specialty wrench for pc router

[Sweet Willy]

I have an older porter cable router and after eight years I've finally had it with messing with those two dang wrenches to change a bit. Here's what I did today. Hopefully the pictures will help tell the story.

1. I cut a piece of 1/4" ply to fit in the slot in the motor's body.
2. I pop riveted onto one of the wrenches. NOTE! The ply extends below the wrench in order to slide behind the nut.
3. Then you slide the ply/wrench combo in between the slot noted earlier.
4. In the last picture, with the adapted wrench in place and the second wrench on the other nut you really don't need to use two hands.

[capncarl]

Sweet Willy
You lost me, what is the plywood for? I've made a number of wrenches for routers and grinders using flat cold rolled steel from the hobby sections of HD, Tractor Supply and Lowes. Grinder with a razor disk and lots of filing makes a fine wrench!

[phrog]

Sweet Willy, I have the same router with the same problem. Think I'll use your approach when I have time. Thanks for sharing.

[phrog]

Sweet Willy
You lost me, what is the plywood for? I've made a number of wrenches for routers and grinders using flat cold rolled steel from the hobby sections of HD, Tractor Supply and Lowes. Grinder with a razor disk and lots of filing makes a fine wrench!

There is a gap between the top nut and the body of the router into which the wrench always falls. The plywood will take up that space. In other words, the wrench isn't thick enough. Sorry Sweet Willy, didn't mean to step on your turf.

[capncarl]

I totally understand now. Wrench not thick enough.
capncarl

[phrog]

I totally understand now. Wrench not thick enough.
capncarl

I think he also made it close to the dimension of a "slot" in the base so that it will not rotate when changing bits. Therefore, he doesn't have to hold it.

[LinuxRandal]

When I was at the woodworking show, I looked at some "tooless" collets for routers. This to me, just shows how much money would be wasted on that, for a scrappy solution.

[phrog]

When I was at the woodworking show, I looked at some "tooless" collets for routers. This to me, just shows how much money would be wasted on that, for a scrappy solution.

How in the world do you tighten it enough to be safe without tools?

[capncarl]

I like Sweet Willys idea. As far as the tool less router bit holder goes, you really don't appreciate how tight it needs to be until a router bit comes out while you are using it.

[JoeyGee]

I really like that idea, Willy. I seem to bust my knuckles whenever I need to change bits on my PC router.

You should send that in as a tip in one of the magazines and get some cash.

[LinuxRandal]

How in the world do you tighten it enough to be safe without tools?

If you can find them (these were in one of the tool closeout/HF type sellers), Jacobs powercollets. You pulled up and pushed down to release (not sure I can explain it easier). I know they were discontinued, and caused loss of depth of cut.
There is one that is still sold, but not wrenchless, as it uses an allen wrench. I am still leary of these things (why I never bought one), but thought the tech might prove itself one day. (HF still sells router bits, and I have always been leary about them as well, yet I know two people that have bought and used them)