Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

Thanks,

--- Chip

On Aug 4, 7:14 pm, "Chip Buchholtz" wrote:
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

WD40, 3-in-1, 30 weight, whatever's handy. Lube the collet and
the threads, too.

Are you setting the bit all the way down? Back it out 1/16", then
tighten the collet nut. If the bit sticks, a light tap with a stick
of
wood will break it free.

"Chip Buchholtz" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

Thanks,

--- Chip


Dismantle the collet and clean it of all dust and crud. Lube the threads
with a light lubricant like 3-in-1, sewing machine oil but not WD-40 which
leaves behind a hard polymerized coating which is difficult to remove. I
haven't tried a dry lube like graphite or silica but they won't then to
attract dust. OTOH, the graphite can get on your project and screw up a
finish so I think that's out. When lubing the threads I only use one drop
halfway up the threaded shaft and allow the nut to distribute it. Be sure
that you're seating the bit 1/8" or so out of the collet. Some use the
trick of sliding an 'O' ring down the bit shaft as far as possible which
prevents it from going too far into the collet but I don't think that's
necessary. Just keep the bit out of the collet a skosh.

Father Haskell wrote:
: I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
: tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
: collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
: fine.

: WD40, 3-in-1, 30 weight, whatever's handy. Lube the collet and
: the threads, too.

Thanks!

: Are you setting the bit all the way down? Back it out 1/16", then
: tighten the collet nut. If the bit sticks, a light tap with a stick
: of wood will break it free.

I got that from previous lurking.

Thanks for the advice,

--- Chip

"Chip Buchholtz" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

Thanks,

--- Chip

Hit the nut with the collet wrench. This will usually free the collet.

Jim

Chip Buchholtz wrote:
Father Haskell wrote:
: I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
: tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
: collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
: fine.

: WD40, 3-in-1, 30 weight, whatever's handy. Lube the collet and
: the threads, too.

Thanks!

Do NOT lube the collet itself...that's a good way to end up sending a
bit flying like schrapnel.

Make sure they're both clean and burr-free, but no lube..

--

On Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:04:23 -0700, Father Haskell
wrote:

On Aug 4, 7:14 pm, "Chip Buchholtz" wrote:
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

WD40, 3-in-1, 30 weight, whatever's handy. Lube the collet and
the threads, too.

I wouldn't be putting any oil in the collet myself. It's supposed to
be tight. It's supposed to take some effort to get it loose. You're
spinning that bit at 20,000 rpms and cutting into wood with it. You
really don't want the bit to come out. Make sure the collet is clean
before you insert the bit.


-Leuf

"Chip Buchholtz" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

Thanks,

--- Chip


The router is just like my Dremel, by not completely seating the bit, a tap
in, will loosen it. I learned that from frustration, trial and cursing.
Jamffer

C & E wrote:

: Dismantle the collet and clean it of all dust and crud.

I think this is the key. Any advice for cleaning it? Wire brush?
Turpentine? Spit and a paper towel?

: Lube the threads with a light lubricant like 3-in-1, sewing machine
: oil [...] When lubing the threads I only use one drop halfway up the
: threaded shaft and allow the nut to distribute it.

Got it. I was nervous about using lube because I didn't want to send
a bit flying, but one drop on the threads seems safe.

: Be sure that you're seating the bit 1/8" or so out of the collet.

Yes, I've been doing that, and it keeps the bit from sticking in the
collet once I get the collet loosened.

Thanks, everyone, for your help,

--- Chip

Chip Buchholtz wrote:
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

Thanks,

--- Chip

I have a 690 too and I think I know what you are talking about. When you loosen
the collet nut it will turn freely with your fingers, but the bit will still be
held fairly tight. Keep loosening the nut until it starts to feel like it might
be tightening again, and turn it a little more. It might take the wrenches
again to do that. Once you have passed that point, the bit will usually be free
and easily removed.

Wayne

On Sun, 5 Aug 2007 03:22:47 +0000 (UTC), "Chip Buchholtz"
wrote:

C & E wrote:

: Dismantle the collet and clean it of all dust and crud.

I think this is the key. Any advice for cleaning it? Wire brush?
Turpentine? Spit and a paper towel?

I prefer compressed air and a stiff brush, followed by a dip in
kerosene or mineral spirits. Dry it well, use more compressed air if
you're in a hurry.

I prefer to lube the threads only (not the inside) with paste wax or
White Lightning (a wax based Teflon bicycle chain lube that goes on
liquid, then dries hard), as they don't attract as much dust.

White Lightning on the rods and threaded adjusters of my power tools
has made a huge, long lasting difference, in the feel of the
adjustments. On threaded mechanisms open to dust and chips, I almost
always choose a _light_ application of wax over oil. In time, the wax
fills imperfections in the threads making it smoother and smoother.
When I do use oil, I find that air tool oil is always on hand, and
doesn't dry to a goop like 3-in-1. Somebody mentioned sewing machine
oil, which is excellent, clean, and non-"goopy".

---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------

"Chip Buchholtz" writes:

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it?

Make sure it's clean. They have Router Bit cleaners that remove resin,
etc.

Chip Buchholtz wrote:
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting
the collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything
is fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much,

No
_____________

or is there a trick to it?

Yes. Remove the bit immediately after using. If you wait and it
freezes, loosen the nut with wrenches, loosely hand tighten again and
then tap the collet nut with the wrench. Not hard, just about with
only the weight of the wrench...tap, tap, tap, tap. Eventually, the
bit will pop free. Do NOT hit the bit.

I can't say for sure why collets freeze but I think it has to do with
the considerable heat generated while the bit is cutting. The heat
expands the shank and the collet is therefore tighter. You'd think
that when things cool off and the shank shrinks again the collet would
be back to normal but that isn't the case.
________________

Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight",

No. Not if you want the bit to stay where you put it in the collet.
________________

or should I really bear down on it?

Well, I wouldn't be slipping 24" lengths of pipe over the wrenches but
I *would* (and do) tighten them as much as I can by squeezing the two
wrenches together with one hand.
__________________

Would lubricating the collet help?

No, do NOT lubricate the collet. Do assure that the area is sawdust
free. You might want to run your fingers over bit shanks too to see
if there are any burrs. If so, smooth off with fine sand paper. I
use a piece of #400 silicon carbide folded lengthwise over the shank
so I can rotate the shank in the sandpaper "envelope".


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Aug 4, 10:31 pm, Leuf wrote:
On Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:04:23 -0700, Father Haskell



wrote:
On Aug 4, 7:14 pm, "Chip Buchholtz" wrote:
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

WD40, 3-in-1, 30 weight, whatever's handy. Lube the collet and
the threads, too.

I wouldn't be putting any oil in the collet myself. It's supposed to
be tight. It's supposed to take some effort to get it loose. You're
spinning that bit at 20,000 rpms and cutting into wood with it. You
really don't want the bit to come out. Make sure the collet is clean
before you insert the bit.

-Leuf

Light film. Wipe until almost dry. You don't want the bit
welding itself in, either. Light film on the threads, too. Oiled
threads are easier to tighten harder. Ask anyone who rebuilds
engine blocks.

On Aug 4, 8:22 pm, "Chip Buchholtz" wrote:
C & E wrote:

: Dismantle the collet and clean it of all dust and crud.

I think this is the key. Any advice for cleaning it? Wire brush?
Turpentine? Spit and a paper towel?


a lil squirt from a spray can of brake cleaner from the car parts
store works real well....

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 14:07:09 -0700, wrote:

a lil squirt from a spray can of brake cleaner from the car parts
store works real well....

That stuff cleans EVERYTHING well, but be real careful around certain
plastics, including plastic insulated wire. Brake cleaner can make
the plastic very brittle.

---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------

Larry Kraus wrote:
NoOne N Particular wrote:

Chip Buchholtz wrote:
Hi,

I have a Porter Cable 690 router, the kind with two flat wrenches to
tighten the collet. Whenever I use it I have a hard time getting the
collet to loosen. Once I get the collet "un-froze", everything is
fine.

Is it just that I'm tightening the collet too much, or is there a
trick to it? Is it safe to leave the collet "hand tight", or should I
really bear down on it? Would lubricating the collet help? What sort
of lube?

Thanks,

--- Chip

I have a 690 too and I think I know what you are talking about. When you loosen
the collet nut it will turn freely with your fingers, but the bit will still be
held fairly tight. Keep loosening the nut until it starts to feel like it might
be tightening again, and turn it a little more. It might take the wrenches
again to do that. Once you have passed that point, the bit will usually be free
and easily removed.

Wayne


Wayne has it right - I think all the P-C collets work this way. I know
my 7529 collets do, and I seem to remember it being described this way
in the manual.

As I was reading the other posts, I was thinking this was the issue. I
don't have the P-C but the Dewalt 618's collet works exactly that way too.

Dave

Wayne has it right - I think all the P-C collets work this way. I know
my 7529 collets do, and I seem to remember it being described this way
in the manual.

this is the same way it is on my cnc router. it seems to be the nature
of collets and nuts.