My router bit moves

[WoodChuckWoods]

I have now wasted three pieces of wood trying to cut a dado on my router table. I set the bit height then start cutting and when I get to the other end the dado is quite a bit deeper than when I started. Maybe 1/8" on an 12" long board it is driving me crazy. Could it be the bit slipping? Or somthing else I'm tiered and frustrated maybe it is somthing easy and when I wake up tomorrow it will all make since.

 

[Alan m]

check to see if you have the right collet in there. maybe its 12.7 with a 12mm bit
is the collet worn.
make sure there is no grease etc on the cutter shang or on the collet

 

[Kev]

I have now wasted three pieces of wood trying to cut a dado on my router table. I set the bit height then start cutting and when I get to the other end the dado is quite a bit deeper than when I started. Maybe 1/8" on an 12" long board it is driving me crazy. Could it be the bit slipping? Or somthing else I'm tiered and frustrated maybe it is somthing easy and when I wake up tomorrow it will all make since.

Tell us about the gear/setup.

I'd set the bit height and measure ... then leave it running for a few minutes ... then check it again (not load, not cutting - just see if if moves)

This is an unusual sort of problem.

Could there be flex in your router table top, with you potentially applying more downward pressure at one end?

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

I have now wasted three pieces of wood trying to cut a dado on my router table. I set the bit height then start cutting and when I get to the other end the dado is quite a bit deeper than when I started. Maybe 1/8" on an 12" long board it is driving me crazy. Could it be the bit slipping? Or somthing else I'm tiered and frustrated maybe it is somthing easy and when I wake up tomorrow it will all make since.

Tell us about the gear/setup.

I'd set the bit height and measure ... then leave it running for a few minutes ... then check it again (not load, not cutting - just see if if moves)

This is an unusual sort of problem.

Could there be flex in your router table top, with you potentially applying more downward pressure at one end?

I have a triton router with built in lift and a kreg table.

 

[Kev]

I have now wasted three pieces of wood trying to cut a dado on my router table. I set the bit height then start cutting and when I get to the other end the dado is quite a bit deeper than when I started. Maybe 1/8" on an 12" long board it is driving me crazy. Could it be the bit slipping? Or somthing else I'm tiered and frustrated maybe it is somthing easy and when I wake up tomorrow it will all make since.

Tell us about the gear/setup.

I'd set the bit height and measure ... then leave it running for a few minutes ... then check it again (not load, not cutting - just see if if moves)

This is an unusual sort of problem.

Could there be flex in your router table top, with you potentially applying more downward pressure at one end?

I have a triton router with built in lift and a kreg table.

I do not have direct experience with the Triton routers, but I have read about issues here ... http://www.woodworkforums.com/f20/router-bit-slipping-133548/

Does this seem like the problem you're experiencing?

 

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

Wow, after reading that thread Kev, it would seem that Triton should be doing a recall.  A chunky little piece of carbide spinning at 10k rpms could do a face some damage.  

If the router is not too old, I'd check into the factory replacing the collet before I put the cash down on an aftermarket one.  They may have even re-designed them if the problem is that prevalent.

Dave

 

[spikfot]

Have you contacted Triton directly?
I've only had slippage with one router/collet a Hitachi (M12V?) and the culprit was simply a worn out collet. As Alan M. said- 2x check the collet & bit sizing.
Avoid using collet inserts/ reduction adapters
I agree aftermarket collets should typically be avoided- but I've had great luck with CMT collet replacements.

 

[Len]

I agree with all the comments so far.  Also, any chance you are using a downcut spiral router bit?

 

[semenza]

I have had dust get impacted in the collet slots and then not tighten properly for the next bit.

Seth

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

i am using a 1/4 bit in a 1/4 collet. i have never had this problem before only with this 1/2" straight cut bit, when i was done cutting i had to take the collet off and put it in the vise to pound out the bit from the back. could the bit be messed up? i think today i will make all kinds of test cuts with other bits and see if they move also, but as i said this is the only one to ever move on me. i have loved this router from the start, the only problem it has had is i did not take out the spring when i mounted it to my table and over time i messed up the micro adjuster (my fault). other then that it has been great for several years

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Most of the time when someone thinks they have a worn collet, it is actually just pitted on the taper. If the two faces of the taper do not freely slide, tightening the collet down does not tighten down on the router bit shank very well.

Pull the collet out and clean the two surfaces with either fine emery or a scotch pad. You can put a light coat of grease on the taper, just be careful not to let any get into the collet.

 

[MarkF]

Charles,
Are you bottoming out the bit in the router?  That can cause a bit to loosen during use.  I drop one of the little rubber Space Balls down the hole before I insert the bit to prevent this and keep my registration.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

the spaceball is a good idea i will try it. I got a new straight bit today but with a 1/2" shank so i can put it in my other collet and see if i have the same problem. I will report back this evening with the info.

 

[Oldwood]

I had the same problem with a Triton router collet. The taper was clean & the treads were in good condition. I called Triton & they promptly mailed me a replacement collet. I am very happy with the Triton router for in the router table but I am not fond of the collet reducer system they use instead of a separate collet for 1/4".

Gerry

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

hey gerry my triton came with both the 1/2" and the 1/4" collets. also after installing the new bit and using the 1/2" collet i tried the cut again and it was perfect. so it must be my 1/4" collet or my old bit, so later i will try some different bits in my 1/4" and see if they move at all. if they do i will order a new collet if they dont i will through away my old bit.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Charles, did you happen to leave a bit in the collet for an extended period of time?  That can weaken the collet's grip.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

Charles, did you happen to leave a bit in the collet for an extended period of time?  That can weaken the collet's grip.

I didn't know that, there is almost always a bit left in my table and I use the 1/4" collet the most.

 

[Oldwood]

Hi Charles,

Did you get a seperate 1/4" collet that is tapered on the outside & requires the removal of the collet nut to install? If so I will need to check into this. My router came with a reducer collet or collet adapter that inserts into the 1/2" collet. Most router manufactures include a separate 1/4" collet that is tapered like the 1/2" collet. These hold much better than the adapters.
 
Gerry

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

Hi Charles,

Did you get a seperate 1/4" collet that is tapered on the outside & requires the removal of the collet nut to install? If so I will need to check into this. My router came with a reducer collet or collet adapter that inserts into the 1/2" collet. Most router manufactures include a separate 1/4" collet that is tapered like the 1/2" collet. These hold much better than the adapters.
 
Gerry

Gerry
        My router came with 1/2" collet that the nut is attached to I have never tried to seperate them, then it also came with the 1/4" collet that was attached to a nut also. I did not know they even came apart (I am still pretty new at all this)

 

[festooldude]

Sometimes when i route mortises with my of 1010,
I get the same problem.. I do not know what i can
do about it, but i do know that i dont got that problem with
all my strait bits.. Some have it, some dont..