Offset wrenches for a router collet?

[Brent Grooms]

Does anyone have a good source for a QUALITY offset wrench for loosening a collet on a router when mounted in a table? I had purchased the stamped and bent wrench from WoodPeckers but use it for a while (when the business end isn't hardened) and it will splay and no-longer be a 1 1/8in wrench.

I am getting a bit tired of fixing it by closing it in a vise. Any good suggestions?

This is not anything against Woodpeckers, its simply where I got it. I have seen the same wrench in many brick & mortar stores.

This is being used in my PRL lift so sufficient clearance IS an issue.

[mike wacker]

You might try tempering (sp) the wrench. If you have a propane torch get a bottle of Mapp (sp) gas. Heat the business end of the wrench until it's literally RED hot. Then quench it in oil. Used out of a car oil change is fine. It probably won't bend any more. Instead of bending it will probably break.

[Brent Grooms]

hadnt thought of that... Did plan on calling mlcs and asking if the wrench that they are listing has been tempered or hardened.

[Larry Frank]

I have the same wrenches and have not encountered a problem with them splaying out. I tend to be very careful and not over tighten the collet. However, I would like to have a higher quaility offset wrench as the edges of them are hard on the hands and can scrach the router plate. I hope someone has a source for better wrenches.

As a guess, I am not certain that the wrenches will harden. They appear to be just thick hot rolled steel and probably fairly low in carbon based upon how tight the bends are without any cracking.

[Todd Bin]

I too have the offset wrenches. Bought mine from sommerfelt tools. Anyway, I noticed your post about them being hard on the hands and I initially had the same issue. So I went to the BORG and bought a can of the "plastic coating stuff". Not sure what it is called but it comes in a can about the size of a tennis ball can and has a liquid plastic inside. You can dip your handle in it and let, pull it out and let it dry. Repeat to build up a soft plastic coating that is much easier on the hands. It is like the coating on the handles of pliers.

[glenn bradley]

Hi Brent. Just curious which router you are running. I have the PRL with a Milwaukee 5625 and can use the supplied, cast, straight wrenches without issue. The reason I'm asking is that the Mil's collet is quite short but still very reachable(?).

[Brent Grooms]

Glenn, I am using a PC7518. I like the offset wrenches as they have less of a chance of marking my PRL but after ~3yrs of use, it has fatigued to the point of being almost unusable.

Some may say that I am overtightening... but they haven't had a bit work its way out of a collet from being "tight enough"

[Greg Hawthorne]

Have you looked at this company?
http://www.martinsprocket.com/home.htm

Follow the links in products/tools or go straight to
http://www.martinsprocket.com/2001/secJa.pdf#J24
A variety of offset wrenches on p39

[Harold Shay]

Have you tried Sommerfeld's
http://www.sommerfeldtools.com/Accessories/departments/214/
Not affiliated with Sommerfeld's just seem to have quality tools for routers
Harold

[Gene Howe]

Glenn, I am using a PC7518. I like the offset wrenches as they have less of a chance of marking my PRL but after ~3yrs of use, it has fatigued to the point of being almost unusable.

Some may say that I am overtightening... but they haven't had a bit work its way out of a collet from being "tight enough"

I have the same motor. I bought my offsets from PC. Never had a problem.

[Randal Stevenson]

Have you looked at this company?
http://www.martinsprocket.com/home.htm

Follow the links in products/tools or go straight to
http://www.martinsprocket.com/2001/secJa.pdf#J24
A variety of offset wrenches on p39

You can't use a box end wrench without cutting it open, and even then, they are typically a lot thicker then collet wrenches. (think tappet wrench in thickness, and typically metric)
The other wrenches are standard wrenches, the open end is just at an angle, verses having a bent handle.

[glenn bradley]

Glenn, I am using a PC7518. I like the offset wrenches as they have less of a chance of marking my PRL but after ~3yrs of use, it has fatigued to the point of being almost unusable.

Some may say that I am overtightening... but they haven't had a bit work its way out of a collet from being "tight enough"

Ah, I agree. Your current wrenches sound like they've had it. I understand the problem of the sharp stamped edges wanting to bite the PRL. The Mil wrenches just happened to come as cast with rounded edges. Your post made me stop and think about it and if the wrenches I have were stamped, I would probably ding my lift. The Mil wrenches are 1-1/8" so they would fit your collet. I do have to angle the lower wrench a bit:

132619

If you think these might work for you, they are about $4 each:

http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Milwaukee-49-96-0365-1-1-8-in-Open-End-Collet-Wrench/76511/Cat/1314?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=googlebase&cvsfa=63&cvsfe=2&cvsfp=76511