Getting at the collet nut on a router to tighten it....
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:23 pm
I recently bought a DeWalt laminate trimmer to use as a small router. It quickly became apparent that it was going to be an ongoing annoyance to tighten and loosen the collet nut, because access was petty bad -- made worse in my case by the custom baseplate I made for it. I'm sure all routers have the same problem to a greater or lesser degree though.
I made a sort-of deep well socket for the collet nut. Convenience has improved about a thousand percent. The extension has a 1/2" hole up the middle, so it will fit over any router bit less than 1/2" in diameter. I suppose I should drill it out just over 1/2" so it will allow 1/2" diamter bits as well. The top has two flats that accept a 17mm open end wrench, the same as that used on the collet.
I made a sort-of deep well socket for the collet nut. Convenience has improved about a thousand percent. The extension has a 1/2" hole up the middle, so it will fit over any router bit less than 1/2" in diameter. I suppose I should drill it out just over 1/2" so it will allow 1/2" diamter bits as well. The top has two flats that accept a 17mm open end wrench, the same as that used on the collet.