[wingspar]

I have this router that I inherited from my father around 1988. I used it for a few projects around the house, and it has been sitting unused for years buried deep in my shed, hence this question before I spend the time digging it out. I have the manual but I can not find anywhere in the manual about the max router bit shaft size. Does anyone know what it is?

I ask because I just bought a Freud 3/4" bit and was kind of surprised to see that it has a ½" shank. I was planning on using it with my Makita RT0701C, but it only has a 1/4" max shank size. This is kind of a separate question, but is it possible to get a collet for the Makita that will take bits with ½" shank? Looking at the Makita site, it looks like it is possible, but far too confusing to me as to what to order.

 

[jdonhowe]

I'm fairly sure that neither router can accept a 1/2" collet. Both are pretty light duty (8 and 6.5 amps), so don't have enough power, and aren't built robust enough, to use larger bits, which usually have a 1/2" shank. So, to use this bit you'll need to get a larger router, say 1.75+ hp (11+ amps), which specifically includes a 1/2" collet. Most full sized routers also include a 1/4" collet. Alternatively, buy a bit with a 1/4" shank. While you didn't say what shape 3/4" bit you need, FWIW Freud 04-140 is a 3/4" straight bit with a 1/4" shank. Good luck!

 

[wingspar]

Thank you. Very informative. I just looked at the description of the bit that I bought and of course the ½" shank is clearly in the description, I just didn’t pay attention. The Freud 50-118 is what I bought. Hopefully I can return it and order the 04-140 which looks perfect for what I want to do.

 

[Wooden Dreams]

Measure the "collet" that you have. If you only have one "collet" it's probably measures for a 1/4" shaft. The 1/2" Collet should be the same tread size as the 1/4" collet. If the shaft coming out of the motor, is hollow enough to fit a 1/2" shaft of a router bit. Then you can also use a 1/2" Collet. That would be the only reason a 1/2" shaft would not work. That router should be able to handle any router bit with 1/4" shaft. Just take light passes.

My next door neighbor was selling a smaller Craftsman router (from the 80's) that only had a 1/4" Collet. And the motors shaft was hollow enough to fit a 1/2" router bit shaft. All it would have needed would have been a 1/2" Collet. I didn't buy it from him cause I didn't like the way it did fine depth adjustment.