New to routers, may have bought the wrong thing

[Honzo]

Hi, I recently bought a router for sinking joysticks and slot cutting for the control panel on my first project cab and I think I hit a snag.

The router i bought is a Ryobi R180 2 HP router.  It was out of box and used, but I got it because I found it for $25 on craigslist and it seems to work just fine.  Only problem is i didn't do my research i guess.  Turns out its got a 1/2" collet and every bit i need has a 1/4" shank.  I found the manual and originally it came with an interchangable 1/4" collet, but nobody has it in stock.  I've found adapters, but a friend of mine told me they're unsafe to use.  Can anyone confirm or dispute this?  I would imagine they wouldn't make them if they were unsafe, but i'm just looking for some verification before i buy one.

Also, on a side note, to cut the plexi for overlaying on the cp, I was planning on punching a pilot in each button hole, then using a flush trim bit to finish the holes and surrounding edge.  Would any flush trim bit for laminate be fine for this job?

Thanks for any answers!

[Virge]

I'm pretty new to routers also but from what I have read the 1/2 collet routers are preferred over the 1/4.  Mine came with both but I only use the 1/2" one.  Every bit you need I'm sure comes in a 1/2" version also.
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/ is a good site for reasonable prices on bits.
For drilling the plexi, I took the advice given somewhere on this board of using a 1/2' spade bit to make the pilot holes then used a flush trim bit, worked great every time.
Still a work in progress.

[Haterot]

I bought all my bits from MCLS Woodworking and every bit they have can be found in a 1/4 or 1/4 shank.

[Chadwick]

What others have said.  There is no bit you can buy in 1/4" (that you'll want/need) that you cannot also buy in 1/2".

[Honzo]

Ok, i just thought because the 1/2" shanks have larger cutting surfaces they would be unsatisfactory for more precision cuts, but i guess the only thing this may matter on is the mortising bit (the corners of where the joysticks will be sunk in), where it really doesn't matter anyway, since it's all going on under the panel..

[Chadwick]

Shank size does NOT equal cutting edge diameter in all cases.   You can get a 1/4 dia. flush trim bit with a 1/2" shank, for example, but you will not commonly find them at a Lowe's or HD because they have very limited selections.

I can get any bit in the world for you if you can't find what you need locally.  Feel free to ask as many questions as you want.  These forums are here to help     In addition to helping you, your questions and the answers provided will help others now and in the future.

[Honzo]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!

Could you tell me which type of flush trim bit i would want to use on plexi? That's really the only question i had left.  I've seen plenty of different types (2 fluke, 3 fluke, shear angle, then this beast lol)  and I wasn't sure which one would work best on plexiglass.

[Chadwick]

Just use a garden variety 2-flute, carbide-tipped straight bit.  There are no plastics-specific flush trim bits out there.

[Virge]

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_flush.html
One of the top ones is what I used.

[Honzo]

thank you very much
some people are very reluctant to help. Even though the answers are out there, I do search a lot and just can't find the answer so I really appreciate your cooperation!
I'm actually planning on documenting tricks and such I learn from the process so I can put all these answers I get into the wiki for future noobs

[ohiojason]

I don't know why a 1/2 to 1/4 adapter would be unsafe. All 3 of my routers (dewalt, delta, craftsman) came with the adapters and I have never had an issue.

Now I do buy 1/2 inch bits when I can. However I have several 1/4 inch bits from project that came up so I ran to a big box store because I needed it that day. In that case I use the adapter, they work fine, and I dont feel the need to replace them with 1/2 inch bits.   

[Franco B]

I don't know why a 1/2 to 1/4 adapter would be unsafe. All 3 of my routers (dewalt, delta, craftsman) came with the adapters and I have never had an issue.

Now I do buy 1/2 inch bits when I can. However I have several 1/4 inch bits from project that came up so I ran to a big box store because I needed it that day. In that case I use the adapter, they work fine, and I dont feel the need to replace them with 1/2 inch bits.   

I'm only guessing here but I imagine you are talking about the different size collets that come with the router. Honzos router only has the 1/2" collet and he cant find the smaller ones. I think the adapter he was taking about would be something like [this] (the 1/2" to 1/4" extension.)

I have no idea if they are unsafe though. Obviously you are increasing the length from the cutter to the router which will make the whole thing less 'solid'. Anyone have any info on these? I would like to know as I have considered using one before myself.

[Chadwick]

An adapter like that should work just fine.  On a CNC it might cause additional runout, but on a hand router it should work perfectly.

[nuka1195]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/src/froogle/recno/4/product-Perform-Router-Collet-Reduction-Sleeves-362891.htm

i use to use something similar (1/2 -> 1/4) until i got the 1/4 inch collet