Stuck router collet
Discussion
Some complete and utter tool has got a cutter stuck in a Trend T11 router. The collet nut was not seated properly on the collet before indersion so now the nut just comes off and the cutter and collet are well and truley stuck in the router.
Not worried about dmaging the cutter (it's already been attcked with Molegrips) just need the cutter out without damage to the machine...
Any ideas gratefully received!
Not worried about dmaging the cutter (it's already been attcked with Molegrips) just need the cutter out without damage to the machine...
Any ideas gratefully received!
m4ckg said:
just try lightly tapping all the way round the cutter and that may loosen it. 
This. Sharp, rather than hard tapping required. Small hammer, metal face. Lots of quick, sharp taps.
If this doesn't work, hit it harder. (Worst you can do is ruin the machine, which would be useless anyway.)
Oli.
AFAIK there's a shoulder around the end of the collet which would normally have the split ring sitting in it, so unscrewing the nut applies equal (perpendicular) force to lift the tapered collet out of it's seat.
Some ideas. If you screw the nut on, then put spacers (spanners?) between it and the head of the router, then undo the nut, it will pull the router bit, which might pull the collet out? (ie Pull the router bit, not the collet).
I'm not sure if it's possible to tighten the nut to the point where the split ring will slip over the collet into it's correct place. Maybe you'd need a bit of oil to help it over.
What about freezer spray, they sell it in plumbers' merchants, screwfix etc. Cool the router bit, the low temperature will cool the collet (relative to the tapered seat) and it will come out more easily.
Or grind the end of the router bit off, remove the nut, then screw a thin nut on, place a thin spanner around the shoulder of the collet, and wind the nut back off again to lift it.
Or just get a bigger hammer?
Some ideas. If you screw the nut on, then put spacers (spanners?) between it and the head of the router, then undo the nut, it will pull the router bit, which might pull the collet out? (ie Pull the router bit, not the collet).
I'm not sure if it's possible to tighten the nut to the point where the split ring will slip over the collet into it's correct place. Maybe you'd need a bit of oil to help it over.
What about freezer spray, they sell it in plumbers' merchants, screwfix etc. Cool the router bit, the low temperature will cool the collet (relative to the tapered seat) and it will come out more easily.
Or grind the end of the router bit off, remove the nut, then screw a thin nut on, place a thin spanner around the shoulder of the collet, and wind the nut back off again to lift it.
Or just get a bigger hammer?
Edited by -Pete- on Monday 27th September 14:26
-Pete- said:
AFAIK there's a shoulder around the end of the collet which would normally have the split ring sitting in it, so unscrewing the nut applies equal (perpendicular) force to lift the tapered collet out of it's seat.
Some ideas. If you screw the nut on, then put spacers (spanners?) between it and the head of the router, then undo the nut, it will pull the router bit, which might pull the collet out? (ie Pull the router bit, not the collet).
I'm not sure if it's possible to tighten the nut to the point where the split ring will slip over the collet into it's correct place. Maybe you'd need a bit of oil to help it over.
What about freezer spray, they sell it in plumbers' merchants, screwfix etc. Cool the router bit, the low temperature will cool the collet (relative to the tapered seat) and it will come out more easily.
Or grind the end of the router bit off, remove the nut, then screw a thin nut on, place a thin spanner around the shoulder of the collet, and wind the nut back off again to lift it.
Or just get a bigger hammer?
No chance of the split ring slipping over - the router bit prevents that, but like the idea of thin nut and spanner under the collar of the collet...Some ideas. If you screw the nut on, then put spacers (spanners?) between it and the head of the router, then undo the nut, it will pull the router bit, which might pull the collet out? (ie Pull the router bit, not the collet).
I'm not sure if it's possible to tighten the nut to the point where the split ring will slip over the collet into it's correct place. Maybe you'd need a bit of oil to help it over.
What about freezer spray, they sell it in plumbers' merchants, screwfix etc. Cool the router bit, the low temperature will cool the collet (relative to the tapered seat) and it will come out more easily.
Or grind the end of the router bit off, remove the nut, then screw a thin nut on, place a thin spanner around the shoulder of the collet, and wind the nut back off again to lift it.
Or just get a bigger hammer?
Edited by -Pete- on Monday 27th September 14:26
Now just need to make a thin nut and a thin spanner....
Obviously if it's not a straight cutter, then why not try winding the collet nut down as far as it will go, then using the thick spanner technique (pat pending) to pull the cutter and collet out?
If it's a straight cutter, grind a couple of flats on opposite sides to form a shoulder, and use the self-explanatory small spanner on the flats technique...
If it's a straight cutter, grind a couple of flats on opposite sides to form a shoulder, and use the self-explanatory small spanner on the flats technique...
I've had a straight router bit and collet completely, hopelessly, and permanently stuck in my Bosch 1604A router for over 15 years! The nut and collet had separated somehow, it's so long ago that I have no idea how that happened, and I had no idea how to get the bit out. I also didn't really understand how the nut and the collet worked together to secure the bit.
Well, all this happened B.I.(Before Internet)and then life happened and the frustrating router situation and woodworking itself were put on the back burner. But, today I am finally setting up shop again and was determined to free that bit and collet from my router!
So after several hours of searching the internet, and reading forums and other router related information, I came across your suggestion After I understood what a "spanner" is (what I call a "wrench")the solution came clear to me; use the force of the screw threads on the inside of the net to force the bit/collet out of the router shaft. I cut shoulders into the shaft of the straight bit using a hacksaw, would have been much easier with a grinder but not an option for me. And then I placed wrench into the slot I had cut, screwed the nut against it, and out popped the bit! A quick grab with some pliers and the collet soon followed. My router is free again!
Thanks for your help
Well, all this happened B.I.(Before Internet)and then life happened and the frustrating router situation and woodworking itself were put on the back burner. But, today I am finally setting up shop again and was determined to free that bit and collet from my router!
So after several hours of searching the internet, and reading forums and other router related information, I came across your suggestion After I understood what a "spanner" is (what I call a "wrench")the solution came clear to me; use the force of the screw threads on the inside of the net to force the bit/collet out of the router shaft. I cut shoulders into the shaft of the straight bit using a hacksaw, would have been much easier with a grinder but not an option for me. And then I placed wrench into the slot I had cut, screwed the nut against it, and out popped the bit! A quick grab with some pliers and the collet soon followed. My router is free again!
Thanks for your help
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