Thanks, Tim. This is pretty much exactly what I see. I feel better about this and conclude that as long as the bit is completely in the collet, I should be OK running an 8mm bit
Chuck
Agree, I have abandoned my quest for drilling out the spindle shaft for more clearance for several reasons. One, not sure how hardened the shaft is and two, not sure how precise I could drill it out and not change the balance on the spindle shaft. Iâll leave well enough alone⌠this time!!
The collet can be slid down to shaft of the tool right close to the chamfer at the end of the shaft. Just because the shaft can touch the back of the spindle, you still shouldnât seat the tool right up against it. Meaning, the end of the shaft of the tool where the chamfer is shouldnât be butted up against the flat of the spindle body inside the spindle shaft. The reason is that if the tool happens to come loose, and turn inside the spindle body, the metals would begin to fuse, or weld themselves together. A little clearance from the back of the tool shaft and the spindle body bottom is desirable.
As I had said before, a fully seated tool shaft touches the front and back of the collet. You have room to slide the shaft down to the end of the backside of the collet. Now, if the tool sticks out too far for your liking for your setup, one solution would be to actually cut off a bit of the shank of the tool itself with a cutoff wheel, but if you do this, make sure you chamfer the backside of the tool somewhat like it is now. The chamfer is for clearance purposes for easy insertion into the collet.
Glad you vacated the idea of drilling out your spindle body because they are usually heat treated, but what people donât realize is that heat treat is only on the surface of the metal at a very thin layer. Heat treat doesnât mean the complete metal is heat treat to full depth. If you drilled out the body, the spindle would have become weak at that point and any heavy milling could possibly lead to damage or complete breakage of the spindle shaft.
Yes, agree with your statement with respect to not seating the bit fully engaged in the spindle.
My post was to simply show the direct measurements of clearances for other members of the group. In actuality I use a small grommet in all of my table and handheld routers to prevent this exact issue you describe. This allows a couple mmâs of space for the bit when drawing up the collet nut.
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