Thread: Increasing collet to 1/2 inch

As far as I know, the short answer is no.

The ¼" collet router has a smaller diameter shaft than that of a ½" router. Whilst you can put a reducing sleeve inside a larger collet to make it smaller, because of the fact that the ¼" collet already is small, there is no way of increasing the internal diameter. This means that the long answer is no as well!

Ray

So there you have it, the short and the long.

Peter.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

So there you have it, the short and the long.

Peter.

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yep. I thought so. I will keep my eyes out for a sale then or borrow a mates if I need one or just use the one at the club.

Pete

Hi Pete,
I have just ordered an adapter kit for the 1/4inch Bosch GMR1 that is on my cnc shark.
The adapter kit is designed to fit the thread on the American Bosch colt which is almost exactly the same model as the GMR1. I emailed them and they said the collet thread size is the same its just the voltage they run off. So this means the nut and the collets should all fit on my GMR1. I'm getting the kit so that I can use 1/8 inch bits but I notice it also comes with a 1/4inch and a 1/2inch collet adapter.

So I will let you know if it works when I get it. I would imagine that if the kit is designed to fit the model router with the 1/4inch collet and it has a 1/2inch adapter included in the kit then it must work.

So the long answer is yes in my opinion, it may depend on what model router you need it for though.
Send an email with your router details to this company Precision solid carbide tools for woodworking and metal forming.
and they will tell you what is possible. They are a great bunch to deal with and should be able to answer your question.

This is the kit I'm waiting for (3rd item down on this page)
Next Wave Automation

That's going to be an interesting experiment
I have trouble seeing a 1/4" shaft being strong enough to handle a 1/2" bit.
The deflection of the shaft worries me.
As far as I can see on NWA's website, these are collets not adaptors.
Correct me if I am wrong, please.
I managed to get a 1/2" router here in OZ, just had to adapt the bracket to fit.
However, only the HD is strong enough to handle a 1/2" router.
Not forgetting the Colt comes in 1/2" over there as well
Cheers
Wolffie

I just did a search for Bosch Colt and couldn't find a 1/2inch one.
All I could see is reviews and places to buy the 1/4inch palm router or sometimes called laminate trimmer. I didn't realise there are 1/2inch versions called Colt. Can you send me a link to one? If its a 1/2inch Bosch then is it still called a Colt or does it have a different name?

If there is a 1/2inch Colt then that would explain it all.
Having looked at my router today I really can't see how a 1/2inch collet will fit on but as I said why would they sell it in the kit that is designed to fit the Colt?

Its all a bit confusing but I guess I'll find out when I get it (I thought it was too good to be true). I wouldn't run 1/2inch bits at full speed anyway in the little Bosch but it might come in handy for some jobs. I'm getting a super-pid so I will be able to slow it right down. Its only when people try to push routers too hard or take a cut thats far too deep that you run in to trouble and start getting deflection etc. At 33000 rpm its not something for inexperienced router users that's for sure. I'll probably run at about 10k rpm if I'm using a large diameter bit depending on the job.

With regards to the HD, is it made from more rigid plastic or something? I would have thought that if its the same type of plastic there would actually be more chance of deflection over a longer gantry than a smaller one (shorter stretch won't flex as much)

I think the HD still has the same steppers and is made from black rather than the white, its just a bigger table size. You probably know all about it if you've got one. Are they really that much stiffer just because they are black, is it reinforced with carbon fiber or something?

Hi Andrew

If you look up at Rockler's website, you will see the 1/2" Colt.
Unfortunately, they only use 110 volts and Bosch has no intention of making one for 240 volts
Here it is http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16819



I bought my 1/2" router from Bunnies.
It comes with a plunge base, fixed base and can also be disassembled to go in the Shark.

Actually, The Shark Plus HD has a much stronger and taller gantry made from aluminium and high density poly, as well as a larger bracket, all the moving parts have been made stronger and heavier as well. The table is all extruded aluminium 900x900mm.
The control box now has the power supply integrated and an emergency button fitted.
Have a look at it here http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=30833&rrt=1

The old Shark is not strong enough to carry a larger router, everything will flex and you lose accuracy.
The flexing in the 1/4" shaft does not come from the speed but from the strain put on it by a larger bit.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Wolffie

Sorry, that was the wrong router.
The Precise Bit Collots only fit this one PR20EVSK Colt
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-PR20EVSK-1-Horsepower-Fixed-Base-Variable-Speed/dp/B000ANQHTA"]Amazon.com: Bosch PR20EVSK Colt Palm Grip 5.6 Amp 1-Horsepower Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router with Edge Guide: Home Improvement[/ame]

<table class="style5" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFF99">Precision Collets for Bosch Colt Palm Routers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#FFFF99">
</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="color: #000080" bgcolor="#FFFF99">compatible with Bosch Colt PR20EVSNK and Rigid R2400 laminate trimmers
Read here about the collets:

Bosch Colt TIR Measurement

Sorry about that.
Wolffie
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Originally Posted by Wolffie

That's going to be an interesting experiment
I have trouble seeing a 1/4" shaft being strong enough to handle a 1/2" bit.
The deflection of the shaft worries me.
As far as I can see on NWA's website, these are collets not adaptors.
Correct me if I am wrong, please.
I managed to get a 1/2" router here in OZ, just had to adapt the bracket to fit.
However, only the HD is strong enough to handle a 1/2" router.
Not forgetting the Colt comes in 1/2" over there as well
Cheers
Wolffie

Even if it doesn't deflect, it may not have enough power to run a 1/2" bit - I haven't seen a 1/4" trimmer with more than 700W (and that's on an $800 Festool); even the most basic 1/2" router has double that.

Well im getting conflicting advice. Both companies precise bits and next wave have both told me it fits and nextwave told me it will enable me to use 1/2 inch bits in my router.
I've ordered the kit so i won't be too happy if they are wrong. Sounds like I've wasted my money. I don't think the sales guys know what theyre talking about despite me explaining in great detail. With the cost of shipping being as much as the kit itself i guess the expensive lessen learned is don't trust the guys who make them or sell them. They've probably never done a days woodwork in their life. Not happy.

Still don't believe there is a 1/2 inch colt though. Looks like a 1/4 inch in those pics if you ask me. The Bosch gmr 1 is almost exactly the same apart from the voltage and speed control. So i don't mind if they don't sell it here. I don't want speed control as I'm using a superpid which is much better than any built in speed control due to the feedback loop.

Originally Posted by Andrew from AWC

Still don't believe there is a 1/2 inch colt though. Looks like a 1/4 inch in those pics if you ask me. The Bosch gmr 1 is almost exactly the same apart from the voltage and speed control. So i don't mind if they don't sell it here. I don't want speed control as I'm using a superpid which is much better than any built in speed control due to the feedback loop.

Seems like I have to bow my head in shame
It is the Bosch 1617 and 1618 that are 1/2"
I am looking forward to your experiment with a 1/2" collet on your 1/4" shaft.
I still doubt the motor power will be enough to drive the bits and the bearings will handle it.
Please prove me wrong

Cheers
Wolffie