Thread: I learnt something new

I am always very wary not to run a router without a bit in it. I am always concerned that it will either spin the nut off when slowing down or with the sudden start over tighten and damage the collet which appears to have happened to you. Even though the Triton is a soft start they still start fairly quickly with a jolt at first movement. At least you were able to get a new one locally and didn't have to wait for it to be imported from England like we did when no-one was handling them in Australia.

thanks Dallas
not sure if the damage was done by over tightening or just very high rpm's throwing the collet every which way within the nut when I turned it on for no more than 2 sec's, I don't remember it being tight or anything but normal until I used it next

the actual collet was very loose (sloppy) within the nut, which made me think it was caused by centrifugal force

the good news as you say is that carbatec had it in stock and probably have another 15 or so in stock in case I have another moment lol
I've made it a rule now to remove the collet with the bit everytime

Turning the router on without a bit will have allowed the collet to come unseated if you didn't notice this when putting your dovetail bit in, then because the collect was unseated it wouldn't tighten correctly and grip the bit.