Router collets and/or reducers

Carol Reed

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I started a new thread here because this information was getting buried in an off-topic discussion.

The discussion was about router collets and/or collet reducers and where to find them. Particularly with PC and Hitachi routers. I was asked to respond to this topic. Here it is. And I added some comments from my POV.

First, Porter Cable router collets are readily available. Nearly all the usual suspects carry them. I have 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2". There is also a 8 mm available. Forewarned here. 8 mm is real close to 1/4". Don't mix them up!

Hitachi, on the other hand does not have 1/4" collets for its M12V router. Now that is one honkin' brute of a router, so that doesn't come as a surprise to me.

A 1/4" shanked router bit is a tad delicate. It is best intended for trim routers which only have 1/4" collets. For the big bruisers, buy 1/2" shanked bits.

Some reducers are downright silly. To only have one slit for compression to hold the bit is, at best, a token response to a customer's demand. We are as safe as we think we are until we learn better.

A honkin' router and a 1/4" shanked bit is a recipe for shrapnel. That is never a good thing. Match the cutter with the tool for best results.

This is also good information when buying a router. Check to see what accessories are available, or not.

Here is another thought to think about. Router bits are consumables. They get dull and wear out. Replace them with the properly sized shanks for your router.

Likewise, router collets are subject to wear and tear as well. If yours is getting long in the tooth and isn't holding as well as it used to, replace it. They generally are under $20 and the wood we buy these days is generally way more than that.

As an aside, when I had the CNC machine, I used 5/16" end mills with the router. No collet for that. I handed a machinist a Bosch collet and asked him to make me a reducer based on that design. He did. It worked perfectly. Why? It had 8 slits, 4 from either end. And it reduced the 3/8" collet to 5/16". Lesson here: the collet cannot be a big hunk of metal. It cannot compress sufficiently.
 
Great info, and if I may be so bold to correct one small point:

8mm is not close to 1/4" 6mm is.

25.4mm = 1"

8mm = 0.3149606" or bigger than 5/16" and smaller than 21/64"

6mm = 0.2362205

1/4" or 0.25" = 6.35mm

I know this as I live in Japan, and my Hitachi M12 router came with a 1/2" collet and a 6mm reducer :doh: I ordered a 1/4" reducer from Hitachi in Japan, and after three months, it had not come, so I ordered one online from the US and had it in less than a week.

I no longer use any 1/4" bits on my M12 or my honking Milwaukee routers mounted in my tables, they live on a steady diet of 1/2" bits. I do have smaller hand held routers that use the 1/4" bits :thumb:
 
: Router collets and/or reducers

Thanks for the great post. One thing that I found out is, Harbor Freight sells a set of 8 Colet's with 2 nuts to hold them tight, for about 15 dollars, or less. and the fit and finish is great. I bought a set about 18 months ago, and I was very happy. For Your information. Be sure to check the size, there are two sizes. thank You.
 
Howard do you have a link to those collets from Harbor freight. I just had a look there online and could not find any other than ones for a bridgeport milling machine.:dunno:
 
I just got a reducer for my Hitachi M12 from Woodline and it has 8 slits in it. But at this time am having a little trouble with it fitting to snug in the 1/2" collet. Am waiting for a responce from wood line on that issue. The reducer that came with it has 3 slits. It was holding OK but was looking for something better. My Dewalt also uses a reducer,but my Porter Cable has both 1/4 & 1/2
inch collets,wich is the better way to go. I stick with most all 1/2 " shanks except where I need the 1/4" shanks to fit certain bushings.:D:thumb::rofl:
 
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