Thread: Collet slip on GMC router

One thing I have found is the degree of variation in the diameter of the shanks on cheap router bits.
I had one come adrift in my Makita while a CMT stayed put in the GMC, reversed the situation with identical results.
Are you using cheap router sets as this could be part of the problem.
Apart from that, everything must be squeaky clean.

G'day Iain,
In both case of slip they were spiral upcut/downcut bits from CMT. But no slip since, so it could well have been that the collet lock was not letting me tighten enough.
You're dead right about cheap bit sets...they wobble, slip and are a bit of a WOFTAM.
Regards,
Noel

Hi,
I had never used a router before, when I bought the GMC router table - it was very noisy, looked like the router bit was moving (I thought I wasn't strong enough to tighten the bit), the height adjuster so tough to move up and down in the table, the bit would stop turning as I put the wood through and the motor would speed up and slow down even when I wasn't using it, so I did what any brave women would do and put it back in the box. I have used table saws, angle grinders etc and not had the same anx that I might loose part of my anatomy ( bit in the eye or something). Came the day when I had jobs I wanted a router for ... out it came from the box - either I use it or throw it out. I took it out of the table ( at least the bit would fall downwards - whats a toe or a dog) - but still with the noise of speeding up and slowing down. So just before throwing it out and going to buy a different brand I wanted to see what the deal was with the spindle lock - the black button barely moved and didn't look right. I took the top of the machine off and looked inside, took the spindle button out turned it over so it fit in the provided slot and VOILA!!! when I turned the machine on it purred, it became a very polite piece of machinery - all the revving up and slowing down noises gone - I've just done half my kitchen shelf edges no worries. I haven't put it back in the table yet as those stupid strews (which I had to replace some after the first day of trying to put the router table together) probably only have a short life. I hope this saves the life of a router or two with the same problem.
Debbz

Erk. Good save.

Seem to recall somone's bit coming out of their GMC entirely.

I had similar problems with the diameter of the shanks on cheap router bits, even when I used them with my Triton router. Now all CMTs or Triton router bits wit no problems.
Regards
Jack