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Thread: Suggest creation of a safety/ I screwed up forum...first post for it...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Jonesborough, TN
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    84

    Suggest creation of a safety/ I screwed up forum...first post for it...

    I was happily working on a zero clearance insert for my table saw on my home made router table today. I have put a lot of thought into the process and had just figured out how to set the height/depth of cut on my plunge router to get the thickness I needed for the outer lip on the insert.
    Had some scrap laminate flooring to make 2 inserts. Had got them cut out, and trimmed with a pattern bit to correct outside dimension. I then rabbited the bottom to fit nicely in the saw table slot, and had one last pass to make for the initial clearance for the saw blade(instead of changing the 10" blade to a smaller blade to start the ZCI cut). The bit, that I had just used to cut the rabbit, crept out of the router collet and cut almost through the first insert and did cut through the second! The sanding block was big enough to cover the path of the bit, so I didn’t notice until I picked it up to try on the saw.. First one cracked and second one is no longer a zero clearance insert unless I use it for a Dado Blade...

    Thankfully I was using the plastic sanding block and a push stick or it could have been bad. I guess I didn't tighten the router collet enough.

    I've heard of end mills getting sucked out of a collet, but never thought about it happening on a router! Lesson learned!
    Found some more laminate and some Masonite scrap, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow to try again...

    Chuck

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Western Illinois
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    55
    Nothing worse than bit creep. The quickest way I know to ruin a project. After a couple instances of creep, I threw the collet into some dark corner and bought a new one. I've not had problems since. I'm also to the point of anal in keeping the collets shiny clean along with the bit shanks.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    McKean, PA
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    In my experience there are two general causes for a bit creeping in a router. Either you didn't get the collet tightened or you inserted the bit so it bottomed out and the collet could not the bit down as it was tightened. Still in either case it is upsetting when you ruin a piece of work. Thankfully no one got hurt.
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

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  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Chuck, there are actually a few routers that have exited that tended to have this problem from time to time... I will suggest to you that if it occurs again and you are correctly tightening the collet (not over tightening it, either), then you may want to replace the collet.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Jonesborough, TN
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    I checked the collet after the incident. I had not tightened it properly.

    Chuck

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Pickering View Post
    I checked the collet after the incident. I had not tightened it properly.

    Chuck

    Glad that wasn't worse. Filed under "stories to make you feel better" . . . I failed to tighten a 3/8" upcut spiral that I was using with a template collar. As the bit became a drill bit . . . and attacked the brass template collar on the way . . . I wasn't sure whether to smile at my good fortune and then go change my shorts or just go change my shorts.

    Guess what I have never done again?

    I have a little routine where I do not put the wrenches away until the bit is tightened. If the wrenches are still out, I re-check the bit.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    81
    I've had a router bit back out. Never did understand why. I was in a hurry, of course

  8. #8
    Chuck, screw ups - nah; however (as an aside) I will say I have a lot of material of varying dimensions from certain projects that is waiting to be repurposed. I like to refer to them as "off-cuts" rather than "screw-ups", and sometimes making them can be a harrowing experience.

  9. #9
    I attended a presentation by Chuck Hicks of Southeast Tool at a cnc get together last year. Some of my notes:

    "the collet is more important than the tool"

    "change collets after about 1,000 hours of use"

    "change out collet after breaking a tool, crashing machine or dropping the collet"

    "clean collet at every bit change"

    "change nut after 2 collet changes"

    "avoid overtightening collets"

    This is aimed at cnc users with higher use rates and often more spindle and feed power than the guy with a hand held router, but the principles apply equally. As a collet wears it becomes shaped like an hourglass and its holding power decreases. Add to that a long, high helix angle endmill and an aggressive cut and trouble may ensue.

  10. #10
    How do I clean a collet? Just a blast of air or with delicate fabrics in the washer?

  11. #11

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