Thread: it arrived today

I am very glad that you mentioned that issue as I have recently purchased a second-hand Triton router that came with an Xtreme Xtension fitted. Hopefully the previous owner will have already done the fine tuning, but if it vibrates on me I will now know what to do. I have a Musclechuck on another router (OF2200) but had no balance issues with it at all. The instructions with the Musclechuck warned that it might need to be fine tuned but I guess I was lucky with that one.

I think that you will be pleased with the ease of changing bits with the allen-key tighten/loosen mechanism. I find it excellent with the Musclechuck. A word (or few) of caution, for the Musclechuck at least so probably with the XX I would guess, is that if you are using a reduction collet you need to carefully line up the slit in the collet reducer with the slit in the collet AND make sure that you tighten very firmly. I have had a small shaft bit slide down and, once only, rise out of the collet. I have never had that problem with 1/2 inch bits, only the smaller shaft bits.

Unless I'm missing something this extension that I sell - Shaft Collet Extension ½ IN TO ½" FOR Hand Held Table Router Collet Incl | eBay - does the same job at a much lower price and with no balance issues. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Cheers,
David

Originally Posted by aldav

Unless I'm missing something this extension that I sell - Shaft Collet Extension ½ IN TO ½" FOR Hand Held Table Router Collet Incl | eBay - does the same job at a much lower price and with no balance issues. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Cheers,
David

The only problem is you need some large spanners to use it (one being an odd size from memory) and the spanners don't come cheap and no, I won't use adjustables.
The other unit uses a common Allen key.

Certainly much cheaper David. I might've had a go at it had I been aware of it. I stumbled across the XX more or less by accident, because Amazon put it in the suggestions when I was trying to find out if I can get a musclechuck that will fit my TR12; reading comments and reviews whereever I could find them.

The balance issue is questionable. Putting any kind of extender into your chuck and then adding a heavy long bit will create the potential for a lot of whip, and, as the manufacturers of the XX say in their leaflet, a single small grain of sawdust in the collet can totally throw things off.

The XX I got was/is certainly beautifully machined and obviously has been balanced - any issues, so I am assured, will almost certainly be due to the thing not being seated 100% in the collet. 99.5% may not be good enough. I will accept that.

They even suggest a method - at first glance very rude - to eliminate vibration that comprises rotating the bit by hand against the fence, and once you find the spot where it's closest, you put a block against the XX and hit it with a hammer. Won't damage the extender, but will help seat it properly they say.

Originally Posted by P.W.H.

Certainly much cheaper David. I might've had a go at it had I been aware of it.They even suggest a method - at first glance very rude - to eliminate vibration that comprises rotating the bit by hand against the fence, and once you find the spot where it's closest, you put a block against the XX and hit it with a hammer. Won't damage the extender, but will help seat it properly they say.

Yes about A$94 compared to A$40 delivered in Australia, and if you have a collet lock you only need one spanner. All of these extensions potentially put a lot of extra strain on your router bearings and, like you, I certainly wouldn't be hitting anything with a hammer! I also couldn't emphasise enough the importance of having clean collets when using any extension and limiting the size of the 'bite' you take from the stock.

Cheers,
David