I see someone is advertising a 2 1/2" bit exender for 1/2' shank router
bits. Am I alone in thinking that this has to be quite dangerous, not to
mention the inevitable whip that it would introduce? Anyone tried of of
these things? It is tempting because we all know the problem of not being
able to get the elevation in a table-mounted router.
Joe
Joe, I have a couple of different ones and haven't had any problem with
them. I don't think they're dangerous but there are couple of things to
consider.
They will amplify any problems your router might have with its
bearings. If there is runout in the bearings, you'll see it more with
the extender.
Due to the added distance between the cutter and the lower bearing,
side loads on the bit will have added leverage which will accelerate
bearing wear.
There are a few longer shank router bits available. Magnate makes some
of those. Problem is, a long shank isn't any better than these
extenders in regards to the above.
The benefit of the extenders is that it might prevent someone from
short-chucking their router bit. Now, that is dangerous!
I have one of the MCLS extenders. It is indispensible, but you do have
to be careful to chuck it deep into the router collet and there is some
added vibration over what it would be without the extension. What
surprised me was that there is no offset wrench available to reach the
nut in the table (like CMT makes for various routers). I made one
myself and it sure helps me change bits.
Joe wrote:>I see someone is advertising a 2 1/2" bit exender for 1/2' shank
router
>bits. Am I alone in thinking that this has to be quite dangerous, not to
>mention the inevitable whip that it would introduce? Anyone tried of of
>these things? It is tempting because we all know the problem of not being
>able to get the elevation in a table-mounted router.
>
>Joe
>
>
Haven't tried one, but is that the one in MLSC's (or CS's) catalogue? There's a
small testimonial written under it professing "no discernable whip", or
something along those lines. It's around 25 bucks. Tom
Work at your leisure!
I bought one a year ago from MLCS and have used it a couple of times
without any problem. However, I make sure to use the minimum RPM's
based on the bit size. I am a little anxious when I use it and tend to
use it only for making tongues on rails & stiles and have tried it with
a window sash bit. I have not been able to raise these high enough with
my setup without the extension.
Interestingly Rob Lee of Lee Valley has indicated to me that he is
concerned his liability insurance would shoot sky high if they carried
them, no surprise there.
Cheers,
Glen Duff
==============
no spam wrote:
> I see someone is advertising a 2 1/2" bit exender for 1/2' shank router
> bits. Am I alone in thinking that this has to be quite dangerous, not to
> mention the inevitable whip that it would introduce? Anyone tried of of
> these things? It is tempting because we all know the problem of not being
> able to get the elevation in a table-mounted router.
>
> Joe
>
>
>
In article <[email protected]>,
"no spam" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I see someone is advertising a 2 1/2" bit exender for 1/2' shank router
> bits. Am I alone in thinking that this has to be quite dangerous, not to
> mention the inevitable whip that it would introduce? Anyone tried of of
> these things? It is tempting because we all know the problem of not being
> able to get the elevation in a table-mounted router.
>
> Joe
>
>
Wear a leather apron.