Does anyone have a suggestion for a router collect extension? I would like to be able to raise and change a bit from above my router table, to include raising bits a little higher for certain applications. I’ve tried an Extreme Extension by Router Raizer, but I cant get it to seat properly and continue to get heavy vibration at higher speeds. I don’t want to risk burning the motor out on my router, so I’m about to give up on it.
I saw a collect extension from Mikes Tools which may be only for raising a bit for a higher application, but still having to change from beneath. Thanks for any input as to collet extension or how to seat the Extreme Raizer properly. Thanks.
Kevin
Replies
My first recommendation is to phone the man at RouterTechnologies (I think his name is Bob). He is very customer service oriented. Let him know your issue and see if you got an out of spec part. (http://www.routertechnologies.com)
If that doesn't resolve your issue, try this link:
http://www.thecraftsmangallery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=W/PROD/A/32-120
Regards,
Greg
IMHO I will not use them. Any particular router was engineered and designed to operate AS IS. Adding an additional 2" of shaft length can multiply the force thats applied to your routers bearings. The "locking system" on the extreme extension scares me to death and I would not trust it, give me a full multifingered collet any day.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Thanks...what does IMHO mean? Thanks again.
In my humble opinion.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Thanks...
I always wanted to know what IMHO stood for. Thanks for the question. There are some others they use, and I don't know what the heck they mean either.
Agreed...let's just keep asking!
Thanks.
I've been using one for years in the big PC and love it. The ones with the straight 1/2" shaft should mount just like a router bit. Keep the bottom up just a little. There is something wrong if you are getting vibration. What are you using for a router and how are you mounting the extension? I don't know if Extreme Extension makes the type that replaces the collet and nut. I'm sure having the correct nut would make a big difference in that case.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I have a DeWalt DW 625, 31/4 hp. The router raizer extension fits in the collet like a router bit. I'm encouraged to know you have had an extension for years and are happy with it. I like the big PC. The DeWalt is serving me well, though.
When you wrote that you couldn't get the extension "to seat", that seems like an odd choice of words. The shank of the extension is identical to a router bit shank. You're not having problems with router bits, are you? The extension does not have to go into the collet all the way to the head. Just like with a router bit, you should keep the shank from bottoming out in the collet. Your Dewalt is a plunge style router. That could introduce some other alignment issues. I would think you would have seen issues when running bits without the extension, if there was something out with the router. The design of the extension doesn't add a lot of outboard weight, it has been balanced. Could be, you have a bad one but I'd check everything out. I think you could roll the shank on the edge of your table saw table. Let the head stick out and look for uneven motion, indicating a bend.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks...I'll give it a shot. I don't notice any problem with my router bits. Only when I tried to use the extension. It vibrated my table something fierce. BY reading the directions, it describes WHIP when the collect doesn't seat squarely, and that it may take several attempts to get it square within .009. I assumed this was my problem. I tried for (it seems a couple of hours) and could not get it to run like a normal router bit. Curious. I would very much like to get it to work. Thanks again!
Kevin
I'm going to be using an extention made by woodpecker and it states that you should move the extention in the collet untill it turns true so what I will do is indicate it untill there is no run out that is the only way to get rid of the vibration.
By indicate it, do you mean mark a line where it meets the collet as an index line to turn the extension from? Can you explain your intentions? I'm not sure what run out is. Thanks for your help!
what I meant was using a dial indicator used in machine shops to check for concentricity which is like when you put a drill bit in a chuck and you notice that it is wobley that is the efect that your tring to avoid with the extention so you don't get chatter and iterupted cut when your spinning that router bit at 23000 rpms.
Thanks again!
Revisiting an older post...I think that I finally got the extension to seat without any noticeable vibration. I have only tried a couple of bits. I cleaned the collect and spindle with WD40 and wiped down very thoroughly. I noticed that it recommended laying a thin coat of motor oil to help seat everything squarely. I didn't. I figured the WD 40 would suffice in that it, with high compressed air cleaned everything very nicely. Any way, thanks for your help... and did you use any lubrication? I can't imagine that WD would hurt anything, right? I think that I will enjoy the ease of changing bits now.
Kevin.
Do you operate your router at its highest speed with the extension?
Yes. I don't even know the extension is on the router. I never had to do anything other than put it in place and start routing. That's why I think it's odd that you are having any issues. I don't notice any difference at high or low speeds, small or large bits, pine or maple, hand feed or machine. I'm in the business, so I can run my router table all day several days a week, at times. It's had plenty of use. I just ran some red oak crown molding last week. The profile required me to run the pieces on a cant strip as well as make multiple passes. It makes me think there is something wrong with your router. Do you have another one you can try?Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
What type of extension are you using?
I'm using the XtremeXtention. I don't use an insert plate or router lift, so the extension makes above the table changes easy. I've run all different sizes of router bits at various speeds, often with a stock feeder. It's not unusual for me to run a hundred pieces several times. Problems show up with that kind of pressure but I haven't had any. No bit slipping, no chattering, no vibration. The extension is a little expensive but it has been one of the best accessories I have added to the shop.http://www.routertechnologies.com/extreme%20extension.htmBeat it to fit / Paint it to match
I think this is the one I just got from woodpeckers but I have not used it yet.I am going to indicate it to make sure it turns true before I put a routerbit in it,any thoughts on doing that.
I've been using my Xtension for quite a while. I lost my instructions and I forgot what they said. Of course I read them! I did a little search and found the page linked below. Click on 'more information' and near the bottom of the page, you can download the instructions in PDF form. They make the point that tapered router collets may not seat perpendicular in the mating taper. Making sure that everything is smooth and clean, as well as lubricating the collet, will help to make a good fit. They also give an example of how to test for run out and discuss where to place bits to get the best balance in the Xtension. I guess I've been lucky. I haven't had any issues and don't remember having any difficulty with collets seating crookedly. All my routers are PC or Rockwell. There's no doubt that machining the collet tapers is difficult and critical. These type of things never get mentioned in tool reviews, along with a lot of other important manufacturing assemblies. It sounds like you may be having problems with the collet.The Xtreme Xtension is balanced. There is a drill hole where material was removed, just like a crank shaft. It should act like a fly wheel and add stability. If it's put in place crooked, the opposite will happen. It would be difficult to make this tool out of round and it's strong enough to resist bending. The Xtention won't be absolutely perfect, nor will the router or the bit you put in it. Even if all the inequities lined up, I don't think the vibration should be severe. Repositioning should fine tune things. Some large bits may need to be placed in a certain position. Any strong vibration would indicate something other than the Xtension, itself. I hope you can get it to work for you. It's a real time saver and there is no taper to deal with. http://www.routertechnologies.com/
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Alan, I posted a link to Toolnaround where you could download instructions for checking run out. It sounds like the common issue is the collet not seating perpendicular in the taper. A dial indicator would be great but it can be done with a stick of wood.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I will clean everything and lube accordingly, then attempt the run out test as described. If it doesn't work, it may be a matter of replacing the collect, etc. I haven't noticed any problems with my router without the extension, but I'm not so sure I would. I very much want this to work. I can only imagine the time save issue and ease of change.
Do I understand that every bit has to be check for run out to determine it's best placemment over the set screw or probably just the initial set up of the extension? Thank you very much!
I checked mine out a little bit today. I used a surface gauge to establish a point. Machinists are cringing, close enough for woodworking! There was a very slight out of roundness on the Xtension top right where the screw is tapped in. The point on the gauge is pretty sharp. It sings like a wine glass as I hand rotated the collet. It stopped singing right where the screw hole was cut in. I couldn't see any measureable space but I could hear it. I put my largest panel raiser bit in and tried it in different positions, at different speeds, but no load. I thought I could detect a little difference when the bit was in one position, compared to others. It's hard to tell without a side by side test. I would think that some large bits may run a little smoother in a specific position in the Xtension. Once the Xtension is aligned in the router, you shouldn't have to move it. It can't hurt to try large bits in a couple of different places. I don't think average size bits will make much of a difference. I hadn't looked at mine very closely until you asked some questions. I'm glad you did.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I work in a machine shop programming CNC equipment. We machine mainly aluminum and the benchmark we use is above 10,000 RPM the cutter assembly must be dynamically balanced. This requires a special balancing machine. Putting two "balanced" tools together (router bit and extension) can easily result in a unbalanced assembly at 10,000 RPM or higher. Sometimes rotating the cutter in the collet 90 or 180 degrees will reduce the unbalance condition.
If you have speed control for the router try slowing the speed down. There are sweet spots where the system is balanced and varying the speed may help. It may be the speed you are running is at one of the harmonic frequency where vibration is worst. Every router/cutter/collet combination will have it own sweet spots.
Anyway, running an unbalanced cutting tool is dangerous because the condition is unstable and can get worse in an instant.
Just remembered that I do have another extension besides the Extreme Extension(which I don't use) and It's a MLCS and I have used it on occasions when I needed extra depth but don't use it for the convenience of above table bit changes. (NOTE) The MLCS instructions suggest using light cuts due the extra force applied to the longer extension.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
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