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LIttleBlackDuck
4266 posts
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47 followers
in about 2 years
in about 2 years
MuscleChuck - Quick Change Router Chuck
Boys and Girls,
While most have been exposed to this item and I’m just preaching
to the converted, one day there just may be a newbie that will see the light and pay homage to the author of this review… though I would prefer shekels.
As I was planning to repost this review I made at LJ on the 30th. Sep, 2020, I did a quick surf on the net and found mixed feedback to the source/supplier of this item.
IT seems that the name has been bandied about between what I knew a “The Eliminator Chuck” to a more common tag of “Muscle Chuck”… and a few other aliases in between.
IF you can manage to get your hands onto one of these, it’ll be well worth the asking price, all be it more than you would like to spend… the convenience and speed of change is priceless.
The other alternative is the “Xtreme Xtension colletes”,
(more on this below). The main issue I have with these is that they mount into the existing ½” collet and depending on the quality of your router, they could exacerbate any undue runout. Nevertheless you could do worse than to also add these to your Google search.
----------------------------------------- ooooOOOO From LJ OOOOooooo ---------------------------------------------
Eliminate Chucking a Routing Fit
Boys and Girls,
Both were posted circa 2009 and I thought it’s time to resurrect the product for all the new members over the last 11 years that may not have ferreted through the archives looking for this little gem and the old (sorry, long serving) members that can't remember.
I don't profess to know the real manufacturer/patent-holder, as in one of the above reviews it was attributed to Whiteside, however, my purchases were made from a chap named Joe Marmo under the tag of The Eliminator Chuck... a very pleasant chap who will go out of his way to assist you and answer all your queries.
The site lists the more common routers it will fit and if your router is not listed, either ring Joe and ask or buy a quality router.
To clear up any misconceptions, the Eliminator (gallery picture #1), replaces the original chuck. Gallery picture #2 shows the Eliminator next to the original chuck it replaces.
I have one fitted to my Porter Cable 7518 (motor only) router mounted in my router table,
The router is mounted to my preference with the collet’s "top" when fully lifted, a fraction below tabletop, and still permit access using an allen key.
You no longer need to battle with the traditional 2 handed spanners…
and don't be a smart arse and say your router has a locking knob… you still have to use one hand to hold down/in that knob while cranking the spanner with the other…
Now all I need to do is choose which of these allen keys to use,
... yep, only one. Surprise yourself and use a different one each time.
I also have one of these chucks attached to one of my Makita 3612 routers,
Prior to discovering these Eliminator Chucks, I used to use these Xtreme Xtension collets,
It does extend the reach by about 33mm, which may be of benefit under some circumstances.
I have one permanently mounted in another Makita 3612 router that is dedicated for use on a routing jig,
where I explicitly need that extended reach, made for creating oversized dowels on my lathe,
When I first discovered these Xtreme Xtension collets, I bought a number of them (like I did this reviewed Collete), and still use it on my Triton router on my 2nd router table,
Don't know whether the Eliminator fits the Triton or if its guilty of potential run-out issues, however, this is not an Xtreme review, so get off my back.
The Eliminator is made to fit Fe$tool, however, I have not taken that plunge as Fe$tool make dedicated collets
which I feel is a better option that a collet reducer sleeve.
Nevertheless, if I ever decided to use my Fe$tool router (or buy the big daddy OF2200) in a router table, I would not hesitate to fit it with an appropriate Eliminator.
Finally, go out and have a few drinks, so you can chuck up afterwards!
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If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
5 Comments
Solid write up, ducky! I love mine…it’s definitely machined to tight tolerances…using cheap(er) bits can mean the shaft on the cutter isn’t perfectly smooth and concentric and may bind a bit in the muscle chuck. High end bits have more properly tuned and finished shafts and aren’t usually an issue, in my experience…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
That an much more technical evaluation RGi... Forgetting that, I just love them for the convenience... anything else is a bonus.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
They’re awesome, to be sure…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I've had a Musclechuck on my CNC router for several months now. I love how easy it is to make bit changes now but I've been having a problem lately. It is almost impossible to get 1/2" shafts to slide into and out of the chuck now. I have to insert a small screwdriver into the gap that closes when you tighten the screw to wedge it apart enough to get the bit to move. Even then, I have to pull/push pretty hard to get it to move. I have tried it with several bits, both cheap and expensive bits. and it happens regardless of which one I use. Caliper seems to indicate that they are exactly 1/2" in diameter. Even the 1/4" collet slides more difficultly than it used to, though I don't have to pry the jaws open to slide it in or out.
Have any of you experienced this issue? I guess I am going to have to take it off to see if there some build up or something inside.
Have any of you experienced this issue? I guess I am going to have to take it off to see if there some build up or something inside.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
I believe that may be the result of over tightening at some time. I have been told that over tightening may bend/distort the bolt (or something like that). I did that once and sent it back to have the dodgy part replaced.... that was back when international shipping did not fall into the hands of the greedy Philistines and the two was plane trip was cheaper than a replacement.
My symptoms was actually a slipping bit, however, when discussing with the manufacturer, I was informed that over tightening can cause all sorts of issues... however, they did mention that the level of over tightening would not be an "accidental" occurrence but a concerted effort.
My symptoms was actually a slipping bit, however, when discussing with the manufacturer, I was informed that over tightening can cause all sorts of issues... however, they did mention that the level of over tightening would not be an "accidental" occurrence but a concerted effort.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
