Usually the 1/4" collet is just a sleeve that fits inside the 1/2" collet. It reduces the inside diameter to accomodate a 1/4" bit.

 

It's how to seperate the nut from the sleeve that I can't figure.

 

Thank you both.

I'll stick it in the vice and see how it goes.

I just didn't want to go with the brute force if there was a "correct" way of doing it.

Cheers

Potski

 

Generally the Dewalt's come with two separate collets, already in thier nuts. One for 1/4", and one for 1/2". Just screw one off and the other on.

 

Like Dave I changed to an eliminator chuck, but as I remember I could usually get it apart just using my hands and rocking the collet while pulling on the nut.

What also works is to set the assembled nut and collet on a vice with the collet hangind down supported by the nut. (i.e. vice opened wide enough to clear the collet but not wide enough for the nut to fall through). Then gently tap the collet out with a dowl.

 

I was having the same issue where I thought they didn't include the 1/2" collet but it is as simple as taping the inner 1/4" sleeve. It sits just inside the 1/2" sleeve so it will easily slide out if you are taping the inner sleeve. Thanks for the info.

 

With some of these routers there's a sort of "stop" when you wrench the collet nut. I haven't done it in a long time so I may not be getting it right. I have one of those routers on my WoodRat but I put a non-stock collet on it. The stop is enough to change the bit, but you have wrench past the stop to take the nut off and change the collet.

 

I've got a DW618 which apparently is different, but a quick look at the manual for your router seems to indicate that it is pretty similar to most of my other routers that use a separate collet (not collet/nut assembly like on my 618) that you just swap out. The section in the manual related to changing the collet states:

To change collets, unscrew the collet assembly, as described
above, sharply pull the old collet out of the collet nut and insert the
new collet. Push firmly so that it snaps past the retainer spring in
the collet nut.

So there is a retainer spring in the nut apparently... you just need to snap it past that and you should be good to go.

Cheers,
Brad