Router Collette

[Alexam]

Has anyone bought one of the quick change router collettes ? Are there several makes and which is good or bad please. Or even, are they not worth bothering about?

Thanks

 

[Glynne]

Hi Malcolm,
I don't have a quick change collet for hand routing but I do have an Xtreme Xtension in my table mounted router which is essentially the same thing. I find it ideal for table operations as it is not only quick to change bits but, as the name suggests, it acts as an extension so as you get a greater flexibility with smaller bits (I.e. 1/4"). The down side is that sometimes you don't want the extra length when using bigger bits so do have to remove it.
I don't do that amount of hand held routing so whilst it would be handy to have, it wouldn't justify the cost for me. All said and done, with most routers having a collet lock these days, changing bits isn't that onerous!

 

[asito]

Hey guys
Never heard of these, sound interesting? Are they compatible with different brands?
Cheers

 

[Glynne]

Xtreme Xtension will fit routers with a 1\2" collet and will then take 1\2" & 1\4" bits - have a lot on Peter Sefton's site and the published review: -
http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/ep...tPath=/Shops/eshop814530/Products/ROUTECXXTEN

 

[Steve Maskery]

+1 for the Xtreme Xtension. I wouldn't be without mine. It's not just that I get extra depth of cut, it's the ease with which I can change cutters. One quarter turn to undo, replace cutter, one quarter turn to tighten. Done. It's brilliant, really.

 

[asito]

Anything for 1/4 collet routers ? (homer)

 

[Steve Maskery]

Not that I am aware of. But when you see the item, you will realise how difficult it would be to make one. They are quite substantial, and to have that sort of chunk in a little router, plus the router cutter on top, would create a rather unstable mass of steel. Even in a 1/2 router, I keep the speed down a bit otherwise it starts to feel uncomfortable.
I think you just have to accept that 1/4" routers have their limitations.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Glynne & Steve.
It's just that I am still thinking about the routers that we have and are not used and if the collette addition would help. I almost booked a two day training course with Axminster until I realised that their training centre is in Devon and not Nuneaton, which would have been OK. Not having used a router I want to make sure I can do the various things with it correctly, so am still looking around for a days training or whatever. The videos can only take you so far and if not handled correctly can be dangerous for a silly old fool like me.

Did either of you have any 'balance' or vibration problems? I read that th fitting of the collett has to be done in such a way that in certain positions it will vibrate so its initially trial and error until fitted in the correct position and then workjs well.

 

[Glynne]

No vibration problems whatsoever.
The instructions do mention that you can have some vibration but you simply loosen the extension, rotate it around in the normal router collet, tighten and try again. Mine was fine first time and it's such a brilliantly engineered piece of kit that I doubt you'd have any problems.
If you want to pop over with your router(s) I'm more than happy to show you some routing (hand held or table) - it all depends on what you're likely to be using it for.

 

[Peter Sefton]

We ran our router course last week where we use both the Extreme Extension and the Whiteside Eliminator chuck, all extensions will put some extra load onto the motor and bearings, some are highly unbalance and do more harm than good. But a good quality one can be invaluable when used in a router table particulatlly when using small cutters or when you don't want to get under the table to change the cutters. Most routers used in router tables are 1/2" as the 1/4" are usually underpowered for table work in my opinion.

Cheers Peter

 

[Steve Maskery]

Wot Peter said.