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#1
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
Ususally tightening the collet nut will grip the router bit.
Is it that your collet is 1/2" and you are only trying to put in a 1/4" bit? Obviously, if this is the case, it will not work. A 1/2" collet needs 1/2" diameter shanked bits. You can use 1/4" shanked bits in a 1/2" router if you have a 1/4" reducing insert available. -- Regards, Dean Bielanowski Editor, Online Tool Reviews http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Latest 5 Reviews: - Bosch 3912 (GCM12) 12" Compound Miter Saw - Dowelmax Doweling System - Ryobi CDL1802D Pro Series 18v Cordless Drill - Eze-Lap Diamond Sharpening Stones - Incra TS-III Table Saw Fence ------------------------------------------------------------ "Tim Simmons" wrote in message ... My folks bought me a (yeah, "economic") Craftsman router but I cannot figure out how the bit secures to the router. I have a half-inch bit (the steel kind) and the shaft is round and maybe 3/4 inches or 1" long and maybe 1/4" in diameter and when I put it in the hole and tighten the collet nut it does not put any pressure on the bit shaft. I locked the motor to tighten the nut but still nothing. I can't see how tightening this nut will hold the bit in place and I can't see that I'm missing a part but since I have never used a router, it may just be ignorance on my part. I have searched the web and Usenet for a solution but have not found an answer (the Sears store in West Memphis .... went through 3 different people and the last guy said he would look at it if I bring it in but he said he never used a router before!) So, that's why I am posting. Need experienced and wise human to quickly solve this. So, just a straight answer would help me HUGELY. The type is Craftsman 1.5 hp, 1/4" collet. Thanks, Tim |
#2
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
I wonder if he is locking or securing the shaft first before he tries
to tighten it. You should be using 2 wrenches (probably). On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 04:00:18 GMT, "Tim Simmons" wrote: My folks bought me a (yeah, "economic") Craftsman router but I cannot figure out how the bit secures to the router. I have a half-inch bit (the steel kind) and the shaft is round and maybe 3/4 inches or 1" long and maybe 1/4" in diameter and when I put it in the hole and tighten the collet nut it does not put any pressure on the bit shaft. I locked the motor to tighten the nut but still nothing. I can't see how tightening this nut will hold the bit in place and I can't see that I'm missing a part but since I have never used a router, it may just be ignorance on my part. I have searched the web and Usenet for a solution but have not found an answer (the Sears store in West Memphis .... went through 3 different people and the last guy said he would look at it if I bring it in but he said he never used a router before!) So, that's why I am posting. Need experienced and wise human to quickly solve this. So, just a straight answer would help me HUGELY. The type is Craftsman 1.5 hp, 1/4" collet. Thanks, Tim |
#3
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
"Ramsey" wrote in message ... I wonder if he is locking or securing the shaft first before he tries to tighten it. You should be using 2 wrenches (probably). The Craftsman has a lock for the shaft, one wrench only. I wonder if the collet is missing? |
#4
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
Woody wrote:
Is it that your collet is 1/2" and you are only trying to put in a 1/4" bit? obviously not: "Tim Simmons" wrote in message The type is Craftsman 1.5 hp, 1/4" collet. -- ************************************ Chris Merrill (remove the ZZZ to contact me) ************************************ |
#5
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
Have you read the manual that came with it, Tim? Just a thought.
Jim "Tim Simmons" wrote in message ... My folks bought me a (yeah, "economic") Craftsman router but I cannot figure out how the bit secures to the router. I have a half-inch bit (the steel kind) and the shaft is round and maybe 3/4 inches or 1" long and maybe 1/4" in diameter and when I put it in the hole and tighten the collet nut it does not put any pressure on the bit shaft. I locked the motor to tighten the nut but still nothing. I can't see how tightening this nut will hold the bit in place and I can't see that I'm missing a part but since I have never used a router, it may just be ignorance on my part. I have searched the web and Usenet for a solution but have not found an answer (the Sears store in West Memphis .... went through 3 different people and the last guy said he would look at it if I bring it in but he said he never used a router before!) So, that's why I am posting. Need experienced and wise human to quickly solve this. So, just a straight answer would help me HUGELY. The type is Craftsman 1.5 hp, 1/4" collet. Thanks, Tim |
#6
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
Sounds like you have no collett or a collett for a 1/2" shaft bit installed.
I'm going to try to show a cross section of what it looks like, but I'm not very good with ASCII graphics: _____ _____ | / \ | Nut | / \ | | ___ ___ | / | | \ Collett | | | | ____________ | | Router The collett is a round tube with slits on the side. It fits in the router and the nut is put on loosly. The bit is inserted in the hole in the center of the collett and the nut is tightened. Tightening the nut allows the ramp inside the nut to exert pressure on the ramp at the top of the collett and exert pressure on the shaft of the router bit to hold it in place. If you have no collett, or too big of a collett the shaft of the bit will be loose in the hole in the top of the nut. Gene "Tim Simmons" wrote in message ... My folks bought me a (yeah, "economic") Craftsman router but I cannot figure out how the bit secures to the router. I have a half-inch bit (the steel kind) and the shaft is round and maybe 3/4 inches or 1" long and maybe 1/4" in diameter and when I put it in the hole and tighten the collet nut it does not put any pressure on the bit shaft. I locked the motor to tighten the nut but still nothing. I can't see how tightening this nut will hold the bit in place and I can't see that I'm missing a part but since I have never used a router, it may just be ignorance on my part. I have searched the web and Usenet for a solution but have not found an answer (the Sears store in West Memphis .... went through 3 different people and the last guy said he would look at it if I bring it in but he said he never used a router before!) So, that's why I am posting. Need experienced and wise human to quickly solve this. So, just a straight answer would help me HUGELY. The type is Craftsman 1.5 hp, 1/4" collet. Thanks, Tim |
#7
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
Sounds like you are trying to put a 1/4" router bit into a 1/2" collet. What
about the instruction manual? "Tim Simmons" wrote in message ... My folks bought me a (yeah, "economic") Craftsman router but I cannot figure out how the bit secures to the router. I have a half-inch bit (the steel kind) and the shaft is round and maybe 3/4 inches or 1" long and maybe 1/4" in diameter and when I put it in the hole and tighten the collet nut it does not put any pressure on the bit shaft. I locked the motor to tighten the nut but still nothing. I can't see how tightening this nut will hold the bit in place and I can't see that I'm missing a part but since I have never used a router, it may just be ignorance on my part. I have searched the web and Usenet for a solution but have not found an answer (the Sears store in West Memphis .... went through 3 different people and the last guy said he would look at it if I bring it in but he said he never used a router before!) So, that's why I am posting. Need experienced and wise human to quickly solve this. So, just a straight answer would help me HUGELY. The type is Craftsman 1.5 hp, 1/4" collet. Thanks, Tim |
#8
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
"Bruce Rowen" wrote in message ... So, that's why I am posting. Need experienced and wise human to quickly solve this. So, just a straight answer would help me HUGELY. The type is Craftsman 1.5 hp, 1/4" collet. There are usually two parts to the collet, the collet nut (the part you put a wrench on) and the collet itself. Some designs have the collet removable as an insert (i.e. Dremel tools). If your router does not have the collet insert installed under the nut this could be your problem. Remove the collet nut and see if there is an insert installed. It should fit closely to your 1/4" shaft. Check the small baggies that came with your router if this part is missing. -Bruce Tim S.: Thanks first to all who replied! I didn't know there was a collet that fit inside the round part and tonight I went and looked inside that hole w/flashlight and it seemed to be... a round hole. It didn't have anything that looked like it would clamp down under pressure of tightening the nut. So, I think I have no collet to tighten. An aquaintence put it together and he either lost it, stole it, or it never was in the parts bag. So, I guess I'll ask Sears if they'll give me the proper collet w/o charge and I'll bet that fixes my problem. I thought I was just dumb for a second. (hmmm heheheheh) Also, I read that you should position the bit 1/16" above the base rather than riding on the bottom. Is that true? If so, why? Does it alleviate extra vibrations by not touching the bottom? Thanks again for the speedy replies. When do you folk find time to do any woodworking? hehehehhe Oh, another thing (for what it's worth).... My Craftsman miter saw (also bought for me by my folks as a Xmas gift) was new to me (I'm a musician/computer guy, not a mechanical guy) and I tried to cut a 45 deg but the four pieces didn't line up and I deduced that since the lengths were EXACTLY equal that the angle had to be off of 45. Sure enough, it was. The 45 deg notch was off quite a bit and the other 45 was almost right. I remedied by manually adjusting beyond the notch and using trial and error till it was a good 45. I plan to try making a few picture frames and now I'm almost ready (miter trimmer next.. when does it end????) Tim |
#9
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
Yes, leave the bit up a 1/16" or so. The reason is that the collet pulls
down as it tightens. If the bit is already at the bottom, the collet may never tighten even though you screwed it down tight. "Tim Simmons" wrote in message ... Also, I read that you should position the bit 1/16" above the base rather than riding on the bottom. Is that true? If so, why? Does it alleviate extra vibrations by not touching the bottom? |
#10
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
"CW" wrote in message news:85e3b.277843$YN5.190813@sccrnsc01... Yes, leave the bit up a 1/16" or so. The reason is that the collet pulls down as it tightens. If the bit is already at the bottom, the collet may never tighten even though you screwed it down tight. Tim S.: Ah, thanks. Tim |
#11
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
On Thu, 28 Aug 2003 02:49:40 GMT, "CW"
scribbled Yes, leave the bit up a 1/16" or so. The reason is that the collet pulls down as it tightens. If the bit is already at the bottom, the collet may never tighten even though you screwed it down tight. And it, IME, usually also makes the bit easier to remove. "Tim Simmons" wrote in message ... Also, I read that you should position the bit 1/16" above the base rather than riding on the bottom. Is that true? If so, why? Does it alleviate extra vibrations by not touching the bottom? Luigi Replace "no" with "yk" twice in reply address for real email address |
#12
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need help! Router bit problem (i'm a total newbie)
Quit true. I failed to mention that. Thanks for bringing it up.
"Luigi Zanasi" wrote in message ... On Thu, 28 Aug 2003 02:49:40 GMT, "CW" scribbled Yes, leave the bit up a 1/16" or so. The reason is that the collet pulls down as it tightens. If the bit is already at the bottom, the collet may never tighten even though you screwed it down tight. And it, IME, usually also makes the bit easier to remove. "Tim Simmons" wrote in message ... Also, I read that you should position the bit 1/16" above the base rather than riding on the bottom. Is that true? If so, why? Does it alleviate extra vibrations by not touching the bottom? Luigi Replace "no" with "yk" twice in reply address for real email address |
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