OT-Removing a broken bit from my 1/2" Router Collet

Phetishboy

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OT-Removing a broken bit from my 1/2" Router Collet

I removed the nut, but can't get any leverage to remove the broken bit. Do I need to remove the faceplate that surrounds the collet, or just pry the bit loose or what? I have never broken a bit before and this bitch ain't budging right now. Help.
 
Will do. I feel like a helpless jackass at this point.
Do you have a cutting torch? Ok, hold the torch between your knees and grab the collet with one hand and use a screwdriver to move the.....JK!!! Waiting on the pic.
 
Need to see pic since it is a 1/2 bit maybe carefully epoxy a nail to the broken bit with something like jb weld. Using cold / heat and lubrication to slowly coax the broken bit out? Before you try pulling it out, can you tap it in a little further first? That would help getting it unfrozen with the most leverage.


Bill
 
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You know, it would have been a lot easier if you would have just removed the bit *before* you broke it...
:D

Sorry, I don't have any insight to add - the only routers I know about are the ones made by Cisco.

-Ian
 
You know, it would have been a lot easier if you would have just removed the bit *before* you broke it...
:D

Sorry, I don't have any insight to add - the only routers I know about are the ones made by Cisco.

-Ian

The thing is, the collet seems puckered tighter than a nun's asshole on prison visit.
 
It seems you've already wasted enough time where buying a new one could be in order...

The bits are removable as are the collets, as this came with 3 collet sizes, 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4". I wonder if the collet backs out counterclockwise? Time to find and consult my houseboy Manuel.
 
This sort of thing happens all the time when working on engines where you get a grade 8 bolt busted off in a cylinder head or something. You may want to try a "bolt extractor" tool in which you will drill into the center of the broken bit and use the tool to try and get it to slip. I understand its not threaded like a bolt so it won't quite work the same, but if you heated it up real good with a torch while using the extractor it might be enough to get it lose and yank it out.
 
The bits are removable as are the collets, as this came with 3 collet sizes, 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4". I wonder if the collet backs out counterclockwise? Time to find and consult my houseboy Manuel.

YMMV, but collets with caps nuts are usually free floating. They are tapered as is the tube seat in the armature. As the nut pushes the collet backwards, it is compressed around the bit's shaft. Your problem is not so much that the bit is stuck in the collet, but rather that that the collet is stuck in the tools armature. I would try heat (be careful not to damage the motor) and penetrating oil. Also, sometimes a quick rap (inward) with a small hammer will fre things up. Be light handed with the hammer as you're do not want to pound it in deeper, just break the metal-metal interface for a moment so it can slide out.

Push comes to shove, take it to your local machine shop. They deal with this same issue on their tools and may free it up cheap or at least offer better advice....

This sort of thing happens all the time when working on engines where you get a grade 8 bolt busted off in a cylinder head or something. You may want to try a "bolt extractor" tool in which you will drill into the center of the broken bit and use the tool to try and get it to slip. I understand its not threaded like a bolt so it won't quite work the same, but if you heated it up real good with a torch while using the extractor it might be enough to get it lose and yank it out.

That would work well, but good bits are hardened steel, and it'll be quite a pita drilling into it. Heat is what you need to expand the seat, but be very careful heating it. That shaft runs directly through an armature wrapped in enameled wire. Very easy to cook the windings and ruin the whole unit.
 
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If we only had a wheelbarrow, that would be something.
:(

Try spinning the collet. If you have a pair or smooth-jawed vice grips, you can use those to compress the wings and spin it back and forth while pulling straight out. (serrated jaws might dig in) You'll need to lock the shaft, either with the wrench or the push button, whichever your router uses. Otherwise it'll spin with the collet.
 
You might want to hit it with Freeze spray. Perhaps the collet will shrink more than the shaft. Cycle between cold and heat. Don't look like there is a lot of the collet sticking out to get a hold of. Got a vice? Vice Grips? Gentle taps with a hammer after freezing may help too.

Sometimes they put a coating on new bits that extends down the shaft. Once the bit get's hot the stuff melts, and glues the bit to the collet. Making Mucho Fun. :\
 
I cant believe people are suggesting heat with a torch. The freeze spray would be worth a try, anything to break the tapered press fit.
Lock the armature with the lock that should be built into the tool then grab the edge of the collar thats sticking out with some pliers. Dont pull out hard on it, twist it while lightly pulling out. The twisting motion will break the taper loose.
Another thing you can do is tap the broken bit down inside the tool a little. This wont work if you bottomed the bit out in the collar when you installed it. Try twisting first then second option.
 
I cant believe people are suggesting heat with a torch. The freeze spray would be worth a try, anything to break the tapered press fit.
Lock the armature with the lock that should be built into the tool then grab the edge of the collar thats sticking out with some pliers. Dont pull out hard on it, twist it while lightly pulling out. The twisting motion will break the taper loose.
Another thing you can do is tap the broken bit down inside the tool a little. This wont work if you bottomed the bit out in the collar when you installed it. Try twisting first then second option.

Yeah, that's exactly what I recommended. :)
 
Got it. I tried to use the button lock and twist with a vise grips, no dice. Then I tried to lever the collet straight up and out of the router with the tip of my vise grip jaws and the whole thing popped right out. The bit pushed out the back and I am back in business. Thanks fellas.
 
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