Thread: Help, please! My Makita is stuck!

top turns anti-clock while bottom turns clock this is of course the way up in the photo if you tun it upside down its opposite.

Good luck loosening the existing bit, but I am sure you will be able to do it.
When you have finished using the tool remove the bit and leave the collet loose.

It loosens in the direction of rotation.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

top turns anti-clock while bottom turns clock this is of course the way up in the photo if you tun it upside down its opposite.

I'm sure from this (and elanjacobs) post that I will be able to work it out. Many thanks!

And, Handyjack, I just figured this one out - I must have had this thing for 20 years and it's the first time it's decided to get REALLY recalcitrant on me. So I figured that next time I'd take the bit out before storing.

Many thanks for the responses. I didn't really feel like replacing it - and the local Bunnings has such a crappy range...

I've got a bit stuck in my TR-12 I gave up last effort, your thread has really got me to pull my finger out and tackle it tomorrow.

(I also forgot which way to undo the damn thing)

Sometimes the collet will not release no matter what! Instead of replacing you can buy a new collet which you will be able to remove. I have the same Makita and had the same issue but the bit never came out.

If I can jump on the back of this thread.

Which way does the collet undo towards me or away from me? Arrow of rotation is pointing away from me on its side. Don't know if I'm tightening or other, but bugger it's giving me the poops.

Been a few months since the bit was used and I had meant to come back and take the damn thing out before putting it away and I can't remember which ay is up, down, left or right.

To remove a router bit from a old Makita
Lay the router on you bench with the bit facing away from you, large spanner resting on the right plunger rod, smaller spanner about vertical if possible , give it a thump to the right to loosen the collet , if the router bit is still stuck , undo a couple of more turns and then put a thin screwdriver in the slot to open the collet a bit more. John.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

top turns anti-clock while bottom turns clock this is of course the way up in the photo if you tun it upside down its opposite.

Done (a while ago) and here is the engineering marvel I used once I knew which way to turn it! Comes from having an engineer for a father - measure with a micrometer; mark with chalk; cut with an axe - overkill is best!

Thank you very much!

I have a Ryobi router that has the same system it's horrible and really difficult to undo at times,hitting it with a hammer is not a good idea and deosn't work very well.
I find it best to put it on the floor and force the spanner with my foot it's a lot easier and less painful than a trapped finger.

Once I knew the direction of turn it was easy. Two long metal garden poles onto the handles of 2 small adjustable wrenches. Very easy to turn and no 'knock' effects that you might get with a hammer (to both wrenches and router).

May be relevant: newer Makitas have a self ejecting collet. So when you get the nut loose, twist by hand til you feel resistance, then get the spanner onto it again.

An old bit left in for some time may well have corroded so give it a squirt with WD40 or similar and leave it to sit overnight.

HTH

Many a time I have had a real tight collet on the shaft of router bit but generally it has loosened with some light(emphasize light)taps on the nut (on all the sides) that screws down the collet.
So far touch wood no problems but one has to remember that shaft run-out is always possible if this method is used with too much exuberance ie heavier taps on the nut than is necessary as well as damage that may occcur to the nut.

Overtightening of the collet can damage the router bit at times and this may be the cause of many of us that have problems not that this is necessarily the case here with this thread.

cheers

This may help in future. Put both spanners on the collet so that they are as far apart as possible and squeeze them together with your hand. It sounds stupid but you get real power doing it this way as you don't have to chase the router all over the bench. Try it next time a bit needs changing.