Musclechuck - Initial Impressions

[gee-dub]

As promised here is the initial setup of the Musclechuck quick change router chuck. This is on a Milwaukee 5625 router (Musclechuck Type 10) in a Woodpecker PRL version 1 router lift.
The instructions are microscopic in order to fit in the little package. I scanned the 3" x 4" square and blew it up to 8-1/2 x 11 for easier reading. The included instructions do not discuss setting a baseline prior to installation but many online sources do. I did not bother with a dial indicator to compare run out . . . yet. I tend to follow the "don't fix it if it ain't broke" philosophy. The router, lift, and chucks I have been using have been flawless for many years so I am going to assume I have a "good" starting point.

I took the opportunity to clean the arbor and surrounding areas. I put the chuck on and tightened it as instructed. I set the router to full speed (22k RPM) and fire it up. I let it run a while and set my hand on the table, plate, etc. to get a feel for the level of normal vibration.

I add a long straight bit and repeat.

All seems the same. I set up a fence and make a cut to check for any washboarding, etc.

Looking good.

I repeat the test with a 3/8" reducer / bit and with a 1/4" reducer / bit.



All results seems nominal. In short the chuck seems to behave just like the stock chuck. The main difference is that I normally don't use reducers for 1/4" bits but adding a reducer and removing it is about the same as swapping from a 1/2" to 1/4" collet and back so that is moot. If I had experienced increased vibration / run out the instructions outline a procedure to eliminate that.

[legenddc]

How is it on your hands? That was the main driver in picking one up right?

[gee-dub]

On 1/27/2024 at 6:03 AM, legenddc said:

How is it on your hands? That was the main driver in picking one up right?

Yes.  Sorry, I should have focused .  This will vary with what bothers you about your hands but . . . the 1/4 turn with a 4mm t-handle hex wrench is much easier on my hands than the two-wrench method.  I am a big fan of the two wrench method and the tightening is OK.  It is the loosening that causes problems with my hands / wrists despite trying various grips and positions.  After doing some work with it for a day I am pretty sure it is a winner.  You would think for the price they would include a wrench.

[curlyoak]

On 1/27/2024 at 2:32 PM, gee-dub said:

It is the loosening that causes problems with my hand

Have you tried to situate the wrenches so they both fit in one hand and squeeze the 2 into 1? I try to do that.

[Tom King]

I know they say not to do it, but I use full size wrenches on most routers I have.  I'm sure it's easy to overtorque one, but I have fairly good calibrated hands.

[legenddc]

I bought a full size wrench for my table saw arbor nut. I make sure when I tighten it I hold the wrench lower, about the height of the original one. I'm always amazed at how easily the arbor nut comes off when I use the full size wrench.

Might go pick some up now for my routers.

[gee-dub]

On 2/9/2024 at 3:16 AM, curlyoak said:

Have you tried to situate the wrenches so they both fit in one hand and squeeze the 2 into 1? I try to do that.

That was always my preferred method. Father Time is a cruel dude.

[gee-dub]

On 2/9/2024 at 6:42 AM, legenddc said:

I bought a full size wrench for my table saw arbor nut. 

Agree. The supplied wrenches with the Saw Stop and the Milwaukee routers should be standard. 

Using real tools to work on your tools is a pleasure. Wimpy wrenches and weak collet locks are as dangerous as a dull knife.

[Tom King]

Yes, I said "most" routers because I use the wrenches that came with the Milwaukee routers.

[Chestnut]

I use 2 full size adjustable wenches on my router colletts I probably over tighten them. I had a bit slip once and that wasn't fun lost a good work piece.

[gee-dub]

This method gives good torque without overdoing it.

By using one hand and squeezing I would get things tight enough, no slip, and easy release when done.  The Musclechuck is just as effort to make things more comfortable with my new reality.

[Tom King]

On 2/12/2024 at 8:06 AM, Chestnut said:

I use 2 full size adjustable wenches on my router colletts I probably over tighten them. I had a bit slip once and that wasn't fun lost a good work piece.

I don't use adjustable wrenches for anything.  Right out of college my only job and experience as an employee was working at a FBO at RDU airport for three months.  The mechanics were not allowed to have either adjustable wrenches or automatic center punches in their toolboxes under threat of being fired.  That just always stuck with me.  That job was enough for me to decide that I did not want to be an employee, but had nothing to do with the wrench rule.

[JohnG]

Tom, but then how do you round out your nuts and bolts? Do you use metric on imperial and imperial on metric? 

[Mark J]

I have to admit that before I bought a  set of proper wrenches, I used to refer to my adjustables as my "metric" set.  

[Tom King]

7/16 plus 10 cents equals 10mm

 

[Chestnut]

1 hour ago, Tom King said:

I don't use adjustable wrenches for anything.  Right out of college my only job and experience as an employee was working at a FBO at RDU airport for three months.  The mechanics were not allowed to have either adjustable wrenches or automatic center punches in their toolboxes under threat of being fired.  That just always stuck with me.  That job was enough for me to decide that I did not want to be an employee, but had nothing to do with the wrench rule.

Oh i hear you loud and clear. The only place my adjustable wrenches get uses is on router chucks. It started mostly because the stamped wrenches that come with most routers are so awful i rounded a chuck with the wrench they sent with the tool.

[Tom King]

I had a whole stack of those stamped wrenches somewhere, never used.  I may have thrown them away.

[gee-dub]

On 2/12/2024 at 9:06 AM, Tom King said:

I had a whole stack of those stamped wrenches somewhere, never used.  I may have thrown them away.

As well you should .  There are some that are stamped from an adequate gauge of material to be safe / useful.  I'm sure we have all had some of those that are not for routers, tablesaw, circ-saws, who-knows what.  I often laugh at myself when I find a cache of "stuff" that should have been tossed from the git-go and was saved for some reason I cannot possibly defend.

[Tom King]

The stack I had all came with routers.  

[gee-dub]

Just wanted to pop in after nearly a year of using the Muscle Chuck.  It has worked flawlessly and saved my aging hands from some discomfort.  I use it with the basic 1/2" shaft bits it is designed for as well as with 3/8" and 1/4" adapters.  Never a problem; even with upcut spirals which can sometimes try to pull themselves out of the chuck.  We now return you to your regular scheduled programming.

[fcschoenthal]

On 12/24/2024 at 10:15 AM, gee-dub said:

Just wanted to pop in after nearly a year of using the Muscle Chuck.  It has worked flawlessly and saved my aging hands from some discomfort.  I use it with the basic 1/2" shaft bits it is designed for as well as with 3/8" and 1/4" adapters.

Many years ago I bought the Rockler Xtreme Xtension, which is similar the the Musclechuck, but is clamped into the collet and has the hex screw as well. I've upgraded my router from a PC to a SpinRite that has an ER20 collet, so it went into a drawer. I see that Musclechuck makes one compatible with the ER20, so I may have to look into it. Too bad that it's too late to get one onto Santa's list this year.

[JohnG]

Love the long-term follow up, thanks for posting! I keep meaning to grab one. 

[Von]

On 12/24/2024 at 5:21 PM, JohnG said:

Love the long-term follow up, thanks for posting!

Seconded!

[pkinneb]

I agree on the follow up and the review. While not cheap i have come to really like the functionality of the chuck. I have had mine for about the same amount of time.