How to Replace the Quarter-Inch Collet and Nut on a DeWALT Router

The collet assembly consists of a quarter-inch collet and the collet nut. The collet is a type of chuck that holds the router bit in your router. As the nut pulls the collet into the shaft, the taper squeezes the collet tightly around the router bit. The collet can be damaged by rust. If it isn't tightened enough, it will allow the bit to slip, which will wear the collet. Eventually, the threads on the nut can become worn.

Let's get started.

REMOVING THE COLLET AND NUT   1. Remove the fixed base.

a. Disengage the locking latch.

b. Depress the two lock tabs on the sides of the base.

c. Lift the motor assembly away from the fixed base.

  2. Remove the collet and nut.

a. Use the wrenches supplied with your router to loosen the collet nut. Use one wrench to hold the shaft (preventing it from rotating) and the other wrench to loosen the collet nut.

b. Remove the collet and nut from the router shaft.

INSTALLING THE NEW COLLET AND NUT

  3. Install the collet and nut.

a. Thread the new collet and nut onto the router shaft.

b. Use the wrenches supplied with your router to tighten the collet nut.

REASSEMBLING THE UNIT

  4. Reinstall the fixed base.

a. Install the motor assembly into the fixed base.

b. Secure the motor with the locking latch.