Colt Spindle Lock Problem

[glenn bradley]

Has anyone else had trouble with the spindle lock on their Colt failing. I've had mine repaired once after only changing bits a few times. It has failed again after only changing bits twice. I am not over tightening. I'm from the 'just tight enough' school of thought on router collets. There is a provision for a 10mm wrench instead if I can find one thin enough to fit the slots on the shaft.

[Bill Huber]

What fails?
I have had no problem with mine and I use it a lot..
It will stick at times but I can just pull it back out or one time I did have to use a small screw driver on it.

[Mike Henderson]

If you do need to use a wrench, get one from a bicycle shop. They make very narrow wrenches for working on the hubs. And they're all in metric.

Mike

[Jamie Buxton]

Yes, that's apparently a common problem. I see it mentioned a lot in various forums. Mine has completely failed, and a friend's has too. I don't think that undertightening the collect is a good approach. A better answer seems to be using two wrenches. The wrench for the motor shaft must be rather thin. I made one from a piece of 1/8"-thick flat stock. It took maybe ten minutes with a hacksaw and a file. I've heard that if you hassle Bosch, they'll send you a thin wrench -- but that will take weeks and a bunch of phone calls.

[Dick Rowe]

I'm not sure if things have changed, but a while back I contacted Bosch via email, got a response the same day, and had the required wrench a few days later. I was impressed with the prompt service.

They did tell me that they were aware of the flaw and were working on a fix. Also said they would contact me when the fix was ready and tell me how to get free repairs.

That was a year ago, and I haven't heard anything from them, but the extra wrench works fine so I haven't followed up.

[Doug Lindley]

I have also contacted Bosch from this website http://www.boschtools.com/product-services/contact-us/
I nicely told them that the Colt spindle lock was poorly designed and that I was disappointed in the tool, they responded that they were aware of the issue and would sent me a 10mm wrench which I received a few days later.

[glenn bradley]

Bill, the last time it failed the actual shaft slot had rounded over and they replaced the shaft. Quite quickly too I might add, I was impressed. I have contacted Bosch and they are aware of the problem but the person I spoke to said they have no wrench to send(?). They do recommend a 10mm so I guess I will pick one up. I have no problem with the two wrench approach and actually prefer it on my other routers. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something without realizing it.

[Mike Goetzke]

Glenn - try to call back again (different CS operator). I received the wrench w/o any problems.

[Dick Rowe]

Glenn,

You might want to check before you purchase a standard 10mm wrench.

When I had the problem my 10mm wrenches were all too thick to work on the Colt. The wrench that Bosch sent was a lot thinner than a regular wrench.

[Bill Huber]

Bill, the last time it failed the actual shaft slot had rounded over and they replaced the shaft. Quite quickly too I might add, I was impressed. I have contacted Bosch and they are aware of the problem but the person I spoke to said they have no wrench to send(?). They do recommend a 10mm so I guess I will pick one up. I have no problem with the two wrench approach and actually prefer it on my other routers. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something without realizing it.

Thanks for the info....

I wonder if they fixed the problem, well I hope they have fixed it and I don't have the problem down the road aways.

[Martin Shupe]

Hmm, I have one of these, but have not used it very much. Looks like I'd better order a wrench before mine breaks as well.

[Jerry Allen]

Just take a 10mm open end and grind the head until it fits...

[Alex Berkovsky]

...When I had the problem my 10mm wrenches were all too thick to work on the Colt.If you're buying a wrench from a bike store, tell them you need a 10mm cone or brakeset wrench.

You can get one online (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=17238&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products) if you wish.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Every time I see this post all I can think of is the CG 7.62 MM Chain Gun. And it hasn't even got a spindle.
Well, it does just not in that way.

[ryan smythe]

i have the same problem as you, i have a skinny wrench so i just use that.