Router

[Crooked Stic]

I have a 2HP single speed router that went bad. So I found one on he bay same model. It came with 1/4 collet. The old one has 1/2 collet. Thinking I will change them out. The 1/4 came out just fine. The old router lock nut comes off okay but collet part stays in shaft but spins freely but not wanting to come out. Any ideas?. Have tugged on it with pliers seems stuck but spins in shaft.
I use it on my table for forms etc.

[wood carver 2]

Not sure if this will work, but you can try to jam a wooden dowel into the collet. Not so tight as to expand it, but enough to grip it for a pull. I don’t suppose there’s enough of it sticking out that you can somehow grab with something?
Dave.

[wood carver 2]

Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. If you pull with pliers, it might be racking a bit. It might have developed a burr or some burned on crap that’s making it stick.
Dave.

[Crooked Stic]

That is my thoughts that the collet spun in the shaft at some point aa
ND maybe a burr. Anyhow I sprayed it with penetrating oil. Try again tomorrow.

[wood carver 2]

How much of the collet sticks out of the shaft? If there’s enough room, you could try placing a piece of wire around it and twisting it tight to close the collet. It might give you enough room to get it out.
Dave.

[OldRawhide42]

You can put some ice on the inside of the collet for a bit. Then heat the outside of the shaft fast with a heat gun . Then try pulling and turning it out.

[Crooked Stic]

The wire idea sounds good. And I may have enough sticking out to get a small hose clamp on there maybe with a 1/2 piece of Dowell stuck in the collet for some leverage.

[skeaterbait]

Not sure if it would work the same as a stuck bit, but perhaps a light tap inward would free it enough to be able to pull it out?

[Kirkll]

After using the penetratingly oil, put an old 1/4" router bit or an old 1/4" drill bit in it and tighten it down, then tap the bit gently with a hammer or a block of wood. It's real possible there is a bit of rust in there holding it in place. Then loosen it a bit and tap the bit gently from the side as you rotate it.... i've had this happen myself on an old router, and got it free'd up.   Kirk

[Crooked Stic]

Well dummy me found the problem th1/4 did not have a small screw holding it in the shaft. So I really didn't look for one in the 1/2 ________but it was there. But it was not budging. I finally put a small bit in my drill and reversed it got lucky and broke it loose. They don't need a screw once tightened. Suppose it's there to keep it from falling out when the lock nut is removed.