3/8" bit shank in 1/2" router?

[Robin Cruz]

I have an adapter to put a 1/4" bit shank in the 1/2" router. Is a similar but larger adapter needed for a 3/8 bit shank?

I want to make 3/8" wide mortises x 3/4d with a 1/2" template guide collar using 3/4 particle board template. I can use a 1/4" shank straight bit and get the depth I need. I see Whiteside has a 3/8" spiral bit on 3/8 shank which would be a much better choice.....but how do I adapt that to a 1/2" router?

thanks for any tips

[Ben Cadotte]

They make a 3/8 reducer to fit in a 1/2" collet. I have a couple of them that came with a couple routers I bought a while ago. I believe Amazon sells them. I can't check for sure now as I am at work and Amazon is blocked. :( But they are available.

[David DeCristoforo]

You can get a 3/8" straight bit with a 1/2" shank and cutting lengths of up to 1 1/2". Amana, Whiteside and others make them. Better because you don't need the adaptor which is something I try to avoid whenever possible.

[Joe Von Kaenel]

Robin,

eagleamerica.com (http://www.eagleamerica.com) have a 1/2" to 3/8" Collet is part number 198-0605. I've bought other collets from them and they are of good quality. Hope this helps.

Joe

[Ralph Barhorst]

Get the #277 adapter bushing. They work fine.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bushing_ball_bearings.html

[Robin Cruz]

thanks for the great info!. Im glad I asked.

[Charles McCracken]

I have an adapter to put a 1/4" bit shank in the 1/2" router. Is a similar but larger adapter needed for a 3/8 bit shank?

I want to make 3/8" wide mortises x 3/4d with a 1/2" template guide collar using 3/4 particle board template. I can use a 1/4" shank straight bit and get the depth I need. I see Whiteside has a 3/8" spiral bit on 3/8 shank which would be a much better choice.....but how do I adapt that to a 1/2" router?

thanks for any tips

Or how about a 3/8" spiral with a 1/2" shank. Item 75-106:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/317N7NPWHFL._SS400_.jpg

[Robin Cruz]

there you go. I suppose I didnt think this through so well as I am using 3/4 thick mdf for a template so the cutting edge on a 1/2 shank would have to be 1.5 or 1.75 long to get a 3/4 deep mortise. I probably should just bite the bullet and redue the templates to accept a larger diameter collar that will then allow a 1/2 shank to pass through and get me the cut depth I need. That would also have the benefit of allowing me to make a 1/2" mortise if I choose.
thanks again

[Curt Harms]

I know P-C offers a 3/8" collet 'cause I got one:).

[Peter Quinn]

Bosch also makes a 3/8" collet for their routers, and I too have one. Not sure I'd get into any type of reducer bushing for mortising, but that's just me. Gotta wonder how well that's going to hold the bit under that kind of load.

As per above I'd just use a 1/2" shank for a mortise that shallow. i got the 3/8" collet for an onsrud bit when I needed to plunge a little deeper than the 1/2" shank allows.

[Art Travers]

Just purchased a 3/8" collet for my DW 625..