I'm curious about the safe height for setting a router bit, specifically when using a slot cutter bit. When I raise my router to its highest position, I find that the slot is still too low in the workpiece. I know I can adjust the height by loosening the collet and pulling the bit out a bit, but I'm unsure about how much of the bit shank should actually remain in the collet for safety. Is it really best to keep all of it in there, except maybe 1/8"? I want to avoid the risk of the bit flying out while in use. Any thoughts?
3 Answers
Yeah, you definitely want to avoid having the bit bottom out in the shaft. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the bit goes in just past the collet when you tighten it. If you’re using 1/4" shank bits, keep more of the shaft in the collet to avoid bending. Honestly, no one wants a bit flying off at high speed—trust me, it's a scary thought! Also, they do make longer slot cutting bits that could help if you're consistently running into this issue.
There's often a mark on the shank indicating where it should sit in the collet. Look for a straight line with a chevron; that line should be level with the collet when it's tightened. I'd recommend against pulling the bit out just to make it fit, as that can create more issues. Better to find a different bit or approach to get the right cut!
From what I've heard, you should really keep all of it in there, just leave about 1/8" out max. Sure, people might do questionable things, but safety comes first!
Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate all the tips!