I am looking for some different sized collets for my home router table that has a Hitachi M12VC head on it. I have searched the fourms without any luck. The collets look like ER-25 collets but I am not sure. Has anyone found collets that fit the Hitachi head? I am mainly looking for 3/8" but may need other sizes later.

Thanks,
Robert

I have been doing a lot of research on this and I cannot find a standard collet that will fit in the hitachi. ER-25 and RSO collets have different tapers. I am looking to a local tool maker/resharpening shop that can open up the bore on a 1/4" collet to 3/8". His setup costs are very high and would like to know if anyone would be intrested in splitting the costs to make a few.

Robert

Robert
Any idea of cost for the 3/8" collet?
Carl

Mr Sheets,

What about these adapters.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=30126&cat=1,46168,46180

The problem with all the adapters that I have used is excessive runout. They are not IMHO suitable for precision work.

I agree with Carlnpa, you will get some runout with the bushing. Although for the tolerance I am working with, I'm going to try one. (thanks Phillby)

I was looking at around $200.00 for two modified collets if I give them the collet to modify. I think it worth the $5.00 to try a bushing. I was hoping that I could find a collet for about $25.00, but it doesn't look good.

Thanks
Robert

Fwiw, Porter Cable has 3/8 collets for their routers, so even though they cost a bit more, they give you a bit more flexibility.

Also, someone here was using one of these ER collet holders with a 1/2" shank to hold smaller tools. Enco has them for around $70. http://www.craftsmanindustries.com/er.htm

Yes, I have a collet extension for er-11 collets. I cut down the length of the extension so that it just extends out the the router collet. er-11 collets only go up to 1/4" and the er-16 (next size up) extension has a 5/8" O.D. I have access to a lot of HHS endmills, but most of them are 3/8 shank. Carbide usually has a shank size of the tool itself. (i.e. a 3/16" carbide endmill will have a 3/16 shank)

If I didn't already own an Hitachi and have it mounted I would be looking at the Porter Cable, They make a great tool.

Hello Robert,

Over here in the UK, Hitachi do three different collet adaptors....

1/2" to 1/4", 1/2" to 3/8", and 1/2" to 8mm. They cost about five pounds each over here which works out at about 8 US dollars.
Their website is www.hitachi-powertools.co.uk. Once there, go to powertool accessories and then to router accessories. Hope this helps.

Regards

Martin

Thanks, this will be another source for reducer bushings. I already ordered some from the link Phillby supplied earlier in the thread.

Robert, I think that I may have found a solution. I also have a Hitachi M12VC router attached to my machine, and was also wondering about different collet sizes. SO when I was at a certain hardware store that sold both Hitachi and Bosch routers, I noticed that they also were selling replacement Bosch collets. So I took one of the Bosch collet/nut assemblies, and threaded it onto the Hitachi router that they had on display, and lo and behold, it threaded on. (The Hitachi router that they had on display was not the M12VC type - it was a plunge type, but I am thinking that the collets are likely the same.)

So, I just did a saerch on Bosch collets, and found a link on their website to buy the 3/8" size:

http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-detail?H=175983&G=54660&I=58160&T=1

So I am planning on looking further onto this. I am posting this reply many months after the previous post - but if any of you guys are still interested in this and beat me to the punch on investigating/buying a Bosch collet for the HItachi. please post your results.

THanks,

Mario

Try this one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120057295659&rd=1&rd=1

OUCH, $66.50 delivered. I paid $115 + tax for the router.

Hey Guys, I took a busted air 90 grinder and used the head chuck and the 1/8" collet that came with it. The shaft that had the bevel gear, which I cut off shaft, was 1/4". Now I can use 1/8" cutters in M12VC. HF sells air 90 grinders for less then 20 bucks!! Works for me!!

Cheers
AL

Howdy,
I found these in the PENN Tool Catalog. They are $50 there or direct. I use the round adapter to hold 1/8" shank Diameter tool. It then fits into the 1/4" collet on my hitachi M12VC. There is a tiny roll pin that goes into one of two locations depending on the tool length to be used as a stop to prevent the tool being forced into the adapter. There is a set screw oln the flat side to secure your end mill.
Here is the direct link....http://www.kaisertool.com/2004Catalog/Index.htm


Denis Kansier

Since this thread is quite old, any newer collet solutions for the M12VC out there?

Robert, I think that I may have found a solution. I also have a Hitachi M12VC router attached to my machine, and was also wondering about different collet sizes. SO when I was at a certain hardware store that sold both Hitachi and Bosch routers, I noticed that they also were selling replacement Bosch collets. So I took one of the Bosch collet/nut assemblies, and threaded it onto the Hitachi router that they had on display, and lo and behold, it threaded on. (The Hitachi router that they had on display was not the M12VC type - it was a plunge type, but I am thinking that the collets are likely the same.)

So, I just did a saerch on Bosch collets, and found a link on their website to buy the 3/8" size:

http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-detail?H=175983&G=54660&I=58160&T=1


So I am planning on looking further onto this. I am posting this reply many months after the previous post - but if any of you guys are still interested in this and beat me to the punch on investigating/buying a Bosch collet for the HItachi. please post your results.

THanks,

Mario



Just curious if you can confirm that these collets are compatible.

Paul

Yes seeing as this thread is pretty old...what is the best option for 1/8" bits in the M12VC? I've looked at some of the options above and would like to find a collet adapter that fits rather than a bushing adapter. The link above Paul psoted is showing as 404 error for me...

thanks,
Brendin

I ordered a ER25 Collet chuck with a 100mm long .5inch diameter shaft. I am going to try it out in my M12VC when it comes in. It is coming from Hong Kong and that means it will take a few weeks. But if it works this will give us almost any size below 5/8. I will let you guys know. and I may have to cut the shaft down to get it to see fully in the router. Dont want it hanging to far out.

http://www.ctctools.biz/servlet/the-96/ER25-COLLET-CHUCK-1-fdsh-2%22/Detail (http://www.ctctools.biz/servlet/the-96/ER25-COLLET-CHUCK-1-fdsh-2%22/Detail)

These http://www.precisebits.com/products/equipment/bosch_1618_collets_nuts.asp will fit the hitachi. I ordered the deluxe collet set (1/8, 1/4 and 1/2) plus an extra collet nut. I talked to Ron on the phone and he was very helpful and gave me tons of tips. I was really impressed with the service. They shipped my order the same day. These are high quality low TIR collets. Check them out.

Brendin

Those look great. but the ER25 collet will give more flexiblity for smaller milling cutters, because it will take almost everything between 1/16 and 5/8. I will say I probably wouldnt have bought the ER25 collet chuck if I had found those tho.

But by mounting the ER25 collet in the routers collet, you'll be increasing the runout due to the length. The PreciseCut collets reduce runout. This can be important when using very small bits.

If I was to run the collet at full extension yes it would deffiniatly increase runout. But I am probably going to cut it down in length. Or possible build a router mount that adds a bearing around the collet chuck shaft. We shall see.

Nice, I'll have to pick up a set of the Precision Bits collets.

I just came across this, anyone has any 1st hand experience with it or similar?
http://www.k2cnctools.com/products.asp?cat=14

Get a 1/8" collet from precisebits.com or order a 1/2" shank 2" Long ER16 tool holder from maritool.com.
Too much runout in those brass bushing adapters, particularly for small bits.
http://precisebits.com/
http://www.maritool.com/Tool-Holders-Straight-Shank-ER16-Straight-Shank/c23_28_175/p1463/ER16-1/2-2.0M-STRAIGHT-SHANK-COLLET-CHUCK/product_info.html