Wanted to share my success discovery! As I used my X carve more and more, I seemed to be having more frequent issues with the bits getting stuck in the collet, and bits falling out. I had to tighten the nut really tight to lock the bits in. Initially, a light tap with the wrench and they would drop out, then I got to where I had rattle them out with the wrench, then give a semi solid tap with a screwdriver. I ordered new collets, even ordered a new Makita router in hopes of finding a solution (none of which I have yet received). Then I started breaking more and more detail bits!
Was talking to a machinist friend, and he suggested I “reset” the collet each time I changed the bit. IE, pull the collet fully loose, set it back in the router, then install the bit. This little gem of advice has worked wonders!!! After each bit use, I fully remove the nut, fully remove the collet, then put the collet and nut back on and install my next bit. The spindle has improved so much, that it I only need to “clinch” the bits in and they don’t fall out, and when I loosen the nut, the bits often release and drop out before the first full turn of the nut.
Bit life has improved drastically as well! If the collet never moves, it makes small grooves and shoulders inside the router shaft that cause it to bind up. If this is common knowledge, I feel stupid, but I can’t be the only member who has experienced this. give it a try, it costs NOTHING!!
