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I have an old router Sears 315.17400 with 1/4 inch bits but no collet, nut, or manual. I'd like to get this working as it is mounted on my new router table and I would like to use my new one as a plunge router.
Do I go with trial and error or does someone have an answer for me?
Thanks,
bogged down in router hell (I.m new to these tools)
Re: I have an old router Sears 315.17400 with 1/4 inch...
Have you tried sears for the collet and nut, should be able to get it there , on on line from there., As far as manual, what questions did you have., I can help.
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Take the collet fully apart and clean out all sawdust and other debris. Does this happen on all i/4 shank bits? use only quality bits preferably American bits. I use Whiteside and Amana, Cmt is a good bit. If it does not hold any 1/4 bit replace collet. To my knowledge Sears has never made a router, they just sell them. It's possible it was a Skill, a Black and Decker, or some other common brand with a few specs that Sears had them made with (good luck with that). Check router forum.com
other people have looked for collets, there is many suggestion or answers. t site has them, but it does not specify 1/4 or 1/2
Inserting the bit should be the same on all versions of the Makita 3612 router. It does depend on the bit size. Press the shaft lock to keep the shaft from turning. I think the lock is close to the handle on one side of the router when you hold the router with the bit/collet up. For small shaft bits, insert the appropriate collet sleeve into the collet cone. Then insert the bit completely into the sleeve. For larger shaft bits, insert the bit completely into the cone. Use the wrench to tighten the collet nut securely. Unlock the shaft lock. Do not over-tighten or leave the bit loose in the collet cone/sleeve. Over-tightening can break the collet cone. Leaving it loose can result in the bit flying out of the collet cone. Either way, injuries can occur. To remove a bit, loosen the collet nut and then remove the bit (or bit and collet sleeve).
probably not as the shanks of the router bits fit in the spindle shaft of the router which is around 1/2" dia
could always talk with manufacturer as to find an adaptor or like bit of equipment
The two sizes (in the US) for router bit shanks (and collets) are 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch. Some routers use only a 1/4 inch collet. Routers with a 1/2 inch collet also come with a 1/4 inch collet. You need a 1/2 inch collet to hold a 1/2 inch shank. Good luck.
On some models the collet stays put on purpose. You don't have to remove the nut either. But if you really do have to remove the collet and it is the type that is supposed to come out (maybe you need to use the 1/4 inch collet) then just stick a bit into it without the nut and give the bit a sideways whack with a piece of wood. If the collet has been pressed in tight by the nut without a bit in place, then you won't be able to fit a bit into it, and maybe the collet is ruined. Find the largest diameter shaft you can to fit into the hole and pop that sideways. Good luck.
Never tighten a router collet empty. This will bend the collet smaller and it will be too tight.
Simply replace the collet. Call the Mfg the collet may be off specs a few thousands of an inch.
When not using the router store the nut loose on the threads enough it doesnt fall off.
Do you have the collet upside down? It should fit in nicely and the lock nut fit over the top, no problem, If it doesn't, something is wrong. They only make 2 sizes of collets for router bits, 1/4 and 1/2 , if they get their parts from somebody who makes just collets, you could have easily gotten a different size in there. See if a router bit will fit the hole, then go to the store where you bought the router and ask them to try it in your router and see if it fits, they might have collets on the shelf. Check it out.
On my older Sears router there is a lever on the base near the collet nut that you slide to engage the motor shaft to lock the motor shaft for bit changes. On newer models you may have a button or different mechanism to lock the shaft. After the shaft is locked you can use a small wrench to loosen the collet nut, usually by turning it counter-clockwise (viewed from the base). Once the nut is loose the bit should slide out (sometimes the bit is stuck in the collet and the nut may need to come all the way off to get them apart). Just replace the bit with a new bit with the same shaft diameter, tighten the nut, and you are set. If the new bit has a different shaft diameter than the old bit you may need to change the collet also (in general, different collets are used with different bit shaft diameters).
I just did this on my black and decker router. You need to unscrew the nut that holds the collet and remove it altogether. Then slip out the collet in there and replace it with the new size. Take care to notice how it goes in when you take the old one out. Then rescrew the nut that holds it in place and tighten. My router had three collets and only one of them works for each size, so if it doesn't tighten properly, it may be the wrong size. Good luck.
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