Bit slipping in the collet

[CullenS (Cullen Simpson)]

Similar thread I posted a few weeks ago

Bit slipping. Bad collet?

On Saturday I cut out a prototype sign from MDF. There was a pretty good amount of cutting as there were some through pockets. Today I tried to cut a stacked text sign from maple. I started with a downcut 1/4” bit as I had masking on the top. I was using a .125” DOC but the router didn’t sound happy. About a minute or two in to the job I paused it to check and was certain at that point the bit had slipped so I stopped. It had definitely pulled down. I have a pretty religious habit of tightening…

I have still been using my old collets because I have not had time to go back and experiment more.

I have been careful to clean the inside of the collet and the router shaft since this though.

Also, sometimes I put the dust shoe on for a test fit before fully tightening the collet. I often question as to whether I did go back and tighten so whenever in question I do it again.