[AKASTUDY]

I have the Triton TWX7 work bench with the Triton router module mounted underneath.
I was using a 4” three bladed router bit with a bearing at each end. I was routing a piece of three inch ply when the router bit grabbed the wood, tore itself out of the chuck (which was definitely tightened up before I started) and flew across the workshop. It grazed my thumb and elbow on its way. Fortunately I suffered no injuries apart from shock!
The lesson learned is ; how often do we check our installation is secure? When I investigated I found the whole router assembly (secured to the underside of the bench module with four bolts) had loosened over time meaning the entire router was loose!
Thankfully I got way with it (this time)!

Be careful out there!

 

[AKASTUDY]

Wow...That is a monster cutter....
When you say, "three inch ply" what dimension is that?

BTW, welcome to the forum.

I was making an acoustic guitar template, using the router to shape a piece of laminated plywood which was 3 inches thick and approximately two feet in length.
Thanks for your interest.

 

[AKASTUDY]

That is how it grabbed...."When I investigated I found the whole router assembly (secured to the underside of the bench module with four bolts) had loosened over time meaning the entire router was loose!"
No Doubt, the bit pivitoted or worse yet bounced into the work from the slop in the router screws and it bit off more than it can chew.
It is however very concerning that the bit came lose from the chuck. One thing to be sure of when locking down your router bits, NEVER bottom the bit to the bottom of the chuck. This (depending on how your chick is designed) could give you a false sense of tight grip on the bit even though you feel a lock on the chuck nut.
I always try to have 1/8 inch between the bottom of the bit and the bottom of the chuck.
calabrese55

Thanks for your reply and information, I agree with your conclusion regarding the pivoting. The router bit was definitely tightened and set at the mark shown on the router bit (I mark all my bits with black marker to show how far they should be, in the collet). The force damaged the collet and (incredibly) appears to have bent the 1/2” diameter router bit, which now causes excessive vibration to the point it can no longer be used! A salient lesson!

 

[AKASTUDY]

Wow marking your router bits is a great idea wish I had thought of it. If possible can you post a picture of the bent 1/2 inch router bit? My reason is it can serve as a reminder to all of us new and old ( I am old) the need for respect of our tools based on the danger / damage they can create when things go wrong.
Lastly just so you know I am not trying to single you out I had a router incident and I did not fare as well.
Danger never sleeps.
calabrese55

Hi,

Have attached a photo of the router bit. Also shown a measure beside it to give an idea of dimension.
Unfortunately I can’t see any damage to the bit. Rolling on a flat surface does not show that the bit shaft is bent! The bearings also seem to be ok. It’s definitely a problem with the bit as my other 1/2” bits do not vibrate in the router.
I’m hoping to send the bit back to the manufacturer to see if they can find the reason. This bit was top of the range costing £70 so I’m hoping they can find a solution but my gut feeling is that it’s a none recoverable bent shaft!!
Thanks for your interest.

On 9 Jan 2023, at 14:52, Router Forums <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi,

Have attached a photo of the router bit. Also shown a measure beside it to give an idea of dimension.
Unfortunately I can’t see any damage to the bit. Rolling on a flat surface does not show that the bit shaft is bent! The bearings also seem to be ok. It’s definitely a problem with the bit as my other 1/2” bits do not vibrate in the router.
I’m hoping to send the bit back to the manufacturer to see if they can find the reason. This bit was top of the range costing £70 so I’m hoping they can find a solution but my gut feeling is that it’s a none recoverable bent shaft!!
Thanks for your interest.

​ ​ Visit Site Wow marking your router bits is a great idea wish I had thought of it. If possible can you post a picture of the bent 1/2 inch router bit? My reason is it can serve as a reminder to all of us new and old ( I am old) the need for respect of our tools based on the danger / damage they can create when things go wrong. Lastly just so you know I am not trying to single you out I had a router incident and I did not fare as well. Danger never sleeps. calabrese55 → calabrese55 replied to a discussion you are following at A Router Lesson Learnt! Wow marking your router bits is a great idea wish I had thought of it. If possible can you post a picture of the bent 1/2 inch router bit? My reason is it can serve as a reminder to all of us new and old ( I am old) the need for respect of our tools based on the danger / damage they can create... View Discussion View All Following​ VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada Unsubscribe Please do not reply to this message. You must visit the forum to reply. This message was sent to you because you opted to watch the thread A Router Lesson Learnt! at Router Forums with email notification of new replies. You will not receive any further emails about this thread until you have read the new messages. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you may disable emails from this thread or disable all emails.

Wow marking your router bits is a great idea wish I had thought of it. If possible can you post a picture of the bent 1/2 inch router bit? My reason is it can serve as a reminder to all of us new and old ( I am old) the need for respect of our tools based on the danger / damage they can create when things go wrong.
Lastly just so you know I am not trying to single you out I had a router incident and I did not fare as well.
Danger never sleeps.
calabrese55

 

[AKASTUDY]

Someone here on this forum mentioned a soft grommet sized to fit the inside bottom of the collet nose is insurance against that every time it's in the hole.

I’m sorry but I don’t think it’s a good idea to insert anything into the collet. These things are dangerous enough without adding’ foreign objects’ into the space. Do as I do and use a black marker to mark your router bit at the manufacturer mark shown on the bit. This should be enough without additional spacers etc.

 

[AKASTUDY]

Hi James,
Yes you’re right. Uk bits are marked with a “K”, indicating how far into the collet the bit should be positioned. It’s this mark that I highlight with a black marker to help alignment. My eyes aren’t what they used to be!