Help with stuck Router Bit (Resolved)

2651 Views 20 Replies 13 Participants Last post by old55, Oct 29, 2021

Auspicious

Discussion Starter · Oct 21, 2021

Hi Everyone

I am new here - and to routing - I picked up and Elu Mof 177 type 3 on eBay - I am based in the UK.
Like an idiot I have managed to get a bit stuck in it - I did not realise that the nut and collet had to be popped together before inserting the bit. It is a straight spiral bit in 8mm and it’s in and 8mm collet.

I have tried WD40, I have tried gentle tapping, I have tried a bearing puller on the collet, I have tried widening the collet with 4 flat screwdrivers. I have tried backing the nut out against a mole grip tightened to the bit shank.

I am running out of ideas!

I have thought about putting the machine in a freezer? Or heating the bit.
Are either of these ideas sensible?

Does anyone know of a shop that could repair this?

I am based near Worthing.

thanks

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

John Smith_

· #2 · Oct 21, 2021

welcome to the forum.
don't get discouraged just yet - this is a common problem and often has a positive outcome.
some photos of your issues would help a lot.
there are several methods of removing stuck bits from the collet.
I see that your router is basically the same as the DeWalt 625. so you can google that too.

Auspicious

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 21, 2021

John Smith_ said:
welcome to the forum.
don't get discouraged just yet - this is a common problem and often has a positive outcome.
some photos of your issues would help a lot.
there are several methods of removing stuck bits from the collet.
I see that your router is basically the same as the DeWalt 625. so you can google that too.

Hi John - thanks for your reply - here is a photo. Gawd I feel dumb....

Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle brake Alloy wheel

Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle brake Alloy wheel

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John Smith_

· #4 · Oct 21, 2021

right, wrong or indifferent, if that were my machine, I would put some ViceGrips on the shaft of the bit and start in on it like pulling a tooth. wiggle, wiggle, tap, tap, tap, and slowly move up to the bigger hammers, pry bars and gear pullers.
extreme care should be taken as not to damage the router motor or shaft. it is a delicate dance of determination and experience.
let us know what worked for you after it's out.
forgot to ask: was it stuck like this when you got it from ebay ?

Auspicious

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 21, 2021

Nope - I was the idiot that got it stuck! Can’t blame anyone else! It’s not ceased in there through age or dirt - I was just too dumb to read how a collet and nut worked when you changed bits!
Do you reckon these freeze sprays are worth a go?
Debating stinking the whole router in a freezer as well - then heating the bit in the morning!

John Smith_

· #6 · Oct 21, 2021

the only thing I have ever put in a freezer were big bearings to a boat motor.
I've never used any kind of freeze spray. I am fond of bigger hammers and more heat. (but, they do have their place).
some kind of penetrant with teflon would probably work - did you try taping the top of the bit from side to side and front to back in a repetitive motion ? (I'm pretty sure you have LOL). and turning the collet with your fingers while taping the bit with a small metal hammer.
David Falkner endorses this product, but I can't find it in my area. your issue may be a "friction seize" which is just a matter of breaking the bond somehow.

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jw2170

· #7 · Oct 22, 2021

Welcome to the forum...

I think John has covered all the options that I would suggest.

Let us know how you get on....

old55

· #8 · Oct 22, 2021

Welcome to the forum.

sunnybob

· #9 · Oct 22, 2021

I doubt an oven or freezer will help, because all of the pieces will expand or contract the same amount.
Freezer spay might work if you can only apply it to the collet and bit.
I would get a tight fitting spanner on the shaft, and either mole grips or pipe wrench on the collet itself, and try to unscrew the collet.
No, it isnt threaded, but the twisting action may well break the friction seal.
When all else fails, the most drastic method would be cutting the bit off low to the collet, then drilling the bit out.
As and when you solve the problem, to stop it happening again get an 0 ring that just fits into the shaft. Then you can seat the cutter down to the 0 ring, and when undoing it will give the cutter enough room to move and not seize again.

TenGees

· #10 · Oct 22, 2021

I'm surprised the bearing puller didn't work, if you could get a good grip on it. As you're probably aware, the collet likely goes into a slight taper. So I would keep trying to persuade that. As far as heat goes: I think those three parts are in pretty intimate contact... it might be hard to get one to shrink independently.

ken in minnesota

· #11 · Oct 22, 2021

ask your local mechanic if he has a slide hammer with a vice grip adapter. clamp it to the tool bit and should pop out with a couple hits

Reactions: 2

mgmine

· #12 · Oct 22, 2021

I will tell you how I have removed a stuck bit on several occasions. The bits however have been stuck because they were left in the router for years on end and not because of inserting them wrong. First I put vise grip pliers on the bit to hold it securely. Then I put the router on the ground so that the rotation was going against the vise grips. Then stepping on the router I turned it on by simply pushing the switch of a power strip that it was already plugged into. A router doesn't have the torque that a drill has so it doesn't want to jump all over the floor. You will know immediately if the bit is loose because the will be spinning but not the pliers. If it doesn't then immediately shut it off otherwise you could burn out the motor.

roxanne562001

· #13 · Oct 22, 2021 (Edited)

I was going to suggest a small bearing splitter and a slide hammer puller. Maybe a local machine shop or mechanic might have one. Something like this. Bearing splitter and this Slide hammer puller if you can't get it loose by tapping on the collet. Maybe try a brass drift punch on the side of the collet. It is a taper it should come loose. I would also try clamping the collet with vise grips and giving it a good tap from behind like John said.

ride2nite

· #14 · Oct 23, 2021

Try tapping a couple screwdriver into the collet slots. This may allow you to get the bit out.

Auspicious

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 24, 2021

For what it’s worth - and for anyone else in my shoes - I got the stuck collet and bit out of my Elu mof 177 (basically a Dewalt 625 or Trend T10) as follows...

After trying most of the very kind suggestions above, I ended up laying the router on its side, placing a flat screwdriver against the “rim” or lip (where the collet should clip into its nut) and I gave it a sharp tap with a hammer. I rotated it and did it again. It took three taps and it popped out like a greased champagne cork! It really couldn’t have been simpler!!

I was very surprised at how easy it was given I had tried many other things! It was based on advise from a technician at a power tool company.

So there it is for what it’s worth!

PS it’s much easier to never do what I did in the first place and not realise that the collet and but must be clipped together before putting them in a router!

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Reactions: 5

Texukdoc

· #16 · Oct 28, 2021

Auspicious said:
Hi Everyone

I am new here - and to routing - I picked up and Elu Mof 177 type 3 on eBay - I am based in the UK.
Like an idiot I have managed to get a bit stuck in it - I did not realise that the nut and collet had to be popped together before inserting the bit. It is a straight spiral bit in 8mm and it’s in and 8mm collet.

I have tried WD40, I have tried gentle tapping, I have tried a bearing puller on the collet, I have tried widening the collet with 4 flat screwdrivers. I have tried backing the nut out against a mole grip tightened to the bit shank.

I am running out of ideas!

I have thought about putting the machine in a freezer? Or heating the bit.
Are either of these ideas sensible?

Does anyone know of a shop that could repair this?

I am based near Worthing.

thanks

Texukdoc

· #17 · Oct 28, 2021

Go to Halfords & buy a ball joint separator & put the narrow part under the bit & hit the other end with a hammer. In my experience it never fails

lamarkeiko

· #18 · Oct 28, 2021

I have a Porter Cable router, and the bits are always stuck in the collet after loosening collet nut. I just take a piece of wood and give the bit a slight tap sideways on top of bit, and it is always freed to pull out.

Lemuzz

· #19 · Oct 29, 2021

Auspicious said:
Nope - I was the idiot that got it stuck! Can’t blame anyone else! It’s not ceased in there through age or dirt - I was just too dumb to read how a collet and nut worked when you changed bits!
Do you reckon these freeze sprays are worth a go?
Debating stinking the whole router in a freezer as well - then heating the bit in the morning!

when using heat (or cold as that is another form of heat) the secret is to only heat the part that needs to be expanded or using Rapid Freeze to shrink the part Because you cant heat the shaft without heating the collet you will have to use another method. I suggest sacrificing the bit by gripping it with vicegrips and hitting the vicegrips with a hammer. I had a Bosh router which had a flange on the collet. As the nut was unthreaded it pulled the collet out from its recess. I don't know why all others don't use this.

jw2170

· #20 · Oct 29, 2021

Welcome to the forum, @lamarkeiko , Just be aware, some collets also take an extra few turns to unlock after you think they are loose...

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