Need Help!- Problem with Hitachi M12VC Router collets

[prcdslnc13]

Im now on my second router in 1.5 months, and its going back to lowes today. The first one was working great until friday after about an hour of cutting out nested parts I had my bit pull out of my router. I put it in tight at the beginning of cutting this sheet of parts so I know that wasnt the problem, but when It pulled out the collet nut was so loose I could spin it with my fingers. The bit was fine so I tightened it up, Put a new sheet of plywood on and started cutting. 5 minutes in, the bit pulls again. Collet nut is loose again. I try again, this time with a different bit, same deal. So router goes back to lowes.

Now this one, I cant get the collet to let go of a bit or come out of the router. No matter what I do the nut wont pull the collet out or loosen the bit. Have others had problems like this? I was planning to get the precise bits collet set, but I dont want to have problems like this with those too. Personally I dont think I should have to get an aftermarket collet set to make the router work

The bits where Onsrud bits, so they werent cheap either.

[prcdslnc13]

The one thing I thought of with the first router that the bits were pulling out of, I was using a vacuum boot that used an exhaust deflector and a vacuum chamber to direct the suction around the bit. If I can find the thread that I got the idea from I will.

But the bit and the collet nut were warm, Do you think it was possible that they warmed enough to loosen the collet nut?

[CarveOne]

Don't know what to say other than don't seat the bit in the bottom of the router shaft and then tighten the nut. This is standard procedure for routers. On my M12VC when the nut is unscrewed it will be loose for a few turns and then tightens again as it unlocks the bit from the collet.

CarveOne

[prcdslnc13]

that was how the first one was until friday. The one I have now, is tight then loose for a couple turns, then tight until the the nut pulls free from the jammed collet haha. This one is defective for sure.

What are you using now carveone?

[prcdslnc13]

My boot is alot like this one, It works great but Im concerned that the deflector is part of the reason it loosened.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/850146-post145.html

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by prcdslnc13 that was how the first one was until friday. The one I have now, is tight then loose for a couple turns, then tight until the the nut pulls free from the jammed collet haha. This one is defective for sure. What are you using now carveone?

Also, make sure that the collets, nut, and bit are clean of anything like built up crud or film of some sort that would tend to make them stick together. Clean the parts with acetone lacquer thinner, paint remover or other solvent that takes the crud off if necessary.

I'm still using my M12VC I bought back in October. I'll order the precision collet set for it by end of this month. When my #3 machine is built I'll move it to that machine and install a PC7518 on my big machine. Both routers will have a Super-PID running them, under Mach3 control.

My M12VC has run for over 3 hours cutting the 30" Aztec calendar and has cut a couple of 18" (MDF and oak) and one 24" oak calendar with none of the problems you mention. When I buy new Bosch router bits at Lowe's I find that they have a slightly sticky film on the shanks (rust preventative I suppose) and wipe them clean with acetone or lacquer thinner and a paper towel. Once the film is transferred inside the collet jaws from an uncleaned bit the collet needs to be cleaned again.

CarveOne

[Phife]

I had a M12VC and i was very unimpressed with its stock collets, I had a similar issue of the collets jamming. I got it used and was using it on my router table not my cnc.

Over time the collets got worse and worse, they are just low quality parts. I highly recommend getting a set of precision collets from precise bits.com. Makes a huge difference, much less runout and the new collets are very high quality.