Ryobi R1801M router - collet lock question..

[treimers]

hi everyone --

Does anyone have a Ryobi 1801M model router?

I just got one (used) , and am trying to figure out how to change bits in the collet

Read the manual, and it says to push in the button to lock the collet
That's easy enough to understand.

But the collet lock is behind a plastic part on the router
that's screwed in.
The manual says nothing about removing that window to get to the button.

The matching plastic window on the other side of the router pops right out
with two tabs.

The instructions talk about how to raise the router in the base far enough to have to depress that collet lock in order to remove the base, but
that's not in the section on changing bits. I can't get it to come
that far apart anyway.

Does Ryobi really mean you have to disassemble the router on that side to change bits?
Seems like they'd mention that in the manual if that's what they expected you to do....


The picture in the manual does show the collet lock on the opposite side
from the pop-out window, but it wouldn't be the first time I've seen
incorrect artwork in a manual...

 

[cheechi]

The router is an electric motor that happens to be in the base right now. At some point that motor might be put into a shaper table or router table, so yes there are situations you will be expecting to take it completely out of the base.

If you can't get to the collet lock button, try to raise it all the way up or lower it all the way down till you get better access. The plastic windows are there to keep dust and chips from flying at you but still let you see the cutting going on. Both can be removed.

 

[treimers]

Thanks Cheech - I've seen the bases for other purposes, or mounting just the motor under a table. My Ryobi table is designed to use the fixed base that's on the router to do the mounting, although I've seen the homemade router lifts people have done to use just the motor.

and BUMP!

Does anyone else know if you HAVE to unscrew the clear window just to
change the bit?

Seems odd to me that Ryobi would require you to use a screwdriver to take out that window to change router bits, but have a hand-removable window
on the opposite side?

But I can't get the entire router to rise up far enough for the collet
and lock to clear the table so both are accessible otherwise..


And, another thought --
Would you normally have those plastic windows installed if using the router
under a table, or would they be commonly used only when hand-holding the router?

 

[rlitman]

In a router, you only need to remove the windows from one side to get a wrench in to remove the bit.

Clear windows are for handheld use. Under a table, they will cause buildup of sawdust. What you really want is a replacement window that has a port for a vacuum.

No, the collet and lock won't clear the table. You need to get the wrench through that window under the table, or remove the router from its base to change bits.

If you cannot reach the spindle lock button (or break it, as often happens), there should be a pair of flats on the spindle so you can remove the collet using two wrenches.

 

[treimers]

Thanks Rlitman -

That's what I thought about the windows- there were chips down inside when I got the router/table assembly, so I kinda figured the windows weren't supposed to be installed for under-table use.

I think it's surprising that one window would come out with just a couple of thumb-clips (similar to the fusebox cover in your car)
but then in order to change a bit, you have to break out a screwdriver to remove the window on that side.

If I was in Ryobi's shoes, I'd have made both the windows hand-removable, or at least the one window you'd be removing all the time to change bits.

Just seemed counter-intuitive that one window almost falls out in your hands,
yet the one you remove all the time requires a screwdriver...

 

[rlitman]

It sounds like you've got something backwards then.