. Didn’t get the hoses yet

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kevin Fester]

I got mine a few weeks ago . Just set it up this week .
My unit had terrible vibration . Over twice a normal large router say a makita plunge. It caused the router table top (Phenolic Jessem) to resonate so loud it hurt my ears.

I contacted Jessem . They talked to their engineers . They got back to me saying they think I got a bad set of collets .  They are sending two new collets saying that will probably fix the problem . Said if it doesn't I can send it back for a new unit .

One thing that I found disappointing . It is designed in Canada by Jessem . Box indicates Made In China .  :

 

[Mini Me]

Call me skeptical, the basic motor has been around for many years so I doubt Jessem designed it, the Jessem version controller is different to the AUK version and would seem to be a step up with its speed display. At the end of the day it is a repackaged VFD driving an air cooled spindle made for a router table. There are any number of air cooled CNC spindles and VFD's available out there and as they are CNC durable I would buy one of those as they generally come with a wide range of ER collets which makes the router bit spindle size irrelevant, use a collet sized for the bit you want to use.
https://www.woodworksupplies.com.au...tion-plus-auk-1800watt-v3er-router-motor.html

 

[festal]

I got mine a few weeks ago . Just set it up this week .
My unit had terrible vibration . Over twice a normal large router say a makita plunge. It caused the router table top (Phenolic Jessem) to resonate so loud it hurt my ears.

I contacted Jessem . They talked to their engineers . They got back to me saying they think I got a bad set of collets .  They are sending two new collets saying that will probably fix the problem . Said if it doesn't I can send it back for a new unit .

One thing that I found disappointing . It is designed in Canada by Jessem . Box indicates Made In China .  :

Mine didn't have this issue. i'm using it with incra version prl-v2 lift and its very quite with no vibrations. I also ordered extra set of collets and they work ok (amazon)

 

[Kevin Fester]

So glad you got a good one Festal .

I am impressed with the design . I so want it to work . For those of you who are on the fence with the duct system . I will explain how it works . Because I thought one port was for in and the other for out . Not so!

The ducts (both) pull air from outside the cabinet and up thru the collet end of the motor . At the collet end of the motor there is a fan that exhausts air out the sides . This would tend to pressurize a closed cabinet and keep dust up top for top dust removal . At least this appears to be the case . Since I got a bum unit I haven't had it set up fully to test this theory . Anyway , constant cool air brought into a closed cabinet . Just a great Idea . 

 

[luvmytoolz]

I saw the words spindle and strong vibration, and thought that's a weird combo I've never seen, so took a look and it's a standard brushed motor. Unless you had a very wide cutter in the collet, vibration of that magnitude is definitely strange, and I don't see how it would just be the collet?

 

[Kevin Fester]

Luv
My thoughts also . I only had a 1/2 half inch straight cutter in it .

I am thinking Jessem wants to try the least expensive rout to a solutions first . I am afraid this will be a weeks long process to bring this to a solution . Months possibly if Jessem has supply problems . They did say they would exchange the motor if the collet change does not fix this . However , if supply problems are an issue this is going to be a long drawn out process.

I hate that the west has sold it's manufacturing base the the Chicoms .

 

[luvmytoolz]

Out of curiosity, have you powered it up without the collet/cutter fitted to see if it still vibrates badly?

Could be the bearings on the armature or a machining tolerance issue.