On Wed, 28 Nov 2018 20:44:32 -0800, pyotr filipivich
wrote:

J. Clarke on Wed, 28 Nov 2018 23:27:59
-0500 typed in rec.woodworking the following:
On Wed, 28 Nov 2018 23:14:00 -0500, Bill wrote:

pyotr filipivich wrote:
Greetings

I have a harbor freight router table, which "mostly works".

However, the problem I'm having is getting 1/4 collets tight to
hold the router bits. It seems to me that first I must tighten up the
collar really tight ("till it snaps, then back off a quarter turn"),
before I can get the router bit to stop sliding in or out.
This gets to be a problem when I'm having to set a height at the
same time. So far I've been able to support the slot cutter bit to
the height above the table with a bit of wood scrap, then proceed to
tighten things up. But as I said, it seems that I've tightened the
collet "to murder tight" and it "should" be holding, but I can still
wiggle the router bit.

So, is shimming the collet in some manner a "good" idea? Let me
rephrase that, it seems "a good idea" , but is it a smart one?

After you apply something, say duct tape to the router bit see if
you are able to pull it out, even with a pair of pliers. I think
that if the bit is not "secure" then the configuration is not
safe. I would keep checking the bit as you work. As soon as you
detect it's loose, then it's time to buy a new router.

I would want to use something less resilient than duct tape for the
purpose. A shim cut from a soda can often works well in situations
requring a thin shim. If that is too heavy, aluminum foil would be
the next step down, then a chewing gum wrapper if they are still
wrapped in foil (I haven't opened a package of gum in several
decades).

If it wasn't Harbor Freight I might disagree with you on the "new
router" but it being them the likelihood of obtaining a new collet is
vanishingly small so that might be the best option.

It occurs to me though that it might be worthwhile inspecting the
collet under a good light and a magnifier to see if there is an easily
correctable manufacturing defect (for example a burr in one of the
slots) that keeps it from compressing properly.

Thanks for the suggestions. Will take a shot at cleaning it,
checking for burs.
Having the slot cutter pull out of the collet was not happy
making. (Having the whole thing loosen and "fall down" also was not
pleasant. Had to take the set screw apart to get it back up in
place.)

I am marking this down to "nothing is more expensive than cheap
tools." It has worked for other activities. Verb sap: if you're not
going to wear the apron, drape it over the "down range" end of the
bench. Makes cleaning up easier.
So will getting a hair drier to blow sawdust out of things.
Yeee-haw.