This recall might affect a considerable number of us woodworkers.

Recall Date: July 2, 2014
Recall Number: 14-221

Porter-Cable Fixed-Base Production Routers Recalled Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Recall Summary

Name of Product: Fixed-base routers and router bases

Hazard: The router base handles are not insulated, posing an electric shock hazard.

Remedy: Replace

Consumer Contact: Porter-Cable toll-free at (888) 344-7973 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email support.portercable@sbdinc.com , or online at www.portercable.com, click on Important Safety Notice/Recalls, then select 2014 for more information.

Recall Details

Units: About 100,000 in the United States and about 7,800 in Canada

Description: Four Porter-Cable 3 1/4 horsepower, electric, fixed-base production routers and one production router base are being recalled. The recalled routers are about 11 inches tall and 7 inches wide. The top of the router motor is black plastic and has the on/off switch for the router. The base is painted gray and has two side handles, an adjuster ring on the top and a clamp screw on the rear. The side handles on the base of recalled routers have no insulation. The Porter-Cable name and logo are on the front of the base. The recalled routers and base were manufactured from 1990 to April 2014.

Click here for the list of router models being recalled: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Porter-Cable-Fixed-Base-Production-Routers-Recalled/

The router model number and the manufacture date code are on a metal plate on the back of the upper motor housing. The date code consists of the year of manufacture, the week of manufacture and the manufacturing plant code in the YYYY WW-XX format.

The router base is model number 75361 and is also sold separately. The model number is located on the side of the base opposite the Porter-Cable label.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled routers and router bases, unplug the routers and contact Porter-Cable for a free replacement router base with insulation on the handles.

Sold at: Major industrial equipment suppliers and woodworker suppliers nationwide from 1990 to April 2014 for about $85 to $690 depending on the model.

Manufacturer/Importer/Distributor: Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., dba Porter-Cable, Towson, Md.

Manufactured in: Mexico.