sawhorses - Wood Tools

COLTET-'-lA"ToperMolor\shofrWith all the other features you need to payattention to, ith easy to ovellook the intportanceof the coliet. It seems like a rtrinol coruponent,but it I'ras a big job: holding the bit.The Squeeze Play -The collet sclueezesthe shank of tl.re bit, n.ruch like a drill chr-rck.'Weall know, tl.ror.rgh, that c'lrill chucks tencl to slipeasily.That\ inconvenient with a drill bit, but rt'sdownright danserous witl-r a r-outer bit.To grip the bit elfectively, a mter uses rhreepalts that work together.Tl.re rol/c/ is l cylinderwith a selies ofveltical slits and an inside dilnreterof ) / q" or | /1" (Illtrstrutiott , lcfi).Tlte outside.of the collct is tapered to fit a matcl-rins tapcr inthe slnli of the r.notor. Tigl.rtenir-rg r rrrrt forcesthe collet deepel into tl.rc- shaft, which closesthe slits to squeeze the bit.To work we1l, thesep:rrts have to be well-nrachined.And, as a generalrule, nrore slits cquirl a better collet.Change Should Be Easy -'While a firmglip is clitical, the collet also has to release thebit easily. Look for a router witl-r a "self-releasins"collet. As you loosen the collet nr-rt, rhis fypeopens the collet to break its grip on the bit.Routers used to reqnire two wrenches totighten or loosen the collet. But now nrost havea shali lock, so you only need one wrench (P/rotcr,bdort lc-fi).A few routers even have "autortratic"locks that sinrplify trit chanqins in a tablenrotrntcdroutcr (,|)ioftr, br:Iort, rtqltt).LItt to Lork'lr,f iiri lllrr i i ,,,irrlirl,, ,ri i r\ I rr\/r],ill1rOne area where plunge and fixed-base routersvary greatly is in the types of controls theyhave, and their placement. With either rype,though, good controls are essential for safe use.Plunge Keeps Controls In Hand -Because you can adjust cutting depth as you cutwith a plunge router, the plunge lock has to beaccessible with your hands on the handles(Photo,-far leJt).Usually, the power switch islocated on or near one of the handles, as well.Fixed-Base Controls Require a Reach -The nrotor housing and base are separate unirson fixed-base routers, so the power switch can'tbe located on a handle.This makes the switch difficultto reach when you have both hands on thehandles. One great solution is to add an optionalD-handle with a trigger switch (Photo, near left).44'woRKBENCHn DECEMTER 2005