Setting router bit concentric

[Franco]

Hi guys. Apologies if this is in the wrong section, I wasn't really sure where to put it.

I seem to have problems getting my router bits to spin true.

I pretty much use my router exclusively in a table and its clear that they are not running concentric.

My first router was a B&Q own brand job, I then got a pair of awful Hongda routers and I have now just bought an Erbauer ERB210C. I know it may not be the best router but it got some good reviews and I thought it should at least hold bits true.

I have built two router tables so far and yesterday I also bought a new table to go with my new router. I generally use 1/4" shank 1/4" dia x 1/2" length bearing guided bits and you can see them running out of true as the router slows down.

I have been using cheap £2.30 Silverline bits and I thought this may be the problem so yesterday I bought a £15 Trend 1/4" shank 9.5mm x 1/2" bearing guided bit but I can still see this running out. I imagine if I put a DTI (dial test indicator/clock) on it it would be running 0.5mm+ out of true.

Do you guys have any advice for me? Is it possible to 'true' the bit up at all?

 

[Benchwayze]

You could try a new collet Franco.

Then, the only way I can think of to check, is to rout a groove with say a 6mm cutter, and then see how a piece of 6mm ply or mdf fits.

If you made different grooves with say three cutters, and they were all 'sloppy' then I'd think the router was running out.

If only one groove is sloppy, then the obvious conclusion is a suspect bit.

I am not enough of an engineer to offer anything more 'qualified' I'm afraid.
HTH

John

 

[toolsntat]

Franco , a true test would be a piece of silver steel bar clamped into the right size collet and use your gauge on that....

Andy

 

[jasonB]

You don't really need the Silver steel just run a dti against the shank of one of your cutters.

Do you keep the nut & collet socket clean, a build up of dirt could through the bit out but I suspect it comes down to lower end router and bits.

Jason

 

[Franco]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm going to bring a DTI home from work tomorrow and check it.

This is a brand new router and brand new bit. It hasn't even touched a piece of material yet.

A router should spin true though shouldn't it?

 

[Mike Wingate]

Cheap bearings on cheap bits tend to have runout as slop increases in use. Accuracy will come with a clean collet and decent bits, cheap ebay sets are not quite good enough for protracted use.

 

[chippy1970]

I had this on a Dewalt 625 and a Trend T5 and neither manufacturer would believe me it was like it was in my head. It was the exact same thing they wobbled slightly and you noticed it more as the router slowed. It turned out that the main shaft/spindle whatever its called that the collet fits on to was bent in manufacture.

These were quiet expensive routers compared to your Erbauer router. It could be your collet then its simple or the bits if you are using cheap ones but if not then it will be what I had.

 

[Franco]

Thanks again for the input.

Like I said I bought a £15 Trend bit from B&Q and I still have a similar problem, or is that still considered cheap?

I'll check the spindle of the bit and also the inside of the shaft where the collet locates with a finger clock.

I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[chippy1970]

Thanks again for the input.

Like I said I bought a £15 Trend bit from B&Q and I still have a similar problem, or is that still considered cheap?

I'll check the spindle of the bit and also the inside of the shaft where the collet locates with a finger clock.

I'll let you know how I get on.

No Trend bits are usually OK but they do have different quality levels I personally wouldnt really buy any tools from B&Q you are better off going to a trade tool shop or getting them online. I just used Wealdens for the first time and their cutters seem very good quality.

 

[OLD]

I had just this problem with a charnwood router they sent a new collet no good i sent them the router no fault found but it was well faulty and vibrated etc, so i had my money back . My advice is get it replaced or your money back all the above did was cause delay.

 

[Mike Wingate]

THe B&Q Trend bits are usually the cheaper black "craftsman" range. There are qualities of their bits, but see if you can get an exchange or second opinion on the router in question. One of my students bent the shaft of his Hitachi tr12 in use, by a big margin, so take care.