Router collets

[Cuprousworks]

I've had a couple instances of router bit slipping, is there a preferred method or solvant for cleaning collets? I'm thinking mineral spirits would work.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[mpeele]

acetone will remove any oil or grease, mineral spirits will leave a residue.
If you have ever spun a bit in it you'll need a new collet.

 

[Gofor]

DNA will also probably work. The only time I have had collets slip is when I let the bit bottom out in the hole. One way to prevent this is to put a drop of silicone sealant on a piece of wax paper and let it dry into a small ball. Put it in the router shaft to keep the bit from bottoming out while allowing the bit to slide in a bit as you tighten the collet.

The "space balls" some put into the dado on a floating panel cabinet door to keep the panel centered and not rattle also work.

 

[Rick Mainhart]

Hi Mike,

Router collets (along with router bits) are consumables. They wear out. I've destroyed too many router bits (usually brand new) due to slipping collets. I now keep spare collets on hand and at the first sign of slippage, I crunch them in my metal working vice and then toss them. There is NO way someone will be digging through the trash and "helping" me by "saving" a collet.

I've come to the point where I am going to replace my little Makita router as the last replacement collet I purchased was ... poorly made (but in an official-looking package). Down spiral and compression bits will simply walk out of the collet without so much as a "so long, it's been fun" comment. And yes, my bench is still mad at me over the last incursion.

My Porter Cable 690 and 7518 routers have gobbled up quite a few collets as well ... the 7518 lives in my CNC router, so collet failure generally destroys the work and leaves a sad reminder on the spoilboard (BAD collet !!!).

I've verify cleaning the worn collets does no difference ... I just replace them (and usually the bit that slipped) and move on.

A point of reference ... I do check the bit shank diameters when I have issues with bits slipping, and generally I have to say the bits are not the problem. I also check the cutting diameter to make sure I adjust the tool file for the CNC ... there's nothing more enjoyable than finding several feet of dado's in a project are .003-.005" too narrow because the cutter has worn. (To be fair, I am constantly re-learning that zero clearance tolerance is not a good design feature in any material I work with).

I hope you find this helpful.

Regards,

Rick

 

[bob vaughan]

Clean both the socket and the collet with solvent. I like lacquer thinner.
Put the least little bit of graphite around the socket maybe with a rag. Blow it clean with your breath. You don't want graphite inside the collet,
This will allow the collet to slip deeper, hold better and release easier.
This a method Delta suggested when their router collets in a shaper had complaints of slippage. The collet was a Porter Cable style that came on the early 513 routers and similar fill size routers.

 

[Mark Fogleman]

Spring Steel loses its 'spring' after being used for a while. Toss it and get a new one.

 

[Cuprousworks]

Thanks for all the replies, acetone did the job!

 

[Al Olme]

Only slightly off topic... I have an ultrasonic cleaner that I used in the past for cleaning small motorcycle parts. It seems likely that it would do a good job on router bits given the right cleaning solution. I looked around a bit and found plenty of choices but the cost was unrealistic...$20/pint. Does anyone know of a generic cleaner that isn't explosive when vaporized, easy to find and reasonably priced?

 

[mpeele]

I have put mineral spirits and parts in zip lock bag and sealed. Put the bag and part in the ultrasonic cleaner and filled with water. Clean part in a jiffy.