# Z axis is completely off the rails, ridgid router jumps threads **URL:** \ **Category:** Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [August 4, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738 "2019-08-04T02:33:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![areaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@areaman](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/areaman)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/1 "2019-08-04T02:33:49Z")
My Z-axis seems to have a mind of it’s own and just buries itself constantly. The data cable is nowhere near the power cord for the router. Since it buries itself, it can’t catch the thread to retract itself. I am not a smart man. Please help me. I am desperate. ---
**Author:** ![Jamtek](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/jamtek/32/12604_2.png) [@Jamtek](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Jamtek)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/2 "2019-08-04T21:47:52Z")
Myself and others have had issues with the Rigid router rocketing into the work piece. I originally ended up re-working, lubricating, adjusting tension, etc. Below are a few topics in the forums to check out. > [@I WISH I could make something great... but I can't get it to work!](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/i-wish-i-could-make-something-great-but-i-cant-get-it-to-work/3764/15): > > I had a similar issue with my Rigid router. It ended up being a .75 cent part. Part number 10. below, which is a small torsion spring made of metal thinner than a paper clip. I noticed there was space between the out body and the spring and thus not supplying enough force to keep the lock lever engaged. I disassembled the screw and was able to bend the tiny spring out enough so it was supplying tension again. I also ordered spares. I will mention when I had every… > [@Cheap fixes for z-axis slop on the Ridgid R22002](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/cheap-fixes-for-z-axis-slop-on-the-ridgid-r22002/4031): > > NOTE: This thread is unedited since its original posting, and the fixes detailed here are now kept updated in a Community garden project: [http://maslowcommunitygarden.org/Inexpensive-add-ons-for-z-axis-slack-imprecision.html](http://maslowcommunitygarden.org/Inexpensive-add-ons-for-z-axis-slack-imprecision.html) Check it out on the Community Garden page, the details here are outdated! The Situation The router motor is inside of a metal sleeve, and the sleeve has a wide slot cut out of the side. There is a rectangular cutout in the router motor body that travels up and down, vi… I currently am using @TomD Z-Axis modification, and I am very pleased with results and increase in speed… > [@Z-Axis mod with AEG/Ridgid router](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-mod-with-aeg-ridgid-router/8576): > > I am working on my Maslow second build - MarkII and here is my take on Z-Axis First I removed a factory lead screw and plastic fixture - it was wobbly, hard to turn and allows loose movement of router. Thread is 4mm, way to coarse for z axis. Next I printed three knobs/washers to center T8 x 2 lead screw. I drilled and taped four M3 threads - be careful when drilling - very small tolerance! Next I sanded and polished holder and router to mini… Be sure to check out the Community Garden for other Z-Axis options, [http://maslowcommunitygarden.org/index.html](http://maslowcommunitygarden.org/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![WoodCutter4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bc79bd/32.png) [@WoodCutter4](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/WoodCutter4)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/3 "2019-08-04T22:58:33Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/c/c34f8d7e2f5c5052aa4792493b1d388e084636fe.jpeg) I implemented the “inexpensive z axis fixes” but recently added an additional inexpensive fix 🤪 A very serendipitously sized piece of plywood scrap that fits tightly enough to keep the tab in the router body so that the router doesn’t shoot into the wood. This was necessary since the little metal spring wears out and doesn’t keep the tab in the router, allowing the bungee to plunge the router into the work piece. Patiently waiting for @Metalmaslow ‘s upgrade kit to fix my z axis woes 😁 ---
**Author:** ![areaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@areaman](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/areaman)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/4 "2019-08-05T19:51:28Z")
Thanks so much for the response. I now know that I had a few issues. First, my data cable for the z-axis and the power cable for the router were tied together which caused loads of noise, but once I had that sorted, I realized that the little orange button had been stripped of the thread that maintains it’s position. I saw a link on here for some frictionless tape sold by McMaster Carr but I’m having a hard time finding that link again today. Anybody know what I’m talking about? Thanks so much for your help. ---
**Author:** ![WoodCutter4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bc79bd/32.png) [@WoodCutter4](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/WoodCutter4)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/5 "2019-08-05T20:20:22Z")
> [@areaman](#): > > Anybody know what I’m talking about? I feel like I’ve seen something like this too but am not finding anything. ---
**Author:** ![blurfl](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/blurfl/32/9_2.png) [@blurfl](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/blurfl)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/6 "2019-08-05T20:27:42Z")
Is this it? > [@Cheap fixes for z-axis slop on the Ridgid R22002](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/cheap-fixes-for-z-axis-slop-on-the-ridgid-r22002/4031/23): > > Also consider low-friction tape between the router base and the spindle. UHMW (polyethylene): PTFE (Teflon): (These are random examples. I have no connection to Amazon or these products) ---
**Author:** ![WoodCutter4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bc79bd/32.png) [@WoodCutter4](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/WoodCutter4)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/7 "2019-08-05T20:32:45Z")
Nice find! Your forum foo is good 😄 ---
**Author:** ![areaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@areaman](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/areaman)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 11:36pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/8 "2019-08-05T23:36:10Z")
Yes! Thanks so much. While I’m on a hot streak, has anyone recently ordered one of those little orange buttons for the z-axis screw of the Ridgid router? I’ll stop bothering you after this I promise ---
**Author:** ![blurfl](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/blurfl/32/9_2.png) [@blurfl](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/blurfl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2019, 12:10am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/9 "2019-08-06T00:10:09Z")
I have - it took a while to find an online source that had them in stock, most wanted two weeks to order them and send them on. They’re cheap, I ordered a couple, for spare 😉 The Ridgid part number is 513396001 I bought them [here](https://www.smallenginesprodealer.com/ryobi-ridgid/oem/active/ryobi-ridgid-513396001-slide-height-adjust-part-number-513396001-ryobi-ridgid-original-oem/), but that was a couple years ago… I called them to check stock, the nice guy checked sent them the next day. ---
**Author:** ![tekweaver](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/tekweaver/32/20611_2.png) [@tekweaver](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/tekweaver)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-is-completely-off-the-rails-ridgid-router-jumps-threads/10738/10 "2021-10-07T20:00:24Z")
We have recently had the same issues with random plunges. The issue ended up being the z-axis bracket wasn’t completely perpendicular to the z-axis lead screw. This caused pressure, pushing out the bottom of the lead screw, widening the hole at the bottom of the base. This allowed the lead screw to move away from the base enough to allow the retaining clip to slip from the router when plunging. Temp fix was to remove the bungles and manually apply pressure when plunging ![IMG_20210929_152508_01](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/e/2/e24b6f5a5e21bd98f895ed396092c35530ffacc9.jpeg)