Festool OF1400 with 1/4” collet too tight.

[njt1000]

I have the OF1400 router and wanted to use a 1/4” bit today for the first time with the router. I’ve taken off the 1/2” collect, and found the 1/4” collect that came with it, but I cannot fit any bits in it. I’ve tried several makes of bit, but they are all the same. I’ve tried for ages, but can’t work out what I’m doing wrong. Weirdly, the bit do fit going in from the wrong end! I’ve attached some pictures in the hope that someone can help.

View attachment 1View attachment 2View attachment 3

 

[jeffinsgf]

Pull the collet downward, away from the collet nut. It's probably pressed up into the rib that is supposed to pop the collet loose when removing a bit.

 

[njt1000]

Thanks [member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member]

I managed to pull out the collect entirely and the bit fits in it fine. It seems to be the hole in the nut that is too small!? Is this the correct nut or am I expected to move the collet over to the nut used by the 1/2” collet?

 

[petar73]

In some country the routers are sold with metric collets, perhaps it is 6mm.

 

[AstroKeith]

Thanks [member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member]

I managed to pull out the collect entirely and the bit fits in it fine. It seems to be the hole in the nut that is too small!? Is this the correct nut or am I expected to move the collet over to the nut used by the 1/2” collet?

No, the 'nut' stays with the collet. The hole in mine is just clear of 1/4". Have you measured yours or tried a 1/4" drill blank, to eliminate the shank?

 

[jeffinsgf]

I think Petar is on the right trail. Whatever you were "supposed" to get, it looks like you have a 6mm collet instead of 1/4". The difference is .35mm or .014". That certainly appears by eye to be very close to the difference in your photo. The collet has about 1mm of movement, so it is no surprise that the collet fits outside the nut.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a batch of 1/4" collets and a batch of 6mm collets were inadvertently mixed up. I would go to your Festool dealer with a 1/4" bit in hand and buy a 1/4" collet...after proving it fits. Having the 6mm collet around might end up being a good thing, if you ever find something you need in 6mm, but not 1/4".

 

[MikeGE]

All of my Festool router collets have the size printed (etched?) on the fingers of the collet. In the first image in the first post by @njt1000 , I can see "1/4" on the collet.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Hmm. 1/4" collet and 6mm nut??? They would certainly fit with each other.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Just enlarge (drill out) the hole in the nut.

 

[njt1000]

Interesting thoughts. The collet definitely has 1/4” on it, but interesting that it may be a 6mm nut. I’ll message Festool to see what they say, I bought the 1400 new a couple of months ago.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts

 

[luvmytoolz]

Hmm. 1/4" collet and 6mm nut??? They would certainly fit with each other.

Surely Festool wouldn't make a 6mm and a 6.35mm nut?

That would make no sense at all to needlessly make two separate products so close on the one dimension that doesn't matter?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Just enlarge (drill out) the hole in the nut.

Maybe I misread?

The bit fits the collet when the collet is out of the nut.

Does the bit fit throw the hole in the nut?
If it does, ignore my suggestion.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Maybe I misread?

The bit fits the collet when the collet is out of the nut.

Does the bit fit throw the hole in the nut?
If it does, ignore my suggestion.

I think that is the issue. The bit shaft will not fit through the hole in the collet nut.

 

[Cheese]

Hmm. 1/4" collet and 6mm nut??? They would certainly fit with each other.

Surely Festool wouldn't make a 6mm and a 6.35mm nut?

That would make no sense at all to needlessly make two separate products so close on the one dimension that doesn't matter?

I wouldn't place a bet on this one...Festool is known to do quirky things.  [huh]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Maybe I misread?

The bit fits the collet when the collet is out of the nut.

Does the bit fit throw the hole in the nut?
If it does, ignore my suggestion.

I think that is the issue. The bit shaft will not fit through the hole in the collet nut.

If that’s the case I still recommend drilling out the nut. Won’t be the prettiest nut but it’ll get the job done.

 

[Cheese]

If that’s the case I still recommend drilling out the nut. Won’t be the prettiest nut but it’ll get the job done.

I concur...the proper sized drill for the thru-hole, a slight chamfer on the outside and a slight chamfer on the inside to de-burr...results in a thing of beauty.  [smile]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would find it to be amazing that they would actually make different nuts for the 6mm and 1/4" collets.
With only .35mm difference, the slightly larger nut should fit either collet.
Could it be the same with 12mm and 1/2"?

I have always thought it curious that the nuts fit so close to the shank anyway. ER type collets all fit the same nut, as do most other router collets/nuts.
I can see it done to keep debris out of the collet slots, when used in a router table, but I would doubt they were designed around that.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have always thought it curious that the nuts fit so close to the shank anyway. ER type collets all fit the same nut, as do most other router collets/nuts.
I can see it done to keep debris out of the collet slots, when used in a router table, but I would doubt they were designed around that.

That appears to be exactly what the purpose is. They're listed as "dustproof".
https://www.festool.com/accessory/routing/machine-accessories/collets

I am of the opinion that a batch of 6mm nuts got stacked on the wrong section of shelving and ended up being assembled with 1/4" collets.

I just checked my 1/4" collet nut and it has about .008" clearance. If they're cutting the 6mm nut with the same clearance, the hole would be about .005" too small for a 1/4" shank.