Alonzo Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 I have a router that receives a 1/4" in bit, however I just received some router bits that are 1/2". My question: is there an adapter for my 1/4" router to receive 1/2" bits? I've shopped around and can't find anything. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 What model router? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alonzo Posted December 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 Craftsman 8 amp 1.5 hp router Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 If the router is big enough there might be 2 different collet chucks that fit it . They would be specific to that brand . There are adapters that let you use a 1/4” bit in a 1/2” collet chuck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 This is NOT the part you are looking for. Something similar to this would do the job. Sears parts website popped up and is pretty good for searching a tool to get replacement parts. Get the model number information from your router and plug it in the search engine of you choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 Do yourself a favor, and buy a router made for 1/2" shank bits. Routers are almost like clamps - it's hard to have too many, and even if you find a collet adapter, a motor designed to drive the smaller 1/4" shank bits will struggle with the bigger 1/2" stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 If you find an adapter be very afraid ! At the rpm' that a router spins the loads on a 1/2" shank bit could cause the adapter to snap ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 I think you need to either exchange the bits for 1/4 shank bits (meh) or buy a router that takes 1/2 shank bits (yeah ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 Every full sized router I've ever had came with a 1/2" and 1/4" collet, and I don't think the dia. of the shank of the bit would make a bit unsafe perhaps the size of the cutter head might. I would go to the craftsman web site that has all ready been mentioned by chestnut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmotjr Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 That sears direct site should have the users manual for the router. I know it's where I got my TS manual from. Look it up and see if the router was designed to also use 1/2" shanks. Sometimes the collet just gets lost and you need to buy a replacement. Sometimes you should never put a 1/2" collet into a particular router. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 Before you go any further, unscrew the collet remove it from the arbor. Is the hole in the arbor large enough to receive a half inch shank bit? If not you can stop looking. If it is then it’s a matter of acquiring the appropriate collet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alonzo Posted December 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 I checked out the manual. It say nothing about using a 1/2" shank. Also it looks like the collet works for only 1/4". Looks like I'm buying a new router, sounds like they are better anyways. Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 2 minutes ago, Alonzo said: I checked out the manual. It say nothing about using a 1/2" shank. Also it looks like the collet works for only 1/4". Looks like I'm buying a new router, sounds like they are better anyways. Thanks everyone. Good choice. Now you have to decide a color Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 Yellow is a good step up from what you have ! I did a quick search and this combo deal looks decent. https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-2-25-HP-Variable-Speed-Combo-Fixed-Plunge-Corded-Router/50037128?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-RoutersAndRouterAccessories-_-50037128:DEWALT&CAWELAID=&kpid=50037128&CAGPSPN=pla&store_code=1507&k_clickID=ad86a24b-bdb1-4ca9-8ae3-aee75ea42633&gclid=Cj0KCQiAg4jSBRCsARIsAB9ooavkrvk_48FJQ9Nggc35OcZrOUPxeMTPjnOs3BvjgSf_7w86-MMQleEaAq73EALw_wcB I haven't used this particular router but I have put hundreds of hours on my little Dewalt trim router and it has held up to a lot of abuse. All the rest of my many routers are either no longer made or probably a lot bigger than you need. A plunge base is great for routing mortices and internal cuts. You might not need it now but they can be very handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alonzo Posted December 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 Yeah I'm trying to decide to buy a plunge router or a drill press with a mortise attachment to do my breadboards on a dining table. Personally, I dont see my self using a drill press as much as I could use my router. I'm doing breadboards that are 38" x10"x1 1/2. What would you recommend, router or drill press with mortise attachment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 A decent plunge router is much less than a decent drill press w a mortice jig. Be smart and practice before you tackle the real thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 I’ll also add most drill press mortising attachments are sub optimal. A plunge router with the shop made jig will do a much better job for you in my humble opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 14 hours ago, gee-dub said: I’ll also add most drill press mortising attachments are sub optimal. I agree with this. I had one that I thought would be decent and it was a real pain to set up each time and it lacked any real accuracy. This is why Ido my mortises with a router now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jussi Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 17 hours ago, wdwerker said: Yellow is a good step up from what you have ! I did a quick search and this combo deal looks decent. https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-2-25-HP-Variable-Speed-Combo-Fixed-Plunge-Corded-Router/50037128?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-RoutersAndRouterAccessories-_-50037128:DEWALT&CAWELAID=&kpid=50037128&CAGPSPN=pla&store_code=1507&k_clickID=ad86a24b-bdb1-4ca9-8ae3-aee75ea42633&gclid=Cj0KCQiAg4jSBRCsARIsAB9ooavkrvk_48FJQ9Nggc35OcZrOUPxeMTPjnOs3BvjgSf_7w86-MMQleEaAq73EALw_wcB I haven't used this particular router but I have put hundreds of hours on my little Dewalt trim router and it has held up to a lot of abuse. All the rest of my many routers are either no longer made or probably a lot bigger than you need. A plunge base is great for routing mortices and internal cuts. You might not need it now but they can be very handy. Great router with a major flaw. The speed control has a good chance of failing and goes straight to max speed. I have had 4 of those routers and 2 of them have had the speed control break. It can be fixed fairly cheap. The magnetic ring breaks and needs to be replaced and probably the bearing as well. But getting the bearing in and out is a bear. If you do a quick google search on it, you’ll see I’m not the first to have the problem. Disappointing as it really is a great router otherwise. Even more so since dewalt clearly knows about the problem and hasn’t fixed it yet. Or maybe they have on the newest models? Unless you know for sure the problem has been addressed I would advise against the 618 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 Like I said " I haven't used this particular router " ! This is one of the great things about this Forum, someone probably has experience with a certain model. Maybe you can find a different router combo set with both bases ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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