Doomwolf Posted December 31, 2016 Report Share Posted December 31, 2016 I was using a router today to waste out a large (3") half-lap joint. When I finished the job, I couldn't get the collet to unscrew and release the router bit. Does anyone have suggestions? I got the router off my Dad, who is a man of many skills, but taking care of tools is not one of them, so the collet wrenches are long gone and I used regular combination wrenches instead. Is it possible that I way over tightened things and jammed the whole assembly on? For reference, it's a Black and Decker router with a 9/16" straight bit w/ top bearing in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Just Bob Posted December 31, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 31, 2016 Is the collet nut seized or is the bit stuck in the collet? 2 different problems. For the nut, spraying with WD40 or similar anti seize may help but you are probably going to have apply heat to the nut to release it, just don't over heat. A seized bit is a pain, and happens sometimes when the bit is fully seated and then tightened. Heat and lube will eventually free it, maybe, I had one that I eventually had to ruin the bit to solve. Now when I seat the bit I always back it out about a 1/4 inch then tighten the nut, The router in my table has an "o" ring at the bottom of the collet to keep the bit from fully bottoming out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted January 1, 2017 Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 Bob has some good advice as to what to try. I hope you don't end up Black and Decker boat anchor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted January 1, 2017 Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 Just Bob is right. I learned the hard way about tightening the collet with the bit sitting all the way down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomwolf Posted January 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 Update - the bit is out. Back on the day of, I sprayed some WD-40, waited a few minutes, and tried again. No dice. Today I was going by the makerspace I used, so I dropped in with the router to see if the owner new any tricks. He heaved on the wrenches and it came off almost immediately. I attribute this to the following: 1-The collet knew that Someone was watching. 2-I have weedy office-worker arms, Greg does not. 3-Maybe leaving the WD-40 to sit for a week helped. Thank you to all who posted. I tried Google searching it first and there was some post on another forum where people were telling a guy to make a 'U' shape with wood and run the router with the nut up against it or something......that seemed decidedly unsafe to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankstick Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 Ah yes, stuck router bits, nuts, bolts, screws, etc. They only confirm my belief in Murphy's Law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 If the bit is stuck in the collet but the nut will loosen a sharp whack usually pops it free for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomwolf Posted January 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 The bit pulled free easy enough, but I needed to put the shaft between two strips of wood and tap it with a hammer to get the bearing off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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