Help with Stuck Router Collet

[Steve Reich]

I have a brand new Triton TRA001 that I received for Christmas. I am just now finishing building my router table and was going to use the router to cut the opening for my router plate. My pattern bit has 1/4 shank and out of the box the Triton comes with a 1/2 collet. I proceeded to remove the 1/2 collet so that I could insert the 1/4 collet. Well, I could remove the nut but the 1/2 inch collet remains suck in the armature. Moreover, when I tighten the nut, the collet itself doesn't loosen or tighten, and I can't even insert a bit with a 1/2 in. shank either. My guess is that the collet is defective, but I need to get it out so that I can install the 1/4 collet and then call the supplier (Tool Nut) and ask them for a new collet. In the image, you can see the collet nut removed with the collet still stuck in the shaft. In the second image you can see the 1/2 shank not fitting into the 1/2 collet. I am deeply grateful for any guidance.

Stuck Collet 1.jpg Stuck Collet 2.jpg

[Mike Cutler]

Is the shaft the collet is stuck in solid? In other words, can you fill it with a fluid?
If so you could try a solution of transmission fluid and acetone and hope that it can "creep" enough to aid removal.
One other trick is to fill it with anything intended for breaking loose stuck nuts and bolts, and make a small slide hammer to get behind the collet part inside.A 16D nail clamped in a set of vise grips and a small hammer to tap up on the face of the vise grips might free it.
Or buy a cheap one at harbor freight.
https://www.harborfreight.com/slide-...SABEgLXlfD_BwE

[Tom M King]

I don't see anything in the picture that would indicate it's a self-releasing collet. If it's not, that's not something you're going to be wanting in a router table. First thing would be to contact the retailer, and see what they have to say about it before trying anything yourself. If they will allow an exchange, I'd go with a brand that has a self-releasing collet.

[Al Weber]

I'd be looking for a new router as the fact that the entire upper assembly seems compromised would indicate to me that there may be damage that a new collet won't solve. You can't get a new collet to fit anyway if you can't get the internal piece out.

[Grant Wilkinson]

I've suggested this to others and it's worked. Get a hose clamp and tighten it around the collet. The collet may compress enough to get it out.

[Mike Cutler]

I've suggested this to others and it's worked. Get a hose clamp and tighten it around the collet. The collet may compress enough to get it out.

That's a great idea!!!

[Steve Reich]

Well, that didn't work. The collet compressed at the top as you suspected but the tapered bottom seems stuck. I think that the collet was tightened without a bit in it.

It is supposed to be a self-releasing collet.

[Tom M King]

How was the inner part attached to the outer part of the collet? They have to be attached to self-release.

[Rhys Hurcombe]

If that's how it came, return it. I have the exact same router and had no issue removing the 1/2" Collet. When tight, My collect is only about 3/4's the way down the thread on the router. Yours looks basically bottomed out in the thread.

[Steve Reich]

The quarter inch collet that I want to install is attached to a collet nut. That's why I think the 1/2 inch one in there is defective or broke. As I unscrewed it, the collet remained in there. It's a tapered shaft, multi-slit collet.

[Bill Dufour]

Take a good sized nail and put it in head first. Pull it to the side so it hooks under the collet. You may have to file it down a bit. Grab it with vise grips and use a dead blow hammer on the vise grips to pull the collet out. A carriage bolt might work as well and can be wrenched out with spacers and a nut.
On smaller sizes I will file or grind the nail head so it looks like a railroad spike with head only on 1/2. If there is room at the bottom I use the biggest nail I can fit in the hole.
Use safety glasses since things may go flying if it releases properly or improperly.

[Tom M King]

Sounds like something was missing from that collet to start with. There should be a snap ring under the edge of the inner piece that's under a shoulder machined in the nut. Look at the 1/4" one closely, and compare it to the 1/2" one.

[Al Launier]

I've suggested this to others and it's worked. Get a hose clamp and tighten it around the collet. The collet may compress enough to get it out.

This should do it!

[David Kreuzberg]

There should be a 1/2-inch to 1/4-inch reducing bushing included with the router. No need to remove the 1/2-inch collet - just remove the nut, drop in the bushing, replace the nut, drop in the router bit and tighten the nut.

[michael langman]

Steve, Put the nut back onto the spindle most of the way but do not tighten it and then rap the side of the nut with a small hammer or a piece of brass if you have it. Continue tapping the side of the nut and if you can pull up on the collet at the same time it would help.
If this does not work I would send it back to the manufacturer for a new router.