I have an older Rockwell router - sorry, do not have the model number. I am
using it to route some half lap jointsa on some older doug fir for flooring
and siding.

When feeding some of the boards into the router (on table) they will
splinter badly - sometimes casusing a need to rip the board ont he table saw
and start over. If I change the direction of the feed - to be with the
rotation of the bit, the router will not bite into the grain as much and the
wood will not split.

However, after a few passes on a few boards, the bit starts to work it's way
out of the router, gradually rising. I've had it apart several times, and
I'm certain that it is tight enough. However, the collet, is not symmetric.
It has two vertical grooves on the outside. THey appear to be for the
function of absorbing the tightening and slightly compressing the collet -
to hold the bit. But, on this collet, one of the grooves is actually cracked
clear through. At least I think it is cracked.

Does anyone know if this could cause a bit to loosen?

In the meantime, I can conitune to feed into the router rotation if I
increase the fence for several passes of smaller bites. Time consuming, but
effective.

Robert

Robert Gray wrote:
I have an older Rockwell router - sorry, do not have the model number. I am
using it to route some half lap jointsa on some older doug fir for flooring
and siding.

When feeding some of the boards into the router (on table) they will
splinter badly - sometimes casusing a need to rip the board ont he table saw
and start over. If I change the direction of the feed - to be with the
rotation of the bit, the router will not bite into the grain as much and the
wood will not split.

However, after a few passes on a few boards, the bit starts to work it's way
out of the router, gradually rising. I've had it apart several times, and
I'm certain that it is tight enough. However, the collet, is not symmetric.
It has two vertical grooves on the outside. THey appear to be for the
function of absorbing the tightening and slightly compressing the collet -
to hold the bit. But, on this collet, one of the grooves is actually cracked
clear through. At least I think it is cracked.

Does anyone know if this could cause a bit to loosen?

In the meantime, I can conitune to feed into the router rotation if I
increase the fence for several passes of smaller bites. Time consuming, but
effective.

Robert


DON'T continue to use a router that has a faulty collet. Think of the
physics involved with a piece of steel turning at 20,000+ RPM. Be safe
and either get a new collet or a new router. $200 for a new router is
pennies compared to the damage that a flying piece of steel can cause.

If you have a band saw, cut out most of the waste wood on the lap joints
before using the router, then you'll only have to make a relatively
light clean-up pass with the router.

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 03:30:01 GMT, "Robert Gray"
wrote:

I have an older Rockwell router - sorry, do not have the model number.
snip
the bit starts to work it's way out of the router, gradually rising.
snip
, on this collet, one of the grooves is actually cracked
clear through. At least I think it is cracked.

Does anyone know if this could cause a bit to loosen?

absolutely.


In the meantime, I can conitune to feed into the router rotation if I
increase the fence for several passes of smaller bites. Time consuming, but
effective.

Robert


Robert, your rockwell router is probably an early version of one of
today's porter cable routers. you may be able to get a replacement
collet for it.
determine first if the collet is in fact cracked. if it is, replace it
or discard the router.
some other things that could cause slippage:

worn collet. replace it

dirty collet or collet seat. clean the parts with something like brake
cleaner or alcohol and a qtip. don't use paint thinner or gasoline,
and make sure everything is completely dry and the fumes are gone
before you start it up again.

worn or undersize router bit shank. replace the bit.

dull router bit. sharpen or replace it.
Bridger

One other thought to add to Bridger's list, make sure you lift the router
bit about 1/16" before you tighten it.

Greg


wrote in message ...
snip
some other things that could cause slippage:

worn collet. replace it

dirty collet or collet seat. clean the parts with something like brake
cleaner or alcohol and a qtip. don't use paint thinner or gasoline,
and make sure everything is completely dry and the fumes are gone
before you start it up again.

worn or undersize router bit shank. replace the bit.

dull router bit. sharpen or replace it.
Bridger