Stuck collett in Ryobi plunge router

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Stuck collett in Ryobi plunge router

AxisOfBeagles

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#196664 8-Jun-2016 13:25

Hoping someone has experience with similar problem and can give me a pointer or two (other than "next time buy Makita"!). Brand new rrt1600 Ryobi plunge router from Bunnings. Out of the box, setting it up - removed collet nut and the 6.35 collet is stuck fast, even with the collet nut completely off. Closed so tight that one can't come anywhere near to getting a but shaft in there.

How the hell to get that collet outta there? Obviously next step is take the thing back to Bunnings but sure would like to save myself a long drive.

Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.

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Vocus

#1567922 8-Jun-2016 13:59

Pliers? Vice?

Disrespective

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#1567923 8-Jun-2016 13:59

You could try heating it up with a small torch. If there's any seized grease or muck in there it'll help loosen it up. But I have no idea how that might affect the other hardware around the collet, or the warranty, for that matter.

I've never found any of my router collets particularly good, and they always strip with the supplied spanners.

richms

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#1567937 8-Jun-2016 14:18

My ryobi plunge router was really stuck in there when I got it. I cant remember how I got it out, but the finish on the side of the collet was horribly rough which is I think why it was jamming. I gave it a quick polish up before using it again and it seemed to not stick, but I have only changed bits about 4 times on it since then.

Richard rich.ms

SepticSceptic

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#1567962 8-Jun-2016 15:09

http://www.woodworkersresource.com/content/how_to_get_a_router_bit_unstuck_from_the_collet/

From the link:

""What to do if you have a router bit stuck in a collet?

First things first. Make sure you don't have a self-releasing collet in your router. If you have a fairly new model there's a good chance you do. These self-releasing models work differently to help prevent stuck router bits. When you loosen the collet nut, it turns freely until it begins to pull on the fingers. When this happens the collet nut feels like it's tightening up again. This is where some people stop and think the bit should come out. You must continue turing the collet nut past this resistance so it can pull the router bit out of the taper of the collet. Some router instruction manuals aren't very clear about this.

If nothing else has worked up to this point, you've got a couple of options.

Hold the collet nut with a wrench or lock it in place and with a thick rag, turn the router bit back and forth until it breaks free. If this doesn't work you may have to unthread the assembly and punch the bit out with a nail punch (very gently!).""

richms

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#1567979 8-Jun-2016 15:17

I found it was the collet to motor shaft side that jammed, not the collet and bit.

Richard rich.ms

AxisOfBeagles

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#1567983 8-Jun-2016 15:18

Thanks all. Clarification - there is NO bit in there right now. Just a stuck collet. It's a single collet nut arrangement (not like the old two-nut jobs). The collet that is stuck in there is completely cranked down and damn near flush making it nigh on impossible to get pliers on it but am gonna keep trying that. Failing that, it's back over the mountain to Bunnings tomorrow (danger). Good advice on polishing the exterior of the collets once I do get the damned thing out, thanks.

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ubergeeknz

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#1567988 8-Jun-2016 15:28

can you post a photo of the collet assembly? Can you get at it from behind somehow and push it out or does it nestle directly into the driveshaft?

BlueOwl

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#1567994 8-Jun-2016 15:34

The collet sits in the conical bore of the motor shaft. Insert a 6mm drill bit into the jammed collet and gently tap it sideways close to the collet with a light pin hammer or something similar. This should break the stiction that's holding it in and it should work itself out.

AxisOfBeagles

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#1567998 8-Jun-2016 15:40

BlueOwl - good idea. I would go there but reckon I should first make the trek to the store seeing as it's brand new. Was just hopeful that there was some simple non-destructive trick.

Ubergeek (great name) - will go take a pic and maybe you guys can spot something ridiculously simple that I'm missing.

Thanks all.

Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.

AxisOfBeagles

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#1568023 8-Jun-2016 15:53

Pics ...

Assembled, with nut on ...

With nut off ....

And finally, close up (I hope) of collet with nut off. You can see how it's completely closed up tight. Trust me - it's wedged in there tight too. And there is little to no 'lip' to get pliers on. I'm likely just missing something obvious but unless I can get her outta there without destroying something I'll just take it back tomorrow.

( I think ya gotta click on the thumbnails to see the larger image)

Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1568033 8-Jun-2016 16:11

BlueOwl's trick should work... just be gentle and you shouldn't break anything it should just come loose

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DarthKermit

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#1568038 8-Jun-2016 16:14

Did your router come with an instruction manual?

BlueOwl

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#1568060 8-Jun-2016 16:42

AxisOfBeagles:

Pics ...

Assembled, with nut on ...

With nut off ....

And finally, close up (I hope) of collet with nut off. You can see how it's completely closed up tight. Trust me - it's wedged in there tight too. And there is little to no 'lip' to get pliers on. I'm likely just missing something obvious but unless I can get her outta there without destroying something I'll just take it back tomorrow.

Wow, that's stuck tight.

It's not you missing something obvious: that's been over-tightened and it may not be possible to remove it. What's more, the collet itself might be permanently damaged by the compression. Take it back, I think.

shortcircuit

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#1568087 8-Jun-2016 17:05

Just had a look at my brand new one... same model pretty much.

The top 2.0mm smooth bit is the internal collet while the threaded part is the outer sleeve that tightens the nut down to hold the collet/bit in place.

The inner piece with the 3 splits is spring loaded so you should be able to grip the smooth part above the threaded sleeve with some pliers while holding the locking button on the body and twist the pliers to free the collet and the spring then pops it out.

2nd option would be to put a drill bit down the central hole and try to wriggle the collet free. Mine had a bit already in it and even with the bit sticking out to grip with the pliers it still took a bit of force

3rd option is take it back to Bunnings

SepticSceptic

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#1568098 8-Jun-2016 17:26

Perhaps a bit of heat from a heat gun or butane torch to soften any old lubricant, not too hot that a wet finger will sizzle, but hot enough that you can touch but not hold for any length of time - a bit like the temperature of hot water.

A couple of taps with a wooden mallet, or a hammer and wood buffer - don't use a metal hammer direct as it could deform any threads.

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