Official Luthiers Forum!

Ive got a Trend T5 router (made in UK) that came with 6.3 and 8mm collets. I tried to fit the Stewmac binding cutter bit (1/4" shank) in the collet but it wont fit.....cutter shank is a fraction too large for the collet.

Trend dont seem to supply either imperial collets or 8mm to 1/4" reduction sleeves.

Has anyone else had this problem and are there any work arounds?

Cheers Martinkiwigeo38784.9354050926

Martin, could you open the collet up with a nail set? You know one of these



The collet should have a relief grove in it like this one


Here's where I found the collet pic, maybe you could get something from them, seems they have metric stuff.Rod True38784.9733333333

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Thanks for the info Rod. I looked at expanding out the collet but then it wont fit inside the nut that holds collet on the shaft. I'd have to machine out the inside diameter of the collet by about 0.3mm.

Ive run the caliper over some cutters and calipered the collet. The collet is 6.0 mm while the 1/4" cutters that wont fit are all 6.3mm.

I could get away with using the Trend cutters for most jobs but the binding/purfling cutter and bearings is a special Stewmac cutter kit.

Cheers Martin

I would be interested in hearing if you find a solution here as well, Martin. I have different routers, some with imperial collets and some with metric because of theis, but it would be practical to use some of the 1/4" bits in the metric routers.

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Would anyone using the Stewmac binding cutter and bearing kit care to post name and model of router theyre using?

Would be interested to see what routers will accept this cutter.

Cheers Martin

[QUOTE=Arnt] I would be interested in hearing if you find a solution here as well, Martin. I have different routers, some with imperial collets and some with metric because of theis, but it would be practical to use some of the 1/4" bits in the metric routers.[/QUOTE]

Arnt could you supply a list of your routers and whether they are metric or imperial?

Thanks Martin

I've got Bosch routers and US Porter Cable's; the PC's came with imperial collets (duh) and I doubt there are any metric ones available for them, but Bosch will sell imperial replacement collets.

You've got a Trend, which they do sell in the UK, so it might be worth contacting Axminster.co.uk and seeing if they sell the imperial collets?

Also...6.35mm collet? That's a 1/4" collet, methinks. Because the standard size 'round here is 6mm, 8mm or 12mm, all round numbers.

Hi Martin, the Stewmac binding cutter has a 1/4" shank and should fit in any 1/4" collet. I use it in a Hitachi M6SB trimmer of which I own 2. Along with the Dremel these are my only imperial ones. I have two good 1300W Bosch routers and two smaller (cheap ones, I forget their names) routers all which are metric and have plunge bases. I would like to use the 1/4" binding cutter set in the Bosch, which has 8 and 6 mm collets and lives in a router table.Arnt38785.1567361111

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Hi Mattia, you have an imperial collet in your Bosch? Where did you get it?

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

[QUOTE=Mattia Valente]


Also...6.35mm collet? That's a 1/4" collet, methinks. Because the standard size 'round here is 6mm, 8mm or 12mm, all round numbers.[/QUOTE]

Mattia,

The "1/4" collet on the Trend actually calipers at an ID of 6.0 mm. The Stewmac binder cutting set has a calipered OD of 6.3mm as do all the other "1/4"" cutters I have in the shop.

Cheers and thanks for the info on your routers

Martinkiwigeo38785.1640277778

[QUOTE=Arnt] Hi Martin, the Stewmac binding cutter has a 1/4" shank and should fit in any 1/4" collet. I use it in a Hitachi M6SB trimmer of which I own 2. Along with the Dremel these are my only imperial ones. I have two good 1300W Bosch routers and two smaller (cheap ones, I forget their names) routers all which are metric and have plunge bases. I would like to use the 1/4" binding cutter set in the Bosch, which has 8 and 6 mm collets and lives in a router table.[/QUOTE]

Arnt, does the Stewmac binding cutter fit in the 1300W Bosch router with 6mm collet fitted?

Cheers Martin

[QUOTE=kiwigeo]
The "1/4" collet on the Trend actually calipers at an ID of 6.0 mm. The Stewmac binder cutting set has a calipered OD of 6.3mm as do all the other "1/4"" cutters I have in the shop. [/QUOTE]

Ah, right. Reason I ask:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/14/product-Trend-T5EK-MK2-R outer-19901.htm

That states that it comes with a 1/4" collet. email Axminster tech support, ask them if it actually does, and if they've got contact info/can get at a replacement collet in the right size for you.

[QUOTE=Arnt] Hi Mattia, you have an imperial collet in your Bosch? Where did you get it?[/QUOTE]

I've got a GOF 900 ACE (big blue thing, smallest of the pro-series, I'm guessing you have the larger one), and I simply walked into a hardware store (not even the one I bought it at, heck, not even one that stocked Bosch's blue tools) with the manual, and asked them if they could order the 1/4" collet (my router's too small for a 1/2" collet, or I'd have ordered that as well). So I've got the standard 8mm that came with it, and a 1/4" imperial. Alternately, I'd just call Bosch customer services. Remember that the UK still has both metric and imperal collets, so there are EU machines with them out there.

[QUOTE=kiwigeo]
Arnt, does the Stewmac binding cutter fit in the 1300W Bosch router with 6mm collet fitted?[/QUOTE]

No, it is too big (don think I haven't tried!) Another thing I will not try again is use a shimmed 6 mm bit in a 1/4" collet. I nearly ruined a guitar with a set up like that once. I have great fear of metal spinning at 30 000 rpm coming lose .

Thanks Mattia, I'll get in touch with Bosch and see what they can do. Yes, I'm aware that the UK uses both metric and imperial, I got my 230V 1/4" Hitachi's from Axminster tools. I just checked out their web site and they are apparently not available any more. However they have a VERY nice looking Festool trimmer now, it costs a king's ransom, but I bet it would work beautifully in my binding jig, hmmm....Arnt38785.2271064815

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

[QUOTE=Mattia Valente]

Ah, right. Reason I ask:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/14/product-Trend-T5EK-MK2-R outer-19901.htm

That states that it comes with a 1/4" collet. email Axminster tech support, ask them if it actually does, and if they've got contact info/can get at a replacement collet in the right size for you.[/QUOTE]

They say its a "1/4" collet" but its actually a tight 6.0mmm collet. 0.3mm smaller than 1/4" converted to metric (6.3mm) but enough to stop a ^^&%$ 1/4" cutter fitting in the collet. The root of this problem is manufacturers quoting things like "1/4"(6mm)" in their product brochures. Its misleading and leads to the problems Im having....

Problem solved....I just bought myself a big chunky 1/2" Bosch router. Has a 1/2" to 1/4" collet and evrything fits.
Now I just have to explain to the boss why I have as many routers as I do planes.

Cheers and thanks for comments and info.

Martin

A final post on this thread.....I opened up the box containing the new Bosch 1/2" router and for some reason theyve supplied two of every accessory. Two fences, two spare 6.35mm collets, two collet spanners etc etc.

As a note of interest I was in the local Trend delaers shop this morning and noticed a Trend T3 kit for sale. I checked out the accessories that came with it and yes the darned thing comes with 3 collets....1/4", 6.35mm and 8mm. Unfortunately the collets dont fit the T5.

Am puzzled as to why they wouldnt supply a 6.35mm collet for the higher spec T5 router.

Cheers Martin

[QUOTE=kiwigeo] [QUOTE=Mattia Valente]

Ah, right. Reason I ask:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/14/product-Trend-T5EK-MK2-R outer-19901.htm

That states that it comes with a 1/4" collet. email Axminster tech support, ask them if it actually does, and if they've got contact info/can get at a replacement collet in the right size for you.[/QUOTE]

They say its a "1/4" collet" but its actually a tight 6.0mmm collet. 0.3mm smaller than 1/4" converted to metric (6.3mm) but enough to stop a ^^&%$ 1/4" cutter fitting in the collet. The root of this problem is manufacturers quoting things like "1/4"(6mm)" in their product brochures. Its misleading and leads to the problems Im having....

[/QUOTE]

Okay.....Trend market a "1/4" (=6.35mm) and a 6mm collett for the T5. The T5 kit I bought is advertised as coming with a "1/4"" and an 8mm collett. I actually got mine with an 8mm and a 6mm collett. All confusing.

Martin, Trend's own website here in the UK lists a 1/4" (6.35mm) collet for the T5 router.

T5 router

It might be worth asking them if it will fit your particular machine as they seem to have updated recently.

If it's OK, you can order direct from them, or if you like I could get one and send it on to you,

ColinColin S38787.2225578704

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.