Can't remove the collet from the nut aaarrrggghhh!

[Brian Runau]

Fairly new Dewalt router. 1/2" collet in the nut now, pretty thin wall on the collet. Can't find a screw head big enough to push the collet out of the nut. I did find a bolt head that fit, but it won't push the collet out. Collet spins freely in the nut.

Don't want to force it, so walked away for the day until I figure this out.

Thanks.

Brian

[Jim Becker]

I have found that the collets provided with routers are not generally designed to disassemble from the nuts like ER collet systems used with CNC machines. None of the PC, DeWalt and Festool router collets come apart in my stable.

[George Yetka]

I recommend getting an additional nut for any additional collets. Its nice to have them. For $13 you can get a nut /collet set on amazon. Otherwise if you want a more precision option it may run $35 for the set

[Mel Fulks]

Some router problems are from pushing the bit all the way down and that makes the bit less secure , should be 1/8th up off bottom.

[Cameron Wood]

It's not supposed to come out- why do you want it to?

[Michael Burnside]

Brian, usually when assembled these types of routers are flanged with the nut attached during assembly and cannot be removed in the field. At least my DeWalt and Milwaukee palm routers are like this. I don't even think they are ER type collets, but I could be wrong.

[Ray Newman]

Elaire Corp. has made-in-the-USA replacement collets for deWalt as well as several other router brands


http://elairecorp.com/routercollets/

[Brian Runau]

I have found that the collets provided with routers are not generally designed to disassemble from the nuts like ER collet systems used with CNC machines. None of the PC, DeWalt and Festool router collets come apart in my stable.
So even if I have a 1/4" collet that came with it, I must have a 2nd nut?
Thanks brian

[Kent A Bathurst]

Well, you could always buy all new bits with 1/2" shank. And then send me the obsolete 1/4" that you don't need anymore.

I've always considered a "collet" to consist of both the nut and the grabby thing inside. Never occurred to me to separate them.

EDIT - Oooops - misread, misunderstood. I have a Makita lam trimmer, and a herd of PC 690. My ignorance did not prevent me hitting the "send" key.

Offer to take the 1/4" still valid, though :)

[John Lanciani]

501542

They come apart, why else would Dewalt sell them like this?

[Richard Coers]

The collet slips over a ring in the nut when there is nothing in the collet. This makes it a self ejecting collet so the collet doesn't stick to the bit. To remove the collet you can put the nut in a vise and then slightly depress the sides of the collet while pushing sideways on the collet. It will pop right out. To put the collet back in the nut you put the collet on the bench, put the nut on top of the collet and push down fairly hard until you hear it snap back together. There is nothing wrong with your collet or nut, that's the way it is designed.

[Michael Burnside]

John, no one is arguing you cannot buy a collet and a collet nut separately. That said, the ones that come with palm routers and ones you can buy as replacements are often captive and do not separate.

[John Lanciani]

John, no one is arguing you cannot buy a collet and a collet nut separately. That said, the ones that come with palm routers and ones you can buy as replacements are often captive and do not separate.

OP asked about a 1/2" collet, not a trim router. You and others incorrectly posted that they are not generally removable.

[Jim Becker]

So even if I have a 1/4" collet that came with it, I must have a 2nd nut?
Thanks brian
My DeWalt 618 came with both .25" and .5" collets. They do not disassemble and both have integral nuts. Both of my Festool routers came with collets with integral, non-removable nuts. My PC 7518 came with separate collets with integral, non-removable nuts. So if you got a collet that doesn't have a nut with your DeWalt router, that sounds like something is amiss or the company changed something.

[Dave Sabo]

Fellas (well most of you fellas) - the op has an old Elu designed and made in Switzerland 3hp router - not a Stanley / B&D BORG model.

It’s got an entirely collet system than those.

[Lee Schierer]

My Freud router came with a 1/2" collet. It also came with a 1/2" collet with no nut, but I soon got tired of swapping the collets from the nut, so I purchased a new collet and nut. It is much easier and faster to change bit sizes now.

[Greg Quenneville]

I read that the OP has a DeWalt. Try pushing the collet sideways in the nut to release it like the ER series collets work. Otherwise, get a 1/4” bushing to allow small shafts to fit the 1/2” collet

[Warren Lake]

dont get the issue all my routers take a 1/2" bit. If you use a smaller bit of any size you have a sleeve that slides in to take 1/4" or other sizes. have some number of sleeves back up is always good. I think on the horizontal mortiser you snap the size you want in and out of the nut so maybe what you have is like that?

[Brian Runau]

Jim wins again. Collet and nut are not intended to come apart.

501573

[Maurice Mcmurry]

Self ejecting collets are a nice improvement. On my newer Bosch routers it is obvious that the two parts are intended to stay together. They come with 2 collets, each with its own nut attached with a snap ring. On the old ones a collet stuck in the spindle is a real pain.

[Richard Coers]

They may not have been intended to come apart, but they were manufactured as two seperate parts and somehow assembled. If they were assembled, they can be disassembled. Did you try my advice?

[Alex Zeller]

All of my routers and my spindle have a nut for each collet. Unless money is real tight I recommend doing it. Even if you could get them apart sooner or later you'll want to switch back and go through the it all over again. I would rather be woodworking than fussing with a tool.

[Richard Coers]

dont get the issue all my routers take a 1/2" bit. If you use a smaller bit of any size you have a sleeve that slides in to take 1/4" or other sizes. have some number of sleeves back up is always good. I think on the horizontal mortiser you snap the size you want in and out of the nut so maybe what you have is like that?
A sleeve does not grip as well as just a collet. You introduce a second item that has to grip. Especially critical when you use spiral straight bits.

[Lee Schierer]

A sleeve does not grip as well as just a collet. You introduce a second item that has to grip. Especially critical when you use spiral straight bits.

If you get the adapters with multiple slits, they work much, much better than the single slot adapters.
501617

[Warren Lake]

sleeves work fine never had one come loose. Ive used routers for very heavy work in the past, ive snapped bits pushing too hard.

[Michael Burnside]

Jim wins again. Collet and nut are not intended to come apart.

501573

Glad you got it sorted out. I was going to post a picture of my old corded Dewalt to see if it was the same because mine for sure is a captive nut.