After all the advice in response to my earlier post "Router" I bought the
1/2" JCB 1200W from Argos. That's the Power Master model, rather than the
basic)

Good move !!

Three collets supplied, 6.35mm, 8mm, and 12.7mm(1/2") together with 5
plain shank 1/2" diameter bits.

Although fairly competent with most tools my router experience is limited
to one weekend with a hire tool so today I took time to RTFM and then
have a practice. Had a tough time getting the bit into the collet and had
to prise open the jaws a little to get it started. Instructions state
"ensure that at least 3/4 of the shank is held by the collet". That
needed some serious tapping with a blunt instrument just to get half the
shank in and these items are on the bench not in the machine, and by now
it's obvious that all is not well. To my unpracticed eye the shank looks
bigger than the collet sleeve so it's time for some measurement with
callipers.

Shank 12.7mm - Collet interior 12mm tight.

Obviously remedial action is required and will be taken ASAP but I am
puzzled by the collet size. Is 12mm a foreign size or a badly machined
size? The two smaller collets measure correctly.

Driving back into the city, with petrol, ferry fare, and parking, will
cost me about £8 and a 2 hour round trip so I'm planning to call a couple
of more local merchants first to see whether they can supply a
replacement.

Buying cheap (£60) isn't always a good idea is it?

--
Mike

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 18:08:49 +0100, Mike wrote:

After all the advice in response to my earlier post "Router" I bought the
1/2" JCB 1200W from Argos. That's the Power Master model, rather than the
basic)

Good move !!

Three collets supplied, 6.35mm, 8mm, and 12.7mm(1/2") together with 5
plain shank 1/2" diameter bits.

Although fairly competent with most tools my router experience is limited
to one weekend with a hire tool so today I took time to RTFM and then
have a practice. Had a tough time getting the bit into the collet and had
to prise open the jaws a little to get it started. Instructions state
"ensure that at least 3/4 of the shank is held by the collet". That
needed some serious tapping with a blunt instrument just to get half the
shank in and these items are on the bench not in the machine, and by now
it's obvious that all is not well. To my unpracticed eye the shank looks
bigger than the collet sleeve so it's time for some measurement with
callipers.

Shank 12.7mm - Collet interior 12mm tight.

I'm not surprised at all. If you had to use any form of blunt
instrument to insert the cutter then you have almost certainly mangled
the collet and may have scored the cutter. The distortion may be
subtle but it will spoil the results and ultimately wear the bearings.

The cutter should be a smooth and tight (but not too tight) fit for
insertion and removal. Cleaning is important too. On Trend's web
site there is a downloadable guide to cutter and collet care - they do
a kit for it as well.



Obviously remedial action is required and will be taken ASAP but I am
puzzled by the collet size. Is 12mm a foreign size or a badly machined
size? The two smaller collets measure correctly.

Badly made I think.


Driving back into the city, with petrol, ferry fare, and parking, will
cost me about £8 and a 2 hour round trip so I'm planning to call a couple
of more local merchants first to see whether they can supply a
replacement.

Buying cheap (£60) isn't always a good idea is it?

Nope.

I would chalk it up to experience, get a refund and buy a Freud.




..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

Mike wrote:
Three collets supplied, 6.35mm, 8mm, and 12.7mm(1/2") together with 5
plain shank 1/2" diameter bits.

Shank 12.7mm - Collet interior 12mm tight.

The (different) router I have came with both 12 & 12.7mm collets. It was
fitted with the 12 (cue swearing) until I realised they were different, not
just a spare. Has the 12.7mm been lost from the box? The 12mm is no use to
man or beast - never seen a bit that size in my life. Maybe worth a call to
the helpline if that's in the manual, should get a correct one sent out
right away.

--
Toby.

'One day son, all this will be finished'

In article ,
says...
The (different) router I have came with both 12 & 12.7mm collets. It was
fitted with the 12 (cue swearing) until I realised they were different, not
just a spare. Has the 12.7mm been lost from the box? The 12mm is no use to
man or beast - never seen a bit that size in my life. Maybe worth a call to
the helpline if that's in the manual, should get a correct one sent out
right away.


Interesting. Your reply prompted a Google for "12mm collet"
Loads of links.
e.g.
Axminster Tools sell 8/10/12mm sizes AND 1/4"/1/2"
Trend sell an 1800w EURO router with a 12mm collet.

Looks as though we (with our old Colonies) may be out of line with our
new European partners because of our Imperial (no pun) sizing.
We convert 1/2" to 12.7mm, they never had 1/2" so they use 12mm.

As you suggest Toby, an A.M. call to JCB Customer Help. Might reveal a
Euro/UK packaging cockup and get me a new collet, £1000 compensation, and
a product recall by Argos. Looking forward to it

--
Mike

Mike wrote:
As you suggest Toby, an A.M. call to JCB Customer Help. Might reveal a
Euro/UK packaging cockup and get me a new collet, £1000 compensation,
and a product recall by Argos. Looking forward to it

1 out of 3 won't be too disappointing then. Make up for it by rounding over
every edge in sight.

--
Toby.

'One day son, all this will be finished'

Mike wrote in message t...
In article ,
says...
The (different) router I have came with both 12 & 12.7mm collets. It was
fitted with the 12 (cue swearing) until I realised they were different, not
just a spare. Has the 12.7mm been lost from the box? The 12mm is no use to
man or beast - never seen a bit that size in my life. Maybe worth a call to
the helpline if that's in the manual, should get a correct one sent out
right away.


Interesting. Your reply prompted a Google for "12mm collet"
Loads of links.
e.g.
Axminster Tools sell 8/10/12mm sizes AND 1/4"/1/2"
Trend sell an 1800w EURO router with a 12mm collet.

Looks as though we (with our old Colonies) may be out of line with our
new European partners because of our Imperial (no pun) sizing.
We convert 1/2" to 12.7mm, they never had 1/2" so they use 12mm.

As you suggest Toby, an A.M. call to JCB Customer Help. Might reveal a
Euro/UK packaging cockup and get me a new collet, £1000 compensation, and
a product recall by Argos. Looking forward to it


And when you return it to Argos leave a helpful note in the box for
the next purchaser. A friend had to return two lawnmowers to Argos
before he finally got one that wasn't obviously "pre-owned". One
included a "happy birthday to Daddy" note written on the inside of the
box flap.

MBQ

Mike wrote:
Looks as though we (with our old Colonies) may be out of line
with our new European partners because of our Imperial (no
pun) sizing. We convert 1/2" to 12.7mm, they never had 1/2"
so they use 12mm.

I wonder why they would choose a dozen millimetres rather
than a nice round number, then? Hmm....
--


J.B.