How to Remove a Router Bit

A router hollows out a piece of wood using precise and often decorative cuts. Used for everything from building stairs to creating crown molding. Removing a router bit is rather straight forward, even if it sticks a little. Exact directions can be found in the manufacturer's manuals, but these tips should cover a range of different models.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two wrenches

1. Move the base out of the way. On some models, the entire base pulls off revealing the nuts that hold the bit on. On other models, the base simply adjust up and down, so you should move the base down as far as possible, so you can reach the nuts. One nut is attached the the shaft of the router, while the other, called a collet, can be removed completely.

2. Turn router on its side, so you can easily remove the bit..

3. Position one wrench on the nut holding the bit and another on the nut attached to the shaft of the router, so that the two wrenches are quite close together. You should be able to touch both wrenches with one hand, so make sure they are not too far apart.

4. Squeeze the wrenches together with one hand. You should only need to do this once to loosen the top nut, which can then be loosened by hand until it catches a second time. Not all models have a second catch, so your nut may screw completely off.

5. Place the wrenches back on the nuts, slightly apart, and pull together with one hand. The wrenches only need to be a couple inches apart. One squeeze should move the nut over the catch, allowing it to be loosened and removed by hand.

6. Remove the bit and nut assembly, being careful not to grasp the actual cutting surface. Holding the bit in one hand, pull the nut off of it with your other hand.

Tips & Warnings

• "Right tighty, lefty loosey" does not apply to router bits. When loosening the nuts, you, in essence, want to move each towards the other. If the bit is stuck in the collet, try lightly tapping the bit with the wrench to loosen any sawdust that accumulated during work.
• Unplug your router before attempting to remove the bit, as you don't want any unfortunate accidents.