My bits are getting stuck in my collet and I have to tap the collet nut multiple times and sometime pretty hard to get the bit to fall out. I understand that the collet can create micro-cuts where it sits inside the router and that it essentially becomes stuck when you tighten it. Is there any mitigation to this issue?
I’ve taken the collet out and rotated it, which works for a few more bit changes but then it goes back to sticking. This occurs with new and old bits, clean or dusty collets.
Also, why do new collet’s cost $20-30??? That seems absurdly high for such a small piece of metal.
I would believe so. I have replaced mine due to slippage of the bit. Every three weeks I maintain my machine. Collets are cleaned with Ketone or what ever I have near by. It is surprising the crud the comes off while soaking.
I have found that the really fine dust collects in the collet slits that allow it to deform (grip and release the bit and mandril). It helps considerably to remove the nut and collet then remove the collet from the nut and clean both to remove all dust. Keep them dry (no oil/lubricaton). I use an old artist paintbrush and compressed air to clean them.
As to the price. Don’t think of the collet as a small piece of metal, but rather a small integral precision machined part of a mechanism that has the sole responsibility of holding true one of the most important parts of your machine…the cutter. Well, when I put it that way I think we are lucky to only have to pay 20-30 bucks. We have parts on our cars which serve a far less important purpose and yet we are willing to pay way for it.
The collets on the Makita/C3D router are separate from the collet nut. On the Dewalt the collet and nut are connected. So when you put a bit in the collet and tighten the collet nut on the Makita/C3D router you are pushing the collet and bit up an inclined plane inside the router shaft. The tighter you tighten the nut the more the collet/bit are pushed up inside the inclined plane shaft. When you loosen the collet nut the natural spring action of the collet is trying to push the collet and bit back down the inclined plane.
So if your collet and bit are stuck start with cleaning the collet, nut and inside the inclined plane with break cleaner, denatured aclohol or mineral spirits. What ever chemical you use be sure to let it dry completely. The collet, nut and router shaft should be clean and lubricant free.
After cleaning those parts and you still have your bit and collet getting stuck then replace the collet. elairecorp.com sells individual collets or sets.
Just make sure you have picked the collets for the trim router RT0701C and not for the larger Makita routers.
As everyone suggests, it helps a lot to clean the collet, nut, cutters, and the inside of the spindle shaft. I use a dry Q tip to wipe the dust out the spindle shaft, tap the dust out of the collet and nut at every bit change. I believe it helps. Also, don’t let the cutters bottom out inside the spindle shaft.
