Unable to fit 1/2" Shank Bits into Hitachi M12V2

[radhak]

This is rather late, so maybe you already found your 1/2" collet?

If not, this looks to be a replacement: https://www.amazon.com/Superior-Elec.../dp/B00MG4NSUW

or here : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement-...-/111824394831

[Pakman]

Hey Guys,

Know this is an ancient post/thread but I bought a M12V2 years ago and am just now setting up my little shop.
I bought it in Estonia sold as 1/2"/12mm in the description. I also bought the router raiser and 1/2" shank xtreme xtension from a different source.
Tried to install the 1/2" (12.7mm) shanked extension in the collet and it doesn't fit properly.

After a little searching (which lead me here as well ) I found that Hitachi sells/sold the M12V2 with two sets of collets 12mm&8mm and 1/2"&1/4".
Measured the tailend ID of my collets and the collet centering tool which came with it and I have the 12mm & 8mm set. So needless to say the 1/2" (12.7mm) shank won't fit.
So need a need collet set or at least a 1/2"er (extension comes with a 1/4" sleeve) .

Here shows the 1/2" collet part nr. is 323-421 and the 12mm is 325-199.
http://www.powertoolspares.com/tool/.../m12v2/spares/

Not sure what the 1/4" part number is.

[ATTACH]5168[/ATTACH]

I recently bought a M12v2 and have the same problem with stuck bits and am currently at the point where I haven't been able to use the router for several months. The only difference is my router did not come with two collets that are displayed as shown. Only two inserts for one nut. I bought it last September with intentions to put it in a table but it's been useless since the day I bought it since everything seems to stick with the canadian 1/2" bits I'm using in a US model router.

[sscherin]

I have an M12V and the 1/2" bits I have are a smooth fit..
I'd see if they will send you a new collet.

{edit}
Just saw the last post.. never mind!

[caseyd]

Well, I got it fixed. Looks like the sleeve inside the router was the problem. After some careful disassembly and a few careful taps of my hammer I managed to get it out. Now everything seems to be in pretty good shape. Now on to making some holes . Thanks a bunch guys.

[RayintheUK]

This is the Chuck sleeve on left 1/4 " It incerts into Collet Chuck right 1/2"??? The Collet Chuck must be loose or out to place bit in. it is a very close fit.Hope this helps.

Your picture shows the original "Hitachi-style" collet, as fitted to the M12V, not the newer "self-releasing" type as fitted to the latest model, the M12V2, which is Casey's model. The type as shown is one-piece collet, the new version is two-piece (see pictures at the head of this page).

Ray.

[reddog552]

Hitachi M12V

This is the Chuck sleeve on left 1/4 " It incerts into Collet Chuck right 1/2"??? The Collet Chuck must be loose or out to place bit in. it is a verry close fit.Hope this helps.

[RayintheUK]

Ray, that's exactly the problem that I'm having. Here's the odd thing. The picture on the top left is the 1/4" adapter that I was talking about, however, the collet on the right is actually just the nut, and the part that has 4 sections that should aide in tightening the bit is actually inside the router. It seems as though I may have somehow done something that made that section of the collet slide into the router, so now the nut is separate from this piece and almost impossible to remote from the router.

Well, at least we've cleared up what's where. As has been said, the collet itself (the part with the four slits) MUST be removed from the recess in the router shaft. Once this is done, see if it will reassemble onto the nut.

In its current position, because it has compressed in upon itself, it won't accept the shaft of a 1/2" bit, but when it's released it will probably be OK. If not, replace the whole assembly. From what has been said, I now doubt that it's the wrong size, but if replacing, be sure to specify 1/2"

Ray.

[sbs]

(Mostly repeating what others have said...)

Tightening the collet nut with no bit in place will squeeze the collet down so that the bits will no longer fit.

The fact that the collet is jammed in the machine is another indicator that this is probably what was done.

You need to remove the collet from the machine. It will probably open back up once released. If it doesn't you'll need to force it over a bit shaft to open it back up. Depending on the collet, this may be easy to do by putting it on the shaft back-end first.

[rcp612]

[the collet on the right is actually just the nut, and the part that has 4 sections that should aide in tightening the bit is actually inside the router.]
It seems to me that the actual "collet" is stuck in the router and having been tightened without a bit in place would make the i.d. smaller than 1/2". If the nut is separated from the collet (happens frequently to me) the collet can be removed only with force. I use a brass punch and tap it loose using the "lip" that should be holding the collet in the nut. Very careful tapping, all around the edge will remove it. That would let the collet return to its original relaxed size and fit the bit.

[reddog552]

collet size

I pulled out the manual there are three sizes of [collet chuck]as per HITACHI terminolgy 1/2" 10 mm.&12mm.Also there are 7 sizes of [chuck sleves]. I think you have the wrong collet chuck.Your choice of the M12V will be well rewarded I use Grizzly pannel raising bits in mine with excelent results, 31/4 Hp. variable speed is where its at.Grizzly also has a1/2" Shaper cutter arbor Model#G4820 & 20 or so different cutters which are another option you have.

[caseyd]

Ray, that's exactly the problem that I'm having. Here's the odd thing. The picture on the top left is the 1/4" adapter that I was talking about, however, the collet on the right is actually just the nut, and the part that has 4 sections that should aide in tightening the bit is actually inside the router. It seems as though I may have somehow done something that made that section of the collet slide into the router, so now the nut is separate from this piece and almost impossible to remote from the router.

Unfortunately, when I first received the router I wanted to check to see that it was in proper working order, so I tested the motor without any bit in the collet. It might be the case that this caused this "tightening" section to lodge itself inside the router. When I decided to unscrew the nut this section actually stayed inside the router.

To answer some of the quesitons that were raised earlier, it seems like after measuring with a simple ruler (no calipers), the section that is stuck in my router is actually slightly smaller that 1/2." I bought my bits from MLCS woodworkingn, and they seem to be exactly 1/2" so I'm assuming I may have two problems.

1. The so called "tightening section" that should be connected to the collet is in fact inside my router.
2. This "tighting section" is too small to fit 1/2" router bits (this seems crazy, since I bought a standard router that is said to fit 1/2" and 1/4" bits). However, the registration for my router says that it is only for Canadian Cusomters so it may be posslbe that it shipped with the wrong sized collet. I did buy this particular router on amazon.com.

I just wanted to give you some more information. So far the insight you guys have given me has been excellent. I'm thinking at this point I might need to make a call to Hitachi service and see if I can get this sorted out. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't ignoring something obvious. I'd appreciate any more insight you might have.

Thanks.

[RayintheUK]

Does the collet look anything like these? Top picture shows the "business end" and the bottom picture shows the rear view of the collets removed from the router shaft.





If you can't insert the 1/2" shank of the cutter into the opening (top picture), then the collet is the wrong size, it can't be anything else.

Ray.

[mpc]

Does Hitachi offer a metric collet? Freud included metric ones in my router kit a while back, when I emailed them they admitted they did that in a batch of 'em and sent me the correct collects overnight. And a new collet nut too so I have a spare.

mpc

[leehljp]

Another possibility is that the thin inner sleeve you mention is an adapter that adapts 12mm (European or japanese) bits to the 1/2" collets? (never actually seen or heard of one) The difference is small. Does the fixed tube that the nut goes over have a sliding fit to the bits?

Loring,

I mentioned it because I have ordered sleeves (but only 6 mm) to fit an American 1/2 in router. I did that about 10 years ago and checked with a couple of companies. I found out that (at that time) some factories made their basic routers for export to numerous countries and made the metric collets available. These were not offered on a web site or in a catalog, but only from the company.

Basically inside the hole where the collet drops into, it is all the same. By doing this, a collet change, and in the electrical system, a switch or wiring change will allow most routers to swing to other systems.


CASEYD - the collet is the "system" that includes the locking nut, other nuts, washers, inner bit holder, etc. Some people might get technical and include the holder only. We are referring to the hollow holder in the above posts for the most part.

The Collet or bit holder come in two basic forms:
1. a solid sleeve that slips around the bit and hold the bit. It has one slit from top to bottom and usually a flute of sorts at 180° of the slit to allow for flexing as the nut is tightened.
2. The other collet (and to me the more common in my routers) collet has several slits from the top to about 1/2 to 2/3s the way down.


If there are other terms that we are throwing out that are confusing or you are not familiar with, let us know and we will gladly help.

Because I am in Japan and spend half my time speaking in Japanese, I have forgotten many many English words because of none use. I know the feeling of asking and feeling dumb about something or not using the right terminology.

For instance in the above reply to you, in the #1. - I cannot remember the correct term the "flute", and that might be the correct term . I know there is one. I often cannot remember "jointing" terminology or the word "rabbet" and hate to ask a question strictly because I don't know what to call it, and I sure ought to!