pliers and elbow grease?

 

Use a thing called an easyout for removing bolts it has a reverse
thread

 

Why did you remove the "inner collet"? Was there a problem before the bit became jammed?

Not knowing why it's stuck makes me leery about suggesting impact force from the underside of the bit, although that would be my initial suggestion.
There's stuck and then there's STUCK!!!

 

If you back off the collet further, does it stop turning? If so, keep going with the wrench and it should release the bit.


Tom

 

Dan- When I first removed the router from the box the inner collet and outer collet were separated. This is my first router with a 1/2 inch collet so I didn't know any better. Based on the research I've done today that should not have been the case and is obviously contributing to the problem. The outer collet is now totally loose and spins while the inner collet is still stuck in the router base. I've been hesitant to knock the router at all, and now knowing the collet is 100% compromised I'm even more leery.

Tom- the outer collet is completely unthreaded from the router and spins freely, while the inner collet is still stuck in the router base.

 

are you talking about the collet adapter that fits into the 1/2" collet that is intended to be used with 1/4" router bits?

or does that router have 2 separate collet nuts, one for 1/2" bits and one for 1/4" bits?

and if you bought the bit and router at the same place, i bet they would replace them both if you took it back and showed them the situation.

 

Tom, it's quite normal to dissemble the collet for routine cleaning and maintenance. That shouldn't have been a problem, all else being OK. Is it possible that some foreign material is in behind the inner piece? Or that the shank of the bit is slightly deformed? Is the bit brand new out of the box? Is it an upmarket brand?
Just following a chain of thoughts that I'd be considering if it was in front of me. I'm still tempted to suggest tapping the bit from beneath, straight up and out from the arbor...
Maybe a shot of Liquid Wrench or similar alongside the shank of the bit before tapping upwards? There just isn't anything mechanical in there to lock onto it by design. It's just a pressure fit by tightening the collet nut.

 

I think you were addressing Wyatt?


Tom

 

Hi Wyatt - Sorry to hear about your problem. I'm quite sure that router has a "self-releasing" collet. The collet snaps into the nut and should not come apart without some effort. Assembling with the bit, cone and collet nut can jam the cone down into the armature shaft. Since the router is new, likely the best move is to call Hitachi customer support, they may ask you to send it in but it is a new router with, I believe, a 5 year warranty. Wouldn't want to mess that up. Possibly get a grip on the bit with a towel or something and suspend the router that way while applying some gentle heat and possibly some light tapping on the armature shaft with a small hammer might release it without a lot of drama.
I share your grief, those self releasing collets aren't very well disclosed. I had some issues myself with my M12VC when I first got it.

 

Whyat--i know the grip that my m12v2 can put on a bit. I damaged a nice bit the first time. Since your's is brand new, with warranty, i would indeed call Hitachi. Not just a matter of the proper collet, it's the potential cost of a bit as well. I've been most impressed by the self-releasing ease of both my Bosch and Porter Cable routers. Wish i could figure out why the Hitachi every now and then wants to put a death grip on my bits!! Good luck.

 

Whyat I think what you are saying is that even with the collet nut loose the bit won't come out of the cone. If you are trying to get a bit out that has a lip on the bottom like a round over bit then you can knock it out using a piece of wood. If it is a straight bit then this won't work. What I have done in the past (and have been chastised for on this site) is to mount the bit in a vice and holding the router tight turn it on. While the router is spinning pull on it to get the bit out.

 

...
What I have done in the past (and have been chastised for on this site) is to mount the bit in a vice and holding the router tight turn it on. While the router is spinning pull on it to get the bit out.

I won't chastise you for it ... you are a fully grown adult capable of making your own decisions.

But personally, I would be really scared to try that.

 

If you are referring to the 1/4 inch collet adapter then I had the same problem with my Milwaukee router. When trying to remove the collet the nut came all the way off. I reattached the nut and tighten it again I then went to remove the collet and this time it came all the way out. I presswed the inner collet out and pried it open to remove the bit. The very next thing I did was order a 1/4 inch collet for my router and have had no problems since.

Hope this helps as I am new to routing and am not sure when you say inner collet if you mean the adapter.

_______
Sarge

 

Whyat ~ I don't own a Hitachi router, but by nature I am a problem solver. As a general rule, when I have a new purchase that doesn't work, I contact the manufacturer's service department. Sometimes a phone call will get you back on the right track. It will also protect your warranty. In case you don't have it, here is the web site for Hitachi Power Tools. Please let us know how you resolved this problem so that the rest of us can learn.

Good luck.

 

I would try lubrication of some sort on the shaft into the collet as much as possible. Let it soak a bit. If you are going to use your hands to pull on the bit, I'd wear some leather gloves and use a scrap of leather to grip the bit. I'd try that a couple of times, try tapping as suggested, then off I'd go to the seller, or the factory repair station, or a tool repair shop run by an older, very experienced technician who's seen every darn thing.

 

Thanks for everyone's help. It is really appreciated. I was able to remove the bit using a wrench and elbow grease. Unfortunately the bit was damaged, but it was not a great bit in the first place (which is why I was using it to get acclimated to the router).

After removing the bit I could not get the two collet pieces to stay together in any way, shape, or form so I returned it to Amazon for a replacement. I should have it next week and am looking forward to using my router for the first time.

Are there third party collets that are more reliable? I couldn't find a lot of convincing information about this yesterday (most of the collets I found were for lathes).

 

Are there third party collets that are more reliable? I couldn't find a lot of convincing information about this yesterday (most of the collets I found were for lathes).

Sorry Wyhat, but no. Collets are pretty much always unique to manufacturers. Where they aren't (such as some of the DW collets, e.g. DW625, DW615) then the collets appear to be coming from a common source

Regards

Phil

 

Usually you can free a bit stuck in the collet by tapping on the side of the collet with your nut wrench. Tap 3 or 4 times and see if will loosen up for you.

 

Uaually tapping on the armature shaft will cause the bit to loosen.

 

I found that a DeWalt 1/2" collet fits my Ryobi 1/2" router just fine. But alot of the routers seem to have collets that are specific to that router.

 

Hello again, Whyat ~ How are you coming along with your stuck router bit? Here is the official Hitachi Service phone number ... 1-800-829-4752. There have been a lot of responses to your question and we are wanting to know how this turns out.

It would help if you would update your profile and tell us a bit more about yourself, such as location and woodworking experience. Best wishes.

 

here is his post:

Thanks for everyone's help. It is really appreciated. I was able to remove the bit using a wrench and elbow grease. Unfortunately the bit was damaged, but it was not a great bit in the first place (which is why I was using it to get acclimated to the router).

After removing the bit I could not get the two collet pieces to stay together in any way, shape, or form so I returned it to Amazon for a replacement. I should have it next week and am looking forward to using my router for the first time.

Are there third party collets that are more reliable? I couldn't find a lot of convincing information about this yesterday (most of the collets I found were for lathes).

 

Bob- I got it out with a wrench and a little bit of love. Mailed it back yesterday and should be getting the replacement next week. Playing with the broken one just made me more excited and anxious to get the replacement.

 

I read those reviews before hand hoping they were the exception and not the norm. I also had a hard time deciding between the M12VE and M12V2. I'm not sure if they have different collets. When I receive my new router I'll be better able to tell just how finicky the collet is on the VE. I will update this thread then.

 

I got the new router today and the collet is 100% improved. No issues or sticking what so ever. I will be giving the beast a whirl this weekend. Can't wait.

 

New collet works fine


Whyat ~ That's good news. Did your new router come from Amazon or Hitachi? I am sure that either or both companies would love to hear of your success story. As another poster said, "Now go make some sawdust." :happy:

 

good news. now go make some sawdust!

 

My solution was to insert a adjustable wrench between the collet and the bit then unscrew the nut and the bit falls out.

 

I replaced the router through Amazon. It took less than a week to get the new router.