Elu MOF 96 - WIP... Repair? YES!

[Accipiter]

Back around 1989~90 (?) I got an Elu MOF 96 router... used, intermittently, on a Trend Router Lathe until around 2008~11...

In 2021 I had a need to use it during making a rocking chair for my daughter before she gave birth to our grandson. Part way through using it it started to smoke and make horrible noises... switched off, unplugged, tried turning by hand - extremely difficult. So, silly me, thought it was destined for the dump and cut the cable - the recycling centre don't take electrical goods with cables attached. Put it on one side... and forgot about it.

During a workshop tidy up (Wednesday), with working on trying to reclaim/resurrect the workshop (post to follow at some point - honest) I came across the router - and cable wrapped around it. Had a brain f%*t and wondered if I/someone could fix it... there's a tool hire/repairs place on the trading estate behind where I live - along where the recycling centre is. So... opened up the switch and replaced the cut part and wired back up. Plugged in... it started up... made some horrible noises. "Worth a punt for repairs"?

Did a Google... found some videos on YouTube... "replacement of bearings"... watched, listened, sounded like mine... bearings being changed looked fairly easy enough - but what number for the bottom, only the top one mentioned: 608. Online manuals and lune drawings didn't give the number of the bottom one so found another vid which finally did: 6003zz.

Yesterday, Thursday, saw me taking the router apart to find it's the bottom bearing that had seized - hence the smoke etc. Dismantled and removed the bearing so I could take it with me to a local nuts/bolts/screws/tools unit - sure to have the bearing...? Nope! Tried the tool hire/repair unit... Nope! So... back to searches on line to find somewhere with reasonable price with delivery. Expecting to get them (pack of 2) between 4th and 10th February... Partially reassembled so screws etc., don't get lost.

 

[MattS]

I have that router and the little table attachement they sold it with. The only router I own, great little router and worth repairing.

 

[Accipiter]

Agreed. So much so that I bought one from Ebay after this one 'died' - or so I'd thought.

 

[Jonathan]

Bought my mof 96 in 1985, fantastic little machines.
Fitted thousands of hinges and locks…..occasionally the bearings whine a little so guess eventually I need to swop the bearings.

 

[Pete Maddex]

I have replaced lots of bearings in routers I always do both as they are cheap. I get mine from https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/?gad_...MI9pqq4eahkgMV2pFQBh1E-CcsEAAYASAAEgK5BvD_BwE but once you have the number it’s easy to search.
I normally use the 2RS version with 2 rubber seals to keep the dust out.

Pete

 

[duke]

Nice to see that you are making it usable again.

 

[Accipiter]

... it's just the waiting for the bearings to be delivered. Had notification they've been dispatched but still, apparently, not due until around 4th to 10th February...

 

[derekcohen]

Back around 1989~90 (?) I got an Elu MOF 96 router... used, intermittently, on a Trend Router Lathe until around 2008~11...

In 2021 I had a need to use it during making a rocking chair for my daughter before she gave birth to our grandson. Part way through using it it started to smoke and make horrible noises... switched off, unplugged, tried turning by hand - extremely difficult. So, silly me, thought it was destined for the dump and cut the cable - the recycling centre don't take electrical goods with cables attached. Put it on one side... and forgot about it.

During a workshop tidy up (Wednesday), with working on trying to reclaim/resurrect the workshop (post to follow at some point - honest) I came across the router - and cable wrapped around it. Had a brain f%*t and wondered if I/someone could fix it... there's a tool hire/repairs place on the trading estate behind where I live - along where the recycling centre is. So... opened up the switch and replaced the cut part and wired back up. Plugged in... it started up... made some horrible noises. "Worth a punt for repairs"?

Did a Google... found some videos on YouTube... "replacement of bearings"... watched, listened, sounded like mine... bearings being changed looked fairly easy enough - but what number for the bottom, only the top one mentioned: 608. Online manuals and lune drawings didn't give the number of the bottom one so found another vid which finally did: 6003zz.

Yesterday, Thursday, saw me taking the router apart to find it's the bottom bearing that had seized - hence the smoke etc. Dismantled and removed the bearing so I could take it with me to a local nuts/bolts/screws/tools unit - sure to have the bearing...? Nope! Tried the tool hire/repair unit... Nope! So... back to searches on line to find somewhere with reasonable price with delivery. Expecting to get them (pack of 2) between 4th and 10th February... Partially reassembled so screws etc., don't get lost.

I have that little router .... in fact, I have 4 Elu routers (two 177e, a MOF97e and the MOF96). They are the best!



The MOF96 was inherited - literally - after the passing of a friend of mine. It was not working, and had all the same symptoms as yours. Not sure where to get parts, I took it to a local repairer, and he returned it as-new ... which suggests that bearings, etc are fairly common place since this is Oz.

Well worth repairing. I have a Makita trim router with the plunge base. The MOF96 is the same size, perhaps a tad smaller, as powerful, and a far more controllable and balanced construction.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Accipiter]

I have that little router .... in fact, I have 4 Elu routers (two 177e, a MOF97e and the MOF96). They are the best!

View attachment 38723

The MOF96 was inherited - literally - after the passing of a friend of mine. It was not working, and had all the same symptoms as yours. Not sure where to get parts, I took it to a local repairer, and he returned it as-new ... which suggests that bearings, etc are fairly common place since this is Oz.

Well worth repairing. I have a Makita trim router with the plunge base. The MOF96 is the same size, perhaps a tad smaller, as powerful, and a far more controllable and balanced construction.

Regards from Perth

Derek

... I'll now know who to ask to check for any parts .

 

[Mike G]

Back when I thought power tools were the best way to do woodwork, I had an Elu MOF96. It was brilliant, for years, until it did what yours did. I just threw it away. If there's any power tool I've ever missed, it's that one.

 

[Lurker]

Like Pete, I use bearing boys for both bearings and drive belts.
Their stuff is top quality, very cheap and delivers quickly.

 

[Accipiter]

Back when I thought power tools were the best way to do woodwork, I had an Elu MOF96. It was brilliant, for years, until it did what yours did. I just threw it away. If there's any power tool I've ever missed, it's that one.

Sad to hear that it got thrown away Mike. I've seen some on ebay while looking for information on possibly repairing mine. In fact I bought another from ebay after this one started its troubles.

 

[Accipiter]

Like Pete, I use bearing boys for both bearings and drive belts.
Their stuff is top quality, very cheap and delivers quickly.

I'll keep them in mind for the future as now awaiting delivery so unable to cancel what I've got coming.

I did a quick search for the 6003zz on their site and they appear to have variants to choose from... with prices from £2.54 to £6.24... exc. VAT... + delivery? Not sure which I'd have to choose from those they list

Bearingboys

Online

www.bearingboys.co.uk

 

[Mike G]

Sad to hear that it got thrown away Mike. .....

It was probably 30 or 35 years ago. There was no internet to tell me otherwise, and of course, no-one who would repair anything even in those days. I can't really remember, but I suspect the bearing went (it was in the router-table in mid-run when it happened), which seized up the shaft, which resulted in the motor burning out. Once the magic smoke has gone there's not an awful lot of hope.

 

[Accipiter]

Hmm... understood. When I saw the smoke from mine and heard the horrible noises from mine I thought that the motor on mine had burnt out or on the way. It could still be on its way.... I'll only know when I change the bearing over -

 

[Pete Maddex]

I'll keep them in mind for the future as now awaiting delivery so unable to cancel what I've got coming.

I did a quick search for the 6003zz on their site and they appear to have variants to choose from... with prices from £2.54 to £6.24... exc. VAT... + delivery? Not sure which I'd have to choose from those they list

Bearingboys

Online

www.bearingboys.co.uk

Go for NSK or SKF both good manufactures.

Pete

 

[Steve Maskery]

My first router was an MOF96, then an MOF96E, Then a 177e. All fantastic, all stolen.
Bob 9fingers gave me a replacement Trend equivalent of the 177e. It lives in my router table. I am grateful, of course, but it does get hot, I do wonder if the bearings are properly aligned. It's not a patch on the original 177e, even if it is the same design.
I have two Festools, but I do miss my Elus.
S

 

[Lons]

I still have my 96E, it's had bearings and a speed control board and I wouldn't part with it despite having several other routers. The worst thing I ever did was sell my 177E then replace it a few years later with the equivalent DeWalt which isn't a patch on the Elu.

 

[Accipiter]

Well... 4th ~10th February came early... Bearings arrived this morning, fitted 1 so have a spare one *in case*... Works a treat...

I've attempted to upload a video to show it 'working but, although saved as mp4, I get an error message that it's not with an accepted ext. So... a photo of it with the spare bearing