Anybody ever change router collets
tomwalz
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I was rereading Chisels on a Wheel and got to the part where he suggests checking router collets for play as the collet typically will not last the life of the router itself. <!—-><!—-> <!—->
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Has anyone ever done this?
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Mine is new so it is good but just wondered how much of a problem this might be.
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Tom<!—-> <!—->
Replies
Tom, I've replaced collets on 3 PC routers, after about 5 years of hard use. What actually set me off was the point when they would no longer release a bit easily.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Always.
Tho they will hold a cutter, with wear & miles, they may let the cutter rotate in a larger circle. That = vibration, excess cutter wear, & most importantly: A cutter with diameter D will often cut a pathway with Width > D! Understand, this does not hold for deep cuts with skinny bits.
Routs
Yes, I also have three PC routers. I have several extra collets 1/4"&1/2" . All but the cheapest routers have separate collets. My first router was a craftsmen, the shaft is split and threaded to act as a collet. If there is a problem with the collet, you throw the router out. You would have to replace the motor shaft to replace the collet.
mike
When the opportunity presented itself to buy a couple of extra PC (1/2" & 1/4") collets at a good price from e-bay, I jumped on it. They are interchangeable on both of my PC routers. Swapping them out is very easy, and it is worth the effort to occasionally remove the collet and clean the sawdust and make sure that a bit will slide in easily and fit snugly when tightened.
Tom,
I have two PC routers, I have a 3hp plunge for heavy work and a 1hp for smaller trim work. A few years ago I had a use for some odd size bits which were 3/8" so I went to a friend of mine that's a machinist to have him make me a collet to fit the odd size of bits. He did such a good job that I had him remake my 1/4 and 1/2 collets for both PC's and my two makitas.
I always had either the problem of bits loosening in one of my routers and not wanting to loosen in another but after he made the new collets i've never had those problems.
Sincerely,
Jim at Clark Customs
Just in case your machinist friend is not around next time you need one PC makes a 3/8 collet, the part number is 42975.
They also make an 8mm collet part number 44008.
Edited for spelling
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You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. Jack London
Edited 8/26/2008 10:08 pm by dgreen
I have more than several routers.. Never had a collet go bad.. I am NOT saying it would never happen.. I always clean out my collets and the bit shaft before installing a new bit.. Just takes a minute or two!
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