problem with router guide bushing unscrewing during use

[Bob Cooper]

I'm asking because i've had this happen twice in 2 days and it's pissing me off.

Problem: I've had the guide bushing get loose during use...i'm routing out some deep mortises w/a 1/2" spiral upcutting bit.

I've tightened this down with pliers and it still came loose. I'm using a set sold my Milwaukee but do i just need a better set? Anyone else have this issue?

[Jamie Buxton]

Yeah, that's a problem. Here's one possible source... Maybe the nut isn't exactly the same threads-per-inch as the template. I have a box full of templates guides acquired over the years. Some nuts fit some guides better than others. In fact, for some combinations I can tighten the nut until it will not go any further, but the guide does not fully seat on to the router.

[William Young]

I have been aware of the potential problem because it is obvious that with my set I cannot get it tight with my fingers. Even using pliers on the upper ring, I don't seem to get it tight because the bottom guide piece tends to slip against the plastic sole plate. I solved the problem by drilling hole through the bottom guide piece adjacent to the raised bushing (being careful not to damage the bushing). When tightening the bushing, I then insert the "L" end of an allen key into the hole and use the other end as a lever to tighten the bushing. It seems that when doing it this way, the upper threaded ring seems to grip and not turn for some reason. Doing this, I can get the bushing quite tight and have no problem with it working loose. If the above is not clear, I'll try to get a picture later.

[Scott Brader]

I don't know about your situation, but I know I need to very carefully clean off the router plate to make sure there is no dust under the bushing or nut. Some guys use a wrap of Teflon tape on the threads before installing the nut. I have not (yet) had to resort to that, but I don't use bushings a lot.

Scott

[Jerry Miner]

Bob, I feel your pain. I've had a few template bushings end up like yours. Teflon tape can help, but for me, the final solution was to get a quality set of brass bushings. The brass ones seems to hold tighter than the pot-metal ones. Good luck

[William Young]

Here is a picture of my solution mentioned above:

383119

Note allen key inserted for tightening. Flip it around for loosening if required. The second bushing to the side is just to show the hole size/location. I think the hole is about 1/8" or slightly larger.

[George Bokros]

There are some thin spring washers that will help. I have one I acquired some time ago at one of the WW Shows in Columbus. Where to get them I do not know.

[andy bessette]

I had often experienced this problem until I substituted the brass nut from another set to use with the steel bushings.

[glenn bradley]

I had used teflon tape in the past. Then I came across Peachtree item #2903 (that George describes) at a WW-ing show. I imagine you can find a spring-steel wave washer from another source if you wanted. Haven't had one loosen up since.

[Bob Cooper]

Here is a picture of my solution mentioned above:

383119

Note allen key inserted for tightening. Flip it around for loosening if required. The second bushing to the side is just to show the hole size/location. I think the hole is about 1/8" or slightly larger.

So William...did you do this just to hold the male part of the two parts still while you tightened down the nut -- i.e. that threaded insert doesn't go all the way thru, right?

[William Young]

So William...did you do this just to hold the male part of the two parts still while you tightened down the nut -- i.e. that threaded insert doesn't go all the way thru, right?

Actually, I do just the reverse. I use the allen key as a handle to turn the male (lower) part. For some reason, the female part does not turn when I do this. If it did, it would be easy to hold it with pliers.

I'm not sure what you mean by: "that threaded insert doesn't go all the way thru, right? "

[Charles Lent]

Peachtree Woodworking www.ptreeusa.com sells a pair of wave washers to keep your router bushings from loosening. I have a pair that I bought years ago and haven't had a problem with my router bushings since. https://www.ptreeusa.com/rtr_bushing.htm Look down the page. They are #2903. A pair of them is $5.99 plus shipping. They should last forever, if you don't loose them.

Charley

[Bill Dufour]

Teflon tape is excatly wrong for this use. You want something like locktite that increases friction so it does not unscrew.
Bill D.

[andy bessette]

BD--you don't want Loctite, as this will make removal difficult.

The problem is due to vibration causing the loose-fitted threads (typical of router bushings) to unscrew. The solution is better fitting threads. The better-fitted brass nut I use came with a tiny inlay bushing/bit combo.

[Larry Frank]

+1 wave washers...I have one and works great.

[Lee Schierer]

Wrap a rubber band or a thin o-ring around the threads after you insert the bushing into the router plate. Tighten the nut down against the o-ring and it will not slip.

[Larry Edgerton]

The only time I have had problems were when I was doing an operation like the OP's where a lot of chips are heating up the bushing. My theory is that that is what is loosening it up. I know if you retighten after it gets warm it stays tight, but if you forget to take it off before it cools it is hard to get off.

[Larry Edgerton]

Wrap a rubber band or a thin o-ring around the threads after you insert the bushing into the router plate. Tighten the nut down against the o-ring and it will not slip.

I like it!